A few weeks ago some of my clients  were interested in viewing both a stick-built home and a modular home, and agreed to look at both in a blind comparison test. 

First, according to Wikipedia, a stick-built structure is "one constructed entirely or largely on-site," as opposed to a modular home that is "divided into multiple modules or sections which are manufactured in aremote facility and then delivered to their intended site of use."

Before we get to the results of the blind test, it is important to note that there are mixed opinions on modular homes.  For example, some would suggest that . . .

• stick-built homes are more structurally sound, as they are built on the piece of land where they will permanently reside --- and fit themselves, structurally, to the contour of the land as they are built . . .
• modular homes are more structurally sound, as they are built in a controlled environment, without being exposed to precipitation, wind, etc. during the construction process . . .
• modular homes allow for a faster construction schedule . . .
• stick-built homes allow for greater design flexibility . . .

However, two equalizing factors that are important to remember are that . . .

• there are both high quality, and low quality stick builders and modular home manufacturers . . .
• the modular housing industry is exploding, with ever-increasing options and design features --- as evidenced by the impressive house pictured above, from Haven Homes.
  

Upon viewing the two homes, my clients made the following observations . . .

The stick-built home had higher quality interior finishes, a more practical layout, higher quality flooring, and seemed somewhat more solid --- but --- had more of an echo, and had several lower quality finishing selections that didn't convey quality construction.

The modular home had higher quality framing and higher ceilings, and the marriage wall was not noticeable --- but --- there were more oddities in the floor plan and the floor joists seemed more shoddy.

Both homes had great drywall work and seemed to be very structurally sound.