We moved into our new home in Portsmouth, VA on November 1st, 2001.  Problem was, it wasn't finished yet!  But we had already rented out our townhouse as of that date based on our original building schedule, so we had no choice.  Thank goodness it was a modular home which meant it was 95% finished inside when delivered.  "What's a modular home?"  I'm glad you asked.  There are four basic home types going up the scale: manufactured homes (or trailer homes), HUD homes which are coded to lower standards for low income areas, regular site built homes and modular homes.  A typical modular home can be slightly above normal site built because they require the same code of construction but have stronger floors and roofs for transport.  Where code requires 2x8 for floor joists, modulars use standard 2x10, and the roof is 30% stronger due to metal hinging, 2x6 joists, and dual 2x4 stud walls down the center of the attic.  On top of all this, a comparable modular home is around 30% cheaper than a site built.  Sophisticated CAD computer design now allows almost any imaginable home layout. Though ours is a comfortable 1550sf ranch, we toured a 3-story 4000sf modular home with a second-story balcony overlooking a cathedral-ceiling great room!  (The most elaborate designs we saw were by Modu-Craft of Virginia.)

I believe it is by far the best value in home design, and there are few schedule worries since the whole house is constructed on an indoor assembly line within eight weeks.  It's delivered and set on a prepared foundation with all the interior painting, flooring, carpeting, fixtures, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC done, and all but final inspections passed before it left the facility.  All that's left is some finish work where the sections meet.  A setup crew is brought in to take care of preparing the modular home and supervising crane operation for placement on the foundation, and setting and finishing the roof.  Our home wasn't finished on 11/1 because we still had exterior site work to be completed including gable-roof front porch and side entry, a rear 10x12 deck, fencing, custom colonial beaded siding, and all the final electrical, plumbing, and HVAC connections to be made.  The last hookup, electrical, was completed just prior to Christmas.

So what did we do until then?  We used a kerosene heater for heat, the site crew's Porta-Potty for a bathroom, a relative's shower, and water and an electrical line for the fridge and lights from our awesome neighbors.  It was kinda like camping in the city, and thankfully we didn't get nailed by inspectors for this impropriety.  We had hoped they would just think we were there during the day to get things done, but I think they suspected but were compassionate.  What a relief when we were able to cut on Christmas lights for the holiday!  And we thank God (along with Ron Strohkorb and his site work crew) for all of it!  So now you get to see a little bit of the completed home.

The home sits on a 1-acre property with a small scenic lake in the back.

The deck's open end allows an unobstructed lake view while seated in the living room.

We get mostly geese, ducks, and herons, but a lovely swan graced our lake this year.

Christmas 2007 heralded our Peanuts display, all homemade (except for the inflatable Snoopy).

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