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FAQ's How large can a modular home be?
There is no limit to the size of a home or structure simply because it is modular. Modular homes can be modest in size, or they can be mansions. Multi-family condominiums, apartments, dorms, classrooms, offices and commercial facilities are increasingly built using modular construction. How do I finance a modular home?
Modular homes are financed through a construction loan. Many banks offer construction loans, but not all are familiar with the modular construction process. To make the process run smoothly, use a lender who is familiar with the process. There are also lenders who specialize in modular construction financing. How long does it take to build a modular home?
A modular home is usually completed in about half the time it takes to build on-site. On average, a modular home can be shipped 4 – 6 weeks after it is ordered, and then can be finished in 6-8 weeks.
Am I limited to certain types of siding, cabinetry, etc?
You will have a wide variety of options to choose from on everything from siding, cabinetry, flooring, lighting, windows, etc. Most clients can find exactly what they want in these options. If there is something you want that we do not offer, that item can be ordered and shipped directly to our factory where it will be installed into your home while it is being constructed. Can I visit the factory?
Absolutely. Epoch Homes is proud to show clients the quality craftsmanship and materials that go into their homes. Factory tour open houses are held several times a year. Tours begin at 10:00 AM, with the last tour beginning at 2:30 PM. The 2008 schedule is as follows:
Saturday, September 6
Sunday, September 7
Saturday, October 18
Athena Custom Homes would also be happy to arrange a private tour for you. Just give us a call and we’ll be happy to accommodate your schedule.
What is a greeen home?
A green home uses less energy, water and natural resources; creates less waste and is healthier for people living inside. There are many shades of green building; which refers to the various levels of achievement in adopting resource efficiency in a home. Homes with one or two green measures are considered light green, while homes with several green measures are called dark green. There are several programs that attempt to quantify the level of greenness such as U.S. Green Building Council and NAHB. The LEED rating program has four levels of green: Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum. The NAHB’s Green Building program has three tiers Bronze, Silver and Gold.
Why build Green?
There are many reasons to change the way we build and operate homes in 2007. Building a new home will always affect the environment, so when we build a Green Home we work towards minimizing the environmental impact. In the United States buildings account for the following percentage:
39% of energy use
12% of water consumption
68 % of total electricity consumption
38% of the carbon dioxide emissions
It is clear that if we can build Green and reduce those numbers we can have a very positive affect on the environment.
What are the benefits of a Green Home?
Green homes are safer, healthier, more comfortable, and more durable than conventional homes and will greatly improve the overall quality of life for the homeowners. There are many other benefits to building a green home, starting with the environmental benefits such as improved air and water quality, reduced exposure to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins, reduce waste streams, conservation and restoration of natural resources along with enhancing and protecting ecosystems. In addition there are the economical benefits like lower operating cost, enhanced durability, less maintenance and optimized life cycle economic performance. The last large benefit comes from the social side of green building, increased occupant comfort and health; heightened aesthetic qualities and reducing the strain on local infrastructure.
How Green Are Athena Custom Homes Today?
There are many ways that Athena Custom Homes is already a green company. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) organization has created a rating system to define and measure “Green Buildings” based on existing and already proven technology. In addition the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has created the Green Home Building Guidelines for use by homebuilders. At Athena Custom Homes, we use a manufacturer that has already instituted many of these practices and many more will continue to be incoroprated. These features are further complemented by or site work where we continue to employ green building practices.
Epoch makes it a standard practice to control waste and our employees works together as a team to make the best and most efficient use of materials. By doing all of the rough framing in a controlled environment allows us to keep all materials dry and away from the elements, this helps to reduce the chance of mold and other toxins from later contaminating the indoor air quality.
Local communities are looking for ways to minimize the impact of construction on local infrastructure at the building site. By building with modular construction you can reduce the traffic to a building site by delivering a house that is 80% complete house in one day as opposed to trucks delivering materials day after day.
How Can Consumers Compare Green Homes?
One of the many challenges faced by a homebuyer is comparing a green home to another home. Any home can be called "green," but how does the homeowner know that it really is green? LEED certification is something that consumers can look for to readily identify green homes that have been third-party inspected, performance-tested, and certified to perform better than conventional homes. The LEED certification ensures that the home you are purchasing was designed to meet the highest standards and is operating exactly the way it is supposed to.
Another method is to utilize the NAHB's Green Building Guidelines. You can use their on-line Green Scoring Tool at http://www.nahbgreen.org/ScoringTool.aspx to rate your home building project against their green building guildelines. For certification of your green home, you can use an accredited Verifyer to give you an independent rating of your home based on the NAHB Green Building Guidelines. |
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