Discover the real cost of a modular home: model price, finish, options, transport, land, installation and utility connections to check.
The advertised price of a modular home is not enough to know its real cost. A “from” amount may correspond to a specific model, finish and scope, while other expenses depend on the land and the project. To compare properly, you therefore need to understand what the price actually covers before comparing figures.
Understanding the subject
Let us take a concrete benchmark: the Glass model is offered at €49,900*. This amount indicates the model's price level, but it should not be presented as the universal budget for a finished project. The first question to ask is simple: what exactly does this price cover? Model, surface area, finish, equipment and options must be identified separately.
The essential distinction is between the price of the home and the overall budget of the project. The first corresponds to the chosen product within its commercial scope; the second must take into account what is needed to site and use it on a given plot. Transport, installation, site preparation, utility connections and formalities must be checked item by item and must not be assumed to be included without confirmation.
Going further
To understand what an offer contains, you need to look at its scope rather than just its price. Our guide on what is included in a turnkey modular home addresses exactly this question; here, the aim is different: to start from that scope in order to understand how to build an overall budget and compare two offers without being guided by a simple headline price.
The land can significantly change the economics of the project. Access, plot layout, siting, technical constraints and the availability of utility networks can change what needs to be planned for. This is why two homes of similar surface area can end up with different final budgets, even if their starting prices seem comparable.
Finishes and options must also be isolated. An offer may seem cheaper because it has a more limited level of finish or leaves certain equipment to be added. To avoid a skewed comparison, ask for the list of included, excluded and optional items, then price only what your project really needs.
Practical advice
Before requesting several quotes, rebuild the cost on the same basis: model and finish, necessary options, transport, installation, site preparation or adaptation, utility connections and other explicitly excluded items. Also ask who is responsible for each step. The most useful document is not just the advertised price, but the written scope to which that price corresponds.
The true cost of a modular home is therefore that of the defined project, not that of the most visible figure on a page. The Glass model at €49,900* is a concrete benchmark, but the final budget must be established from your configuration and your land. Before signing, ask one simple question: “If I sign today, what expenses do I still need to plan for before I can use the home?”
An architectural perspective
Frequently asked questions
What is the price of an AIIA modular home?
The starting prices documented in the AIIA calculator range from €35,500 to €149,000* depending on the model. The Glass model is €49,900*. These amounts are starting prices for models in the standard finish without options and do not automatically constitute the total budget for a project installed on a plot.
Does a modular home at €49,900* really cost €49,900 in total?
Not necessarily. €49,900* corresponds to the documented starting price for the Glass model. The total budget must then be defined according to the configuration, options, delivery, installation and the characteristics of the land.
What should you check in a modular home price?
At a minimum, check the model, surface area, finish, equipment, options, the scope of transport, installation, site preparation, utility connections and any formalities.
Is transport always included in the price of a modular home?
You should not assume so. Ask precisely whether transport is included, how far, under what access conditions and whether lifting equipment or additional operations may be charged.
Why can two modular homes advertised at the same price cost different amounts?
Because the catalogue price can cover different levels of finish, equipment, delivery and installation. The land can also create additional costs.
How can you avoid unpleasant surprises with a “turnkey” offer?
Ask for a written list of the included services, options, excluded items and items that depend on the land. A genuinely comparable price must be associated with a clearly defined scope.
