Shane, double wide, or HUD code homes as they are now known, are built in a factory similar to a modular home. The primary difference is that a HUD code home is built to a federal building code and have an integrated steel frame allowing for transportation. These homes are designed for easy transportation to the site and for possible future relocations. HUD code homes are rarely placed on a Permanente foundation and are actually treated more like a vehicle by the government when it comes to ownerships and taxes than a typical home. These homes do a great job of filling a market need for entry level housing, but generally are not considered to be of the same quality level as a site built or a modular constructed home. Comparing a HUD code home to a quality modular home is like comparing a lawn tractor to a fine tuned sports car. You can drive both to the mall, but the experience is just not the same.

Modular homes are built to the exact same code as a traditional site built home. This means they must meet every quality standard and legal requirement as the homes being built using the old methods on site. The Modular home however takes advantage of an assembly line process to save time, reduce waste and increase quality. Once on site the homes are set on a permanent foundation and from that point forward are virtually indistinguishable from a site built home. A humorous way to think of the comparison between a HUD code home and a modular home. “Comparing a HUD code home to a quality modular home is like comparing a lawn tractor to a fine tuned sports car. You can drive both to the mall, but the experience is just not the same.” I hope this helps.

The Starting Line Up series comes standard with base board hot water heat, but it can be optioned to electric base board heat or even have a forced air system installed on site. In some cases the home can actually be heated with nothing more than the hot water heater. Most locations will install a heating system in the crawl space under the bathroom half of the home. Although the Starting Line Up cannot be modified, we can develop custom plans very competitively and a basement version is possible. My plan for the future design based on this concept will include two or three bedrooms, at least 1 ½ baths, a laundry and a basement option.

Thanks again for all the great responses to the design.

Though going to 3/2 with laundry, etc might be pushing it too far; in other words defeating the whole idea behind “starter” and “green” (modest footprint).

My vote is for 2/1.5 with laundry hookups; perhaps a closet with a stackable washer/dryer.

2 beds works well for a small family or the 2nd bedroom comes in handy as an office space (telecommuting contributes to green too).

The extra 1/2 bath is useful so that the wife has her own, private bathroom space to do her thing while keeping the main bath available for showering, etc. This helps relieve bathroom “traffic jams” and gives another space to prep that doesn’t get inundated with condensation when showering or odors when heeding nature’s call.

These extra bits of space and functionality can make a real difference without blowing out the GLA (gross living area) too much and compromising the intent of the design.

Less is more to a point – that’s my compromise here.