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| The Modular Home | 
 enlarge | Author: Andrew Gianino
Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
Buy New: $9.41
You Save: $15.54 (62%)
Buy New/Used from $6.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  (20 reviews)
Sales Rank: 130074
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 336
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.9
Dimensions (in): 10.8 x 8.4 x 1
ISBN: 1580175260
Dewey Decimal Number: 643.2
EAN: 9781580175265
ASIN: 1580175260
Publication Date: February 15, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 not for me January 9, 2007
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
It is hard to judge from the description, but the book is mostly about "old school" modular homes -- no edgy designs, no new technologies, etc. Given how much new and exciting developments there have been in the pre-fab space recently, this book seems quite dated
 Modular Works - Even in CA July 23, 2006
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
Hi. I highly recommend this book and more than just a passing comment, I have developed a personal home in coastal CA and there is no resource as complete. There is still so much misinformation out there it aggravates me sometimes - "But most stick builders are not using open faced floor joists and glued drywall. Is that a better way of building or a huge savings in material and labor costs? My feeling is that it's merely a cost savings, and not really a revolutionary way to build.?
Take it from an engineering dropout, my home and many manufacturers are building a more solid house than I see on many jobsites. (So roof trusses are then "open faced" but somehow support roof tiles/snow load, glue disperses a load across full length of a wall beam instead of all load hanging on a nail head above/below the next nail.) Like anything, your house will only be as good as company building it. Big corporate builders use these techniques and some even use modules in finished homes, unbeknownst to buyer (and a modular falls under "system built" housing, similar to incorporated wall panels/roof trusses). US has some catching up to do in modular, especially CA, and yes there IS a LOT of HUD-code "manufactured" homes being passed off as modular or "on-frame" modular (that is UBC-code but won't pass mustard with many lenders) being pushed onto those not aware.
It is a maze, I've been there and live in a very unique modular in coastal CA and you wouldn't believe me if I told you what my appraisals are shortly after my building it. Hands down, best financial decision for my family and instant equity. If interested, feel free to drop me an e-mail as I'm happy to share info to help others. Also read Modular Mansions if you haven't already.
 very helpful July 6, 2006
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
This book gives you the basics about modular homes. It's more for a consumer to pre-educate themselves with the process. I live in a modular home and the book is right in step.
Comprehensive, Detailed and Consolidated January 16, 2006
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
The title of the review says it all... the most consolidated and detailed resource on modular homes that I found in my research. I would recommend this title as a great starting point to anyone who has an interest in the modular housing industry.
The Go-To Guide for Modular Home Consumers November 26, 2005
26 out of 29 found this review helpful
Whether you're merely considering building a new home, or you've already made up your mind to purchase a modular/prefabricated house, THE MODULAR HOME by Andrew Gianino is a must-read! Gianino, founder of The Home Store (now going into its 20th year of business), has written the Bible of modular home construction. In THE MODULAR HOME, Gianino covers all facets of buying and building a new modular home, from choosing and tweaking the building's designs, to arranging financing and obtaining all the required permits, working with the dealer, manufacturer, and general contractor, and even dealing with warranty issues long after the house has been delivered and "buttoned up."
Modular home construction holds a number of advantages over traditional, stick-built homes, and author Gianino begins by helping you decide if building a modular home makes sense for you. Although he's quick to point out the assets of modular construction, THE MODULAR HOME isn't just a sales pitch for the modular home industry; Gianino also explains when it makes little sense to go the modular route. He also goes to great pains to list the special concerns that arise when building a modular home. As a result, THE MODULAR HOME is a fair and balanced look at the pros and cons of modular construction. ANYONE thinking about building a new home (or even remodeling an existing house) should read THE MODULAR HOME in order to get a firm grasp of ALL the available options.
Once you've made a firm commitment to go modular, buy a copy of THE MODULAR HOME immediately! Gianino has packed the book with all sorts of helpful information to guide you through the process. The book is divided into eleven chapters: Why Build Modular?; Selecting a Dealer; Designing a Home; Specification and Features; Selecting a General Contractor; Finding a Preparing a Building Lot; The General Contractor's Responsibilities; Building a Modular Addition; Financing a Modular Home; Warranty Service; and Building on Schedule. Additionally, he's also included a 15-page, full-color Modular Home Gallery, which illustrates the many styles of homes that can be built inside a factory.
As you can see, Gianino truly does cover all the bases - and in great detail, to boot! Each chapter is jam-packed with useful information, helpful hints, in-depth explanations, illustrative sketches, useful checklists, and even individual case studies (usually of other peoples' mistakes) that everyone can learn from. Unlike the watered-down Dummies' Guides, THE MODULAR HOME does not dumb the material down, or repeat the same information ad nauseam. Gianino is an excellent and engaging writer, and he manages to make complicated information comprehensible to the layperson - without sounding as though he's talking to a 7th-grader. He also reminds his audience of previously addressed material without beating you over the head with the same redundant advice (thus wasting both your time and money).
Currently a renter, I'm planning on buying or building a house in the next few years. Thus, I've read a countless number of books on manufactured, modular/prefab, and stick-built construction. THE MODULAR HOME is by far the best of the bunch, hands down. Five stars, all around!
- Kelly Garbato
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