Prefabricated Versus Manufactured Home

Many people confuse the terms prefabricated home and manufactured home. A prefabricated home is a home that is built in part or in total at a location separate from the installation site. It is then transported to the residence site on a flatbed vehicle and installed on a foundation that has been prepared. It does not have permanently affixed axles and wheels for movement. The building standards for these homes are subject to local and federal laws.

A manufactured home is also built at a factory, or location other than the installation site. But it is built to Housing and Urban Development building standards, and is built with a frame, and axles to be transported down the road by being pulled with a truck. When installed it may be installed either on a permanent foundation or using jacks/piers.

Prefabricated home financing is done using traditional mortgage products, while Manufactured homes are financed using chattel loans.