Q: I want to build a new home, what do I do first?

First, think about your budget. Get an idea of costs for both the land and the build. Figure in additional costs for permit fees, engineering, and architecture if needed. Call a qualified builder with experience in your area. Contact them first to see if they have lots available or ready to build on. If not, ng, or architecture if needed. 

Q: How do I finance a modular home?

Mortgage lenders treat modular homes the same as site-built homes and offer the same mortgage options. Modular homes are also treated the same as site-built homes when it comes to appraisals and insurance. In addition, modular homes appreciate in value at the same rate as comparable site-built homes in your area.

You are welcome to obtain your own financing - Pittenger Builders will be happy to work with your financial institution. Pittenger Builders can also refer you to any number of local lenders that we have worked with within the past.

 

Q: Can I design my own floor plan?

Absolutely! Pittenger Builders has hundreds of customizable floor plans available. Together with your architect, we can make your dream home come true.  

 

Q: I was recently at your Design Studio, and noticed I could get better prices on some of the same items at a home improvement store. Why is this?

The perception that you get better prices at a home improvement store is false. Unlike with traditional retail stores, the price you pay at the Design Studio includes:

• Delivery/installation in time for move-in 

• Warranty on every installed item 

• Expert design advice/consultation

 

Q: What choices do I have in my home design?

Pittenger Builders offers extensive home design options. We can help you select a style and color palette, that fits your budget and need. In addition, you can further personalize your home by selecting your finishing options with the help of professional designers.

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Q: I love your floor plans, but can I alter them to fit my needs a little bit better?

Absolutely! Every house we do is customized in some way or another.  Whether it is enlarging a living room or adding a wraparound porch, if you can dream it we will build it!

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Q: What types of materials will be used in building my home?

Typical home construction consists of wood, concrete, and various other materials. Pittenger Builders has developed both national and regional relationships with leading trade partners to ensure that only long-lasting, high-quality materials will be used in building your home.

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Q: Can I use my existing foundation for the new house?

Yes and no.  Your foundation will have to be inspected by a structural engineer.  If the engineer signs off on the foundation we can move forward with the design and construction.  If the foundation is not structurally sound, we will have to follow the engineer’s instructions before moving forward.

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Q: How finished will my modular home be at the time of arrival at my home site?

By the time your home is delivered to your site, it can be close to 90% complete.

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Q: What about building permits for modular homes?

A modular home is no different from any other form of construction.  All homes built by Pittenger

Builders exceed both local and state building codes.  Pittenger Builders will guide you through the cumbersome permit process.

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Q: I'm not an interior designer - how can I be sure the home options I select will work well together?

The design team at Pittenger Builders will provide you with sample materials and as much - or as little - design advice as you like.  Our experience will provide valuable insight during the selection of your home options. 

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Q: How are modular homes different than manufactured or mobile homes?

Modular homes are built to the same Uniform Building Codes (UBC) as homes built on-site. The Uniform Building Codes are created by building professionals to ensure that a home is built to withstand the unique environmental stresses of a state and the local area. However, manufactured homes sometimes referred to as mobile homes, are built to a federal HUD code and do not have to meet state and local

code standards.

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Q: What do modular homes look like?

Modular homes look just like a home built on site. Today's cutting-edge building technology allows us to build any style of home from a simple ranch home to a spacious multilevel beach home.

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Q: What about the resale value of a modular home?

Since a modular home is built to meet or exceed the same standards as a home built on site, it should appreciate at the same rate as a comparable site-built home. Unlike manufactured or mobile homes, a seller of a modular home does not have to keep a state or federal insignia on the home stating that it was built in a factory. That is because the state considers modular homes to be fundamentally the same as a home built on site.

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Q: Why are modular homes prices typically less than the traditional site-built home?

Ritz-Craft buys their building materials in bulk at a discount. They also save on labor costs by using a

ready and always available skilled workforce. Additionally, they use computers, automated equipment, and modern production techniques to build their homes quickly and efficiently. Furthermore, they build all of their regional homes in the same quality controlled environment, avoiding the costly mistakes that occasionally happen during a site-built home construction; such as costly time delays and damaged materials due to weather.

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Q: How are modular homes built?

Today's modular homes are models of efficiency and quality assurance. The process of building your new home starts with the design phase. Your new home is drawn up using state of the art computers, which aids in the customizing of your new home and in producing drawings and materials lists. Once designed, the building process begins. This process involves modern factory assembly line techniques. Your home travels from station to station where all of the building trades are represented. Work is never delayed

due to weather, subcontractor no-shows, or missing materials. The quality control process assures you that your home has been inspected for code compliance and workmanship. In-plant inspectors, as well as independent third party inspection agencies, inspect each home to make sure that your new home meets all the state and local codes.

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Q: Once I have my lot and financing, how long does it take to build a modular home?

Building a modular home will take approximately half of the construction time of conventional construction.  Because the modular home is built in the factory simultaneously with the grading and construction of the foundation the overall construction schedule is sped up tremendously.

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Q: Do your modular homes come with garages or do you build them?

Many of our homes show a garage either on the floor plan or on the elevations. What is represented in the pictures or renderings is just one way that the garage might be done. Your garage can be attached or detached from the home and can be done in a variety of sizes and styles. Garages are big empty spaces and do not have a floor system that can be used for transportation to the site. A garage is more economical to build at your property and therefore almost always is built on site. Due to our extensive experience with site-built homes, building a porch, deck, three seasons room, or garage will be a breeze for Pittenger Builders to complete for you.

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Q: Does my home come with a guarantee or warranty?

Yes, every Pittenger Builders home, whether it be modular or site-built comes with a 10-year structural warranty. As well as manufacturer warranties on all appliances, heating, and other building materials.

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Q: How does the limited warranty work?

If anything covered by the warranty should go wrong with your home during the warranty period, we will repair it quickly - and with a smile. Our goal is your satisfaction, and there's nothing we take more seriously.

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Q: I can't seem to locate all the paperwork for my appliances.  Can I get another copy of these?

Sure. First, go to the manufacturer's website where you can find valuable information about your appliances. Usually, you can order another copy from the website, or call the manufacturer directly.

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Q: I recently added a deck onto the back of my home. Is this covered by the Pittenger Builders warranty?

Only the work that was installed by Pittenger Builders is warranted under the Limited Warranty. For anything installed after your home was built, check with the manufacturer or installer for warranty information.

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Q: I hear a lot about Green Building. Are modular homes "green?"

Green building is a practice of using sustainable materials and designs in new construction. Yes, modular homes are by their very nature green. Assembly in an enclosed indoor environment minimizes waste material at the factory and at the job site lessening the environmental impact on the land and the community where the house is being delivered. This allows for a tightly built structure to maximize

energy efficiency - all of which are key components to green building standards.

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Q: What is an off-site built modular home?

Modular homes from Pittenger Builders are constructed in a climate-controlled environment using state of the art engineering and assembly line techniques. Pittenger Builders uses the same brand name building materials and builds to the same building code requirements as any local “on-site builder”. State or independent third party inspectors carefully inspect each home we build. Modular homes are shipped to the building site, erected on the foundation by a qualified set crew and completed by

Pittenger Builders staff and subcontractors. Once completed, modular homes are indistinguishable from “on-site built” homes.

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Q: Do I have to hire my own contractors?

No. Pittenger Builders specializes in complete turnkey construction.  We are happy to handle all aspects of the construction process, including excavation, foundation, well/septic, garage, porch, etc.  We'll even secure your building permits for you!

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Q: Could the average site-built home travel behind a truck at 60+ miles per hour?

The answer is no.  However, a modular/system-built home is built with up to 30% more fastening materials, making it extremely durable, even during transportation.

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