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Consumers who hear the words “kit homes” likely think of a simple, cost-effective project that DIY enthusiasts can hammer out in a few weeks.
There’s some truth to that perception. An increasing number of manufacturers have developed kits that include design plans, pre-cut walls and columns and even DVDs that make the process of building a home doable for the strong, intrepid consumer.
But if you think you’re stuck building a Sears Roebuck mail-order home of the early 1900s, you may be in for a surprise. Today’s kit homes are as extravagant as you want them to be – and even if you need to hire a contractor, they still cost less than stick-built homes.
“Most people do hire a contractor and they still see 35 to 40 percent savings just in materials,” says George Wardner, owner of Cabin Kit Homes in Greer, Ariz. His company offers kits for stick-built and panelized pre-built packages, with the exterior and interior wall panels numbered for easy installation.
Most kits fall into one of three categories: log homes, timber-frame homes and panelized houses Also known as pre-engineered, pre-cut or pre-fabricated homes within the homebuilding industry, kit homes are more attractive in challenging economic times. Assembling parts of a home in a controlled manufacturing plant reduces construction time and exposure to the weather. Contractors later have to spend less time at the site.
According to the National Association of Home Builders, even contractors are increasingly discovering the advantages of systems in which all or part of the home is constructed in a factory setting. They’re finding these systems can serve multiple markets – from first-time-buyer to luxury, custom homes. Plus, the product is inherently “green” – an important draw for consumers, according to Charles Bevier, editor of Building Systems magazine.
Because kit homes have become more complex, less people are ready to take on the challenge of building an entire home alone. Wardner says about 25 percent of his clients are do-it-yourselfers who will take on the framing. But even they will need guidance from a licensed electrician, plumber and other specialists for the interior.
A traditional Cabin Kit Home package, starting at $33,850 for a one-bedroom loft, includes the following: framing, exterior and interior walls, pre-built stairs, pre-stained cedar siding, insulated windows, exterior and interior passage doors, door locks, colored steel roofing, cedar decks, nails, bolts, fasteners, touch-up stain, plus complete structural plans and blueprints for permits and construction. Homeowners provide the plumbing, electric, insulation, drywall, cabinets, floor coverings and any other additional items.
Without a doubt, building your own home evolves into a satisfying experience. Expect high-stress moments, even with kits that offer lots of handholding. But remember – the more work you decide to do yourself, the more money you can potentially save.
Steven Boaze, project manager at All Kit Homes, based in the Dallas area, breaks the construction process into 13 major steps. The action begins when kits are shipped out in two tractor-trailers. Consumers then have time to prepare the home site and lay foundation. Boaze says that a six-person crew can erect a shell in around 10 days.
“What our do-it-yourself buyers have in common is that they want to save time and money. That gives them a lot of determination,” he says.
If you’re contemplating a kit home:
Research various kit-home packages to understand what you’ll receive. Ask about warranties.
Secure financing ahead of time. Not all banks feel comfortable with average consumers assembling their own homes.
Assess what you can realistically do with the help of friends and family, and then budget what it will cost for contractors to complete the rest of the tasks. You can always work alongside a contractor.
Prepare for the arrival of the kit. Determine what permits are needed, and set aside time for the project.
Find safe storage space for the kit's components.
Resolve to finish the project in a timely manner, even if it means bringing in more help than initially anticipated.
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