Back To News
November 26, 2020
FINDING THE RIGHT LAND FOR YOUR PREFAB MODERN HOME

Finding the right lot for a Connect Home is easier than you think because of our prefab modular system.

Previous
Next
No items found.

When you close your eyes and think of your dream home, where does your mind take you?  Maybe you imagine morning coffee in Monterey or sitting fireside in Oceanside. Whatever the scenario, you’re probably picturing not only the modern prefab home, but also its location. 

Finding the right site is just as important as choosing the right Connect Homes model. All of our standardized and semi-custom prefab homes are intentionally designed to maximize indoor/outdoor living to take advantage of everything your location has to offer.

What type of location makes for the most streamlined, successful build? Here are some things to consider:

LOT SIZE

We have Connect Home models that will fit almost any lot size, but if you don’t want to be limited in your choices, we recommend lots be at least 50 feet wide. That way you can fit any of our standard models and customize them to your surroundings. If you have your heart set on a narrow lot on a beach, the Connect Four T and Connect Six T offer a smaller footprint that work wonders on lots under 40 feet wide.

ACCESS

All of our prefab homes require the modules to be delivered by truck and placed on the foundation using a crane. Narrow, winding roads with tight turns can make it difficult for us to deliver a home to certain locations.  We also need a place to set up the crane for installation and so steep hillsides are tricky.

INSTALLATION

There needs to be a relatively clear path for the crane to pick up the modules from the truck and set them on the foundation. In urban areas, overhead power lines are the most common obstacle. It isn’t a deal breaker though; it just means we need to coordinate with the utilities provider the day of installation to de-energize or temporarily take down the lines.  For rural areas, dense tree cover could make it hard to find a clear installation path.

We also need to be aware of how far the crane will need to reach to place the modules on the foundation. This challenge is primarily for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) because we typically need to lift over an existing home and place the ADU toward the back of the property. Almost all distances are possible, it just depends on how large a crane would be required.

TOPOGRAPHY

Flat land with direct access is amazing but we know that not all lots are created equal.  In general, if a foundation can be built on a site, we can install a Connect Homes prefab house there. Hillsides can be tough because they require a lot of extra site work which can substantially increase the total project budget.  We would hate for half of the project budget to be spent on removing dirt, grading the lot, and building retaining walls.  We would rather you have that budget to build an amazing outdoor living space.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

When looking for land, it is also important to be aware of these factors:

  • Whether utilities are already present on site.
  • Environmental restrictions such as coastal areas, wetlands, or flood plains.
  • Special planning reviews such as a Design Review or Historical Review from the local building department.
  • The property boundaries and setback that determine the buildable area.

Finding the right land on which to build may feel like finding a needle in a haystack, but our prefab modular system can get almost anywhere. The best thing to do when considering a lot is to email us at hello@connect-homes.com with the address. We can have our experts take a quick look to see if it is a fit for our style of construction.

If you’ve finally found that enchanting spot in the country or corner of your favorite city, let us know. We’d love to build your dream home in your ideal location.