HUD-Code Versus IRC-Code
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Since T & C Homes offers its both HUD (Housing Urban Development) code (manufactured homes) as well as IRC-Code (modular homes) we thought an explanation of both codes would be appreciated as well as needed. This explanation is meant as a condensed overview of the two different codes and not as an official detailed comparison. This abbreviated comparison is T&C Home's attempt to give our customers enough information so they can make an educated decision as to what construction code is best for them for both now as well as in the future. We have left vast amounts of specific detail for both codes out of this overview and would suggest that if this were important for you to understand that you ask us how to secure the full information on each code.

WHY HUD-CODE HOMES (Manufactured Home Code)

  1. Conforms to all national codes.
  2. Is the low cost per square foot of the two codes.
  3. No specific State, County, or City codes need to be met because the HUD-Code pre-empts all other codes.
  4. All I-beam frames remain with the home giving even greater stability to a home in all HUD homes.
  5. It takes significantly less time at the factory of origin to plan, gain acceptance of plan, and to build a HUD home than it does to build an IRC-Code home. Example -- 3 weeks for a HUD home versus 10 weeks for an IRC-Code home.
  6. It takes less time to gain approvals for a HUD home versus an IRC-Code home from the State, County, or City entities where the home is to be installed.
  7. Sometimes approval cannot be obtained, because of local restrictive codes, for an IRC-Code home from certain State, County, or City entities.
  8. High quality HUD code homes, such as those produced by KIT HomeBuilders, are well built. They do not need to be built any differently than they are in order to provide a home that is better built than 90% (best estimate) of all site built homes.
  9. All HUD code homes are completely finished and ready to move into before they can be shipped from the factory of origin.

DEEPER DEFINITION OF HUD-CODE

  1. HUD-code homes are usually simpler to construct, gain approval for, and install than IRC-Code homes.
  2. The HUD-code is a "national, preemptive code." That means all states and all jurisdictions have to accept the HUD code and cannot enforce local codes that are in conflict with the HUD-code. Once a home plan has HUD approvals there is no further state or local inspection jurisdiction other than what happens at the factory of origin.

WHY IRC-CODE HOMES (Modular Homes)

  1. IRC-Code Homes are generally more accepted by some communities, planning commissions, subdivisions and other regulatory agencies.
  2. FINANCING - IRC-Code (modular homes) are treated exactly the same as site built homes when viewed by financial institutions.
  3. APPRAISALS - IRC-Code and site built homes are considered the same by appraisers (Freddie Mac & Fannie Mae guidelines).
  4. IRC-Code homes are better geared for placement on basement foundations - No steel frame to work around.
  5. IRC-Code homes readily accommodate on-site additions. The home does not have to be shipped from the factory as a completed home.
  6. A more complex housing product can be built with IRC-Code. Examples – 1) Add-on porches/rooms built on site. 2) Two story homes with finished stairwells to second floor can be shipped from the factory.
  7. IRC-Code (modular homes) are built to codes significantly more rigorous than HUD code homes in the areas of construction, plumbing, and electrical.
  8. IRC-Code homes comply with all local building codes.

DEEPER DEFINITION OF IRC-CODE

For definition purposes we will use the term "modular home" and IRC home" to mean the same thing.

  1. A modular home is a home that is built to meet the same local building codes as site built homes. The local building codes currently vary by area (using some parts of UBC code/IBC code and IRC code) but over the next few years all the western states are expected to convert to the new IRC code.
  2. In the case of modular homes there is no national program. Each state where the homes are built, as well as the State/County/Community where the home is installed are responsible for approval of the construction of the home. As it sounds, this is a much more complex undertaking than the building and installing of a HUD code home. Some (but not all) of the items that need to be done for IRC-Code (modular) homes, but not for HUD homes are as follows:
    1. A complete set of structural plans has to be filed with both the state of origin as well as the state of installation (if different).
    2. All individual homes must have P.E. stamped plan approval.
    3. Multiple permits and inspections from both constructing state as well as installing state must be purchased and completed.
    4. Licensed journeymen electricians and plumbers must be employed on the staff of the builder.
SUMMARY
 In general, it is significantly more difficult and expensive for a factory builder of homes to build an IRC-Code home than it is to build a HUD-Code home. Most producers can't/won't do both. Guerdon Homes used to do both, but has opted to build only IRC-Code (modular) homes since the beginning of 2006. Their words were "Our goal is to build a great IRC-Code home, at a price/cost/value that cannot be touched in today's market by any other manufacturer. We can't do that and build HUD-Code homes at the same time." KIT Homebuilders, on the other hand, feels that they can build both, as long as they are building the same floor plans (most builders have different floor plans for each code). By building the same floor plans in both codes they can take advantage of lessons learned from building in each code, thus increasing efficiency, cutting costs and ultimately delivering a product that they feel is the best value for the dollar in both codes.



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