Prefab Housing Negatives

Time Lag

• Prefabricated housing is built to order. Therefore a disadvantage is having to wait for it to be constructed instead of being able to move straight in. The design, manufacture and size of the house will affect how long the time lag is between ordering and receipt. However, online magazine "Modular Today" advises that prefab housing takes between two and three months to complete. This can be inconvenient if you have to rent in the meantime, or place your belongings in storage.

Buying Land

• Buying land is a crucial part of becoming a prefab homeowner, but it can be a negative experience. Finding the right plot of land might be difficult, and when you do find it you may need to seek planning permission, prepare the ground and have it surveyed. All these activities are time-consuming and costly. Plus, the land itself might be quite pricey.

Difficultly Financing

• Unless you can pay for the land and prefab outright, then you will need to get a loan to finance the purchase. However, a negative aspect of prefab housing is that it is more difficult to get a loan from the bank. The builder requires payment in advance, and without a tangible property to secure the loan, the bank is less willing to lend to you. It may be necessary to apply for a construction loan from a prefab housing dealer instead.

Limited Delivery Area

• Generally speaking, the prefab house factory needs to be no more than 300 miles from the delivery address. If the plot of land is further away, it significantly increases the delivery costs, and it is more difficult to transport the building.

Lack of Customization

• Despite being made to order, your house's exact specifications may be limited. The manufacturer may not have the correct machinery to meet your requirements easily, or the particular aspects of the home might make it too awkward to be transported. You will also be limited as to what type of materials you choose to construct the house from. Concrete and brick are out of the question, because they are too heavy to transport.

Wall Cracks

• Sometimes cracks can appear in the walls of modular housing or prefabricated homes. This occurs as the property settles into its foundations. Consequently, it is a problem that may occur a year or later down the line. To prevent it from happening, make sure you use a reputable builder and take out insurance to protect you from any financial loss incurred as a result.