How Does the Modular Home Installation Process Work?

Installation is an incredibly exciting part of the modular home buying process because it’s the final step before you move in! After your modular home is delivered to your property, it will be installed onsite. There are two stages of installing a modular home: setting and finishing.

Modular Home Installation Part 1: Setting

Setting is when your home is set on the foundation. All modular homes are placed on a permanent foundation comparable to the foundation of a site-built home. You can choose to have a basement or crawlspace foundation.

Your home site will have the foundation prepared in advance so that it’s ready for setting. On set day, an installation crew will typically use a crane to place your home on top of the foundation. Setting usually takes less than a day to complete.

To begin the setting process, the crew will use the crane to lift your home off the carriers, which are the metal frames that homes are shipped on. They’ll use the crane to move and position your home on top of the foundation. If you have a double-section modular home, this will be done for both modules. 

Once the modules are on the foundation, there’s typically another crew in the basement or crawlspace that will fasten the units together. While that’s happening, a separate roofing crew will put the final touches on your roof, like top flips, which finish off the peak of the roof, and gable end panels, which are triangle wood frames that close off the roof. The crew will also make sure the roof is weather-tight by finishing off any additional shingle work that’s needed the same day.

Modular Home Installation Part 2: Finishing

The second part of the installation process is finishing. This typically starts the day after set is complete.

During the finishing process, your home is prepared to be “turn-key ready” so you can move in and receive a Certificate of Occupancy from your local municipality. Sometimes it’s referred to as “trim out and finishing” – it’s when the finishing touches are put on your home!

The length of time for finishing can range from six to eight weeks for a ranch home to three months or more for a larger, more complex home. The exact steps and timeframe will depend on the installation crew you work with, but a typical finishing process can include: 

• Connecting utilities to your home (water, sewer, electric)

• Installing steps and railings for exterior doors

• Putting in a driveway and sidewalks

• Setting up the HVAC system (heating and air conditioning) 

• Installing doors, light fixtures, light bulbs, and gutters

• Setting up appliances (refrigerator, oven/range, microwave, dishwasher, washer/dryer)

• Completing final drywall, flooring, siding, or painting work

• Doing landscape work like seeding new topsoil areas 

• Removing any debris onsite and trimming trees and brush

• Final cleanup including wiping down the countertops, sweeping the floors, and vacuuming the carpets

• Obtaining the required local inspections and permits

If you’ve chosen to do any onsite add-ons, those will also be done during the finishing process. Examples of add-ons you can do for your modular home are: 

• A garage or carport 

• A porch

• Dormers (small, roofed structures that stick out above windows)

Setting and Finishing for Your Modular Home

The independent modular home retailer you purchased your home from most likely will have a few installation businesses they typically work with. The retailer will arrange the set and finish for you, so you don’t have to worry about handling this step!

In some cases, independent modular home retailers will have a part of their business where they install homes with their own set crew, although this is less common. Either way, your retailer will set up installation for you, so you don’t have to schedule it yourself.

We recommend setting aside a portion of your budget for installation. A basic installation can start at approximately $18,000 for a single-section home and $25,000 for a double-section home. 

Time to Move In!

Once setting and finishing are complete, your home is ready for move-in. It's officially “turn-key ready” with the utilities hooked up, driveway installed, HVAC system in place, and more. Now your vision has become a reality, and it’s time to relax and enjoy your space.

Go Modular with Champion

Are you ready to learn more about modular homes? No matter where you’re at in the modular homebuying process, Champion Homes would love to be a part of your journey. Find the best Champion home for you, or contact a Champion retailer in your area. You can also contact our Homebuyer & Homeowner Assistance line Monday-Saturday 8am – 8pm EST at 877-201-3870, or fill out our contact form and a member of our team will reach out to you.