Categorys
Pages
Linkpartner


    Page 19«..10..17181920



    Take a tour of the house that can be built in a week – Stuff.co.nz - November 17, 2019 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Could modular, pre-fabricated homes be the answer toNew Zealand's housing shortage?

    Nautilus Modular'shome that can be builtin a week debutedthis week, sparking several hundred inquiries from potential buyers over 24 hours.

    General manager Jason Watkins said the interest had been "extraordinary".

    The company had been contacted by families looking for their first home,product designers and large-scale developers and was already having discussions with "a number of parties", he said.

    READ MORE:*Home sweet home in under a week, says new modular house builder*Construction headwinds ahead despite falling interest rates*More than $1 billion of shops, restaurants and bars got the green light last year

    Founder Peter Marshall hoped the products would get the support of Kiwis who werestruggling to find affordable, comfortable homes.

    The prefabricated, standardised modules are not limited to residential dwellings but could also be used asschool rooms, hiking huts and commercial buildings.

    SUPPLIED

    A peek inside a Nautilus Modular home.

    But it's not clear yet how much of a disruption - if any - they couldcreate in the stretched construction sector.

    Principal economist at theNew Zealand Institute of Economic Research Eilya Torshizian said modular homes offered a valuable addition to the property market.

    "It's providing choices and helping people to construct in a short timeframe. At a larger scale we still don't know what are the preferences of New Zealandhouseholds for modular building," he said.

    Nautilus Modular

    These pavilion-style homes can be installed in less than a week.

    Kiwis might enjoy the option to customise the design, but larger-scale developments using modular homes would probably resultin them looking very similar.

    Wider constraints in the sector - the lengthy building consent process, supply chain issues, the size of the market - might not be solved by the introduction of modular homes, he said.

    But New Zealand could learn from other countries that had already adopted the modular construction method. They were widely used in Scandinavia, Torshizian said.

    SUPPLIED

    Peter Marshall, founder of Nautilus Modular, hopes to establish factories across the country to build his modular, prefabricated homes.

    "I personally have some doubts about how materialthe role of modular systems in the construction process in New Zealand will be in comparison to other constraints."

    Read the original here:

    Take a tour of the house that can be built in a week - Stuff.co.nz

    Point Positive hears from entrepreneurs at fall pitch event | News, Sports, Jobs – The Adirondack Daily Enterprise - November 17, 2019 by Mr HomeBuilder

    SARANAC LAKE Point Positive, an angel investor group based in Saranac Lake, meets with vetted entrepreneurs for pitch sessions twice a year. This October, seven member investors and Point Positive Coordinator Melinda Little met at Workshop in Lake Placid to hear from three entrepreneurs.

    Decisions to invest or not are up to the member investors, and the time commitment is tailored to preference. Members can lead, mentor, advise or just monitor, and invest on an individual basis in fully vetted, promising ventures across multiple industry sectors.

    The three companies that presented needed various areas of support.

    Provider One is a start-up medical scribing business out of Syracuse seeking seed money to develop an app that will allow users to do scribing remotely. The woman-owned, woman-run company is looking to relocate to the North Country and proceed with a beta phase. Provider One became familiar with Point Positive through former entrepreneurs in whom Point Positive has invested previously.

    MCM Development, developers from Malone who have already developed apartments in the Richardson building (with a waiting list), are looking to create an Opportunity Zone Fund to help accelerate their second project, the River Building, which is already 55% complete. At the pitch event investors learned about the opportunity to put capital gains in the project so they pay less capital gains or none, depending on the length of time their money is invested.

    New Leaf founder and architect Tim McCarthy, who currently operates out of a warehouse in Bombay, New York, attended the pitch event seeking advice to further his business and manufacturing plans. He has produced customized versions of net-zero modular homes and has developed a design for a single-box version. He has a vision of building these homes now in large quantities in an expanded facility in Bombay. He is looking to establish next steps financially as he works to verify the cost to produce and source interest with pre-funding. Point Positive member investors have expressed and shown interest, and Point Positive is facilitating the process whereby interns from Clarksons Shipley Center will assist McCarthy with the financial analyses needed.

    Investments committed to entrepreneurs through Point Positive are taxed a modest percentage to support Point Positives overall operations. In addition, potential investors are charged an annual membership fee that allows them to participate in Point Positives research and due diligence, and to attend the semi-annual pitch sessions. Over the past four years, Point Positive has vetted more than 40 ventures from a wide range of industries, committing over $3 million in capital, fueling new jobs and a stronger, diversified economy in the Adirondacks.

    The next pitch events are scheduled for next year: Friday, July 31 and Monday, Oct. 5, 2020.

    Original post:

    Point Positive hears from entrepreneurs at fall pitch event | News, Sports, Jobs - The Adirondack Daily Enterprise

    Global Manufactured Housing Market Size, Share, Growth Rate, Revenue, Applications, Industry Demand & Forecast to 2026 – Eastlake Times - November 17, 2019 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Mart Research new study, Global Manufactured Housing MarketReport cover definite aggressive standpoint including the piece of the overall industry & profiles of the key members working in the worldwide market.

    The global Manufactured Housing market will reach Volume Million USD in 2019 and with a CAGR xx% between 2020-2026.

    Manufactured Housing Market Segment as follows:

    Manufactured Housing Market by Type(Market Size & Forecast, Major Company of Product Type etc.):

    Mobile Homes

    Modular Homes

    Pre-cut Homes

    Get a free sample report:https://martresearch.com/contact/request-sample/4/3286

    Manufactured Housing Market by Application(Market Size & Forecast, Different Demand Market by Region, Main Consumer Profile etc.):

    Residential

    Commercial

    Others

    Manufactured Housing Key Companies(Sales Revenue, Price, Gross Margin, Main Products etc.):

    Clayton Homes

    Champion Home Builders

    Schult Homes

    Hammond

    Manufactured Housing Enterprises, Inc.

    Cavco

    BonnaVilla

    Crest Homes

    Titan Homes

    Sunshine Homes

    River Birch

    Pine Grove Homes

    Nashua Builders

    Moduline Homes

    Marlette Homes

    Karsten Homes

    Kent Homes

    Giles Industries

    Fleetwood

    Design Homes

    Franklin Homes

    Destiny Home Builders

    Commodore Corporation

    American Homestar Corporation

    Colony Homes

    Cappaert Manufactured Housing

    Cardinal Homes

    Chariot Eagle

    Golden West Homes

    HALLMARK-SOUTHWEST

    Manufactured Housing By Region

    Place the Order of Global Manufactured Housing Market Research Report:https://martresearch.com/paymentform/4/3286/Single_User

    Some Points from Table of Contents:

    Chapter 1 Industry Overview

    1.1 Manufactured Housing Industry

    1.1.1 Overview

    1.1.2 Products of Major Companies

    1.2 Market Segment

    1.2.1 Industry Chain

    1.2.2 Consumer Distribution

    1.3 Price & Cost Overview

    Chapter 2 Manufactured Housing Market by Type

    2.1 By Type

    2.1.1 Mobile Homes

    2.1.2 Modular Homes

    2.1.3 Pre-cut Homes

    2.2 Market Size by Type

    2.3 Market Forecast by Type

    Chapter 3 Global Market Demand

    3.1 Segment Overview

    3.1.1 Residential

    3.1.2 Commercial

    3.1.3 Others

    3.2 Market Size by Demand

    3.3 Market Forecast by Demand

    Chapter 4 Major Region Market

    4.1 Global Market Overview

    4.1.1 Market Size & Growth

    4.1.2 Market Forecast

    4.2 Major Region

    4.2.1 Market Size & Growth

    4.2.2 Market Forecast

    Chapter 5 Major Companies List

    5.1 Clayton Homes (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)

    5.2 Champion Home Builders (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)

    5.3 Schult Homes (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)

    5.4 Hammond (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)

    5.5 Manufactured Housing Enterprises, Inc. (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)

    5.6 Cavco (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)

    5.7 BonnaVilla (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)

    5.8 Crest Homes (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)

    5.9 Titan Homes (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)

    5.10 Sunshine Homes (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)

    5.11 River Birch (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)

    5.12 Pine Grove Homes (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)

    5.13 Nashua Builders (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)

    5.14 Moduline Homes (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)

    5.15 Marlette Homes (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)

    5.16 Karsten Homes (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)

    5.17 Kent Homes (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)

    5.18 Giles Industries (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)

    5.19 Fleetwood (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)

    5.20 Design Homes (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)

    5.21 Franklin Homes (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)

    5.22 Destiny Home Builders (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)

    5.23 Commodore Corporation (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)

    5.24 American Homestar Corporation (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)

    View post:

    Global Manufactured Housing Market Size, Share, Growth Rate, Revenue, Applications, Industry Demand & Forecast to 2026 - Eastlake Times

    LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Neighbourhood around supportive housing disrespected – Nanaimo News Bulletin - November 17, 2019 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Temporary supportive housing on Terminal Avenue. (File photo)

    Supreme Courts ruling a mean-spirited example of establishment versus the people, says letter writer

    To the editor,

    Re: Temporary supportive housing isnt subject to zoning, says Supreme Court, Nov. 12

    After the provincial government overrode zoning bylaws with a community-destroying project, a resident went to the B.C. Supreme Court on behalf of herself and the neighbourhood. The court not only ruled against her, however. On the defendants request, the court ordered she pay the defendants costs. Thats an especially arrogant, mean-spirited expression of the establishment versus the people. Our provincial government, especially our MLA, should be deeply ashamed.

    And by the way, the site isnt temporary. The modular homes are temporary the location will later house a permanent building for the same purpose.

    Greg Klein, Nanaimo

    RELATED: Terminal Ave supportive housing lawsuit goes before B.C. Supreme Court in Nanaimo

    The views and opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the writer and do not reflect the views of Black Press or the Nanaimo News Bulletin. If you have a different view, we encourage you to write to us or contribute to the discussion below.

    Continue reading here:

    LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Neighbourhood around supportive housing disrespected - Nanaimo News Bulletin

    Luca Nichetto designs modular furniture to work in public spaces and the home – Dezeen - November 17, 2019 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Italian designerLuca Nichetto has created furnishings, including tables, sofas and benches, to be used in workspaces, residences and museum galleries.

    Designed in collaboration with American brand Bernhardt Design, the Luca Collection marks Nichetto's US furniture debut. The designer wanted to create "universal" pieces that suit various environments and that can be arranged both collectively and individually.

    "The brief was to create a modular seating system so I immediately gravitated towards designing something universal, meaning that it works as a collective but also as freestanding pieces," the designer said.

    "These days public spaces are becoming more like home, and our homes are becoming more public, so why not do something that can cross over to both worlds?" Nichetto added.

    "I wanted to do a project that emphasised the idea of 'connecting by communicating,' designing a classical typology as a modular seat with a little twist, allowing it to fit into any environment."

    The 41 pieces in the collection all feature "gentle curves" and were designed for display and use in a range of interiors.

    "The collection, with its uniformity and gentle curves, was conceived to anchor open spaces in diverse environments ranging from museum galleries and corporate lounges to modern living rooms," Nichetto continued.

    Seating options in Luca include upholstered benches, loveseats, chaises, and sofas, which easily connect to one another either linearly or by their curved corners. All of the pieces come in modular and can be re-configure in a number of ways.

    Upholstery on the pieces is also customisable and can include any of Bernhardt Textile's designs, leather, or leather alternatives. Legs are available in a polished aluminium, matte black or satin white.

    To make the series adaptable to working environments, the designer has inset a flat, wood board into several of the pieces that can be used as a work surface or end table. Several outlet ports for charging devices or lamps are also included.

    Freestanding rectangular and circular benches and poufs are designed to provide colourful accents to the larger furnishings, which feature the same curved forms in their design.

    Tables in the collection were designed to meet the various needs of both commercial and domestic settings and come in a variety of shapes and heights. Designs include rounded accent tables, rectangular coffee tables and circular laptop stands.

    Finishes for the tabletops include oak, walnut, solid laminate or Corian and cast aluminium or matte on the angled legs.

    Luca Nichetto founded Nichetto Studio in 2006. His previous projects include a colourful lighting collection that uses Murano glass and the Canal Chair which pays homage to Venice through its boat like form and pattern.

    Bernhardt Design was started in 1980 by the 130-year-old Bernhardt Furniture Company and represents many designers including Ross Lovegrove, No Duchaufour-Lawrance and Yves Behar. In 2015 French designer No Duchaufour-Lawrance created a collection of oval shaped lounges for the brand and to celebrate its 125th anniversary it commissioned several designers to reinterpret a piece of traditional American furniture.

    Read the rest here:

    Luca Nichetto designs modular furniture to work in public spaces and the home - Dezeen

    Watch: Flatpack homes touted as future of Kiwi housing industry – TVNZ - November 17, 2019 by Mr HomeBuilder

    The future of Kiwi homes may be found in those that look the same and can be put up fast.

    Currently around 10 per cent of new homes are flatpack or pre-fabricated, meaning they're built off-site and transported, or put together like Lego blocks from a factory.

    But that's expected to expand, with planned Government changes and new tech taking up residency around the country.

    Wanaka company Nautilus Modular claims its factory homes can be made the fastest.

    Bunnings believes its flatpack homes are among the cheapest.

    And Fletcher Building reckons the factory it makes them in is the biggest.

    Scott Fisher, Prefab NZ CEO, says its a growing industry.

    It's an industry going from strength to strength and there's a lot of great innovation happening in the sector, he says.

    Prefabricated homes have been around in New Zealand for a long time.

    The 1920's railway housing scheme used pattern books and prefab as did much of the state housing in the 1930's and 50's.

    Despite this just 10 per cent of new builds today are constructed off-site.

    "In reality there's going to be the market but the issues related to financing of the product in the first instance are significant, planning for the product resource consenting the product, and then residual value, says John Tookey, AUT Engineering Professor.

    Another problem, New Zealanders want big, traditional houses.

    But a series of changes are tipped to make prefabricated homes a lot more attractive such as streamlining consent processes.

    You can strip out a lot of time, a lot of effort and a lot of hurdles put in the way of getting rapid consents in place, says Mr Tookey.

    Up to 90 per cent of homes already have at least some prefabricated parts - like roof or wall trusses, or whole bathroom modules for apartments thats expected to increase too.

    Read the original here:

    Watch: Flatpack homes touted as future of Kiwi housing industry - TVNZ

    Colorado cities want to embrace gentle density of granny flats, but they’re hitting speed bumps – The Colorado Sun - November 17, 2019 by Mr HomeBuilder

    On a corner lot along West Dakota Avenue in Westwood, a small structure has sprung from the backyard of the neighborhoods typical one-story frame house. The detached unit represents a show of resistance in what sometimes seems an inexorable march toward economic displacement.

    With only a wooden plank rising to the front door and exposed two-by-fours defining the skeletal framing of what soon will be a fully functional, one-bedroom home, its future still requires some imagination.

    But now, says Renee Martinez-Stone, proudly surveying the half-finished construction, people finally can drive by and go, Ah, thats what these things look like.

    Shes referring to one version of an accessory dwelling unit ADU in industry parlance, but also known by other names like granny flat, mother-in-law apartment or carriage house. Anchored to a back yard or even constructed above a garage, they serve as a smaller but fully functional residence.

    And their popularity has spiked in a market where affordable housing has become unattainable for some and unsustainable for others who cling to homes where they once hoped to stake out a future, and perhaps even hand down their equity in the American Dream.

    These dwellings once had a significant role in the development of post-World War II Colorado, but eventually lost cachet as residents flexed for elbow room. Some areas zoned them out of existence for a variety of reasons fear of population density, added traffic or adverse impact on property values.

    But many areas, responding to local residents fearful that rising prices and property taxes pose serious threats to the fabric of their communities, have moved to revisit the ADU.

    On this side of town, where Martinez-Stone directs the nine-neighborhood West Denver Renaissance Collaborative, the aim is two-fold: create affordable rental housing and, at the same time, give homeowners a way to build wealth.

    Still, barriers remain. In Denver, for instance, only about a quarter of single-family neighborhoods allow construction of ADUs. Since the city last overhauled zoning in 2010, the city council has adopted a plan that recommends allowing them citywide, with some caveats.

    Denver city planning supervisor Kyle Dalton notes that for the plan to move ahead, city council must enact a bill after more than a year-long process of community outreach to solicit feedback. Theres currently no timeline for addressing that.

    In the meantime, Dalton says, the program recommends and we are seeing individuals coming in, one at a time, to have a rezoning process to move that forward while the city is finishing up other priorities before were able to get that project started.

    MORE: Colorados doubled-up households have surged since the recession. That could prolong the housing crunch.

    Mikaela Firnhaber, Denvers residential plan review supervisor, says that since the 2010 rezoning, ADUs have been gaining popularity. The first year, only two moved through the system. But in 2018, 58 passed through the permitting process. This year has seen a further uptick from that, she adds, though final numbers wont be tallied until years end.

    But even where theyre permitted, a tight construction market can make building one an arduous process. On top of that, while ADUs are cheaper than citywide real estate prices, they still can be prohibitively expensive.

    Englewood, also responding to rising demand from homeowners, recently passed an ordinance allowing the structures. But it happened amid simmering controversy, and local officials acknowledge that impacted the new regulations, which are among the most restrictive in the state. For instance, a primary home must be brought completely up to code before an ADU would be approved. With many older homes in the area, that could be a deal-breaker right off the bat.

    But that hasnt deterred one real estate broker from taking on a partner and creating a whole new construction company to capitalize on what they see as an inevitably rising demand for the structures.

    In unincorporated Jefferson County, which also had a restrictive ordinance on the books for many years, a working group examining ways to help seniors age in place researched ADUs around the country. Eventually, it made recommendations designed to ease construction. When the new regulations went into effect in 2014, applications spiked.

    As municipalities, and even some rural areas, revisit the ADU as an antidote to rising prices and property taxes, people like Martinez-Stone seek an answer to two particularly vexing pieces of the puzzle loan availability and construction costs.

    When were able to roll out a process of building an ADU more affordably, and its available to more moderate- and low-income homeowners, she says, it can be one of the tools in the tool box thats a part of the solution.

    She explains how ADUs could have expanded impact on affordable housing through a program that seeks to leverage $5 million in loans from both public and private sources to help build 200 units for homeowners making no more than 120% of the area median income. Those homeowners would then be obliged to rent the income-restricted units to tenants making no more than 80% AMI or, if they can afford it, allow family members to live there rent-free.

    But even some well-off homeowners have embraced ADUs as a housing solution for aging parents or adult children that skirts exploding real estate and rental prices. In other cases, the structures create a source of rental income for the primary homeowner to defray rising expenses, like property taxes, or to provide an economic cushion for retirement.

    Critics push back against ADUs with arguments that they increase population density, put further strain on infrastructure and exacerbate traffic and parking problems. Their use as short-term rentals, especially by absentee landlords, raises further concern. And in some cases, opponents contend, they open the door for developers, who may be more likely to afford the high cost of construction.

    There are people who wanted to maintain residential Englewood, but its disappearing, says Cynthia Searfoss, a 23-year resident who opposed the citys new ordinance. What people are moving here for, theyre not going to get. Its going, going, gone.

    As Rob Price and Gerald Horner sit in the unit they built above the garage behind their home in Curtis Park, noontime light spills through 6-foot-tall windows and illuminates the 660 square feet of living space they envision as their primary residence in retirement.

    Conceived in 2016, it was completed a little more than a year ago 19 months after the couple began the permitting process, the search for an architect and two tries at finding the right builder. For now, its an exceptionally well-appointed short-term rental that offers a glimpse of the Denver skyline and walking distance to many of the citys attractions.

    We had been thinking about buying something now that we could retire into, and the market was unattainable, says Price, 49, before preparing the space for its next guest. Then we realized we already own this land lets think about building something in the backyard.

    MORE: To help fill the affordable housing gap, a Buena Vista project is creating inventory one giant box at a time

    After one of Prices childhood friends was diagnosed with terminal cancer, the process began in earnest as they anticipated the ADU as a place where they could care for her in her declining days. They began referring to it as Annas Place. Although she died before it was completed, they incorporated little personal touches in the decor to honor her.

    Imagining themselves living in the second-floor flat, notes Horner, the 59-year-old deputy director of the Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art, informed the spaces design the idea of living simply, but beautifully.

    Just as important, they love the Curtis Park neighborhood and hope to stay long after their primary residence becomes more than they need. So they refinanced to cover the cost somewhere north of $250,000 of creating a home on the alley behind their California Street house.

    They estimate that in 10 years, the income from using it as a short-term rental will have recouped their investment. If theyre still not ready to leave their house at that point, theyll use the ADU as a long-term rental until that day arrives.

    Wed like to be able to offer it at a little more affordable rent than what we could get, says Price, a fundraiser for the Botanic Gardens, because weve benefited from that kind of stuff, too.

    Price and Horner wound up using Denver-based L&D Construction, whose president, David Schultz, points out that due to construction expenses, leveraging an ADU as a short-term rental is practically a must to at least get a handle on covering those costs.

    I like to think of short-term rentals as the gateway drug to more of these units, Schultz says of the means to create a larger ADU inventory. Ive heard a few council people talking about additional ADUs conditioned on them not being rentals. I think thats really short-sighted.

    He notes that the structures are the only form of development thats afforded to the average homeowner. Most of the units his company has built involve constructing living space above a two- or three-car garage, with anywhere from 340 to 800 square feet.

    Homeowners often draw on equity from their primary residence to build, largely because construction loans are difficult to get, as appraisals of ADUs can be all over the map. And the city code around ADUs is so nuanced and detailed, he says, that its almost impossible for a layperson to even understand what they can build.

    Ive been doing ADUs exclusively for three years, Schultz says, and there are still things that come up that Im not sure of. Then youve got all these other metrics, depending on what zoned district youre in. Its way overly complicated.

    In a metro area still growing rapidly, theres another elephant in the room: population density. While some pushback against the units centers on increased proximity to neighbors, Schultz points out that in Denver, population density had actually been declining as families have gotten smaller.

    Denver officials confirm that, citing U.S. Census data showing that Denvers density peaked in the 1950s and then fell off considerably until recently, when it returned to about the same level as more than 70 years ago.

    We always promote ADU development as a form of gentle density, Schultz says. Its coming, whether the city wants it or not.

    In Denver, Martinez-Stone with the West Denver Renaissance Collaborative has been working with builders, as well as Habitat for Humanity, to try to bring down the cost of building ADUs, which she says averages about $260,000.

    Were pulling in new housing data showing that its just relentless, the way the market is forcing families that exist right now out of the neighborhoods, she says. We know we need more tools.

    Working in partnership with the city, WDRC has designed six floor plans and worked those through permitting ahead of time to streamline the building process. As a result, Martinez-Stone says, these ADUs can be built for at least $100,000 below the market, with the 600-square-foot model running about $150,000. The lower cost enables the homeowner to rent them for less than the market rate and still recover their investment.

    The programs target is to construct the 200 ADUs over five years. While that number seems almost inconsequential in terms of the citys ongoing displacement, Martinez-Stone argues that the impact will actually be much greater.

    Heres her math: Each new ADU stabilizes the household of the primary residence by providing, in many cases, an income-producing asset. It also benefits the eventual renters with affordable housing; figure an average of three tenants over the 25 years of the program. Finally, the original homeowner can survive the rising property taxes thanks to the extra income and perhaps even pass the property on to the next generation.

    So those 200 units ultimately impact about 1,000 households. Martinez-Stone says that currently the city has about 6,000 parcels where ADUs would be allowed enough to get the program started, though additional rezoning would make the search for qualified homeowners easier.

    If we could take this and scale it beyond these nine neighborhoods, get more banks and more builders to understand how were doing it, then the numbers start to be relevant, Martinez-Stone says. Now, were taking what the city and the markets havent figured out and were trying to figure it out. What were trying to do is take all those systems, all those steps, and make them more efficient and predictable so we can lower the cost of ADUs.

    The corner lot in Westwood already has a primary residence built by Habitat for Humanity. By adding the ADU, it has become the property that will test the programs viability sometime early next year. Already, two homeowners are under contract to participate in the loan program with a handful of others in the pipeline.

    The one-bedroom unit features a kitchen, bathroom and living area, with some storage space and checks in at 576 square feet. The building design, which uses 12-foot-by-12-foot segments, represents a hybrid of manufactured components and traditional on-site construction to reduce the price and attract moderate- and low-income homeowners.

    Its still a daunting proposition.

    The obstacles of creating these are really high, Martinez-Stone says. (Other) residents fear is that these come in and triple the density of the neighborhood. Theres no way. If that was the situation, the task at hand would be trying to temper that and control that. But the lending markets not there, the building markets not there. Its not going to happen. Its like an untapped opportunity.

    Like Denver, Englewood has a history with ADUs.

    From the 1920s through the 40s, about 180 of the structures sprouted along alleys, many as soldiers returning from World War II sought solutions to the local housing shortage. In the past several years, Englewood says it began receiving inquiries from citizens interested once again in adding them to their properties.

    City officials told them the practice was no longer allowed. But it also began keeping a database of requests.

    It was getting really long, says John Voboril, long range senior planner for the city, noting that the list extended to roughly 50 people. Housing prices had gone through the roof, rents too. It started to gain some traction because of those two key elements in the economy. We figured it was time to ask the question.

    Voboril says Englewood did extensive community outreach and forums to determine what regulations people would like to see, and how many people would be interested in building. Most of the interested parties, he adds, advanced the usual concerns needing extra cash flow as they neared retirement, or some financial cushion to help them stay in their house as they learned to live on a fixed income. Others were looking to take care of either elderly parents or house somebody younger in family, like an adult son or daughter.

    MORE: Its not just Denver: Rural Colorado feeling housing crunch, with more residents spending half their income on a place to live

    The resolution of what he terms a very contentious debate was the narrow passage of a new ordinance that allows ADUs but with some significant restrictions. Not only would a homeowner have to inhabit either the ADU or the primary residence and bring it up to code, but ADUs would be limited to 650 square feet of living space.

    Voboril calls it the strongest, tightest ADU ordinance in the state.

    Thats the only way we could make it happen, he adds.

    He notes that the city excluded some zoning districts where there was low demand and decided to start in places with single-family homes closer to downtown and the citys hospital district, older portions of Englewood where ADUs had been built earlier in its history. In hopes of avoiding more controversy, the city decided to see how the process goes there before expanding.

    Searfoss, the longtime resident of Englewood, counted herself among the opposition. Not only did she feel that the citys process excluded opponents of the idea, but she also felt that allowing ADUs would trigger extreme issues with trash and traffic. Absentee landlords who didnt monitor their renters also became a concern because, she claims, the city never enforced its code prohibiting ADUs when those were already on the books.

    Searfoss also called it ironic that the very people who supposedly needed the ordinance to stay in their homes or take care of relatives would effectively be shut out by its restrictions.

    How is this economical for a retired couple to build in their backyard, when they have to bring their home up to code, and then pay a builder? she asks. Its just not the economic boon that it was presented as. Growth is inevitable, I understand that. But this didnt bring Englewood citizens along with growth and development. It left us behind.

    Searfoss says she tried to get a repeal of the new ordinance put on the November ballot so citizens could vote on the issue. But family medical issues pulled her away from the effort after shed gathered about 500 of the 762 signatures she needed. Now, she says, the only people likely to benefit are developers who can afford to work around the restrictions.

    Schultz, the Denver builder, says the citys hurdles are so much higher than Denvers that hes not getting close to Englewood. He expects that maybe one or two might get built.

    But Mike Dickman, who has worked in metro-area real estate for years, recently created a new company for the sole purpose of building ADUs, and he envisions Englewood as a bonanza.

    We feel this market is going to be huge, Dickman says. With a nod to the citys history he calls this their back-to-the-future moment.

    His Carriage Home Builders will focus on nothing but ADUs and, in a familiar refrain, seek ways to bring costs into an affordable range. He feels that modular housing is the only way to do that and has been working with a manufacturer. Once he has marketing materials in hand, he plans to target one small area of Englewood and make his pitch.

    Im one of these old-time guys, Ill go knock on doors, he says. I have no problem with that.

    Martinez-Stone, who in addition to her work with the WDRC also serves on the Denver planning board, says she has repeatedly gone on the record in meetings saying that the current method of rezoning for ADUs on a parcel-by-parcel basis is inefficient and ineffective.

    We should be doing these by the thousand, she says, especially in areas facing significant displacement. To underscore the urgency, she points to the West Colfax neighborhood. In 2012, the average household paid $75 per month in property tax. Now it pays $235.

    All added up, many households with low or fixed income can see on the horizon that they may not be able to afford or keep their home, she says. This provides a solution to that.

    The problems may differ among the economic classes, but the possibility that ADUs could become part of the solution has emerged as a common theme across the Denver metro area.

    Broomfields city council recently passed an ordinance allowing construction of ADUs, though homeowners associations can still prohibit them. The city also may consider the possibility of offering some sort of subsidy for homeowners who build ADUs and rent them to low-income tenants.

    Councilwoman Sharon Tessier says that the free market will never solve the areas housing issue, and neither will any one nonprofit or governmental agency.

    Its a partnership that has to happen, she says. ADUs will definitely be part of that, because were able to allow for that in ordinances. My hope is that some of the HOAs will allow it, and it doesnt become so much of a NIMBY issue.

    Donna Mullins of Aging Well in Jefferson County, an initiative that began in 2008 and operates under the Human Services department, volunteers with a working group on housing issues that sees ADUs offering an alternative for seniors to age in place. An older person might stay in their home and have a caretaker live in the ADU, or vice versa.

    She says Jefferson County had an ordinance on the books for a long time, but it was so restrictive that, in 2011, the group hired an intern to spend a year researching ADUs around the country. That resulted in a set of proposals to the countys planning and zoning people, and less restrictive regulations went into effect in 2014.

    There have been 55 applications since the change, compared with 11 in the six years before and, Mullins adds, those numbers dont account for 2019.

    The good thing with ADUs is you can use the same infrastructure, so that makes it a little cheaper, she says. You cant build a house for $250,000 around here.

    As they look south from the second-floor flat behind their house to a slice of the Denver skyline, Price and Horner, the couple with the ADU in Curtis Park, realize that one day a neighbor could build a similar structure and take that view away. They shrug. Thats life in the city.

    We cant grow out anymore, Price says, shaking his head at city dwellers who complain that filling in the holes will ruin the neighborhood. Sure, theres too much traffic, but its not because there are too many people. There are too many cars.

    Horner calls concerns about density an irrational fear born of misconception.

    Unless we encourage this, the city wont be able to be as livable, he says. Its gonna happen.

    This reporting is made possible by our members. You can directly support independent watchdog journalism in Colorado for as little as $5 a month. Start here: coloradosun.com/join

    Go here to read the rest:

    Colorado cities want to embrace gentle density of granny flats, but they're hitting speed bumps - The Colorado Sun

    Expressmodular.com - September 17, 2019 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Experience and Knowledge You Can Trust

    Choosing the right builder to provide your new home is one of the most important decisions you will make in the home buying process. Express Modular is a custom builder that has chosen to exclusively offer modular construction to meet the needs of our customers. We believe it delivers beautiful homes, supports innovative home design, and delivers safe and healthy homes for our clients. Our modular homes can be one-of-a-kind creations that offers an even greater range of design choices than most traditional builders.

    Experience, knowledge, hundreds of standard home plans, and almost limitless customization ability we are all of these qualities combined in one builder. We are the only nationwide builder of modular homes with the local ability to plan, design, and deliver your unique custom home at the best value.

    Our team of home consultants are the most knowledgeable you can find when it comes to custom modular home building. During the design stage for your home you will have a wide range of choices to make as you create a truly unique home. Given the variety of choices involved, its not unusual for custom home buyers to experience some emotional ups and downs during the process, more than a new home buyer that is building a production home may experience in their new home journey. Knowing what to expect at each stage comes from strong communication. Just knowing what choices youll have to make, and when, can go a long way toward making your custom home building process smooth and produce the home you have always dreamed about. We pride ourselves on being the custom home builder that has the answers when you need them most.

    Some may make the claim but we back it up. Our national presence gives us access to resources and capabilities that average builders dont even know exist. When selecting the custom home builder to partner with in building their new home, most of our customers use the same evaluation criteria. They want a builder that will listen to their needs, that will guide them through the building process, and that they feel they can trust. With open communication, the strength of a nationwide company backing your local home consultant, and years of knowledge and experience, we want to be your choice as a trusted partner when it comes time to build your new home.

    More here:

    Expressmodular.com

    Modular building – Wikipedia - September 16, 2019 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Modular buildings and modular homes are prefabricated buildings or houses that consist of repeated sections called modules.[1] "Modular" is a construction method that involves constructing sections away from the building site, then delivering them to the intended site. Installation of the prefabricated sections is completed on site. Prefabricated sections are sometimes placed using a crane. The modules can be placed side-by-side, end-to-end, or stacked, allowing a variety of configurations and styles. After placement the modules are joined together using inter-module connections, also known as inter-connections. The inter-connections tie the individual modules together to form the overall building structure.[2]

    Modular buildings, also called prefabricated homes or precision built homes, are built to equal or higher standards as on-site stick-built homes. The building method is referred to as permanent modular construction.

    Material for stick built and modular homes are the same. Modular homes are not doublewides or mobile homes. First, modular homes do not have axles or a metal frame, meaning that they are typically transported on flat-bed trucks. Modular buildings must conform to all relevant local building codes, while doublewides and mobile homes have metal under framing. Doublewides and mobile homes made in the United States are required to conform to federal codes governed by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.[3]

    Modular buildings may be used for long-term, temporary or permanent facilities, such as construction camps, schools and classrooms, civilian and military housing, and industrial facilities. Modular buildings are used in remote and rural areas where conventional construction may not be reasonable or possible, for example, the Halley VI accommodation pods used for a BAS Antarctic expedition.[4] Other uses have included churches, health care facilities, sales and retail offices, fast food restaurants and cruise ship construction. They can also be used in areas that have weather concerns, such as hurricanes.

    Construction is offsite, using lean manufacturing techniques to prefabricate single or multi-story buildings in deliverable module sections. Permanent Modular Construction (PMC) buildings are manufactured in a controlled setting and can be constructed of wood, steel, or concrete. Modular components are typically constructed indoors on assembly lines. Modules' construction may take as little as ten days but more often one to three months. PMC modules can be integrated into site built projects or stand alone and can be delivered with MEP, fixtures and interior finishes.

    The buildings are 60% to 90% completed offsite in a factory-controlled environment, and transported and assembled at the final building site. This can comprise the entire building or be components or subassemblies of larger structures. In many cases, modular contractors work with traditional general contractors to exploit the resources and advantages of each type of construction. Completed modules are transported to the building site and assembled by a crane.[5] Placement of the modules may take from several hours to several days.

    Permanent modular buildings are built to meet or exceed the same building codes and standards as site-built structures and the same architect-specified materials used in conventionally constructed buildings are used in modular construction projects. PMC can have as many stories as building codes allow. Unlike relocatable buildings, PMC structures are intended to remain in one location for the duration of their useful life.

    The entire process of modular construction places significance on the design stage. This is where practices such as Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) are used to ensure that assembly tolerances are controlled throughout manufacture and assembly on site. It is vital that there is enough allowance in the design to allow the assembly to take up any "slack" or misalignment of components. The use of advanced CAD systems, 3D printing and manufacturing control systems are important for modular construction to be successful. This is quite unlike on-site construction where the tradesman can often make the part to suit any particular installation.

    Ceiling drywalled in spray booth

    Roof shingled and siding installed

    Ready for delivery to site

    Two-story modular dwelling

    Pratt Modular Home "The Willow" Tyler Texas

    Interior Pratt Homes Willow Kitchen

    Pratt Modular Home called "The Entertainer". Tyler Texas

    Pratt Modular Homes "The Briar Ritz"

    Modular buildings are argued to have advantages over conventional buildings, for a variety of reasons.

    Modular buildings can also contribute to LEED requirements in any category site-built construction can, and can even provide an advantage in the areas of Sustainable Sites, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, and Indoor Environmental Quality.[11]Modular construction can also provide an advantage in similar categories in the International Green Construction Code.

    Some home buyers and some lending institutions resist consideration of modular homes as equivalent in value to site-built homes.[citation needed] While the homes themselves may be of equivalent quality, entrenched zoning regulations and psychological marketplace factors may create hurdles for buyers or builders of modular homes and should be considered as part of the decision-making process when exploring this type of home as a living and/or investment option. In the UK and Australia, modular homes have become accepted in some regional areas; however, they are not commonly built in major cities. Modular homes are becoming increasingly common in Japanese urban areas, due to improvements in design and quality, speed and compactness of onsite assembly, as well as due to lowering costs and ease of repair after earthquakes. Recent innovations allow modular buildings to be indistinguishable from site-built structures.[citation needed] Surveys have shown that individuals can rarely tell the difference between a modular home and a site-built home.[15]

    Differences include the building codes that govern the construction, types of material used and how they are appraised by banks for lending purposes. Modular homes are built to either local or state building codes as opposed to manufactured homes, which are also built in a factory but are governed by a federal building code.[16] The codes that govern the construction of modular homes are exactly the same codes that govern the construction of site-constructed homes.[citation needed] In the United States, all modular homes are constructed according to the International Building Code (IBC), IRC, BOCA or the code that has been adopted by the local jurisdiction.[citation needed] In some states, such as California, mobile homes must still be registered yearly, like vehicles or standard trailers, with the Department of Motor Vehicles or other state agency. This is true even if the owners remove the axles and place it on a permanent foundation.[17]

    A mobile home should have a small metal tag on the outside of each section. If you cannot locate a tag, you should be able to find details about the home in the electrical panel box. This tag should also reveal a manufacturing date.[18] Modular homes do not have metal tags on the outside but will have a dataplate installed inside the home, usually under the kitchen sink or in a closet. The dataplate will provide information such as the manufacturer, third party inspection agency, appliance information, and manufacture date.

    The materials used in modular homes are typically the same as site constructed homes. Wood-frame floors, walls and roof are often utilized. Some modular homes include brick or stone exteriors, granite counters and steeply pitched roofs. Modulars can be designed to sit on a perimeter foundation or basement. In contrast, mobile homes are constructed with a steel chassis that is integral to the integrity of the floor system. Modular buildings can be custom built to a client's specifications. Current designs include multi-story units, multi-family units and entire apartment complexes. The negative stereotype commonly associated with mobile homes has prompted some manufacturers to start using the term "off-site construction."

    New modular offerings include other construction methods such as cross-laminated timber frames.[19]

    Mobile homes often require special lenders.[20]

    Modular homes on the other hand are financed as site built homes with a construction loan[18]

    Typically, modular dwellings are built to local, state or council code, resulting in dwellings from a given manufacturing facility having differing construction standards depending on the final destination of the modules.[21] The most important zones that manufacturers have to take into consideration are local wind, heat, and snow load zones.[22] For example, homes built for final assembly in a hurricane-prone, earthquake or flooding area may include additional bracing to meet local building codes. Steel and/or wood framing are common options for building a modular home.

    Some US courts have ruled that zoning restrictions applicable to mobile homes do not apply to modular homes since modular homes are designed to have a permanent foundation.[citation needed] Additionally, in the US, valuation differences between modular homes and site-built homes are often negligible in real estate appraisal practice; modular homes can, in some market areas, (depending on local appraisal practices per Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) be evaluated the same way as site-built dwellings of similar quality. In Australia, manufactured home parks are governed by additional legislation that does not apply to permanent modular homes. Possible developments in equivalence between modular and site-built housing types for the purposes of real estate appraisals, financing and zoning may increase the sales of modular homes over time.[23]

    In Wales (UK), a businessman authorized the placement of 6 mini modular homes called Pods for homeless persons on private property.[24]

    Modular homes are designed to be stronger than traditional homes by, for example, replacing nails with screws, adding glue to joints, and using 810% more lumber than conventional housing.[25] This is to help the modules maintain their structural integrity as they are transported on trucks to the construction site. However, there are few studies on the response of modular buildings to transport and handling stresses. It is therefore presently difficult to predict transport induced damage.[1]

    When FEMA studied the destruction wrought by Hurricane Andrew in Dade County Florida, they concluded that modular and masonry homes fared best compared to other construction.[26]

    The CE mark is a construction norm that guarantees the user of mechanical resistance and strength of the structure. It is a label given by European community empowered authorities for end-to-end process mastering and traceability.[citation needed]

    All manufacturing operations are being monitored and recorded:

    This ID and all the details are recorded in a database, At any time, the producer has to be able to answer and provide all the information from each step of the production of a single unit, The EC certification guaranties standards in terms of durability, resistance against wind and earthquakes.[citation needed]

    Modular buildings can be assembled on top of multiple foundation surfaces, such as a crawl space, stilts (for areas that are prone to flooding), full basements or standard slab at grade. They can also be built to multi-story heights. Motels and other multi-family structures have been built using modular construction techniques. The height to which a modular structure can be built depends on jurisdiction, but a number of countries, especially in Asia, allow them to be built to 24 floors or more.[citation needed]

    Exterior wall surfaces can be finalized in the plant production process or in the case of brick/stone veneers, field applications may be the builders' choice. Roof systems also can be applied in the field after the basic installation is completed.

    Weather, population density, geographical distances, and local housing architecture play a role in the use of modular construction for home building. Because modular construction is so adaptable, it has begun to permeate every region of the U.S.[citation needed]

    The northeast is populated with factories that can combine modular housing design with other construction methods such as panelization and SIPs. Modules are typically limited to 16' width and up to 70' lengths because of the narrow road structure and densely populated areas of the region.[citation needed] Other limitations are placed on transportation to locations such as Connecticut, Cape Cod, and Long Island.[citation needed]

    The Mid-Atlantic region is similar to the northeast, in terms of building design and transport restriction to modules to a width of not more than 16'.[citation needed]

    Manufacturers in the Southeast often limit their ability to customize homes and focus on very traditional single story floor plans.[citation needed] Much of the south is in coastal and high wind areas; modular construction may prove appealing in this area as it is already inherently stronger as it must be built for transport and craned installation, therefore offering wind resistance as good or higher than site-built construction.[citation needed]

    The central plains states typically are made up of farming and rural communities. Ranch homes are the mainstay of the region. Prone to strong storms and tornado conditions, modular construction offers the ability to better withstand these storm patterns than its site built counterpart.[citation needed] The inter-module attachments that must be made when assembling a modular home on a foundation offer an inherently stronger home than site built construction can offer.[citation needed] Interior finishes on both the walls and ceilings are typically textured. Corners on interior walls are typically rounded and finish trim around windows is optional. Because of the wider road and lower population density, modules can be as wide as 20' and as long as 90'. The ability to provide larger modules reduces the amount of modules needed to complete a home.

    Home design in this area ranges from Chalet style homes to log cabin style homes. Manufacturers in the region therefore provide a number of styles of homes. Capability varies from factory to factory as well as the ability to do complete customization of floor plans. Transportation is limited mostly to 16' wide modules to travel the roads of the area.[citation needed]

    The high cost of living in coastal areas, and especially California, may provide modular construction an edge due to its lower cost.[citation needed] Extreme building regulation and environmental requirements can delay the start of residential construction.[citation needed] Several factories specialize in environmentally responsible construction by following green construction standards and offering zero energy homes.[citation needed]

    Living in coastal areas also mean that the modular home structure should be strong enough to withstand winds with high velocity. Modular homes, built correctly, have such kind of resistance to stand high wind velocity without any damage issues.[citation needed]

    Modular building can also be open source and green.

    3D printing can be used to build the house.

    The main standard is OpenStructures and its derivative Autarkytecture.[27]

    Permanent modular buildings can be utilized in any application where stick-built construction is used. The primary markets served are K-12 education, higher education student housing, office and administrative space, retail and hospitality, healthcare, and publicly funded facilities.

    Modular construction is the subject of continued research and development worldwide as the technology is applied to taller and taller buildings. Research and development is carried out by modular building companies and also research institutes such as the Modular Building Institute [28] and the Steel Construction Institute,.[29] An example of a recent research project is MODCONS.[30]

    Go here to see the original:

    Modular building - Wikipedia

    Westchester Modular Homes | Modular & Prefab Home Builders - September 16, 2019 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Westchester Modular Homes is an award-winning modular home manufacturer located in Wingdale, New York. We are celebrating our 30th Anniversary as a manufacturer of custom modular homes, also known as prefab homes, to states located in the Northeast region.

    Throughout the Northeast region, we have a complete network of independent Westchester local modular home dealers who build our modular homes available for sale. We provide our local builders with complete turn-key construction & services; from permit and zoning approvals, site development, engineering, design & architectural services with expert delivery and set systems. Our extensive network of modular home companies will be there to help you through the entire process of building your new modular home.

    Westchester Modular Homes builds high quality modular homes in the following nine states: New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Maine.

    Our product lines of residential modular or prefab homes include green modular homes, modular teardown/rebuild projects, modular vacation homes and modular additions. We welcome you to customize your modular dream home with the award-winning modular home design team at Westchester Modular Homes, Inc., a leader in the modular home industry. The possibilities are limitless when it comes to designing and constructing your own modular home; if you can dream it, we can build it.

    We've recently expanded our selection of Modular Homes to offer Multi-Family Modular homes. We can provide your business or organization with the multi-family modular home it needs - from modular townhouses, modular apartments, modular commercial buildings, modular workforce housing & modular group homes.

    An employee-owned company, our mission is to offer affordable and elegant modular homes that reflect our unique craftsmanship and construction capabilities. A full-time staff of over 175 workers allows us to constantly innovate and fine-tune our modular home manufacturing processes to deliver the quality luxury modular homes our customers have come to expect.

    Our climate-controlled factory features the latest machinery and technology in order to ensure our modular homes meet our high building standards. Westchester Modular Homes practices green home building techniques, which include the use of sustainable materials and energy-efficient equipment in the building of a modular home. Manufacturers who adhere to these standards offer homeowners a great way to keep energy costs low in addition to being sustainable over time. We regularly offer tours at the Westchester Modular Homes Factory, and invite you to come visit us to learn more and tour one of our modular home models.

    Westchester Modular Homes, Inc. works with local builders and contractors to complete the modular home building process on-site. After each part of the modular house is constructed in our factory, the modules are delivered via flatbed truck and assembled by using cranes to put the pieces in place. Our network of local builders provides the finishing touches and completes the building process. From the factory to the foundation, construction of modular homes and modular cottages can be completed in as little as four weeks.

    Whether you're in the market for a traditional colonial home, a popular cape-style home or other design style, Westchester Modular Homes, Inc. offers comprehensive design and construction services for choosing the features and characteristics of your dream modular home. Our modular homes are constructed according to customer specifications and requirements through a fully customizable final design plan which is then executed flawlessly by our manufacturers and local builders.

    More:

    Westchester Modular Homes | Modular & Prefab Home Builders

    « old entrysnew entrys »



    Page 19«..10..17181920


    Recent Posts