|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Building Specs. | |||||||
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Q .What is a Modular Home?A . A Modular Home is constructed in a climate-controlled factory as a series of boxes or Modules. The factory manufactures the home according to strict specification, including the structure, roof, insulation, sheetrock, trim, plumbing and electrical as well as baseboards for FHW heat or chases for HVAC. The factory may also install kitchen cabinets. By the time the modules leave the factory they are completed to the 85% to 90% complete range. The Modules are loaded on transporters for delivery. The modules are shipped to the installation site and assembled by the set crew with the help of a crane and operator. The on site work, siding flooring, integration of Plumbing and Electrical systems, siding, sheetrock for module interface areas, installations of ship loose materials etc, is completed by Sparkling Homes of New England. After completion a modular home is indistinguishable from a stick built home. Q . How does the quality of an Epoch Home compare to a "stick or site built" home? A. Epoch homes are of significantly higher quality than a stick built home. Quality is engineered into the process from the floor up. Because of the nature of modular homes and the over the road transportability requirement, Epoch has developed one of the finest, strongest and most robust flooring systems in the modular industry. The joists are laid 16 on center up to 14 feet long. The deck is made of 7 ply ¾ inch Plumb Creek tongue and groove plywood glued with construction adhesive and nailed with 2 ½ inch screw shank resin coated nails. Additionally we install a row of solid 2X8 bridging between joists to prevent warping. All walls are 2X6 construction and they are built on specially constructed jigs to ensure that every one is straight, plumb and square. Epoch uses plywood sheathing not OSB (although OSB can be ordered as a downgrade). All sheathing is nailed or stapled and glued with construction adhesive to enhance structural integrity. Windows are nationally known brands such as Pella and Andersen. Kitchen and bath fixtures are American Standard and Cabinetry by companies such as Yorktown. When you walk through an Epoch Home, quality is evident. Q . Can I modify a standard Epoch floor plan?A. Yes. With over 120 standard floor plans and the ability to offer almost infinite modifications and combinations, Sparkling Homes of New England and Epoch Homes can offer virtually any design. Standard designs include Colonials, Victorians, Capes, Ranches, Split-levels in one and two-story homes as well as contemporaries and Multifamily designs. We also have the ability to design your dream home from the ground up or convert your Architects design to a modular format. Q . Are Modular Homes less expensive that site built homes?A. Yes. The structure of a modular home is typically less expensive than the same type and quality structure of a stick built home. The cost of the finished home depends on what the customer orders for options and amenities. It has been our experience that our customer end up spending a similar amount but get more house for the money. Customers are cautioned against working with companies who offer homes at prices that seem too good to be true. Q . What is the difference between a “Modular Home” and a "Manufactured Home"? A. Although Modular homes are “manufactured” in a factory, modular homes are constructed to the same state and local building codes and are subject to the same zoning regulations as site-built homes. In contrast, Manufactured Homes, other wise known as “mobile or trailer Homes” comply with the Federal Construction Safety Standards Act (HUD/CODE), which requires homes to be constructed on a non-removable steel chassis. Many communities have restrictions on where manufactured homes can be located. Q . Can Sparkling Homes of New England create a custom plan of my own design?A. Computer aided drafting (CAD), allows for precision customization of your floor plan design. However, shipping restrictions and production constraints can affect the design. If you have selected a floor plan, we can certainly modify it to suit your requirements. Epoch Homes has an existing portfolio of over 100 floor plans, with accompanying elevation drawings that can be modified to suit your tastes. Redesign of existing floor plans is typically less expensive the creating a new design. Q . Are Modulars more difficult or more expensive to finance?A. Epoch homes can be financed easier than site built homes. Some banks such as IndyMac even specialize in modular lending. Please visit our Finance page for information on loan qualification through IndyMac Bank. Additionally if you have a bank that you are comfortable with, we are happy to work with them. Modular homes are treated the same as site-built homes when it comes to appraisals and insurance. In addition, modular homes appreciate in value at the same rate or better than comparable site built homes in your area. Q . Is an Epoch home more energy efficient than a site built home?A. Yes it is. All EPOCH Homes are EnergyStar compliant. Typically EnergyStar homes are 1/3 more energy efficient than typical construction built under the 1993 National model energy code. Energy efficiency is designed into every EPOCH home, featuring an EnergyStar compliant building envelope, high performance low e thermopane windows , and controlled air infiltration. Epoch standard homes are manufactured with 2X6 studs. This 2X6 construction method allows for the installation of 6-inch R-19 insulation as compared to 3-inch R-13 insulation typically employed in the stick/site built home. All door and window headers on exterior walls are insulated and Epoch uses insulate exterior doors. Additionally Epoch homes are built from the inside out. This allows epoch to enhance the building energy envelope and ensure a leak proof vapor barrier by calking around all switch, receptacle and gang boxes from behind the sheetrock. All seams, both interior and exterior are caulked to prevent air infiltration. Lower energy bill go directly to a lower total cost of ownership. Sparkling Homes of New England recommends EnergyStar compliant Heating/cooling and hot water systems as well as EnergyStar compliant appliances. EPOCH Homes are less expensive to heat and cool. Q . Does an Epoch Home comply with all the building codes?A. YES. Epoch Homes are built to comply with nationally accepted building codes including BOCA Basic Building, Plumbing and Mechanical Code, as well as the National Electric Code. In addition Sparkling Homes of New England LLC ensures codes are designed to comply with all local codes. Code compliance is monitored and assured by a third party compliance agency that is accepted by all state, federal and local regulators. Q . How long will it take to get my new Epoch home?A. When your completed order is received in the factory, Epoch estimates it’s backlog and provides an estimated delivery date. This is typically 6 weeks from the order date although the time may vary slightly due to demand. While your home is being built in the factory Sparkling homes is performing the site work required to prepare your lot for the arrival of the home. Following the delivery to the site and setting the home on the foundation, Sparkling Homes of New England LLC will take about 4 to 6 weeks to finish the home. The time frame depends on the amount of additional site work, such as garages, porches or decks that are to be built, and the Sparkling Homes’ backlog of other homes to finish. You can move into your new modular home much quicker than a typical site-built home. Q . Does Epoch have any handicapped accessible floor plans? A. Yes, all of them. EPOCH can modify or design any home to meet any customer need. Q . Are factory tours available?A. YES, and they are encouraged. Please visit our Factory Tours page for details. Q . Does Sparkling Homes provide a Warrantee?A. Yes. Every Epoch Home built by Sparkling Homes of New England home comes with a 10 year warranty on structure and workmanship provided by Bonded Builders. In addition, many of the brand name components, such as appliances, shingles and siding used in your home, are covered by separate manufacturer warranties. Q . How much does an Epoch modular home cost?A. The final pricing of a home is dependant on the options you select and the scope of work preformed by Sparkling Homes of New England. Additional Information is available on our Pricing Information Page. Q .What is spruce, pine, fir? A. SPF (see spruce, pine, fir.) Spruce, pine, fir (SPF) is a building code based designation indicating the grade of the stock. The wood of the spruce, pine and fir trees are similar in strength weight and density and are therefore grouped in the Spruce pine fir category. The lumber used for your home carrying the spruce pine fir designation could be spruce, pine or fir but is typically a mixture of all three. Q .What is 16 o.c. or 24 o.c.? A. O.C. is an acronym for on center. It indicates that the stud, joist or rafter layout is 16 inches from the center of one stud, joist or rafter to the center of the next stud, joist or rafter. Q . I have read the general specification sheet and I don’t see hardwood floors or wood clapboard or shingles. Are these available? A. Yes they are available. The General specification sheet provides information on the “basic” Epoch home. Most of Epoch work is custom therefore most building materials are available to you to customize your home. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Links |
|||||||
|
|
|||||||
|
|
|||||||
|
|
|||||||
|
|
|||||||
|
|
|||||||
|
|
|||||||
|
|
|||||||
|
|
|||||||
