I've worked with clients who've gone the modular route, and durability really varies by manufacturer and climate. One couple built a modular cabin up north, and after five years, it held up surprisingly well against harsh winters—but they did invest upfront in better insulation and roofing. Resale's trickier though; rural markets can be slow-moving. Curious if anyone's noticed differences in insurance premiums between modular/tiny homes and traditional builds? Seems like another hidden cost to factor in...
Insurance premiums can definitely vary, but from what I've seen, modular homes aren't always pricier to insure. The key is how they're classified—some insurers lump modulars in with traditional builds if they're on permanent foundations and meet local codes. Tiny homes, though, can be trickier since they're often considered RVs or mobile units, which can bump up premiums. Best bet is to shop around and clarify exactly how your insurer categorizes your build...could save you some headaches later.
"Tiny homes, though, can be trickier since they're often considered RVs or mobile units, which can bump up premiums."
Actually, I've seen the opposite happen a few times. Had a client who built a tiny home on a permanent foundation and managed to get it classified as a regular dwelling. It was small, sure, but met all local codes and zoning requirements. Definitely worth checking into local regulations closely—sometimes just tweaking your build approach can make a huge difference in insurance costs down the road.
That's a good point—foundation vs wheels can change everything. My cousin went the RV route at first, thinking it'd be cheaper, but insurance was a headache. Eventually, he redid it on a slab... premiums dropped significantly. Definitely pays to plan ahead and research local codes carefully.
"Definitely pays to plan ahead and research local codes carefully."
Yeah, local codes can really throw you a curveball if you're not careful. Did your cousin run into any zoning issues when switching from RV to slab? I've seen some areas get picky about permanent structures versus temporary setups. Curious if anyone's found a sweet spot—like rural counties with fewer restrictions or maybe overlooked towns where the codes aren't as strict...
