Factory-built housing covers any type of housing constructed in a factory and transported to a residential site. Manufactured, modular, and panelized housing are examples of factory-built homes.

These are homes built entirely in the factory under a federal building code administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development(HUD). The Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards (commonly known as the HUD Code) went into effect June 15, 1976. It's the only federally regulated national building code. Federal standards regulate manufactured housing design and construction, strength and durability, transportability, fire resistance, energy efficiency and quality. The government also sets standards for heating, plumbing, air conditioning, thermal and electrical systems.

It is difficult for many people to tell the difference between a factory-built home and its traditionally built neighbor. And best of all, factory-built homes cost, on average, about half of the price of a site-built house. Their roofs can have the same height and pitch, and you can select the latest design features such as bay windows, gable fronts, front porches, decks, patio covers, crawl spaces, steps of many designs, or a pitched roof with shingles.

You can customize your factory-built home with skylights, fireplaces, whirlpools, built-in bookcases, and entertainment units. Virtually any feature that is available in a custom site-built home is also available in a manufactured home.

Whether you're looking for a manufactured mansion or the ultimate ranch house, chances are you can find a factory-built home that will fit your dreams. Manufactured homes now come in all sizes, typically 14' to 36' wide and up to 76 feet in length, for many different lifestyles including family, singles, and retirement.