Kit Homes Modern

by Ima Ebong

Kit homes have been around for nearly a century, but they've gained popularity in recent years thanks to fresh new designs and consumers looking for more affordable housing options in an expensive real estate market. A kit home -- even more do-it-yourself friendly than the average prefab home -- arrives mostly preassembled and requires less time and labor to put into place. Kit Homes Modern explains everything homeowners need to know about this low cost/high design alternative, offering a comprehensive look at the full range of modern kit homes currently on the market. A brief, entertaining history on the origin and evolution of kit homes, including how they differ from mobile homes, is followed by a visual, behind-the-scenes tour of the creation of a kit home -- from the architect's drawing board to the factory floor to its final destination. Kit Homes Modern will raise the potential homeowner's comfort level and provide a vivid and precise understanding of the structural and interior features of the kit home and the many options available. Tips and hints on buying and installing a kit home tell homeowners exactly what to expect and show them how to avoid costly pitfalls and mistakes. And an exhaustive resource section provides up-to-date references on manufacturers, architects, consumer websites, consultants, and contractors who specialize in kit homes.

160 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2006

Reviews

[Brian Rogers]

This was a hoot. I enjoyed all the spins on the prefab kit house idea - the more outlandish the better for my purposes of borrowing images and floorplans for gaming - and Ebong's voice in the book was a lot of fun. I'm sure after 16 years there's been more on the market, but I still recommend for ideas and baseline information

[Audrey]

A nice hefty hardcover coffeetable book that gives a great overview of the kit homes available on the market. I've seen mention of several of these homes in Dwell magazine, so it was nice to see more detailed views of them. There were a couple that I really liked -- and the information about selecting a site, etc. was very helpful.