Below are common modular construction questions and answers^* to assist you with your modular home research: 


Q. Where can I find a list of modular home manufacturers and who do you recommend?

A. M&T Bank does not make recommendations^**, however, a list of modular home manufacturers is available on the MBSA web site at http://www.modularhousing.com/members.html.

Q. What is the difference between a manufactured and a modular home?

A. At times it is hard to determine the difference between a modular home and a manufactured home. Below are some definitions to help you understand the differences between the different types of construction:

Modular Construction
A structure designed primarily for residential or commercial occupancy, designed and constructed to a state or national model code, which is manufactured in one or more sections in a factory for installation on a permanent foundation at its final location. The term does not include manufactured housing as defined by the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C.A. §§ 5401-5426).

The modular home, when completed, will look like a stick built home, may increase in value similar to a stick built home, and is financed using similar mortgage products. In fact, the home is often appraised using comparable stick built homes. 

Manufactured Housing
A structure, manufactured in one or more sections which is built on a permanent chassis and designed to be used as a dwelling with or without a permanent foundation when connected to utilities and includes plumbing, heating and electrical systems manufactured according to the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C.A. §§ 5401-5426).

On-frame Modular
A number of manufactured housing manufacturers have begun to manufacture what they refer to as an “on-frame” modular home. Essentially, this is a home built in a manufactured housing factory, on the same permanent chassis used in the manufacture of the manufactured home. However, instead of designing and building the home to the code used for manufactured housing, they build the home to the state code used by modular manufacturers and stick builders. These homes tend to be mostly one story and fairly simple homes built as an affordable housing product and often resemble the double-wide manufactured home from the exterior.

Mobile Home
Mobile home is the old term used to describe manufactured housing. Today, the industry prefers to use the term manufactured housing rather than mobile homes. The term is still often used to describe a single section manufactured home.

If you have any additional questions, please email systembuilt@mtb.com or call 1.888.539.1160 and an M&T customer service representative will be happy to assist you.


* Information courtesy of The Modular Building Systems Association.

** M&T does not endorse the selection of specific vendors, nor does M&T make representations regarding the quality of any vendor’s work or materials. M&T advocates the value of homebuyers educating themselves regarding the homebuilding process.