The terms "prefab," "modular," and "manufactured home" are often used interchangeably, but they describe different things with different regulatory implications, quality levels, and use cases. If you are planning a build in Victoria, BC, understanding the difference matters.
Quick Reference: The Three Types
| Type | What It Is | Built To | Can It Be Custom? | Common In Victoria? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prefab (panelized) | Factory-built wall panels assembled on site | BC Building Code | Yes - fully custom | Yes - increasingly common |
| Modular | Factory-built volumetric modules transported to site | BC Building Code | Yes - within module limits | Limited - growing |
| Manufactured (mobile home) | Factory-built on a permanent steel chassis | CSA A277 standard | Limited | Yes - in mobile home parks |
Prefab (Panelized) Construction
When OG Prefab talks about prefab construction, we mean panelized framing - wall panels built in a factory and assembled on your foundation on site. The home is fully custom: your architect designs it, your engineer stamps it, and we build it using prefab panels instead of stick framing. It meets BC Building Code like any site-built home. This is the most common use of "prefab" in high-quality residential construction in Victoria.
Modular Construction
Modular construction takes factory building further - entire three-dimensional boxes (modules) are built, finished, and transported to site where they are craned onto a foundation and connected. Modular homes in BC are built to the BC Building Code (not the CSA standard used for manufactured homes), so they are treated the same as site-built homes for financing and insurance purposes. Modular is growing in Victoria for garden suites and multi-family, but is less common than panelized prefab for custom single-family.
Manufactured Homes
Manufactured homes (commonly called mobile homes or trailers) are built to the CSA A277 standard on a permanent steel chassis in a factory. They are not the same as site-built or modular homes under BC building regulations. Most strata lenders and some conventional mortgage lenders treat them differently. In Victoria, manufactured homes are primarily found in mobile home parks and are not used for new custom residential builds on private lots.
What Does This Mean for Your Victoria BC Project?
- ✓If you want a custom home on a Victoria lot: panelized prefab or modular are both valid - your contractor and designer can advise which suits your design.
- ✓If you are building a garden suite: panelized prefab is common and proven; some modular garden suite products are also available.
- ✓If you are in a mobile home park: the CSA A277 manufactured home standard applies - standard building code does not.
- ✓For financing and insurance: site-built, panelized prefab, and BC Building Code modular homes are all treated identically by lenders.
Questions about which construction method suits your Victoria BC project? We are happy to explain the options.
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