Simple. Always look for a metal frame underneath. If it has one, it's NOT a modular. Modulars come on trailers, but are lifted off them by a crane. Then the trailers go back to the manufacturer.

Modular homes are the exact same thing as a site built home. They are not meant to be in parks, or on piers. They must be on a foundation just like a site built home.

I'm not putting down manufactured housing. There are some beautiful examples of manufactured housing out there. A lot of 55 and over communities up here in the northeast are double wide manufactured homes, and they are on permanent foundations and the frames are not visible. You really couldn't tell they were manufactured. Flat ceilings, sheetrock walls, hardwood floors, etc.

My current home is modular. And I like it very much. But I will tell anyone considering modular... if you're thinking about modular to save money, you are mistaken.

The dealer will give you the price of the house only. You need property, land clearing, foundation dug and poured, you need power from the pole to the house, an electrician to hook up the power, a driveway, a crane to set the house, well & septic if you live in the country, or sewer and water hookups if you live in the city, plumber for heat and water, garage, porches, landscaping, etc, etc, etc. All those things are not included in the price of the house.

The final cost is the same as a site built home. The main advantage is time. You can be in your new home in as little as 90 days from the date you sign the contract.

Christopher, everything you said is true. We currently have a modular on 58 acres. We had to clear the land, dig the well, put in septic, elect. etc. But, we absolutely love it. It is better than site built because we have had absolutely no settling in the 8 years we have had it. So ---- yes, I want another modular.

But, how can you see whether or not the house is on a metal frame?

You go down to the basement or crawlspace. If the house has a big honkin, metal frame running the length of each half, you'll see it instantly.