Often, when people think about building a home, they imagine just one specific type of construction—most commonly stick (or site) built. However, there are several different types of home construction to consider if you are hoping to build a home. Each comes with its own distinct benefits, whether they be aesthetic or simply practical.
In this article, we will explain some of the different kinds of construction to think about for your dream home. Explore the range of construction options below to discover the one that best fits your lifestyle, budget and needs and makes the most sense for you and your family.
As stated above, this is most likely what you think of when you think of home construction. Stick built, also called site built, is a construction type in which a home is built piece by piece on site. For those who are able and interested in building a home, this option is great for its highly customizable design. However, due to this customizability, stick built construction has the potential to be more time-consuming and costly than other types of construction.
It’s important to remember, though, that even though this type of construction can give a homebuyer so many unique possibilities for their home, the final product is still going to be restrained by local building codes, inspections, and your own budget. These must also be built on permanent foundations.
But if you have a strong vision for the home you want to build and the financing to support it, stick built construction could be right for your goals.
Barndominiums
One unique type of stick built home is the barndominium. This unique home type started out as a renovation project, turning existing barns into livable residential homes. However, it’s since become increasingly popular for new construction, too.
New barndominiums are built to resemble a barn, and they are generally custom-built like a stick built home. They use a steel frame and typically have large, spacious floor plans with tall ceilings. Parts of a barndominium may be prefabricated, but they are typically built entirely on site and are similarly customizable to other stick built construction.
However, they can sometimes have faster construction processes than many stick built homes. So, if you want rustic, country aesthetics paired with modern design, a barndominium might be a good choice.
Modular Homes
Modular homes are another type of construction you may want to think about. Modular homes are built in sections, or modules, and assembled on site. The modules are usually constructed in a factory setting. After the modules have been completed, they’re inspected and put through a quality control process at the factory. If the modules pass the tests, they are then shipped to the construction site to be assembled and connected to utilities.
Because the modules are just being put together onsite, construction can often be completed in a shorter timeframe than stick built homes. However, it’s worth noting that modular homes may not be quite as customizable as stick built homes because you must work within the parameters of what the factory can build.
Log Home Construction
For those who want a woodsier, nature-inspired feel to their home, log homes could be a fit. Log homes are constructed using logs as the main structural material for the walls, floors, and roof. It may surprise you to know that log homes can be built in a variety of styles, including handcrafted, milled, or modular. The style is determined by the type and shape of the logs, how they are joined, and the extent to which the home was prefabricated.
Though you may be drawn to the log home construction type for its rustic, old-fashioned aesthetic, these homes can pair beautifully with more modern touches to create a truly unique, cozy place to call home.
Manufactured Homes
Manufactured homes are built entirely in a factory after which they are transported to the home site and permanently installed on the foundation. Many conflate manufactured homes with mobile homes, however, there are legal differences between the two, namely that manufactured homes must meet the standards of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
While manufactured homes are similar to modular homes in that they are prefabricated offsite, they aren’t quite the same. Manufactured homes are generally constructed entirely in a factory, then transported in one piece on wheels to the site. These homes are often cheaper to build than other construction types and typically faster, too.
Final Thoughts
Homebuyers may have more options than they think when it comes to home construction. While many gravitate toward stick built for its customizability, other types of construction may be a better fit depending on what you want out of a home.
Each of these kinds of construction could be treated differently by your lender based on their construction lending products. For example, they might have different credit score requirements for a manufactured home than they would a stick built. It’s important to talk to your lender about your options as you determine which type of construction makes the most sense for your home.
This information is intended for educational purposes only. Products and interest rates subject to change without notice. Loan products are subject to credit approval and include terms and conditions, fees and other costs. Terms and conditions may apply. Property insurance is required on all loans secured by property. VA loan products are subject to VA eligibility requirements. Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) interest rates and monthly payment are subject to adjustment. Upon submission of a full application, a mortgage banker will review and provide you with the terms, conditions, disclosures, and additional details on the interest rates that apply to your individual situation.
