Modular Homes – A History

Modular homes have been around for over 100 years. What we know of today as a modular home, has greatly evolved from their first introduction back at the beginning of the twentieth century. From do-it-yourself delivery and construction to tiny houses, the history of modular homes is as unique as the customization options you can get today.

The first mention of prefabricated homes dates back to the 1600s when plans were sent from England to the newly settled colonies of North America. However, it wasn’t until 1908 when Sears, Roebuck and Co. first began selling “home-kits” (Click here to learn more). Like the equally innovative automobile industry, these home kits benefited from the newly instituted assembly-line production (the basis of which is still applied to modern day modular building manufacturing). Parts, including everything from lumber to nails, for each home were assembled in a factory and shipped to the purchaser. Instructions were also sent which allowed the homeowner to construct the home themselves instead of having to hire costly skilled laborers.

Hundreds of thousands of these kits were sold and installed throughout the early twentieth century, until the influx of returned World War II veterans gave way to the rise of mobile homes and modular housing as we know them today. This influx also paved the way for the regulation of manufactured homes for safety reasons and created the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development building code which set the standards for prefabricated housing manufacturers.

Today, companies like Teton Living strive to continue the tradition of reliable, custom-built homes for private owners as well as large development firms. The cost-effective production model and waste reducing practices ensure that we will provide you with not only an Earth friendly and affordable housing option, but one that is built to the highest standards of modular construction.