For fans of Victorian architecture, you may find yourself wondering if it is possible to build a Victorian-style prefab or modular home. And while it may be true that there are fewer pre-designed Victorian home options than other styles: ranches, colonials, capes, and cottages, for example, there are still several companies that build Victorian prefab homes.  Below, we outline some of the best prefab and modular Victorian homes, as well as answer questions that may help you in your search for the best home for your build. If you would like assistance building your own prefab Victorian, speak with a member of our prefab concierge team.

Understanding Prefab and Modular Victorians

What is a prefab Victorian house? What is a modular Victorian house? And what’s the difference between the two?

A Victorian style house design elements such as a steeply-pitched roof, towers, turrets, and multiple stories. Technically speaking, a prefab Victorian refers to any Victorian home that is built using prefabricated construction techniques. This includes modular construction, kit home building, panelized home construction, and manufactured construction. 

Modular Victorians are a subset of prefab construction where box-like module(s) are built off-site, shipped, then set, and finished at the final build site. So, there is very little difference between the two as both will have the design elements of a Victorian.

How much does a prefab Victorian home cost?

The Victorians included in our list have turn-key costs starting at $450,000+. These estimates are based on the all-in costs to build each home, not including land. It is worth noting that there are both more affordable and higher-end, fully-custom prefab Victorians beyond those that are included on our list, depending on your budget and preferences.

To determine what it will cost for your own prefab Victorian, there are a number of factors to consider:

• Land

• Permitting fees

• Site preparation - site assessment, excavation, utilities, foundation

• Home cost - modules, panels, kit components from the builder

• Delivery - many prefab companies serve large areas of the U.S., if not the whole country. It is worth inquiring if they have regional manufacturing facilities or if they ship materials from their headquarters, in which case, long-distance shipping costs can add-up

• Installation/set - setting modules on a foundation & tying them together, or the assembly of the materials kit or panels

• Finishes - depending on the company and your project’s needs, some modular homes can be delivered in a highly-finished state (around 90% complete). This means homes can arrive on-site complete with flooring, cabinetry, electrical, and plumbing; this requires little on-site work for the home to be move-in ready. Kit homes and panelized homes require significantly more on-site work to assemble and finish, increasing the local cost section of your budget

How long does it take to build a prefab or modular Victorian?

Like other styles of prefab and modular homes, a prefab Victorian can often be built quicker than a site-built home. While the exact timeline of your project will be determined by the length of the design/engineering process, permitting approvals, off-site build times, and on-site assembly & finishing, it is our experience that a prefab Victorian can be move-in ready anywhere between 9-16 months.

Prefab and Modular Victorians For Sale

Classic Victorian by Douglas Cutler Architects

The Classic Victorian by Douglas Cutler Architects is a fully custom cottage that is built using a combination of modular, kit, and site-built construction. The Classic Victorian is a custom design that can be used as inspiration for a custom-built Victorian home. Douglas Cutler Architects’ home has interesting features such as fireplaces, steeply-sloped roofs, and towers. 

Douglas Cutler Architects is based in Wilton, Connecticut, and can work with buyers throughout the entire U.S. and Canada. Although regional cost differences will affect the cost of building a Classic Victorian, we estimate that buyers in mid to high-cost areas can expect to pay $300+ per square foot plus a flat fee of $800 - $2,500 for custom plans from Douglas Cutler Architects.

Roosevelt by EcoCraft

The Roosevelt by EcoCraft is a 1,894 square foot cottage that is built using modular construction. With 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, the Roosevelt is a single-family home that draws inspiration from Victorian architecture. EcoCraft’s home has interesting features such as bay windows, Victorian details, and an optional second floor. 

EcoCraft is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and can work with buyers throughout Western Pennsylvania. We estimate that buyers in mid to high-cost areas can expect to pay $500,000+ to build the Roosevelt Victorian by EcoCraft, not including land.

Chesapeake by Impresa Modular

The Chesapeake by Impresa Modular is a 2,035 square foot cottage that is built using modular construction. With 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, the Chesapeake is a single-family home that draws on Victorian design elements. Impresa Modular’s home has interesting features such as a covered front porch, a master suite with a walk-in closet, gable roofs, and a tower-like bump out. 

Impresa Modular is based in Martinsburg, West Virginia, and can work with buyers throughout the entire U.S. via a network of builders. Although regional cost differences will affect the cost of building a Chesapeake, we estimate that buyers in mid to high-cost areas can expect to pay $450,000.

Key Takeaways of Building a Prefab or Modular Victorian Home

• Just like site-built Victorians, prefab and modular Victorians are characterized by: a steeply-pitched roof, towers and turrets, and multiple-stories

• As with most types of residential construction, the turn-key cost of your Victorian will be heavily influenced by several factors: location & local labor cost, standard vs. custom, site work costs, and degree of finishes. That being said, buyers with mid to high-end costs can expect turn-key pricing from $400 - $600 per square foot, while low-end costs can range from $200 - $400 per square foot

• Similar to cost, the timeframe to build your Victorian will be largely determined by factors like permitting time, standard vs. custom, and whether or not your selected company has a backlog of orders. While some modular homes can be built in as little as a few weeks, the entire process: from the time you put your deposit down until your Victorian is move-in ready is often between 9 - 16 months

• There are a number of builders that sell prefab and modular Victorian homes including Douglas Cutler Architects, EcoCraft, and Impresa Modular

Additional Information for Building Prefab and Modular Homes in the United States

• Reviews of Prefab and Modular Home Builders in the United States

• Understand the Financing Process for Building a Prefab Home

• Find Prefab and Modular Companies That Build in Your City & State