Prefab Homes and Modular Homes For Sale in California
For individuals looking to purchase a new home in California, you may want to look for either modular homes for sale in California, other types of prefab homes for sale, or consider building a prefab home of your own. Prefab and Modular home construction allows for quicker build times and more control over the project’s final cost, all the while maintaining the same characteristics of a site-built house. And with access to some of the best prefab and modular home companies in the United States, it is increasingly more common to see prefab and modular homes for sale in California. For individuals looking to buy or build a modular home, continue reading below for our list of key things to consider when looking at modular homes for sale in California as well as our list of companies that sell modular homes throughout the state including the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Jose.
What is a Modular Home?
Simply put, a finished modular home is like any traditional, site built home however, it is prefabricated off-site rather than at the final project site. A type of prefab construction, modular homes are manufactured off-site as one or multiple home modules that once completed, are shipped to and assembled at the final build site. While many people think of modular homes as “cookie-cutter” or “from a catalog”, there are a number of companies that can create and sell custom modular homes or allow buyers to modify a home that is for sale.
How Does a Modular Home Compare to a Traditional, Site-Built Home?
A newly-built modular home has all of the same characteristics of a site-built home. Compared to site-built homes, modular homes have equivalent resale values, are built to the same building code, and offer the same design and aesthetic elements. In most cases, a newly-built modular home can be completed quicker and with a more predictable budget than a site-built home due to the fact that a majority of the work is completed off-site, in a climate controlled environment all the while the building site is being prepared for the home modules to arrive. Similarly, individuals looking for already built modular homes for sale should note that once finished, there are no significant differences between a modular home and a site-built home.
Can Modular Homes Meet California’s Zero Net Energy Requirements?
As of January 1, 2020, California instituted a zero net energy requirement for all new buildings, including new homes. As such, new homes built in California must produce as much energy as they consume. This is often done by constructing a more energy efficient home with a better insulated building envelope, and adding an alternative energy source such as PV solar panels.
Luckily for individuals looking for modular homes for sale in California, companies that manufacture and sell modular homes in California offer homes that are energy efficient and can be fitted with solar panels, thus meeting California’s 2020 zero net energy requirements
Where Can I Find Prefab and Modular Homes for Sale in California?
The table below highlights a number of companies that have prefab and modular homes for sale in California. Additionally, we have a dedicated list of tiny homes for sale in California, should you be looking for a smaller home.
| Company | Headquarters | # of Models | Pricing | Creates Custom Plans | Style | Scope of Service | Construction Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acorn Deck House Company | Acton, MA | 59 | $285 - $420 per sq ft | Yes | Modern, Cabin, Farm House, Cottage, | Design, Manufacture | Post and Beam, Panelized |
| Avrame USA | Salt Lake City, UT | 11 | $100 - $ 240+ per sqft | No | A-Frame | Manufacture | Kit, Panelized |
| Alchemy Architects | Saint Paul, MN | 3 | $250 - $490 per sq ft | Yes | ADU, Modern, Barn House | Design, Manufacture | Modular, Panelized |
| Barn Pros | Monroe, WA | 8 | $150 - $250 per sqft | No | Barn Home | Manufacture | Kit |
| Bay Modular | Oakland, CA | 3 | $275 - $335+ per sqft | No | ADU, Modern, Shipping Container | Design, Manufacture, Site Work | Modular |
| Bensonwood | Walpole, NH | Custom | $300 - $500+ per sqft | Yes | Cabin, Modern, Farm House, Barn House, Timber Frame | Design, Manufacture, Site Work | Timber Frame, Panelized |
| Blu Homes | Valejo, CA | 4 | $250 - $300+ per sqft | No | Modern, ADU | Design, Manufacture, Site Work | Modular |
| Bone Structure | Laval, QC | 12 | $400 - $500 per sq ft | Yes | Modern, Farm House | Design, Manufacture | Kit |
| Clayton Homes | Maryville, TN | 175 | $100 - $200 per sqft | No | Cape, Ranch | Manufacture | Modular, Manufactured |
| Clever Homes | San Francisco, CA | Custom | $350 - $500 per sqft | Yes | Modern, Farm House, Southwestern, Cabin | Design, Manufacture | Modular, Panelized |
| Cocoon9 | New York, NY | 3 | $780 - $800 per sq ft | No | ADU, Shipping Container, Modern | Manufacture | Modular |
| Colorado Modular Homes | Evergreen, CO | 9 | $200 - $300+ per sqft | Yes | Cabin, Farm House, Modern | Design, Manufcature, Site Work | Modular |
| Connect Homes | Los Angeles, CA | 15 | $250 - $400 per sqft | No | ADU, Modern | Design, Manufacture, Site Work | Modular |
| Cover | Gardena, CA | 0 | $300 - $400 per sq ft | Yes | ADU, Modern | Design, Manufacture, Site Work | Modular |
| Davis Frame Co. | Claremont, NH | 45 | $350 -$550+ per sqft | Yes | Barn House, Farm House, Cape, Cabin, Colonial | Design, Manufacture | Timber Frame, Panelized, Kit |
| DC Structures | Damascus, OR | 11 | $150 - $300 per sqft | Semi-Custom | Barn House, Cabin | Design, Manufacture, Site Work | Kit |
| Deer Run Cabins | Campbellsville, KY | 9 | $135 - $275 per sqft | Yes | Cabin | Design, Manufacture | Panelized, Kit, Modular |
| Deltec Homes | Asheville, NC | 10 | $175 - $300 per sqft | Semi-Custom | Modern, Cabin, Ranch, Farm House | Design, Manufacture | Panelized |
| Digz2Go | Alameda, CA | 4 | $400 - $450 per sq ft | Yes | Modern, ADU, Cottage | Design, Manufacture, Site Work | Modular |
| Drop Structures | Alberta, Canada | 1 | $323 per sqft | Yes | Modern, ADU, Farm House | Design, Manufacture | Modular |
| Dvele | Santa Rose, CA | 9 | $350 - $500+ per sqft | No | Modern, ADU | Design, Manufacture, Site Work | Modular |
| Ecocor | Searsmont, Maine | 11 | $325-450+ sqft | Yes | Modern, Barn House, Ranch | Design, Manufacture, Site Work | Panelized |
| Everywhere Shelter Co. | Lehi, UT | 5 | $175 - $450 per sqft | Semi-Custom | Cabin, A-Frame, Tiny Home | Manufacture | Panelized, Kit |
| evoDOMUS | Cleveland, OH | Custom | $350 - $550+ per sqft | Yes | Modern | Design, Manufacture | Panelized, Modular |
| FabCab | Seattle, WA | 5 | $230 - $350+ per sqft | Yes | ADU, Modern, Cabin | Design, Manufacture | Panelized |
| Gastineau Log Homes | New Bloomfield, Missouri | 60 | $130 - $220+ per sqft | Yes | Cabin, Log Home | Design, Manufacture | Kit |
| Honka | Karstula, Finland | 55 | $250 - $350 per sqft | Yes | Log Home, Cabin, Modern | Design, Manufacture | Kit |
| Honomobo | Alberta, Canada | 9 | $270 - $500 per sq ft | No | Modern | Design, Manufacture | Modular, Shipping Container |
| The House Port | New York, NY | 4 | $225 - $275 per sqft | No | Modern | Design, Manufacture | Kit |
| hybridCore Homes | Santa Rosa, CA | 30 | $250 - $400+ per sqft | Yes | Farm House, Cottage, Ranch, Southwest, ADU | Design, Manufacture, Site Work | Modular |
| Hygge Supply | Lake Leelanau, Michigan | 29 | $215- $445+ per sqft | Semi-Custom | Modern, ADU | Design, Manufacture | Kit |
| IndieDwell | Boise, ID | 9 | $185 - $330 per sqft | No | Modern, Ranch | Design, Manufacture, Site Work | Modular, Shipping Container |
| Irontown Homes | Spanish Fork, UT | 30 | $320 - $390 per sq ft | Yes | Modern, Ranch, Southwest, Farm House | Design, Manufacture, Site Work | Modular |
| Jamaica Cottage Shop | Londonderry, VT | 100 | $155 - $450 per sqft | No | Tiny Home, Cottage, Cabin | Design, Manufacture | Modular, Kit |
| kitHAUS | Los Angeles, CA | 4 | $330 - $550 per sqft | Yes | ADU, Modern | Design, Manufacture | Modular, Panelized |
| Linwood Homes | Delta, B.C. | 451 | $250 - $330 per sqft | Yes | Cabin, Farm House, Modern | Design, Manufacture | Kit |
| Living Homes | Santa Monica, CA | 11 | $300 - $400 per sqft | Yes | ADU, Modern | Design, Manufacture | Panelized, Modular |
| Luckdrops | Albuquerque, NM | 1 | $170+ per sqft | No | ADU, Tiny Home, Modern | Design, Manufacture | Shipping Container, Modular |
| Ma Modular | Austin, TX | 12 | $165 - $250 per sqft | No | Modern, Ranch | Design | Modular |
| MEKA Modular | Toronto, Ontario | 13 | $170 - $390+ per sqft | Yes | Modern | Design, Manufacture, Site Work | Modular |
| Method Homes | Seattle, WA | 30 | $300 - $400 per sqft | Yes | Modern, Ranch, Cabin | Design, Manufacture | Modular |
| NODE | Seattle, WA | 4 | $350 - $500 per sqft | No | Modern, ADU, Farm House | Design, Manufacture, Site Work | Panelized, Kit |
| Pacific Modern Homes | Elk Grove, CA | 40 | $230 - $300+ per sqft | Yes | Cabin, Barn Home, Two Story, Ranch, Southwest | Design, Manufacture | Panelized, Kit |
| Plant Prefab | Rialto, CA | $300-$500+ per sqft | Yes | Modern, Farm House, Barn House, Cabin | Design, Manufacture | Modular, Kit | |
| Plús Hús | Santa Monica, California | 3 | $365 - $465 per sqft | Semi-Custom | Modern, ADU, Tiny Home | Design, Manufacture, Site Work | Panelized, Kit |
| Precision Craft Log & Timber Homes | Meridian, ID | 88 | $300 - $500+ per sqft | Yes | Cabin, Log Home, Modern | Design, Manufacture, Site Work | Timber Frame, Panelized |
| PrefabADU | Fairfield, CA | 9 | $345 - $405 per sqft | Semi-custom | ADU, Ranch, Tiny Home, Cape, Cottage | Design, Manufacture, Site Work | Modular |
| Proto Homes | Los Angeles, CA | 120 | $200 - $300 per sqft (all-in). Proto Homes exterior is $160 per sqft | No | Modern | Design, Manufacture | Panelized |
| Purcell Timber Frame Homes | Nelson, B.C. | 51 | $300 - $350 per sq ft | Yes | Cabin, Cottage, Modern, Log Home | Design, Manufacture | Timber Frame, Panelized |
| Resolution: 4 Architecture | New York, NY | Custom | $250 - $425 per sqft | Yes | Modern | Design | Modular, Panelized |
| S2A Modular | Palo Alto, CA | 35 | $190 - $275 per sqft | Yes | Modern, Ranch | Design, Manufacture, Site Work | Modular |
| Sagemodern | San Francisco, CA | Custom | $400 - $600+ per sqft | Yes | Modern, Cabin, Cottage | Design | Modular |
| Sand Creek Post & Beam | Wayne, NE | 20 | $135 - $225+ per sqft | Yes | Cabin, Farm House, Barn Home, Ranch | Design, Manufacture | Kit |
| Steelblox | Lompoc, CA | 4 | $350 - $500 per sqft | Yes | Modern, ADU | Design, Manufacture, Site Work | Modular, Shipping Container |
| Stillwater Dwellings | Seattle, WA | 28 | $350 - $500 per sqft | Semi-Custom | Modern | Design, Manufacture | Modular |
| Studio Shed | Louisville, CO | 4 | $200 - $300+ per sqft for residential models | Semi-Custom | ADU, Modern, Cottage | Design, Manufacture, Site Work | Modular |
| Sunlight Homes | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Custom | $200 - $300+ | Yes | Ranch, Two Story, Modern, Southwest | Design, Manufacture | Kit, Panelized |
| Taynr | Sacramento, CA | 9 | $260 - $450 per sqft | No | Modern | Design, Manufacture | Shipping Container, Modern |
| The Little House on the Trailer | Petaluma, CA | 31 | $71 - $125 per sq ft | Yes | Cabin, Cottage, Tiny Home, ADU | Design, Manufacture, Site Work | Modular |
| Topsider Homes | Clemmons, NC | 150 | $175 - $300 per sqft | Yes | Ranch, Cape, Modern, Two Story | Design, Manufacture | Kit, Post and Beam |
| TruForm Tiny | Eugene, OR | 24 | $360 - $500 per sqft | No | Tiny Home | Design, Manufacture | Modular |
| Turkel Design | Boston, MA | 11 | $350 - $500+ per sqft | Yes | Modern | Design, Manufacture | Kit |
| Wheelhaus | Jackson Hole, | 10 | $225 - $350+ per sqft | No | Modern, ADU, Tiny Home, Cabin | Design, Manufacture | Modular |
| Wolf Industries | Battle Ground, Washington | 4 | $150 - $250+ per sqft | Semi-Custom | Tiny Home, ADU, Ranch, Cottage | Design, Manufacture, Site Work | Modular |
| Whisper Creek | Hamilton, Montana | 40 | $195 - $245+ per sqft | Yes | Cabin, Log Home | Design, Manufacture | Kit, Panelized, Timber Frame |
| Yankee Barn Homes | Grantham, NH | 61 | $250+ per sqft | Yes | Barn Home, Farm House, Modern, Cabin | Design, Manufacutre | Kit, Panelized |
| Zip Kit Homes | Pocatello, ID | 8 | $150 - $250 per sqft | No | Modern, ADU, Cabin | Design, Manufacture, Site Work | Panelized |
It is worth noting that the cost ranges above are cost estimates for turn-key modular homes. For companies located outside of California, actual project costs may be higher than the cost estimates listed due to increased shipping costs for your modular home as well as increased site-work and permitting costs in California. It is our experience that a modular home for sale in California will cost between $400 - $600 per square foot to build in the San Francisco Bay Area and $300 - $500 per square foot in Los Angeles and the rest of Southern California.
For individuals looking to purchase a completed modular home, a local realtor may be able to assist you in finding newly completed modular homes that are for sale. Alternatively, you may want to check with local real estate developers and general contractors, as many may utilize modular construction for their homes.
What Else Should I Consider When Looking at Prefab and Modular Homes for Sale?
Construction type - buyers should pay attention to the construction type of their home, specifically whether the home is a modular home or a manufactured home. While both types fall under the category of a prefab home, modular homes are built to the same standards and building code of a traditional, site-built home while manufactured homes are built to Housing and Urban Development (HUD) code and are classified more like mobile homes rather than a traditional home. As such, manufactured homes may not be available for the same financing options as a modular home. Buyers considering other prefab home options, notably kit homes or panelized homes should know that these two construction methods require the highest level of on-site labor to complete. As such there is the possibility for greater variation in final project cost from area to area.
Who is the manufacturer or builder?
Both in the case of purchasing an already finished modular home for sale or building a modular home from scratch, it may be worthwhile to check past reviews of the company or builder that you plan to work with. In addition to ensuring that the manufacturer or contractor is trustworthy and offers a reliable modular home, in the event that you have issues with your modular home after moving in, the manufacturer or builder may be able to help solve the problem.
California Building Code
If you are looking to build an ADU in California, see our lists of the Best ADU builders in Los Angeles & the Best ADU builders in the Bay Area
