What is a Kit Home?
What is a Kit Home? We Lay it Out For You
In the early 1900s, companies like Sears shipped entire home kits by train, allowing families to construct quality houses at a fraction of the cost of traditional home builds. Many of these well-built homes still stand.
Today, kit homes are returning as inventory remains low and the wait time for new construction rises.
These modern, ready-to-assemble homes offer a new take on yesteryear for faster construction, lower costs, and customizable designs. Whether you are a first-time home buyer or looking for an eco-friendly home, kit homes are the answer.
What does a Kit Home Mean?
It’s what it sounds like–a house that comes in a kit. You get all the materials, plans, and instructions to assemble it. Options include ordering doors, windows, roofing, HVAC, and interior ceiling paneling.
Some people hire professionals, while others do much of it themselves.
Unlike traditional homes, prefab kits require less skilled labor, are faster to build, and are designed for energy efficiency. Whether you dream of a modern vacation home on the beach or a cozy cabin in the woods, a kit home matches your style and budget.
Types of Kit Homes
Kit homes come in various sizes and styles, each offering different benefits.
- Panelized Homes - Have pre-constructed walls that are shipped to the site for assembly.
- Modular Homes - Built in complete module sections in a factory, assembled on-site, and then positioned on a permanent foundation.
- Manufactured Homes - While not technically kit homes, these houses, often called mobile homes, are built entirely off-site and transported to the final location
Kit Homes vs. Traditional Stick-Built Homes
Kits and conventional stick-built homes have advantages and disadvantages. Knowing the differences can help you determine what suits your needs.
Customization and Design Options
People assume kit homes all look the same, but that's untrue. Many companies offer customizable floor plans, modern finishes, and energy-efficient upgrades. You can choose from sleek, contemporary designs, cozy cabins, or even tiny homes. Traditional homes give you complete design freedom, but that flexibility comes with a higher price tag and longer build times.
Assembly Process (DIY vs. Professional Builders)
Building a traditional home means juggling contractors, electricians, and plumbers. Kit homes simplify the process. If you're handy, you can take the DIY route and assemble all or most of it yourself, with a little help.
If you're not into doing it yourself or lack the skills, hire a crew the job. Either way, a kit home takes less work than a traditional build.
Sustainability and Energy Efficiency
Kit homes produce fewer waste materials because everything is pre-cut in a factory. Kit homes using SIPs offer greater energy efficiency because of the solid foam insulation and reduced heat exchange.
Traditional homes can also be energy-efficient, but usually require extra planning and money.
Cost
Kit homes may cost less than traditional homes. Since the materials come pre-cut and packaged, you avoid waste and surprise expenses.
Traditional homes often run over budget due to labor costs, material shortages, and unexpected delays.
How Kit Homes Work
Step-by-Step Process
The process isn’t complicated. It’s been simplified with a straightforward and easy process.
- Order - Choose your design, customize it, and place the order. The manufacturer prepares everything for delivery.
- Delivery - Materials arrive on site, already cut and ready for assembly.
- Assembly - Whether you do it yourself or hire professionals, assembly is quicker than traditional construction. Panels or modules fit together, saving time and money.
- Finishing - Install wallboard, flooring, trim, appliances, and final details.
How Long Does It Take?
Unlike traditional homes, which take about a year to complete, you can move into your kit home in about half the time. With the right team, you could move in sooner than you think.
Other Uses for Kit Homes
Most often, people choose kit homes for primary residences. They’re not limited to that. They are a solution for various needs, whether you’re looking for a backyard Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) for rental income, an in-law suite for family, or a vacation home like a cabin or a lake house.
They are also an excellent option for investment properties, offering a faster way to build rental housing.
The Future of Kit Homes
Kit homes are a practical way to reduce housing shortages and environmental impact. Take a look at some of the many projects.
Contact Us Today → We’re here to discuss options with you.
FAQs
A kit home is a house that comes with pre-cut materials, plans, and assembly instructions. You can build it yourself or hire professionals.
Not exactly, modular homes are built completely in a factory in sections and assembled on-site, while kit homes arrive as separate materials that you put together.
Kit homes include modular, panelized, and manufactured homes, each with different assembly methods and benefits.
Today, costs are about the same. The advantages include faster build time and greater energy efficiency, which saves money in the long run.
Besides the kit, you’ll need to budget for land, foundation, utilities, permits, and labor you do not do yourself.
Like traditional home construction, permit requirements vary by location, but you’ll typically need zoning approval, building permits, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing approval.
Some kit homes are designed to resist hurricane- and tornado-force winds and flying debris, often exceeding standard building codes.
Rising home prices, long construction delays, and the desire for energy-efficient housing have fueled their comeback.
Many companies specialize in modular, panelized, and prefab home kits. Check out Mighty Small Homes. Others can be found in a Google search.