Stick-Built Homes Construction Process, Sacramento

What’s your concept of a dream home? For some, it might be an affordable and cost-effective house, while for others, it’s a custom home where you can plan everything through and through, down to the smallest detail. If you’re leaning more toward the traditional construction methods that leave more room for customization and creative aspirations, stick-built construction may be for you.

Stay with us as we explore what stick-built construction is and how a stick-built home differs from a modular home to the T!

Stick-Built Homes vs. Modular Homes

Stick-built homes use a wooden-framed structure created from lumber with nails on the site. Stick building allows one to create a house from the ground up, with meticulous attention to each detail. On the other hand, modular construction envisages off-site building. After having manufactured homes fully or in large parts at a factory, ADU builders transport them to your site for quick assembly.

Stick Built Home Pros and Cons

Stick-built homes suit those homeowners who seek vast customization opportunities and don’t mind paying more for elaborate features.

Their advantages encompass the following:

• High level of personalization. You can choose everything from layout to amenities, from room location to interior design. They usually boast enhanced aesthetic appeal and give freedom to your imagination.
• Architectural freedom. Stick-built home construction boasts almost limitless architectural design possibilities. If you’re looking for one-of-a-kind elements and features, stick-built home builders may implement them into your project.
• Opportunity to make adjustments. If, during the construction, some issue arises, your home builders can adapt your stick-built home design or layout to this circumstance, which is more problematic with modular homes.
• Seamless blend with existing structures. As you build unique constructions, you can make them complement the neighborhood aesthetics or your own home existing on the lot.

As for the cons, stick-built homes are susceptible to weather delays since their construction takes place at the site. Also, a plethora of customizable features can lead to cost overruns. Thus, every homeowner should balance their budgetary and time considerations with the desirable design and not go beyond the preconceived framework. At A+, our skilled specialists are going to help you with proper budgeting and discuss the schedule and deadlines!

Pros and Cons of Modular Homes

Unlike site-built homes, a modular home is a factory-built home later transported to your land by home builders. They usually have pre-designed floor plans and consist either of sections (three-dimensional modules) or smaller parts (e.g., stud walls) that were transported on a permanent foundation to your plot and were assembled at the right place.

The advantage range of these houses is pretty wide as well:

• Accelerated construction time. Since manufacturers carry out most of the work at the factory, the builders can skip many steps of construction at once. Moreover, there is no room for weather delays, which further speeds up the whole process.
• Control of the environment. If you build outside of the property, it’s easy to make sure the unit does not undergo water damage due to unpredictable weather. In addition, it’s more convenient to observe the consistency of unit quality, making sure each next home is no less durable and consistent than the last.
• Increased streamlining and resource efficiency lead to lower costs. If you have a limited budget, manufactured homes may suit you more as they are more affordable. Modular construction often results in less material waste, greater precision in the usage of materials and labor, and a more regulated manufacturing process, potentially reducing overall cost.

Unlike traditional stick-built homes, modular homes may have limitations in terms of detail adjustments, require transportation costs and route planning, and sometimes may encounter additional permitting hurdles. However, good builders can help to resolve all of these problems, so it’s only up to you which construction method to select!

Stick-Built Homes: Traditional Method of Building

In order to create a complete stick-built home, builders use individual pieces of lumber and assemble them together into house framing (walls, floors) and roof trusses. Typically, we call cut and assembled pieces “sticks.” That’s what the traditional home-building method name derives from. In stick-built construction, builders make each part of the structure on site using different materials, from wood to concrete or steel.

Stick-Built Home Creation Process

One of the most common questions is what the construction process consists of. It’s important to understand at least an approximate sequence of works that take place during stick-built construction in order to have clearer expectations of the project.

Generally, builders create custom homes in the following way:

1. Preparing the site. We need to clean up all the debris and objects that interfere with future work, as well as level the ground if necessary.
2. Making a foundation. When the ground is even, we excavate a trench for the foundation, install footings and insulated concrete forms, prepare the concrete, and pour it into the form.
3. Framing. We set the sill plate pieces atop the anchor bolts embedded in the foundation. Then, we assemble walls on the ground, raise them up, and attach them to each other as well as to the foundation with nails and other tools. Next come beams and headers, subflooring, and trusses for the roof, creating a solid frame for the future house.
4. Siding and roofing. When the frame is ready, we attach the roofing materials and exterior siding to the base.
5. Plumbing and electricity connections. Here, we create working HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems, connecting your new home to utilities.
6. Interior works. We install insulation and apply interior finishes such as painting, drywalling, flooring, cabinetry, appliances, and fixtures to arrange a habitable space for homeowners or tenants.
7. Overseeing the work done. At this stage, a final inspection will take place to make sure all components of the ADU adhere to building codes and local regulations.

High Degree of Customizability

With stick-built homes, there is more space for creativity. This way, you can select custom room configurations, multiple-story layouts, and integrated outdoor spaces like covered patios, outdoor kitchens, or courtyards. Many homeowners opt for a more versatile modern and contemporary style, but a home constructed by the stick-built method may allow for recreation of historical or period architectural styles like adding whimsy towers or creating vaulted ceilings. Also, custom homes may include cantilever elements where a part of the structure goes beyond the supporting walls.

In addition to state-of-the-art architectural solutions, stick-built homes allow for clever storage solutions, such as large picture windows or stained glass windows, French doors or folding doors, etc. We can equip your ADU with energy-efficient features or create the exterior from a mix of textures, adding visual interest and richness to the construction.

Spacious basement or a subfloor, ornate moldings or decorative trims, asymmetrical home design, extra storage in the loft, and many more — stick-built homes enable all your dreams to come true.

Stick-Built Homes and How to Balance the Price

Typically, stick-built homes offer vast customization options and, therefore, add more value to your property. It makes them a good long-term investment if you’re going to sell your property sometime in the future.

They usually come with a higher initial cost and demand more time for construction than prefab homes. However, their long-term benefits, such as longevity and versatility in the use and arrangement of living spaces, compensate for this. For example, they can reduce long-term operational costs by integrating the latest technologies, like smart home technologies or eco-friendly features. If your needs are unique, for instance, if you have a relative who needs elderly-friendly designs or designs for children’s safety, custom homes offer more opportunities to take them into account during construction.

Yet, there are several considerations it’s vital to keep in mind. First, discuss your budget and extent of customization with your builder to decide whether it’s worth it or not. Also, keep in mind your long-term vision of the house, ensuring the costly building will eventually pay off. Moreover, consider regulations and requirements in your local area to ensure your custom home aligns with them.

A+ Custom Home Builder

If you want to express yourself through your living area, traditional stick-built homes are exactly what you need. At A+ Construction & Remodeling, we build houses that are the best fit for your land. If your land has specific site topography, some area constrictions, environmental issues (like your land is prone to flooding), or your site is just long and narrow instead of being even, we will construct a building in stick-built technique and with respect to location specificities.

Stick-built homes by A+ may go beyond standard homes and explore such possibilities as:

• Custom-shaped layouts like irregular floor plans (I-shaped, L-shaped, and so on);
• Intricate architecture (curvilinear shapes, folded geometries, non-rectilinear forms);
• Elaborate detailing of the style (decorative woodwork or energy-saving windows);
• Upgraded energy efficiency (energy efficient layouts, features, and appliances);
• New durable materials that combine high quality, harmlessness to health and the environment, as well as long service life.

If you’re thinking of building a stick-built home on your property, entrust the transformation of your space to experienced housebuilders from A+!

Frequently Asked Questions — FAQ

What is better: a traditional home or a manufactured home?

Prefab homes and stick-built homes are both good options, but the choice depends on your preferences and goals. If you need a cheaper home very quickly, you may opt for a prefab house. If you’re thinking of incorporating many features to improve your life convenience or desire to create a house that fully reflects your identity, a custom home may be a more suitable choice.

How much do stick-built homes cost compared to manufactured homes?

The average price per square foot for a stick-built house is around $100 to $200. On the other hand, the average price for a prefab house is around $50-100. Of course, it also depends on your city prices, but building a custom home maybe 1,5-2 times costlier than building a prefab one if you choose many customization features.

Is building a custom home always worth it?

To determine if you really need a custom home or might as well go with a prefab one, reach out to the A+ team. We’ll gladly consult you on the topic, helping you get acquainted with all options and making the most informed decision.

Is a stick-built home more durable than a pre-manufactured home?

Pre-manufactured homes can also be of good quality because they undergo thorough quality checks. Yet, when building stick-built homes, you choose the materials on a case-by-case basis, which gives you an opportunity to select the most durable and proven ones.