Modular Design and Engineering

Modular homes are built at a factory and moved to the building site piece by piece. These buildings are designed as conventional homes but created so they can be separated into components for ease of transport and construction, which reduces waste and minimizes costs.

At PSE Consulting Engineers, Inc., we have years of experience with sustainable building projects for modular structures for both residential and commercial applications. Modular design is open to a variety of styles, from ultra-modern to mountain cabin.

Whether you’re considering modular design for business or residential, our engineers are here to help you make the most of your modular building.

Why Build Modular?

Benefits for Homeowners

Faster Construction
While the home is manufactured in the factory, foundation work happens simultaneously on-site. This parallel process reduces total build time from 12+ months to just 3-8 months.
Weather-Independent Building
Construction proceeds in climate-controlled facilities, eliminating weather-related delays and protecting materials from moisture damage.
Superior Materials
The factory environment ensures premium lumber and materials remain protected during construction, preventing warping, mold, and long-term structural issues.
Energy Efficiency
Precise factory assembly and additional insulation deliver significant energy savings through better temperature control and reduced utility costs.

Rigorous Inspections
While site-built homes are generally only inspected after the completion of framing, wiring, plumbing, and other stages of construction, modular homes are inspected and quality-controlled continuously throughout construction.
Quick Inventory Options
Choose from pre-built homes for immediate deployment to your land within weeks.
Predictable Pricin
Fixed costs with minimal variables thanks to detailed pre-planning.
Professional Craftsmanship
Steady employment and benefits for factory workers ensure consistent skilled labor and prevent delays.

Request A Quote

Benefits for Contractors

Streamlined Management: Factory construction reduces on-site trade coordination, simplifying project management and reducing scheduling conflicts.
Reduced Risk: Factory assembly minimizes weather damage and fire hazards common to traditional construction sites, lowering insurance costs.
Cost Efficiency: Lower labor rates in factory settings combined with reduced insurance and inspection costs result in more predictable project expenses.
Faster Project Completion: Pre-manufactured components and efficient on-site assembly accelerate project timelines, enabling quicker occupancy.
Quality Assurance: Factory inspections and controlled environment manufacturing reduce on-site quality control needs and post-construction issues.

Request A Quote

Modular Taco Bell engineered by PSE in Shelby Township, Michigan

How Does Modular Home Design Work?

The modular home design process combines the flexibility of custom homebuilding with the efficiency of modern manufacturing. Contrary to common misconceptions, today’s modular homes offer the same design freedom as traditional construction, allowing homeowners to create truly unique living spaces that match their vision and lifestyle needs.

We begin by exploring your specific requirements, from general layout and room configuration to special features like patios and custom interior finishes. We have successfully designed all types of modular structures for homeowners, business owners, and contractors.

Our engineering team guides you through each design decision, ensuring that the final plan optimizes both form and function. This collaborative approach, combined with the cost-effectiveness and speed of modular construction, delivers a custom building that meets both practical needs and aesthetic preferences.

Request A Quote

The History of Modular Homes

For almost a century, European and American architects, engineers, and builders have dreamed of a factory-made house made and marketed like a motor car. As we entered the twentieth century, the growing hard-working middle class had simple needs and common dreams of a practical and affordable home.

The bungalow became the new American housing icon. With the simplification of the home design came the catalog house, or the mail-order kits. In 1910 Aladdin Homes of Bay City, Michigan, took the concept to a whole new level that was followed by Sears and Roebuck. All prefab and modular home manufacturers agreed that labor-saving, machine construction, standardization of lumber size and length, bulk purchasing, and quantity production of millwork make housing affordable. Generally, modular homes per square foot are less expensive than on-site construction by 10% to 20% on average.

Modular housing and prefab industries have been experiencing phenomenal growth in recent years. Ten years ago, modular and prefab homes were only about 7% of the total residential market. Today, modular and prefab homes are 36% of the market. The modular home industry is the fastest-growing sector in the residential market today.

FAQs About Modular Homes and Modular Home Design

Do modular homes increase or decrease in value with time?

Since modular homes are designed and built according to the local building code, such as the International Residential Code (IRC), they have the same appraisal value as site-built homes. If the real estate market goes up for site-built homes, it will also go up at the same rate for modular homes.

What is the installation process like for modular homes?

Modular construction starts with the floor framing and continues with the wall framing, electrical and plumbing, and insulation. Windows and doors come next. Some manufacturers finish their homes completely from the inside out, while others finish them only from the inside.

Can you design my modular home to be sustainable?

Absolutely. We are experts in many sustainable building materials and practices. Combined with our experience in traditional construction methods and expertise in modular design, we can help you design a modular structure that meets your sustainability goals.

Contact PSE Consulting Engineers Today

Have questions about modular home design or want to learn more about our solutions? Contact PSE Consulting Engineers to discuss your next project. Whether you’re interested in a residential or commercial structure, we are here to help you maximize your modular design for ultimate form and function.