Modular Home Glossary: Terms and Jargon Explained

Below are some distinctive terms you’ll encounter in the modular home world:

Manufacturing & Construction Terms

• Marriage wall – The wall where two modules join together
• Marriage line – The seam where two modules connect
• Erection day – The day the modules are delivered and crane-lifted onto the foundation
• Set day – Same as erection day; when modules are placed
• Flying the modules – Using a crane to lift and place modules onto the foundation
• Boxes – Slang term for the individual modules themselves
• Boxed modules – Modules that arrive fully enclosed with exterior walls
• Open modules – Modules shipped without one or more exterior walls for easier joining
• Button up – Final finish work after modules are set
• Dry-in – Getting the structure weatherproof quickly after set
• Horizontal construction – Building homes on a factory floor (as opposed to vertical/on-site)
• Panelized – Homes shipped as flat wall panels rather than 3D boxes
• Flat pack – Another term for panelized construction
• Chase – Hollow space in walls/floors for plumbing, electrical, HVAC
• Furr out – Adding strips to level or extend walls
• Sistering – Reinforcing joists or studs by attaching additional lumber alongside
• Ridgeboard run – Installing the peak beam of the roof
• Module marriage – The process of joining two boxes together
• Buttoning the seams – Finishing the connection points between modules

Financial & Sales Terms

• Curbside funding – Loan funds released when modules arrive at the property (at the curb)
• Construction-to-permanent loan – Single loan that converts from construction to mortgage
• One-time close – Same as construction-to-permanent; single closing for land and construction
• Two-time close – Separate closings for construction loan and permanent mortgage
• Draw schedule – Payment milestones throughout the building process
• Factory deposit – Initial payment to start manufacturing
• Set money – Payment due when modules are delivered and placed
• Spec home – Pre-built modular home built on speculation (not custom ordered)
• Turn-key – Complete project where buyer just “turns the key” and moves in
• Shell package – Modules delivered without interior finishes
• Weather-tight package – Modules with exterior complete but minimal interior work
• All-in price – Total project cost including all site work and finishes
• Landed cost – Price of modules delivered to site (not including site work)

Industry-Specific Terminology

• Mod – Short for modular home
• Mods – Multiple modules
• Stick-built – Traditional on-site construction (used as contrast to modular)
• Site-built – Same as stick-built
• Off-site construction – Building in a factory rather than on property
• Volumetric modules – Three-dimensional units built in the factory
• Volumetric construction – Same as above; 3D box construction
• Pre-fab – Prefabricated construction (can refer to modular or panelized)
• Systems-built – Industry term emphasizing engineered, systematic construction
• Site work – Foundation, utilities, and land preparation
• GC – General contractor who coordinates the entire project
• Finish contractor – Contractor who completes work after modules are set
• Modular dealer – Retailer who sells factory homes
• Builder/dealer – Company that both sells and builds/finishes modular homes
• Factory rep – Manufacturer’s representative
• Production line – Assembly line in the factory where homes are built
• Station – Specific work area in the factory (framing station, electrical station, etc.)

Quality & Regulations

• White tag – Factory certification label on modular homes
• Gold seal – Another term for factory certification
• Data plate – Metal plate attached to home with manufacturing information
• Third-party inspection – Independent inspectors who visit the factory during construction
• Third-party agency – Organization that certifies modular homes (like ICC, PFS, etc.)
• Freeway stamped – Modules approved for highway transport
• ICC certification – Compliance with International Code Council standards
• Code-plus – Built to exceed minimum building codes
• Over-engineered – Built stronger than code requires (for transport and longevity)
• Engineered drawings – Factory-produced blueprints and specifications
• Shop drawings – Detailed factory plans for building the modules
• Sealed drawings – Plans stamped by licensed engineer or architect
• Local code compliance – Meeting destination building codes
• AHJ – Authority Having Jurisdiction (local building department)

Transport & Logistics

• Oversize load – Permit required for transporting wide modules
• Pilot car – Vehicle that escorts large modules on highways
• Float – The trailer used to transport modules
• Lowboy – Type of trailer used for transporting modules
• Travel day – Day modules are transported from factory to site
• Haul – The transport of modules from factory to site
• Road ready – Module prepared and secured for transport
• Wrap – Protective covering on modules during transport
• Shrink wrap – Plastic film wrapped around modules for weather protection
• Tie-downs – Straps and chains securing modules to trailers
• Escort – Pilot vehicles required for wide loads
• Route survey – Pre-planning the delivery path for obstacles
• Bridge rating – Weight capacity verification for transport route
• Police escort – Law enforcement required for some oversized loads
• Delivery window – Scheduled timeframe for module delivery

Design & Planning

• Plant tour – When buyers visit the factory to see their home being built
• Factory visit – Same as plant tour
• Model home – Display home showing design and quality
• Model center – Location where multiple modular designs are displayed
• Split ranch – Multi-level modular design with offset levels
• Cape – Popular modular style with second-floor dormers
• Ranch – Single-story modular home
• Two-story colonial – Popular multi-level modular style
• Raised ranch – Split-level with basement partially above grade
• Elevation – Exterior design/facade options
• Footprint – The ground-level dimensions of the home
• Bay – Projected window or structural section
• Cantilever – Overhanging section extending beyond support below
• Hip roof – Roof with slopes on all four sides
• Gable roof – Roof with two sloping sides forming a triangle
• Dormers – Window structures projecting from a sloped roof
• Cathedral ceiling – High, sloped ceiling following the roofline
• Tray ceiling – Recessed ceiling with stepped edges
• Custom mod – Fully customized modular home
• Semi-custom – Home with limited customization options
• Production model – Standard floor plan built repeatedly
• Floorplan – Layout design of the home

Site Preparation & Foundation

• Foundation – Concrete base for the home (basement, crawl space, or slab)
• Basement foundation – Full foundation with living space below
• Crawl space – Short foundation with access space below
• Slab – Concrete pad foundation at ground level
• Frost wall – Foundation wall built below frost line
• Piers – Column supports for foundation
• Block foundation – Foundation built with concrete blocks
• Poured foundation – Foundation made with poured concrete
• Backfill – Dirt filled in around foundation after construction
• Grade – Ground level around the home
• Rough grade – Initial leveling of building site
• Final grade – Finished grading and landscaping
• Perimeter – The foundation dimensions matching module footprint
• Level and square – Foundation requirement for proper module placement
• Anchor bolts – Bolts embedded in foundation to secure modules
• Sill plate – Wood board attached to foundation top
• I-beam – Steel support beam in basement

Assembly & Finishing

• Mating – Joining two modules together
• Seaming – Finishing the connection between modules
• Shingling – Installing roof shingles (often done on-site)
• Siding – Exterior wall covering
• Soffit and fascia – Trim under roof overhang
• Trim out – Installing interior and exterior trim
• Punch list – List of final items to complete or fix
• Final walk-through – Inspection before final payment
• Touch-up – Minor repairs and corrections
• Cosmetic repairs – Fixing minor aesthetic issues from transport/set
• Set crew – Team that places modules on foundation
• Crane operator – Person operating the crane for module placement
• Rigger – Person who attaches crane cables to modules
• Site super – On-site supervisor/foreman
• Trades – Various contractors (plumber, electrician, HVAC, etc.)

Industry Slang & Jargon

• In the plant – Currently being built in the factory
• On the line – Module currently in production
• In production – Home being actively built
• In stock – Pre-built module or home available immediately
• Quick ship – Fast delivery of in-stock homes
• Lead time – Time from order to delivery
• Production schedule – Factory timeline for building homes
• Slot – Position in the production schedule
• Pushed back – Delayed production or delivery
• Roll-off – Module completing production and leaving factory
• Ship date – Scheduled delivery date
• Weather delay – Postponement due to bad weather
• Hot job – Rush project with priority scheduling
• Change order – Modification to original plans (usually adds cost)
• CO – Abbreviation for change order
• Upgrade – Better materials or features than standard
• Standard features – What’s included in base price
• Options – Available upgrades or additions
• Allowances – Set amounts for buyer-selected items (fixtures, flooring, etc.)
• Builder grade – Basic quality materials (vs. upgraded)
• Load bearing wall – Wall supporting structural weight (can’t be removed)
• Non-load bearing – Wall that can be modified or removed
• Mechanical rough-in – Initial installation of plumbing, electrical, HVAC
• Trim and finish – Final interior completion work

Marketing & Sales Terms

• Show home – Display model for customer viewing
• Open house – Event where factory or homes are shown to public
• Factory direct – Buying directly from manufacturer
• Authorized builder – Approved dealer/builder for a manufacturer
• Exclusive territory – Geographic area where only one dealer operates
• Price per square foot – Common pricing metric
• Base price – Starting price before options and site work
• Turnkey price – All-inclusive price for completed home
• Apples to apples – Comparing equivalent features between options
• Value engineering – Reducing costs while maintaining quality
• Cookie cutter – Negative term for identical production homes
• Production builder – Builder who constructs many similar homes
• Custom builder – Builder specializing in unique designs