Planning your brand-new house is an exciting and, sometimes, confusing experience–especially when it comes to the construction process. What should you do? Sketch a totally unique home and build it from the ground up? Or pick from the diversity of manufactured homes on the market? Both options have their own set of advantages and drawbacks, after all.

Mejia Construction General, LLC, settles the debate once and for all. This “custom home building vs. modular home building” guide explains each type of construction, clears up common myths, adds real-world insight from our team, and discusses which one comes out on top. Read all the details below.

What Is Custom Home Building?

More often than not, a custom home refers to stick-built (or site-built) properties brought to life right on your land, from the first shovel of dirt to the final coat of paint. You start with a wish list: what about a wrap-around porch, or an extra-deep garage, or maybe a second-floor laundry? Then, an architect turns those wishes into actual floor plans. Licensed stick builders assemble a team of carpenters, plumbers, and electricians who follow that plan on-site.

These types of homes offer a wide range of benefits:

Total design freedom: You decide room sizes, roof shape, and every finish.
Site-specific strength: Foundations and framing match your soil and weather.
Material choice: Hand-pick flooring, insulation, and smart-home gear.
On-site changes: See the house take shape and request tweaks before walls close.

Custom homes can take anywhere from 6 to 18 months to build. While they cost more per square foot than modular houses, they reward owners with a perfect fit and a strong resale value. To speed up the construction timeframe, we recommend choosing quality materials for the exterior elements early. This prevents many delays.

What Is Modular Home Building?

A modular home is built inside a climate-controlled factory in room-sized boxes called modules. Each module leaves the factory with walls, wiring, pipes, insulation, and even cabinets already installed. The modules ride on trucks to your lot, and a crane sets them on a permanent foundation in no time. Modular home builders then seal seams, add the roof cap, and hook up utilities. Considering this, modular construction delivers different advantages:

Speed: Factory work and foundation work happen at the same time. Move-in can be as quick as four months.
Savings: Bulk buying cuts waste and lowers prices.
Consistent quality: Indoor construction avoids rain-soaked lumber.
Predictable cost: Fewer surprises once production begins.

Keep in mind that modules must stay under trailer limits, so very wide rooms or fancy roof angles may be restricted. And you may find restrictions depending on the size or location of your lot. Modular builders won’t be able to assemble your home if the roads are too narrow or there are buildings close to your property.

Comparing Modular Homes vs. Custom Builds

Aesthetics

To start our modular vs. custom home comparison, let’s talk about aesthetics.

Custom: Choose from any style you desire, from a farmhouse to a coastal cottage or a sleek modern property.
Modular: Looks have improved tremendously over the years, but complex shapes can be costly.

Design trends show a rising demand for flexible spaces, such as home offices that convert to guest rooms and pocket doors that free up floor area. Both custom and modular builders can include these features, though a custom architect can tailor them more precisely to your family’s habits.

Personalization

In the battle of custom home building vs. modular home construction, the former wins by a landslide.

Custom: Unlimited personalization, everything’s tailored to your lifestyle, preferences, and budget.
Modular: Limited customization options; interior finishes vary, but the structure stays close to the base plan.

As you can see, contrary to popular belief, modular homes can be personalized as long as it sticks to the floor plan and the design is doable through the fabrication process. However, the extremely customizable nature of stick-built homes is the reason they’re beloved among builders and homeowners alike.

Costs

Now let’s discuss, at least in general terms, the construction costs of both options:

Custom: Typically, ranges start at $150 per square foot, but special architectural features, expensive materials, and tight labor markets can push numbers higher.
Modular: Averages begin at $80 per square foot; savings stem from factory efficiency, yet remote sites, oversized cranes, or steep driveways can raise the final price.

So what drives such a price difference? Many factors, actually. Labor hours, design complexity, material quality, and site preparation all play a role. A flat, cleared lot with nearby utilities will keep either method on the lower end of the spectrum, while rocky soil, long rural access roads, or flood-zone requirements add expenses quickly. At the end of the day, it’s better to request an actual estimate for both to forecast how much you’ll spend.

Building Process

The debate about modular homes vs. custom-built homes must include the building process, as it differs massively between the two.

Custom: Builds in a long chain (foundation, framing, mechanicals) out in the weather.
Modular: Foundation and factory work happen together; on delivery day, the house is 80 percent done.

For custom projects, your city inspector visits after each major step, such as footings, framing, electrical rough-in, and insulation. Rainy weeks can push those dates. Modular houses, on the other hand, get most inspections in the factory. And while they avoid rain delays, they still rely on trucking and crane schedules, which can add two weeks to the timeline.

Resale Values

Generally, resale values aren’t that contrasting, but these are findings worth noting:

Custom: Often top of the market.
Modular: Modern units hold value within 5–10 percent of site-built homes.

When it’s time to sell, a custom home’s unique touches (like a tall brick fireplace) can spark emotional offers. Modular owners should keep maintenance records to show quality, instead. Real estate agents have mentioned that new constructions sell about 15 percent faster than older homes.

Building Codes

Local building codes are the only factors that remain relatively the same when it comes to modular homes vs. site-built homes.

Custom: Must meet local International Residential Code rules, plus flood or wind add-ons.
Modular: Same building codes, checked in the factory and on-site.

They are both safe options, as they must meet the local and nationwide standards and codes. The only difference, if any, is the phase when the inspection happens. And if you’re looking for environmentally friendly processes and results, modular and custom properties alike can follow sustainability codes.

Mejia Construction General’s Verdict

Okay, then, custom house building vs. modular home construction—which one do our contractors at Mejia Construction General, LLC choose? After building residential properties for over a decade across Louisiana, we fully believe a custom home offers the best blend of beauty, strength, and long-term value.

Design freedom: Shape every inch around your lifestyle.
Site strength: Foundations, bracing, and roof ties match local storms.
Energy savings: Tight insulation and high-SEER systems cut power bills.
Equity boost: One-off houses often sell faster and for more money.

Customize Your Property with Our Home Builders!

Site-built properties win the “custom home building vs. modular home building” battle. There is truly no feeling that can surpass the satisfaction of watching a house that truly resonates with you come to life. Here at Mejia Construction General, LLC, we make it happen.

Our team handles the entire new home construction process, tailoring every step, every square inch, and every conversation to your needs, your style, and your preferences. From vibrant West Monroe to quiet farm roads outside Ruston, we bring exceptional craftsmanship to any city in Ouachita Parish. Let’s discuss your vision over a phone call and begin creating the picture-perfect home you deserve. Reach out to us today to receive a free estimate!

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Custom Home Building vs. Modular Home Building: What Is Best for You?