Jan 23 2024

Why a Transportable Home May Not Be the Best Option: 5 Considerations to Keep in Mind

Things to check for delivery2

Introduction:
While transportable homes have gained popularity in recent years, it's important to understand that they may not always be the optimal choice for everyone. In this blog post, we will explore five key considerations that may make a transportable prefab home less suitable for your needs.

  1. Difficult Road or Site Access:
    One of the primary factors to consider when opting for a transportable home is the accessibility of your site. If your property or the road to your property has limited access, such as a narrow driveway, trees, power poles and tight corners, which limit the space for the delivery truck to maneuver, transporting a prefabricated home may prove to be challenging. In such cases, traditional on-site construction methods might be more practical and cost-effective. The above infographic shows some of the things to check, but if you're not sure you'll need to have your site access checked by a proffesional, and you'll be surprised what they're able to to!

  2. Internal Access Level Entry Garage:
    For those desiring the convenience and security of an internal access level entry garage, a transportable home might not be the ideal choice. While some sites can make it possible to build a garage onto the transportable home, it is often difficult and the home buyer will lose the efficiency advantage provided by the factory built construction process. If an internal access level entry garage is a priority, a conventionally built home might better suit your needs.

  3. Large Homes with Complex design:
    Transportable homes are typically designed to be easily transported, which means they tend to have limitations when it comes to size and complex architectural shapes. If you have a specific vision for home larger than 160m2 with intricate design elements, it may be more challenging to achieve that with a transportable home. Working with a traditional construction approach could offer you more freedom to bring your unique architectural aspirations to life.

  4. Preference for Brick Cladding or Concrete Floors:
    Transportable homes need to utilize lightweight building materials, which may not be compatible with certain cladding options like brick or stone. Additionally, if you have a preference for a concrete floor, it won't be possible to transport this due to the weight and foundation requirements. In such cases, a conventionally built home would offer more flexibility in terms of material selection. Find out more about our cladding options here 

    Weathertex exterior cladding explained

  5. Bank Financing Considerations:
    While transportable homes can be a cost-effective housing solution, it is important to consider the potential impact on financing. Some banks may have strict lending policies regarding transportable homes, which can make it more challenging to secure large loans. This may limit your borrowing capacity or require additional effort in finding a lender who is willing to provide suitable financing options. It is advisable to consult with multiple financial institutions and explore the feasibility of securing a loan for a transportable home. Contact us about ways that we can help by adjusting our finance terms or check these articles for more information. 

    Top 5 tips to prepare before discussing finance with your bank 

    How to arrange finance for a prefab home

Conclusion:
While transportable homes offer flexibility and affordability, there are certain factors that may make them less suitable for certain situations. Difficult site access, the need for an internal access level entry garage, large or complex architectural designs, preferences for specific non lightweight building materials, and potential financing limitations are all factors to carefully consider. It is essential to evaluate your needs and priorities before making a decision.

 

By weighing these considerations against the benefits of a transportable home, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your vision of a safe, sustainable, and high-performance home.

 

 

 

 

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Tags: Transportable/Prefab home Pricing and Finance