Top 5 Modular & Prefab Home Builders in Minnesota | 2024 List

If you’re planning to build a house but want something different from the conventional houses you see on every street, consider building a prefabricated or modular house. These are cheaper alternatives to houses built using traditional construction methods. They are easier to build, so expect the construction time to be shorter. 

Prefabricated houses also produce less waste because the materials are fabricated in factories before being delivered to your location. If we’ve piqued your interest and you plan on building a prefabricated house in Minnesota, the next thing you need to do is find a qualified builder.

This article will tell you about some of the best builders in Minnesota specializing in modular houses. We will tell you what we like about them and what we find unappealing so you can decide if a specific builder meets your standards. 

Why Build a Prefab or Modular Home in Minnesota?

If you’re looking for an ideal place to build a prefabricated home, Minnesota is an excellent choice. A USNews article ranked Minnesota as 5th overall among the best US states. Minnesota is ninth among the states when it comes to overall healthcare access affordability and accessibility. Additionally, Minnesota is a great place for recreational activities, with its over 10,000 lakes, forests, and sports activities. This provides you with a multitude of diverse opportunities to spend your weekends. 

Downsides

Although Minnesota is a great place to live, it has its downsides. At 9.85%, Minnesota has the 6th highest state income tax. The state’s climate is also a deterrent to some. It has a continental climate with frigid winters and hot summers. Moving to Minnesota requires adjusting to extreme weather conditions if you are not fond of icy winters or hot and humid summers. 

How Long Does it Take to Build a Modular/Prefab Home in Minnesota?

Building a prefabricated house in Minnesota can take four to six months. However, this estimate is for a basic and medium-sized modular house. If you want a larger prefabricated house, expect a longer construction time. Customizing your house with unique features can also prolong construction. 

The time required to build a modular house will also depend on your builder. If the builder has a backlog of modular houses, expect a longer construction time. 

Can I Finance a Prefabricated or Modular Home in Minnesota?

Yes, it is possible to finance a prefab or modular house in Minnesota. Applying for financing for a modular house is pretty much the same as getting a loan for a traditional house. Some modular house builders have in-house financing services to help you get a loan quickly. If your chosen builder doesn’t offer in-house financing services, look for a bank or a financial institution. It is better to apply to multiple institutions to compare rates for the best deal possible. 

How Much Does it Typically Cost to Build a Prefab or Modular Home in Minnesota?

Building a prefabricated or modular house in Minnesota can cost around $50,000 – $300,000. This estimate is for the cost of the modular house alone and does not include the cost of land. It also doesn’t include upgrades or options if you want something more than a basic modular house. 

If you haven’t decided on a prefabricated house, building a barndominium in Minnesota is an option you can consider. Barndominiums are often larger and roomier than modular houses and are perfect alternatives if you want something roomier. 

Are There Any Special Building Regulations I Should Be Aware Of?

Building a modular house requires obtaining a building permit. A building permit can guarantee that your prefabricated house gets built to standards. The process of securing a building permit differs from one county to another, so be sure to check with the local authorities so you can prepare the required documents. 

For example, the building permit fee in the City of Saint Paul is $33.01 for properties valued between $7,001 and $8,000. The building permit fee for Minneapolis is more expensive at a minimum of $84.20.

Who Are The Best Modular & Prefab Home Builders in Minnesota?

Let us now turn our attention to some of the best modular and prefab home builders in Minnesota. If you want a well-built modular house, the following builders should be on top of your list. 

Excelsior Homes West Inc.

Pros

• Excelsior Homes is also in the real estate business if you are still looking for land to build on. 
• The company sells replacement parts if you want to upgrade or repair a portion of your prefabricated house. 
• Excelsior Homes offers full construction services, including planning and permitting, excavation, septic systems, electrical systems, and more. 

Cons

• Excelsior Homes’ service area is limited to Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota. 

What Are Their Clients Saying?

“When purchasing a home, Excelsior Homes is a business that will take care of you every step of the way.”

– Shannon Struck. Source: Google Business Review

Our Thoughts

Excelsior Homes West, Inc. is an excellent option if you are after a builder with extensive experience in modular houses. This family-owned and operated business has been operating since 1973. The company has model houses that customers can tour. Excelsior Homes also offers a wide range of construction services that save you time and ensure your modular house is ready for use as quickly as possible. 

Woodlund Homes

Pros

• Builds green buildings that use less energy. 
• Has an extensive collection of modular home models. 
• The company builds additional exterior spaces like garages, porches, and decks. 

Cons

• Woodlund Homes services Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. 

What Are Their Clients Saying?

“Wonderful communication and customer service!!!”

– Andrea Morrow. Source: Google Business Review

Our Thoughts

Woodlund Homes has been supplying factory-manufactured houses since 1965. The company is based in Wyoming, Minnesota. The company has many modular home models, so clients can be sure that they can find a model that suits them. They also build exterior additions such as garages, decks, and porches to ensure that clients have everything they need. Although Woodlund Homes doesn’t have in-house financing services, they have partner financial institutions to help customers with their financing needs. 

Design Homes

Pros

• Has eight regional locations and services in ten states. 
• The company has display models that customers can tour. 
• Design Homes offers custom floor plans and upgrades. 

Cons

• They don’t offer other construction services. 

What Are Their Clients Saying?

“I’m so impressed with the quality and craftsmanship at Design Homes!”

– Carrie Drake. Source: Google Business Review

Our Thoughts

Design Homes has been supplying factory-built homes for more than 50 years. The company is based in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin but has eight regional sales offices nationwide, including one in Medford, Minnesota. Aside from its usual models, the company can design and build custom homes for customers who want one-of-a-kind modular houses. Design Homes has partnerships with some of the leading brands in home appliances and fixtures, including Kohler, Mohawk, Taylor, and Aker. 

Jamaica Cottage Shop

Pros

• Jamaica Cottage Shop sells a wide range of prefabricated buildings, including houses, sheds, barns, and workshops. 
• The company has four financing partners to help customers with their financing needs. 
• Jamaica Cottage Shop carries a comprehensive selection of floor plans and house models. 

Cons

• Jamaica Cottage Shop provides free shipping to businesses but charges a $550 delivery fee for residential customers. 

What Are Their Clients Saying?

“From the start, we have had a great experience with Jamaica Cottage Shop.”

– Carolyn McCafferty. Source: Google Business Review

Our Thoughts

Jamaica Cottage Shop is originally based in Jamaica, Vermont. The company was founded in 1995 and ships modular houses anywhere in the country. What we love about this company is the dozens of floor plans and models they carry. With so many floor plans, customers can choose a plan that suits their requirements. If you plan on financing your modular home, you can get help from Jamaica Cottage Shop’s four financing partners. 

Clayton Homes 

Pros

• Clayton Homes has hundreds of sales offices throughout the country. 
• Their gallery lets you filter available houses near your location.
• Has pre-owned houses for customers who want prefabricated houses but don’t have the budget to build a new one. 

Cons

• Clayton Homes doesn’t offer in-house financing services. 

What Are Their Clients Saying?

“We recently purchased and moved into our Clayton Home, and we are so pleased with our new house!”

– Jodi Moore. Source: Google Business Review

Our Thoughts

Clayton Homes has been building prefabricated houses since 1956. It was founded by Jim Clayton but is now being managed by Kevin Clayton. The company has more than 350 sales offices nationwide and delivers prefab houses to all fifty states. If you want to see what a Clayton Homes prefab house looks like, you can take a 3D tour of their model houses. The company’s gallery has filtering options, so you can easily look at houses that meet your requirements.  

Conclusion

Minnesota is the perfect place to build a prefabricated house. It has affordable and accessible healthcare services. It also has one of the best educational systems in the country. In addition, the state has magnificent natural landscapes that you can explore during your free time. 

Enlisting the services of the best prefab home builders mentioned above can help increase your chances of getting the best prefab home in Minnesota. They have the qualifications and experience to ensure your house gets built to standards. 

If you cannot find a qualified builder in your area, try contacting prefab home builders in the neighboring states of South Dakota, Iowa, or North Dakota. Remember to follow our Facebook page for other informative articles about barndominiums, pole barns, shipping container garages, and other metal buildings.