Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Built-to-Ship Home?
A Built-to-Ship
(BTS) Home, in the end, is very similar to a custom built home constructed from the ground up on your property – what
most people think of as traditional stick-built construction. The difference is BTS home components are pre-constructed
in our facility, then trucked to and constructed on your property.
Because a large portion of your home has already
been built when it arrives at your lot, construction time is extremely fast and cost efficient.
Island Sensibility
– our classic Built-to-Ship homes are designed specifically for the region with both the past and our future in mind.
Are these modular houses?
No. Modular homes are built in a factory in large
pieces (modules) about the size of a mobile home, then trucked to the site and fastened together. The modules tend to be mass-produced.
We simply pre-build components of your home - walls, for example - then construct the entire house on site. The finished
product is the same as ground up (stick built) construction - no compromise in look or feel, no compromise in quality.
Rest assured, when you buy a home from us, you
get a top quality, custom home that will stand the test of time. You also get the reputation of a well established,
award-winning builder. With us, what you see is what you get - we stake our reputation on it.
Does
every Built-to-Ship Home look exactly alike?
No. Your Built-to-Ship is a custom home made specifically
for you. You will choose colors, roof style, doors, windows, floors, fixtures, bathrooms and kitchen. Not good
enough? Then customize anything you like - floor plans, decks, siding - anything ... it's your house.
How does the quality of a Built-to-Ship Home compare with traditional construction?
Quality is not compromised whatsoever in your BTS home. In fact, because much of the construction is done in our
facility with continual oversight, quality control is much tighter than in most traditional construction.
How does the cost of a Built-to-Ship Home compare with
traditional construction?
Overall cost per square foot of a Built-to-Ship home is typically equal to, or less
expensive than, a house built on-site from the ground up. Once you factor in the time efficiency in purchasing a BTS,
and consider that you may move in to your home up to a year sooner than a ground-up house, you may find the benefits of a
Built-to-Ship far outweigh traditional construction.
How can a Built-to-Ship Home be as good as traditional construction and be faster and less expensive to build?
The answer is in the efficiency of the pre-construction process. By constructing standard walls and other components
of your home in one location in assembly-line fashion, we save time and money and pass that savings on to you. Quality
is not compromised – in fact, in many cases it is enhanced as we have continual oversight and quality management at
the factory.
Can I make
custom design changes to my home?
Yes. You will customize your BTS: pick the color of your house –
inside and out, roof style/color, windows, doors, interior floors, kitchen cabinets, countertops and appliances.
You may choose to further customize your home by moving or removing interior walls
to make rooms larger or smaller at your discretion.
Are
Built-to-Ship Homes as sturdy as a house built from the ground up?
Yes. Built-to-Ships are bolted
to the foundation and built to the same standards and codes as a custom home. Category 5 construction is available for
those who want additional peace of mind.
If
I buy a Built-to-Ship, what do I do about the other aspects of building my home – foundation, plumbing, electrical,
etc. – am I on my own?
No, you are not on your own. When you purchase a Built-to-Ship we become
your General Contractor. We coordinate and take responsibility for all aspects of building your house.
Can these houses be raised to meet minimum flood plain height requirements?
Yes.
