If you plan on building a modular or prefabricated home in Maine, you must partner with a trustworthy builder. Since the entire house will get fabricated in a factory, you won’t see the end product until it is delivered. Unfortunately, locating a builder near you can be challenging if this is your first time building a modular home.
This article will give insights into Maine’s best builders of modular and prefab homes. We will take a closer look at their strengths and weaknesses and help you decide whether they are the right builder for you.
Table of Contents
- 1 Why Build a Prefab or Modular Home in Maine?
- 2 How Long Does it Take to Build a Modular/Prefab Home in Maine?
- 3 Can I Finance a Prefabricated or Modular Home in Maine?
- 4 How Much Does it Typically Cost to Build a Prefab or Modular Home in Maine?
- 5 Who Are The Best Modular & Prefab Home Builders in Maine?
- 6 Conclusion
Why Build a Prefab or Modular Home in Maine?
Maine is an excellent choice if you are on the hunt for a place to build your prefabricated home. Maine is the best state to live in when it comes to public safety because of its low crime rate. Maine has terrific coastal areas, so it is an ideal place if you love water activities and seafood.
Downsides
A downside that prospective homeowners face when building modular homes is financing. It can be difficult to find a bank to finance a modular home. Since the house gets manufactured off-site, lenders cannot appraise the property. You might be able to finance the land you are building on, but you will have limited options in funding the actual prefabricated home. If you cannot find a financing company to back you up, you might be forced to pay for the house in full. Although modular homes are generally cheaper than stick-built houses, paying for the entire cost of the house can leave a massive dent in your finances.
If you want to learn more about modular and prefabricated homes, check our prefab vs. modular homes article, which explains in detail the differences between the two house types.
How Long Does it Take to Build a Modular/Prefab Home in Maine?
A modular home can take three to four weeks to finish upon delivery to your location. However, you need to factor in the time it will take for the manufacturer to complete your house off-site, which can vary with the size and complexity of your modular home.
Make sure to check floor-plans for inspiring floor plans and design ideas as you build your home.
Can I Finance a Prefabricated or Modular Home in Maine?
Yes, however, as mentioned earlier, it might take longer to find a bank or lending company to help you. If you have an account with a local bank, consider that bank your first option since your bank may be more likely to give you a loan, especially if you have a long relationship with them.
How Much Does it Typically Cost to Build a Prefab or Modular Home in Maine?
The average cost of building a prefab or modular home in Maine is around $299,000. However, this estimate can change depending on the cost of building materials during construction time. If you are still looking for affordable home options, read our article about building a barndominium in Maine.
Receive Quotes from Multiple Barndominium Builders & Kit Providers Near You Today (It's Free!)
Fill in this 1-minute form below and receive estimates for your project without having to find them yourself! Let them do the work.
Are There Any Special Building Regulations I Should Be Aware Of?
Yes, there are several regulations you should follow when building a modular home in Maine. If you already have a certificate of occupancy and decide to alter your modular home, you need to notify the Manufactured Housing Board of Maine for a reassessment. There might also be county-specific regulations, so visit your local building office to ensure you are not violating any ordinances as you build your prefabricated home.
Who Are The Best Modular & Prefab Home Builders in Maine?
Let’s look at some of Maine’s most popular modular and prefab home builders. We will look at the advantages and disadvantages of building with them. We will also look at what previous customers have to say about them.
Broughman Builders
Pros
- Broughman Builders offers other services like renovations, remodels, additions, etc.
- They have hundreds of floor plans to choose from.
- They have three offices throughout the state, so you can choose the one nearest you.
Cons
- They do not offer in-house financing.
What are their clients saying?
“They were always very kind and helpful upon building our first home.”
– Kimberly Astbury. Source: Google Business Review
Our Thoughts
One advantage of building with Broughman Builders is the significant number of models and floor plans they offer. This guarantees that you can find a floor plan or model that will serve your needs. The company also offers general contracting services like remodels or additions, so you don’t need to look for another builder in the future.
Coastline Homes
Pros
- Coastline Homes offers general contracting services.
- Their modular homes come in different styles, including Ranch, Cape, Colonial, and Chalet.
- Their website offers a virtual tour of model homes for clients who cannot visit in person.
Cons
Coastline Homes only serves Central, Northern, and Down-east Maine customers. If you are open to working with builders from out of state, check our list of our top modular and prefab home builders in Vermont or New Hampshire.
What are their clients saying?
“We can’t really complain the crew was good at putting our house together in a timely fashion…”
– Gary B. Source: Google Business Review
Our Thoughts
Coastline Homes is an Ellsworth-based company that’s been operating since 1993. They offer general contracting services to handle any renovation or addition you want to your prefabricated home. Since Coastline Homes has its own carpenters, they have a higher quality control level than others that rely on sub-contractors.
KBS Builders, Inc.
Pros
- They build both residential and commercial modular buildings.
- KBS Builders Inc. offers a factory tour so clients can see how they build their prefabricated houses.
- They offer passive, energy-efficient homes to help clients save money on utilities.
Cons
- They have a limited number of sample floor plans compared to other builders.
What are their clients saying?
“Professional builders. Quality product, in a reasonable time.”
– Eric Goding. Source: Google Business Review
Our Thoughts
KBS Builders Inc. has been building modular homes in the New England Region for over two decades. Although their core business is building residential prefabricated homes, they also build modular commercial structures, so you can count on them if you also need to build a commercial building. They have a dedicated design team to help customers build custom modular homes no matter how complex the designs are.
Visit our Instagram account to see some sample designs of modular homes, barndominiums, and shouses you can use as you design your building.
Al Benner Homes
Pros
- Supplies prefabricated homes from five manufacturers.
- Clients can tour several model modular homes within their lot.
- Al Benner Homes offers free delivery within 60 miles of Holden, Maine.
Cons
- They do not offer in-house financing.
What are their clients saying?
“Everything was exactly as we’d ordered, and they went above and beyond with the finishing details.”
– Joanna Rigby-Jones. Source: Google Business Review
Our Thoughts
Al Benner Homes is one of the oldest builders of manufactured homes in Maine and has been operating since 1978. What’s nice about Al Benner Homes is that they have many model houses on their lot, so clients can save time by touring different houses on a single trip. Although the company is not a licensed lender, it can guide clients in applying for financial assistance.
Join our Facebook group to get financing tips from other members who successfully built their houses.
Ralph’s Homes
Pros
- They have eight partner manufacturers.
- Except for the foundation set, their modular packages include almost everything customers need in a modular home, like plumbing, exterior finish, smoke detectors, cellar stairs, etc.
- Ralph’s offers green buildings that are eco-friendly and have reduced energy consumption.
Cons
- Their free delivery is limited to within 50 miles of Waldoboro, Maine.
What are their clients saying?
“Knowledgeable people, friendly and very helpful, if you’re looking for a modular home.”
– Patricia Francoeur. Source: Google Business Review
Our Thoughts
One of the biggest advantages of Ralph’s Homes is its partnership with eight prefabricated home manufacturers, which gives customers a wide selection of modular homes to choose from. All houses have a one-year warranty, and Ralph’s has a full-time service crew to assist customers with after-sales concerns. Although they are not licensed lenders, Ralph’s Homes has a list of lending institutions to recommend to customers.
Hallmark Homes of Maine
Pros
- They have a land and home package to assist customers in acquiring a modular home and land to build on.
- Hallmark Homes’ prefabricated homes are energy-efficient to help homeowners minimize their utility bills.
- They offer site evaluation assistance to ensure a site is suitable for building a modular home.
Cons
- Hallmark Homes’ service area is limited to the Southern and Mid-coast Maine areas.
What are their clients saying?
“Hallmark made the process of building a modular stress-free.”
– Jessi Smith. Source: Google Business Review
Our Thoughts
Hallmark Homes Corp. is a Topsham-based builder of prefabricated houses. They have pre-drawn but customizable floor plans that customers can use. They have sample computations to help first-time homeowners develop a budget for their modular homes. Hallmark Homes has four model homes on display, and customers just need to schedule a visit to receive a guided tour from one of their personnel.
Conclusion
Maine is an ideal place to settle down if you want to escape the hectic city life. It is one of the safest states because of its low crime rate. The state is blessed with amazing natural features and a fantastic coastline. It has low living costs, so you’re saving by building an affordable modular home and saving in the long run because of the low daily expenses. Reach out to one of the builders mentioned above to start building your prefabricated home in Maine. Check out our list of the top prefab companies in Vermont, New Hampshire, or Massachusetts if you are open to working with out-of-state builders.
Ensure you follow our Facebook page to receive helpful information about unique structures like shouses, container garages, and barndominiums.
