Building an MKD Home

What is the difference between a modular home and other factory-built homes?

Not all factory-built homes are on a level playing field. Among the many classifications of prefabricated homes are modular homes, manufactured homes, and mobile homes. Each of these home types is very different. Although they are all built in a factory, they are built to different building codes, with modular construction at the highest construction/quality level.

Many city and county zoning ordinances restrict the locating of manufactured/mobile homes to limited areas, whereas modular homes are more widely accepted.

Do you build in my area?

Blu Homes offer services in most parts of the United States. Contact us to find out more: http://www.bluhomes.com/contact/

What features does an MKD home include?

Each MKD home will be designed to harmonize with the environment and maximize sustainable natural resources and will feature:

- A sustainable floor plan
- Energy efficient lighting design
- Energy efficient building systems like spray-in open cell foam insulation, tankless water heaters, and HVAC mechanical system.
- High quality, eco-friendly materials and finishes will include: exterior siding and roofing, double-paned glass windows and doors, bamboo or reclaimed wood flooring, closets in each bedroom and entry, and water-saving plumbing fixtures, eco-friendly counter tops and formaldehyde-free cabinetry for kitchen and bathrooms. Bathrooms will also include eco-friendly floor/wall tile.
- Each MKD home is solar ready

The following options are available at an additional cost - appliances are not included:

- Air Conditioning and ceiling fan(s)
- Fireplace
- Photovoltaic Solar Electric Generation System
- Radiant Heating System
- Upgrade options for all material and finish offerings are also available.

Are MKD homes suitable for the extreme conditions of my area?

Each MKD home is built to local code. We offer custom design solutions to suit extreme conditions in areas where MKD homes are offered. For example, the Glidehouse is specified for 35 lbs/sf snow load (for coastal + desert areas). If you would like a Glidehouse in an area that has a great deal of snow/rain accumulation, we can engineer the home to accommodate greater weight loads. The insulation and glass package can also be engineered for more extreme conditions to produce a more sustainable, energy efficient home.

How long does it take to build an MKD home?

If you choose an MKD home design, we can build your home in as little as 10 - 14 months (turnkey) after your first design meeting. Factors that may affect this time line are:

Custom Home Design. If you would like a custom home, more interface is required throughout the design process and engineering, whereby extending the project schedule.

Modified MKD Home Design. Any modification, however small, to an MKD home design, will result in a longer time frame.

Permitting. The permit approval process may be very slow in some areas.

Design Review. If your jurisdiction requires a design review, this may extend your project schedule.

Weather Delays. Site work may be delayed due to weather.

I like most of the design of your homes but would like to make some changes to the plan. Is this possible?

In order to make each MKD home as cost-effective as possible, we view our homes as "products" that come with a number of different configurations and finishes to choose from. Standardizing our home designs results in greater efficiencies in design, engineering, and production, offering cost and time savings to our clients. This is much like most of the products you buy everyday.

Changing the underlying design affects the entire supply chain, increasing costs at each step. If you would like to make modifications to the interiors, such as moving a wall, we recommend that you make such modifications on-site, after your home is installed. If your desired modifications are more significant, we offer services to customize your home, however the fees and overall costs will be higher than a pre-designed home. We also offer custom design services to design a sustainable home unique to your specific needs and site.

Can I build an MKD home on top of a basement?

MKD homes can be built on any stem wall or perimeter foundation, just as traditionally built houses, including a partial or full basement. If you desire a two-story home, or have a moderately or steeply sloped site, we may need to include site-built portions to your home design and will work with you to design and engineer these elements.

Can I use an MKD home design as an addition to my existing home?

We strive to make our home designs as cost-effective as possible. Through careful consideration, we have found additions to existing buildings to be cost prohibitive and do not recommend using an MKD home design as an addition to an existing home.

How do I know if an MKD home can be transported to my site?

Our homes travel by truck, on single lane roads, as long as there is enough clearance for height and width. Most MKD home modules, as they sit on the truck bed, are 15.5 feet wide by 15.5 feet high (pavement to top of roof). The truck length is 73 feet (module plus cab length), so very tight turns should be avoided. If a crane is required to install the module(s) onto the foundation, crane access also needs to be considered.

Because site access is critical for every MKD home and project, we require that each client schedule a site visit to develop a delivery and installation strategy. This is to be scheduled BEFORE your initial design meeting.

What kind of site information do you need in order to build an MKD home?

Before we meet with you to design your home, we require the following site information:

1. Site survey in .dwg or .dwf AutoCAD formats. The Site Survey needs to indicate your property line, the overall site dimensions, setbacks, grading contours, existing trees, utility locations at street, overhead power lines, sidewalk and street locations with widths if possible, with North indication.

2. Soils report analyzing your specific site's soils condition. The Soils report needs to contain the following information:

- Geology of subsurface soils- types, layers, thickness

- Groundwater level

- Seismic considerations- Site class, Seismic Zone, Seismic Zone

- Factor "Z", Seismic Coefficients Ca and Cv, and Near Source Factors Na and Nv

- Foundations- recommended foundation type, maximum allowable soil bearing pressure, minimum depth to underside of footing below final grade (frost protection) and minimum foundation width.

- If drilled pier foundation is recommended - minimum pier diameter, required extension into competent soil, active equivalent fluid pressure, passive equivalent fluid pressure, skin friction. Increase coefficient for short term loads and decrease coefficient for uppft loads.

- Recommendations for footings in close proximity to slopes.

- Maximum acceptable differential foundation settlements.

- Increase in the allowable bearing pressure for short term/transient loads (wind, seismic).

- Recommendations if groundwater is encountered.

- Basement and Retaining Walls- active lateral earth pressure, with the backslope level or backfill sloped, additional earth pressure from seismic loads, passive pressure, and friction factor. Wall backfill recommendations.

- Slab On Grade Floor recommendations- structural fill, drainage.

- Foundation perimeter drainage requirements.

3. Sewer/Septic. Confirm that there are sewer lines adjacent to the site or that you are approved for a septic system by the local building + health department. (Perk test if needed)

4. CC+R's. Confirm that your property is NOT under the control of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions that prohibits modular construction. CC+R's are described on your papers of ownership.

5. APN + Building Department Regulations. Obtain your APN# and the Local Building Department regulations regarding setbacks, rooflines, garages, driveways, etc.

6. Design Review. If your local jurisdiction requires a design review, we will need the list of requirements for submital. The building department should supply this list.

7. Photographs of your site showing views from every direction, including neighboring views and views from across the street/driveway, etc. (please indicate N, S, E, W)

What type of land should I look for to accommodate an MKD home?

Purchasing land for a new home can be quite an undertaking. The possibilities are endless, and decisions are influenced by personal/professional goals and finances. When looking for a site for an MKD home, it is important to consider the site's location and access, topography and size, utilities, and orientation.

Site Access. Our homes travel by truck, on single lane roads, as long as there is enough clearance for height and width. Most MKD home modules, as they sit on the truck bed, are 15.5 feet wide by 15.5 feet high (pavement to top of roof). The truck length is 73 feet (module plus cab length), so very tight turns should be avoided. If a crane is required to install the module(s) onto the foundation, crane access also needs to be considered. Because site access is critical for every MKD home and project, we require that each client schedule a site visit to develop a delivery and installation strategy. This is to be scheduled BEFORE your initial design meeting.

The topography of the land can be flat or sloped, but the site work for a sloped site will cost more than for a flat site.

The minimum lot size required for an MKD home design is determined by a combination of the following criteria:
# - Your chosen MKD design (buildable envelope for each floor plan is published)
# - Would you like a garage/carport? (2 car garage is approx. 500sf)
# - Would you like additional decking
# What is the required size/location of your driveway?
# - How much lawn and/or garden area would you like to have?
# - Will you be on a septic system? If so, what is the size of your leach field?
# - What are your local setback laws (the spaces on your lot boundary that you cannot build upon).

Utilities and Services should also be researched. Availability, connectivity and maintenance dramatically affect feasibility and costs of building on a site. Things to consider:
# - Water
# - Electricity and gas
# - Telephone
# - Septic
# - County Requirements for Road/Driveway maintenance and Fire Control

When siting your MKD home, orientation will be based on maximizing views and energy efficiencies.

How much does an MKD home cost?

Please refer to our section on costs.