When you think about a house, what do you imagine? A place to live in, of course! But, not all homes are built the same. Some are built on-site, while others, like kit homes, have their prefabricated parts delivered to and, then, assembled on the intended site.
Kit homes have many benefits over traditionally constructed homes. Such advantages include having the option to use steel, which is both an adaptable and affordable material.
This article takes a closer look at quite the intriguing structures that kit homes are, as well as what it is that makes them so special.
What Is A Kit Home?
A kit home is one whose parts are built in a factory, then shipped to and assembled on-site. You can think of it as a kit car, which you assemble yourself from parts provided by the manufacturer.
Kit homes are manufactured in controlled and well-suited factories using various methods and materials, depending on the intended design and quality. The construction process generally follows the following stages: engineering design, house production, site preparation, kit home transportation, on-site assembly, technical installations, and finishing.
Types Of Kit Homes
There are three main types of kit homes:
- Modular Homes – These often have modules manufactured in a factory and separately transported to the construction site for completion. Modular homes come complete with interior fittings, including electrical and plumbing systems, doors, stairs, and closets, among others. That said, minimal finishing is required after the structure has been assembled.
- Pre-Cut Kit Homes – They’re cut in-factory according to the design specs, then shipped to the construction site where the panels are joined into a home.
- Panelized Homes – These comprise built-in panels. For example, a wall can be built in a factory and then transported to the construction site where it’s joined with the other panels to form a home. Panelized homes typically need painting, as well as furnishing, like cabinetry, stairs, etc.
Each type of kit home serves a different purpose, but all have the same goal: to make it easier for you to build your dream home without breaking the bank.
Benefits Of Kit Homes
- Lower cost: The cost of kit homes is less than the average price of building one the traditional way. This can be attributed to their simple design and structure, and their use of cheaper, yet effective, materials.
- Easy to build: Kits homes are easy to construct in remote locations without access to skilled labor and heavy equipment.
- Shorter construction time: Kit homes can also be completed in a shorter time than traditional home construction because they require much less labor force and fewer supplies.
- Can be moved: Unlike your traditional home, a kit home can be transported. This means you can transfer your home in case you decide to move addresses.
- Durable: Kit homes generally last long, thanks to the high-quality materials used for their components. The machinery and other tools used are also state-of-the-art to ensure high precision and little room for error.
- High-quality: Kit homes are produced by professionals in controlled settings. The manufacturers create these houses on a daily basis, which has made them specialists. The employees in the kit home factories are also typically supervised by skilled tradespersons who keep them well-trained. Additionally, most factories are supervised and quality-controlled by federal and state programs, as well as other inspection agencies.
- DIY-friendly: One of the big advantages of kit homes is that you don’t always need contractors to build them. The building materials come with simple instructions on how to put them together. You may, however, need a professional plumber or electrician to complete the job, depending on what type of kit home you pick.
- Unique: Every kit home is produced to meet its owner’s preferences. This means that you’ll have a home that’s unique from any other home out there.
Why Choose A Kit Home?
Kit homes can save you money and time on your next home purchase. They’re often cheaper than other options because you can get everything you need in one box, and you don’t need to hire a builder to assemble it. Kit homes are also environment-friendly—they use recycled materials and energy-efficient systems that are easy on Mother Earth. Furthermore, if your family plans on moving around frequently, a kit home would be an ideal choice since it can be transported more easily than traditional houses.
Finally, there’s something special about owning a house you put together yourself. It feels like you’re building memories—who doesn’t love to build them?
