Modular Building Prices, Real Examples & Complete Purchase Process

Modular Prefab Building Average Costs #

Modular buildings are prefabricated in a factory and then transported to the site for installation. Here are typical price ranges:

Residential Modular Homes

• Small 500 - 1000 sq ft basic modular home: $50,000 - $100,000 total ($100 - $200 per sq ft)
• Medium 1500 - 2500 sq ft custom modular home: $150,000 - $300,000 total ($100 - $150 per sq ft)
• Large high-end custom modular with premium finishes: $500,000+ total ($200+ per sq ft)

Commercial Modular Buildings

• 500 - 1000 sq ft basic commercial modular unit: $75,000 - $200,000 total ($75 - $200 per sq ft)
• 1000 - 5000 sq ft restaurant, classroom, office modular building: $250,000 - $1,000,000 total ($100 - $200 per sq ft)

Additional Modular Building Costs #

• Site preparation and foundation: $15,000 - $100,000
• Transportation of modules: $5,000 - $15,000 per module
• Crane rental for installation: $5,000 per day
• Permits: 2% - 5% of total costs
• Interior fixtures and finishes: $20 - $100 per sq ft

Portable classrooms and offices fall on the lower end of that scale. On the high end, expect a sophisticated building with high-quality materials. Keep in mind, however, that prices tend to vary based upon the region of the country. Modular commercial buildings on the east and west coasts are more expensive than in the south and Midwest.

If that sounds like more money than you're willing to spend, consider buying a used modular building or leasing a building. Leases begin at around $300 per month for a small building but might cost $6,000 or more for larger buildings. Delivery and setup fees may also apply.

Modular Building Real Life Examples #

Here are some real life examples of people who purchased modular buildings with pricing:

• Ryan in Florida bought a 24' x 40' modular office building from ModSpace for $50,000. This included delivery, installation, AC/heating, bathroom, and basic finishes. He uses it as the main office for his construction company.

• Sophia in Oregon purchased a 16' x 32' modular classroom from Pacific Mobile Structures for $85,000. This included permits, foundation, ramp, insulation, AV equipment and installation at the school district. It serves as an extra classroom.

• Jacob in Texas ordered a custom modular home from Ritz Craft for $150,000. This included 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, kitchen, laundry, and open living space all prefabricated and delivered to his rural property.

• Olivia in New York had a modular restaurant installed by AmeriBuilt System Homes for $250,000. It came with commercial kitchen, dining area, ADA bathroom, and terrace. She leases it to a local cafe.

• Noah in Maryland bought a used 8' x 20' office modular from ModSpace for $15,000 and had it installed on his business lot for $5,000 more. He uses it as a job site office and break room.

• Emma in California purchased a modular building kit from General Shelters and constructed a backyard art studio for $30,000 total. It includes lighting, AC/heat, and custom interior finishes.

Steps for Purchasing a Modular Building #

1. Determine your needs - Define the purpose, size, layout, and features you require for the modular structure. Consider current needs and future flexibility.

2. Research modular vendors - Look for reputable modular building manufacturers or dealers in your local area. Evaluate options by capability, quality, customization, price, and reviews.

3. Design consultation - Work with the modular vendor's design team to create a floor plan optimized for manufacturing and transport. Make customization choices.

4. Permitting - Modular vendors will handle much of the permitting paperwork, but you may need to pull local building permits or confirm zoning allowances.

5. Site preparation - Prepare the site by leveling, compacting earth, pouring foundation, and installing utility hookups according to modular building requirements.

6. Manufacturing - The modular structure will be fabricated in the factory using your floor plans, meetings your finish selections. This usually takes 4-6 weeks.

7. Transportation - Modules will be trucked to your final site via special vehicles. All transportation coordination and costs are handled by the modular company.

8. Installation - A crane will lift and assemble the modules onto the foundation. A crew will then join the pieces and complete exterior finish work.

9. Interior finish - Like a site-built home, you will need to complete all interior fixtures, finishes, painting, flooring, etc. Some customization may have been pre-finished at the factory.

10. Inspections - Local inspectors will check completed electrical, plumbing, structural, etc. before issuing a certificate of occupancy.

How Long Does it Take to Build a Modular Building? #

The typical timeline for having a modular building fully constructed and ready for use is 12-16 weeks from order to completion.

Here is a breakdown of the modular building construction timeline:

• 4-6 weeks for factory manufacturing of the modular units
• 1-2 weeks for transportation of finished modules to the site
• 3-5 days for onsite assembly and joining of units
• 4-6 weeks for interior finish work after installation

So in total, you can expect around 3-4 months from starting the process to having an occupiable modular structure.

The factory construction of modules happens concurrently with site prep work for the fastest overall timeline. The key advantages are manufacturing out of weather and finishing interiors after installation.

Resources:

• Modular Construction: Energy-Efficiency Field Study
• Modular Building Institute (MBI)

Use Our Free Service and Find Commercial Modular Construction Dealers Near You #