The Essential Guide to Single Wide Modular Homes
Single wide modular homes are factory-built residences constructed as a single long section, typically ranging from 14 to 18 feet wide and 56 to 80 feet long. They offer an affordable housing solution with faster build times compared to traditional site-built homes.
Quick Facts About Single Wide Modular Homes:
- Size Range: 780 to 1,400 square feet
- Average Starting Price: $40,000 (base model)
- Average Build Time: 6-16 weeks
- Typical Layout: 2-3 bedrooms, 1-2 bathrooms
- Width: 14-18 feet
- Length: 56-80 feet
If you’re exploring affordable housing options, single wide modular homes offer a compelling mix of quality, efficiency, and value. These compact yet versatile homes are built in controlled factory environments, ensuring consistent quality and reduced waste compared to traditional construction methods.
The beauty of a single wide is that despite its smaller footprint, it doesn’t require sacrificing modern amenities or style. As one homeowner noted, “The home is beautiful and gets compliments from everyone who sees it.” Today’s models feature open-concept designs, energy-efficient features, and customizable options to match your lifestyle.
For budget-conscious buyers, single wides represent one of the most affordable paths to homeownership, with significantly lower costs per square foot than site-built alternatives. The streamlined manufacturing process also means you can move into your new home in a matter of months rather than the year or more typical of conventional construction.
Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, downsizing, or looking for a vacation property, understanding the basics of single wide modular homes is your first step toward making an informed decision about this increasingly popular housing option.
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Single Wide Modular Homes: Dimensions, Costs, Pros & Cons
Looking for a home that combines affordability with smart design? Single wide modular homes might be your perfect match. These compact yet surprisingly spacious dwellings have come a long way from their humble beginnings, and today’s models offer features that rival many traditional houses.
At their core, single wide modular homes are designed with efficiency in mind. They typically measure between 14 and 18 feet wide and stretch from 56 to 80 feet in length. This translates to about 780 to 1,400 square feet of thoughtfully designed living space—comparable to many apartments but with the pride of ownership that comes with having your own home. Their standard width is intentional, allowing them to travel down highways without special permits, which helps keep your delivery costs in check.
Price-wise, new single wide modular homes start around $40,000 for basic models and can reach up to $90,000 when you add premium features and finishes. This represents incredible value compared to traditional construction, which often costs $150-$250 per square foot versus just $50-$100 for these factory-built homes.
Here at Manufactured Housing Consultants, we’ve watched these homes transform from simple rectangular structures into stylish, energy-efficient residences. Today’s models feature open-concept layouts, modern kitchens with islands, roomy bedrooms, and even walk-in closets—all cleverly designed to fit within their streamlined footprint.
Want to explore specific models and their features? Check out our detailed Single Wide Manufactured Home page.
Typical Sizes & Floor Plans for Single Wide Modular Homes
One thing that amazes our customers is how much living space manufacturers can pack into single wide modular homes. Despite their narrow width, these homes offer surprisingly functional floor plans that make every square foot count.
Most single wide modular homes come with 2-3 bedrooms and 1-2 bathrooms. A customer favorite is the split-bedroom layout, where the primary bedroom sits at one end of the home with additional bedrooms at the opposite end. This clever design creates a natural privacy buffer between sleeping areas—perfect for families with children or when hosting overnight guests.
At Manufactured Housing Consultants, we offer a range of sizes to fit different lifestyles. Our compact Solo series starts at just 526 square feet—ideal for singles or couples embracing minimalist living while still enjoying a separate bedroom, bathroom, and open living area. Mid-sized options like our popular Outlook model offer 780 square feet (15′ x 52′) with 2 bedrooms and 1 bath—perfect for small families or those downsizing from larger homes.
For those needing more space, our larger models like the Mozart provide 1,165 square feet (15’4″ x 76′) with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Our customers particularly love the Osprey 1672, measuring 16′ x 72′ with 1,092 square feet. With its 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, it shows how a single wide modular home can comfortably accommodate a family without feeling cramped.
Champion Homes, one of our trusted manufacturers who’ve built over 3 million factory-built homes, offers thoughtful features like built-in entertainment centers, kitchen islands with dishwashers, and farmhouse sinks. These details give these homes a custom feel despite their modest footprint.
Curious about our most space-efficient options? Visit our Tiny Single Wide Mobile Homes page to see how compact living can be both comfortable and affordable.
2024 Price Range & Financing Options
When it comes to budgeting for your single wide modular home in 2024, understanding the difference between the sticker price and the move-in price is crucial. At Manufactured Housing Consultants, we believe in transparent pricing that helps you plan with confidence.
The base price for a standard single wide modular home starts around $40,000. But this “Home-Only” price typically covers just the factory-built structure with basic features. For a complete “Turn-Key” home—including foundation, delivery, setup, utility connections, and permits—you should budget around $120,000 or more, depending on your location and property conditions.
What makes up this total cost? Beyond the base home price ($40,000-$90,000), you’ll need to account for delivery and setup ($5,000-$10,000), foundation work ($8,000-$13,000), HVAC installation ($7,000-$8,000), water and septic connections ($6,000-$8,000), electrical service ($4,000-$5,000), permits and inspections ($15,000-$25,000), and site management ($15,000).
When it comes to financing your new home, you have several paths to explore. If you’re placing your single wide modular home on a permanent foundation on land you own, conventional mortgages might be available. Government-backed FHA and VA loans offer attractive options with lower down payments for qualifying buyers. Chattel loans treat the home as personal property rather than real estate—they typically have higher interest rates but can be easier to qualify for. For those starting from scratch, our land-home packages combine financing for both the property and the home.
We specialize in helping buyers with all credit profiles through our financing programs. In fact, our FICO Score Improvement Program has helped many customers qualify for better interest rates, potentially saving thousands over their loan term.
For detailed pricing information and current specials, visit our Single Wide Manufactured Home Prices page.
Advantages vs Disadvantages
Every housing choice comes with trade-offs, and single wide modular homes are no exception. Understanding both the benefits and limitations will help you decide if this option aligns with your lifestyle and long-term goals.
On the plus side, affordability tops the list of advantages. With base prices starting around $40,000, these homes offer one of the most accessible paths to homeownership in today’s market. The faster construction timeline is another significant benefit—your home can be built in just 6-16 weeks, compared to the 6-12 months you might wait for a traditional house.
Energy efficiency is another hidden benefit. Because single wide modular homes are built in controlled factory environments, insulation and energy-efficient features can be installed with precision, potentially lowering your monthly utility bills. Their compact footprint also makes them perfect for smaller lots where larger homes simply wouldn’t fit.
Many of our customers appreciate the lower maintenance costs that come with a smaller home—less square footage means less to clean, repair, and maintain over time. And don’t think “small” means “basic”—today’s single wide modular homes offer numerous design choices and upgrade options to match your personal style.
Of course, there are some trade-offs to consider. The 14-18 foot width constraint can make some rooms feel narrow, particularly if you’re accustomed to more spacious layouts. Historically, these homes have appreciated more slowly than site-built homes, though this gap has been narrowing in recent years as quality and perception improve.
Some lenders still charge higher interest rates for manufactured housing, though our financing specialists work hard to find you the best possible terms. And while zoning restrictions on manufactured homes have decreased significantly, some communities still have placement limitations.
It’s worth noting that many perceived disadvantages are based on outdated misconceptions. Modern single wide modular homes are built to strict HUD code standards, and many feature ENERGY STAR certification, drywall interiors, and architectural details that rival site-built homes.
For a deeper understanding of the different types of factory-built homes, visit our Understanding Mobile, Modular, and Manufactured Homes page.
As the Texas Manufactured Housing Association notes in their consumer rights research, today’s manufactured homes are built to rigorous federal construction and safety standards, offering quality, value, and a variety of floor plan options to suit diverse needs.
Buying & Installing Your Single Wide Modular Home: Step-by-Step Cheat Sheet
So you’ve decided a single wide modular home is right for you – congratulations! Now comes the exciting journey from browsing floor plans to getting those house keys in your hand. At Manufactured Housing Consultants, we’ve guided hundreds of Texas families through this process, and I’m happy to walk you through what to expect.
The path to owning your single wide modular home starts with research and dreaming. Take time to explore different models, visit our showroom in Laredo to experience these homes firsthand, and imagine how your family will use the space. Once you’ve fallen in love with a floor plan, we’ll help you customize it to match your style and needs.
Before your home arrives, proper site preparation is crucial. We’ll make sure your land is zoned correctly and help secure all necessary permits. A soil test will determine what foundation type works best for your property’s conditions. Most single wide modular homes rest on concrete pier foundations, providing solid support while allowing for efficient installation.
The financing process might seem intimidating, but our team specializes in making this step painless. We’ll help you explore options, submit applications, and steer the paperwork jungle. Once financing is secured and your customizations are finalized, your home enters the manufacturing queue.
While your home is being built in the factory (typically 6-16 weeks), we’ll coordinate the site work – clearing land, grading the site, and installing utility connections. This simultaneous approach significantly reduces your overall waiting time compared to traditional construction.
Delivery day is when it gets really exciting! Your single wide modular home arrives on a specialized trailer, and watching it get positioned onto your foundation is quite the spectacle. After placement, our team connects utilities, installs skirting, builds entry steps, and completes all finishing touches.
The final step before move-in is a thorough inspection. We’ll walk through the home with you, explaining features and ensuring everything meets both your expectations and building code requirements. Once you receive your certificate of occupancy and warranty documentation, it’s time to start making memories in your new home!
For more details about the various types of factory-built homes available, check out our Types of Mobile Homes page.
Timeline: From Factory to Foundation
One of the biggest perks of choosing a single wide modular home is just how quickly you can go from signing papers to hosting your housewarming party. Let’s break down the typical timeline so you know exactly what to expect.
The manufacturing process is where it all begins. Once your order is confirmed, the factory starts building your home to your specifications. This typically takes between 6 and 16 weeks, depending on the complexity of your customizations and current factory workloads. During busy seasons (often spring and summer), this timeline might stretch a bit longer, so it’s good to plan accordingly.
While your home is taking shape in the factory, we don’t just sit around waiting! This is when we tackle site preparation, which usually takes 1-2 weeks. We’ll clear your land, level the ground, install utility connections, and construct the foundation. This parallel workflow is one of the clever ways single wide modular homes save you time compared to traditional construction.
The actual delivery and initial placement of your home is surprisingly quick – usually just 1-2 days. There’s something magical about watching your home arrive and get positioned onto its foundation. It transforms from an idea into reality right before your eyes!
After placement comes the finishing work, which typically requires another 1-2 weeks. This includes connecting utilities, installing steps and skirting, conducting inspections, and addressing any final details to make sure everything is perfect before you move in.
All told, you’re looking at approximately 8-20 weeks from purchase agreement to move-in day – dramatically faster than the 6-12 months often needed for site-built homes. For many of our customers, this accelerated timeline is a game-changer, especially when they’re eager to start their new chapter.
Site Prep, Delivery & Setup Explained
The foundation of a great home experience starts with… well, an actual great foundation! Proper site preparation and professional setup are absolutely crucial for ensuring your single wide modular home performs beautifully for decades to come.
First, we need to get your land ready. This begins with grading – carefully leveling the site to ensure water flows away from your home’s foundation rather than pooling underneath it. Texas weather can bring some serious downpours, so proper drainage isn’t just nice to have – it’s essential.
For most single wide modular homes, we install concrete pier foundations. Think of these as sturdy columns strategically positioned to support your home’s frame at key points. This foundation type offers excellent stability while being more cost-effective than a full concrete slab.
Next comes utility preparation. We’ll dig trenches for your water, electrical, and waste connections. For a typical single wide modular home, we install a robust 200 AMP electrical service to handle modern appliances and electronics. Water connections include either a 4-inch well or city water hookup, depending on your location. For waste management, we’ll set up either an in-ground septic system (typically with a 1,000-gallon tank) or connect to the municipal sewer system if available.
When delivery day arrives, your home travels to your property on a specialized trailer. Because single wide modular homes are built as a single section, they arrive in one piece – no need to join multiple sections on-site. This simplifies the delivery process considerably.
The setup begins with carefully lifting the home from the trailer and positioning it precisely on your prepared foundation. Our experienced crews use specialized equipment to ensure this process goes smoothly. Once placed, the home is secured to the foundation using tie-downs and anchors – particularly important in Texas, where strong winds can be a concern.
After placement, licensed professionals connect all utilities, and we install vinyl skirting around the perimeter to protect the underside of your home while giving it a finished appearance. We’ll build sturdy steps and landings for each entrance and install gutters to manage rainwater.
Inside, we complete any necessary finishing work, install appliances if they weren’t factory-installed, and make final adjustments to ensure everything functions perfectly. The process concludes with a thorough inspection to verify that every detail meets our quality standards and your expectations.
At Manufactured Housing Consultants, we coordinate this entire process through our Site Work Management service. You won’t need to juggle multiple contractors or worry about permit applications – we handle all of that for you, making the journey to homeownership as smooth as possible.
For more information about modular homes and their installation process, visit our Modular Homes and Prices page.
How to Purchase Single Wide Modular Homes in Texas
Buying a single wide modular home in Texas comes with some unique considerations, and as Texas locals ourselves, we at Manufactured Housing Consultants know exactly how to steer them.
Before you start shopping, take time to create a comprehensive budget. Beyond the base price of your single wide modular home, remember to account for customizations, land costs (if you don’t already own property), site preparation, delivery fees, utility connections, permits, insurance, and property taxes. Being realistic about these costs upfront prevents surprises down the road and helps ensure a smooth purchasing experience.
Many of our customers find that land-home packages offer the simplest path to homeownership. These packages combine financing for both your land and home, often resulting in better terms and a more streamlined process. If you’re still looking for the perfect spot to place your home, let’s talk about the land-home options we offer throughout the Laredo area and beyond.
Texas has specific regulations for manufactured housing administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA). All single wide modular homes must comply with these standards, which include HUD code requirements and installation by licensed professionals. If you’re in a coastal area, your home will need construction appropriate for your wind zone – something we’ll help you steer.
The closing process for a single wide modular home in Texas involves specific documentation: your purchase agreement, Statement of Ownership and Location (SOL), installation documentation, warranty information, and financing documents. This paperwork might seem overwhelming, but don’t worry – we’ve guided countless Texas families through this process and will make it as painless as possible.
One aspect that sets Manufactured Housing Consultants apart is our lifetime warranty, included with every home we sell. This provides valuable peace of mind, knowing your investment is protected for years to come. We also partner with 11 top manufacturers, giving you the widest selection of single wide modular homes in Texas, all backed by our guaranteed lowest price commitment.
We understand that financing can be a challenge for some buyers, which is why we’ve developed specialized programs to accommodate all credit types. Our FICO Score Improvement Program has helped many Texans qualify for better rates, making homeownership more accessible and affordable.
For more information about our available models, visit our single-wide models page. And if you’d like to learn more about Texas HUD standards, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs website offers valuable resources.
Purchasing a single wide modular home isn’t just a transaction – it’s the beginning of a new chapter in your life. At Manufactured Housing Consultants, we’re committed to making that chapter start on the right page.
Conclusion
Finding your perfect home doesn’t have to break the bank. Single wide modular homes offer a smart, affordable pathway to homeownership that thousands of Texans are finding each year. These efficient living spaces—ranging from cozy 780 square foot models to spacious 1,400 square foot designs—pack remarkable value into their streamlined footprints.
With base prices starting around $40,000, these homes make the dream of ownership accessible for first-time buyers, empty nesters looking to downsize, and families needing an affordable solution. The best part? You won’t be waiting around for months (or even years) like with traditional construction—most single wide modular homes go from factory to finished in just 6-16 weeks!
Here at Manufactured Housing Consultants, we’ve helped countless Texans find just how comfortable, stylish and practical these homes can be. Our Laredo showroom features models from 11 top manufacturers, and we stand behind our guaranteed lowest price commitment. We’ve seen how today’s single wide modular homes have evolved into beautiful, energy-efficient spaces that feel nothing like the “trailer homes” of yesteryear.
What makes us different? Beyond our extensive selection, we’ve developed financing solutions that work for real Texans—regardless of credit challenges. Our exclusive FICO Score Improvement Program has helped many customers qualify for better rates than they thought possible, saving thousands over the life of their loans.
Modern single wide modular homes feature thoughtful, open-concept designs with surprising amenities: kitchen islands, walk-in closets, spa-like bathrooms, and energy-efficient appliances that keep utility bills manageable. Plus, with comprehensive warranty coverage, you’ll have peace of mind for years to come.
Whether you’re just starting out, settling down, or simplifying life, we invite you to explore what these homes have to offer. Our experienced team will guide you through each step—from selecting the perfect floor plan to watching your new home being set on its foundation.
Ready to find affordable homeownership on your terms? Visit our Laredo location or contact us today. Your journey to a beautiful, quality-built single wide modular home starts here!