Modular vs. Stick-Built: What's Actually Different
If you're thinking about building in Lima, Delphos or anywhere in West Central Ohio, you've probably heard both terms. Here's the short answer: a modular home from Miller Built Homes is a stick-built home. The difference is where it gets built.
Same construction, different job site
A site-built home is framed on your lot, out in the weather. Our homes are framed with the same lumber and the same methods, just inside a controlled facility, then trucked to your property and set on the foundation we build for you.
Because every section has to survive the drive down the highway, modular homes are built with more lumber than a typical site-built home. That extra framing stays in the house for good.
Modular is not manufactured
This is the part people mix up most. Manufactured homes (what a lot of folks still call trailers or double-wides) are built to a federal code and sit on a steel chassis. Modular homes are built to the same state and local building codes as a site-built house and go on a permanent foundation. We only build modular.
Fully customizable
You're not picking from a catalog and taking it as-is. We work with four manufacturers, Heckaman, Ritz-Craft, Cavco and New Era, and every plan can be adjusted: layout, finishes, exterior.
What we handle
We take care of everything past the land:
- Site work
- Foundation
- Permits
- Delivery and set
You bring the lot. If you don't have one yet, we can talk through what to look for.
What does it cost?
Our featured home, the Amarillo, starts at $306,200 on a crawl space or $323,900 with a full basement. That includes delivery, set and finish, foundation, electric and plumbing hookups, HVAC, a 24x28 attached garage and a gable porch.
A heads-up we give everyone: if you see a "base price" for just the house, that isn't what you'll pay. The house is one piece. Land, city hookups or well and septic, landscaping, and driveways depend on your site, and we'll walk you through all of it before you commit.
How to pay for it
We don't offer financing ourselves. Most of our customers get pre-approved at a local bank first, then pick a plan that fits.
Common questions
Is a modular home as strong as a stick-built home? It's built with the same materials and methods, plus extra lumber to handle transport.
Will it look like a "prefab" house? No. Once it's set on the foundation and finished, it looks like any other house on the street.
Do you build outside Lima? Yes. We build across West Central Ohio, including Delphos, Wapakoneta, Celina, Van Wert, St. Marys and Ottawa.
Can I change the floor plan? Yes. Every plan can be customized.
Next step
Give us a call at 419-331-0606 or set up a free consultation. We'll give you a real number for your build, not just the house.