Method Homes builds custom prefab modular homes and commercial structures. Our homes are precision-engineered, efficiently built, healthy, and sustainably designed. Method collaborates with architects from across the West Coast and Intermountain West, fostering a diverse network of design expertise, in addition to our own in-house design studio, Method Arc, which specializes in integrated design-build project delivery.
Prefab construction, or prefabrication, is a process in which a building is constructed offsite at a factory before being transported and finished on-site. Method Homes constructs our projects in our factory in Ferndale, Washington before transporting and installing them at your project site. There are many different forms of prefab construction: panelized, modular, kit, and manufactured homes. Method Homes builds modular homes.
Method Homes is a modular constructor, meaning we build entire three-dimensional volumetric modules, which are assembled and stitched together on-site. This means that by the time a home is transported to site, it has larger and more complete sections. Much of the interior, such as cabinetry, tiling, and other finishes are already complete before transportation, cutting down the amount of on-site construction time. Our modules arrive over 80% finished, the remaining tasks generally include utility connections between the modules, installing the final roof, and decks.
Since the modules we build are constructed in a purpose built facility with overhead cranes and systems for the materials in a controlled factory setting, we are able to build with high levels of precision. Workers are more comfortable and can build under better conditions, with better access and tools. Additionally, since the factory is covered and temperature controlled, your home is protected from moisture and pests during construction. In addition, there are many time-saving benefits from modular construction. Prefab construction is more efficient than stick-built construction as we are able to construct much of your home at our factory at the same time that site work, civil engineering and the foundation is being done prior to the arrival of the mods. The work at the factory is not delayed by weather events, allowing us to build year-round.
Method Homes specializes in building custom residential properties. Partnering directly with clients, we transform their ideas into unique homes, whether it's a luxury modern residence, a compact cabin nestled in a remote area, or a spacious home designed for multiple generations. For further details about creating custom homes, visit our Custom Residential page. For a more streamlined and cost-effective process, Method offers six lines of predesigned homes with our partner architects. These Series offer different floorplans which can be slightly customized to suit your site and preferences. To learn more about building a Predesigned home, visit our Predesigned Residential page. In addition to our residential projects, Method also completes commercial projects. Our prefab modular approach allows us to build commercial projects in a more cost-effective and sustainable way. We have completed a number of ski lodges in remote locations, classrooms, and high-density workforce housing projects. To learn more about building commercial projects, visit our Commercial Projects page.
We thoroughly review the possible approaches for trucking modules to your site and assess the on-site conditions. At times we can assess the feasibility of the delivery with online research, and photos of the site, however for more challenging locations we will send a trucking representative with flag poles extended to the width of the mods to drive the route. If this is not conclusive we will fly in a delivery team member and coordinate with a crane operator to give a fully detailed assessment that will inform the max size mods that can be delivered to the site.
Our modules are shipped 80+ percent complete, with appliances, cabinets and countertops and tile all carefully installed. On–site construction involves connecting the modules utilities, drywall, flooring, and siding. The final roof covering, exterior decks, and utility connections can also be installed then. Depending on the complexity of the project and the number of modules, the on–site timeline is approximately 2-4+ months depending on design, local GC, and site conditions. Each project has a collaboratively worked on fully detailed scope of work document that reflects the items that are completed in the factory and what items will be completed on site.
Yes, each project is specifically detailed, engineered and designed to the local climate and topography.
Because our homes are trucked, shipped and lifted, they are designed to be strong and are built with the highest quality materials that are made to last. Method’s homes have been installed in California and Washington where serious earthquakes are a concern, mountainous snow country, and coastal regions and islands with extreme maritime weather. Our engineers are licensed throughout the United States and Canada and are familiar with local, national, and International Building Codes and standards.
Yes. Method is a CSA certified builder of green prefab structures in the United States for delivery in Canada. Our engineers can design according to American, Canadian, and International Building Codes. We also partner with 3rd party inspectors to certify our homes in the factory. We have built a number of projects in Canada and are fluent with the people, processes, and products necessary for a successful project.
Method’s manufacturing facility is located in Ferndale, Washington.
Method Homes currently services the Western US and Canada including; Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Vancouver BC, Alberta, Wyoming, Nevada, Colorado, and Utah. We have a high concentration of projects in the San Juan Islands, Tahoe/Martis Camp, Jackson WY, and Sun Valley. We are open to exploring areas outside of these states however the trucking costs can become significant.
1. Feasibility: Defining your budget, understanding your site, and ensuring that we are compatible with your project goals2. Design and Permitting: Architectural and interior design, submitting your project for state and local permits, completing a detailed modular estimate3. Fabrication: Building your home in our Ferndale factory4. Transportation and Installation: Transporting the modules to your site and installing them5. On-Site Labor: Completing the finishing touches6. Move in.
Method Contracting is Method’s on-site contracting division that delivers and sets the modules onto the foundation.
Yes. Our onsite construction division — Method Contracting will deliver and set the modules onto the foundation. We provide construction management services and will work with you to find a reputable contractor to complete site preparation and on-site labor after the modules have been set. We will coordinate with them throughout the building process.
The first step in buying a home is to have a good idea of the land on which you will be putting the home, a general idea for your budget and the scale of the home. Method will provide a high-level assessment, site access review, general budgeting and timeline to ensure that we are aligned. The next step is to engage in a Preconstruction Agreement that will fully engage our team in all of the activities leading up to the build including; full architectural plans, state and local permitting, detailed scope of work documentation and detailed transparent estimation.
Yes. We will review your design and work with your architect to make sure the home fits our process of offsite modular construction. We can determine if modular construction is right for you and your design, and offer suggestions to make your design more compatible with a modular approach.
Once permits are received and we have a signed build contract construction will be slotted into our factory floor in typically 1-3 months. A custom home typically takes 4-5 months to build in the factory. We will then coordinate the delivery and set, that will often be 1-2 weeks for the prep and only a single day for the actual setting of the home. The onsite GC timeline will depend on the site conditions, final design and local subcontractor availability and speed, this will typically take an additional 2-4+ months to complete and receive your final certificate of occupancy.
Yes. We will ensure that the design of your home is developed in accordance with local building codes. We will submit your plans to local and state jurisdictions to acquire the necessary permits for your build.
Yes. Method Homes are custom designed and built according to each unique site and tailored to the client’s preferences. The majority of our projects are fully custom designs.
Method currently offers six lines in our Predesign Series. This streamlines the architectural process with our architect partners that allows you to choose from various floorplans and make minor modifications and customize the interior specifications. To learn more about our predesigned home series, visit the Predesigned Residential page.
Method Arc is our fully-integrated in-house design-build architecture firm. Because of its integration with Method Homes, Method Arc is able to facilitate a transparent and efficient design and build process. To learn more about design-build, visit the Method Arc page.
13 feet is the maximum shipment height that will allow for an approximate 11 ft high ceiling that is integrated into the mods. For a vaulted dining or living room area we sometimes will incorporate site built elements into the design to allow more flexibility.
We are committed to sustainability as a core value. All Method prefabricated homes are built with a focus on efficiency, healthy indoor air quality, and use of sustainable materials and practices. We are conscious of where our building materials come from and look to use renewable resources that are responsibly harvested. Method uses low and no-VOC materials whenever possible. Limiting use of paints and adhesives with Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) limits harmful chemical off gassing, resulting in buildings with healthier indoor air quality. Building offsite also allows Method to closely monitor our material use and disposal during and after construction, allowing us to truly recycle many of our materials. In addition the lumber we use is not cycled through wet and dry exposures eliminating the development of mildew on the framing members.
Yes. Method can build structures to meet any energy and/or construction standard. Energy-efficient homes are more comfortable, healthier, and less expensive to maintain and live in. A number of our LEED – capable homes meet Silver, Gold, and Platinum standards. Our team consists of experts in green building, efficient design, and renewable energy.
Every home is built in a climate-controlled environment, meaning less exposure to the elements and moisture, which can reduce the risk of mold and other allergens. We can also build homes tailored to owners’ chemical sensitivities.
Prefab — also called off-site construction — offers faster completion rates with fewer labor hours, reduced energy use and waste of materials. Because of the efficiencies and inherent predictability of prefab construction, we can provide a tighter estimate for the full cost of the project, which dramatically reduces or eliminates the risk of scope changes and cost overruns.In areas with very low construction site costs, there are fewer savings as there are some overheads with modular construction, mainly the transportation and set costs. In many areas we are similar to custom local build costs and in more expensive parts of the country we are able to save time, be more predictable, build to the highest quality levels and still save cost.
Method offers modern prefabricated modular homes at a variety of price points. We arrive at the final, fixed price at the time of signing a contract, which is based on the options and finishes of your choice. Base prices for our modules range between $300 and $450+ per square foot. In addition, there are soft costs for design, engineering, and permitting, site costs for foundation, excavation, utilities and completion and costs for transportation and installation. These costs vary based on site, location, and design and are determined on a per project basis. For projects many locations we find that all in costs, pre-construction and permit costs + modular costs + site and delivery costs, including land development and sales tax, typically end up in the $700-$950 per square foot range. To learn more about pricing, visit our Pricing page.
Cost savings of 5-20 percent can be achieved through efficiency, speed, our purchasing advantage over traditional contractors, and other factors. However, we have found that the cost advantage of prefab over site-built construction can vary greatly, mainly determined by the local contractor market. Method’s cost advantage is generally greatest where on-site construction is already expensive due to a site’s remoteness or its location in an expensive real estate area.
Transportation costs vary significantly depending on the number, size, and weight of modules and the distance and route they travel. Delivery costs begin at $800+ per truck load. Typically all in costs including the crane, set crews and trucking will be between $40-150k. We work with a number of trucking firms to manage transportation costs carefully.
The architect will ensure that the structure meets all of the local building codes and that the insulation values are designed specifically for your climate and to ensure the home is efficient and comfortable. Each home requires a foundation plan and site plan to be designed and engineered specifically to the geotechnical and topographical conditions. We offer minor customization of the floor plans, windows and siding, so the home relates to the site conditions and owner preferences.
Method and our architect partners produce our designs for our exclusive use only. We control the production of homes at this level to ensure the final structures are built with the highest quality.
The final budget of our prefab modules includes all finishes and components — cabinets, countertops, fixtures, siding, trim, windows and doors, electrical and plumbing components. Generally the kitchen areas will be completed minus final connections and pendant lighting. Bedroom and Bathroom areas will also be nearly complete with the exception of shower glass and final sealing and paint. It is common for the great room to be constructed with multiple modules that will result in some flooring and baseboard and drywall being left off. Every project receives a very detailed scope of work document that fully outlines the finishes that we will complete in the factory versus items that will be completed on site.
No. While our homes are constructed off-site in our Ferndale factory, we ensure full architectural customization and high-level craftsmanship from the start. Our homes are built to International Building Codes as well as local building codes, taking site snow loads, seismic and wind loads, and energy codes into consideration throughout the design process, ensuring their durability. Our modular homes are also often built sturdier than their site-built counterparts, due to increased engineering considerations for transport and install. We also increase the performance of our homes through enhanced insulation applications and energy-efficient systems for heating and cooling.
What distinguishes us is our custom facility where we can completely control the production process. This has earned us a proven track record of delivering our high–quality custom prefab homes. We also hail from the construction industry rather than the architect world. This allows us to combine our expertise with an excellent team of architect partners.
We offer a one-year workmanship and labor warranty on all projects in the US. We can provide two, five, or ten-year warranties in Canada through the site general contractor as required by HSA.
Garages and Accessory Dwelling Units can be effective and stylish spaces that are seamlessly integrated with your home. These structures are typically built at the site, and are not included in the cost of the modules we deliver from the factory.
Once a Method home is installed on your site there is no difference from our homes and site built homes. They are built to local building codes. We have not encountered problems working with an HOA or architecture review board regarding the planned installation of a Method Homes design.
No, all of our homes are custom built for our clients who live in them. In cases where we have established that we have a viable project with someone, we can offer tours of our Ferndale factory. Reach out to info@methodhomes.net if interested.
