House question

[MountaineerTom]

What does the term "pre-slab" mean, when talking about a house. A realtor told my wife that a certain house we were interested in was a "pre-slab". Does it have something to do with the foundation?

[sdtahoe]

Are you sure it wasn't "pre-fab". Ther is a place back home where they build houses and then move them to the site. bothe iste built and pre fab have their plusses and minuses.

[Black02Silverado]

Not sure, could it have ment a concrete slab, no crawl space, just flat on the ground. My parents house in Florida was built on a concrete slab. Hard to do much else with the water table so high down there.

 

My sister had a choice of slab or crawl space. Believe it or not the crawl space was a good bit more expensive. I miss the days of a basement. Had one back home in Pa. So nice in the hot summer to go down there and cool off.

 

Let us know what you find out.

[MountaineerTom]

Thanks for the replies. She thought they said pre-slab.

 

What would the disadvantages of pre-fab be? I've heard of those. Are pre-fabs generally as sturdy as an on site build house? I just don't want to get something that the walls feel like a trailer. We're going to try and get an appointment sometime this week to look at it, so I'll know more then. I may post a pic in a little while.

[Truckman031]

I never heard the term "pre-slab."  Pre-fab houses have come and gone a number of times since the '60s if not earlier.  Unlike stick-built homes, the stud walls were assembled at a factory and delivered to the work site and hoisted into place with a crane.  However, I've also heard the term pre-fab used when referring to modern manufactured homes.

Like Greg said, pre-fab homes are built in a factory and brought to the site and assembled. I have also heard them called modular homes.

 

BTW, in case you didn't know, the slab is the concrete on which a house without a basement sits on.

[MountaineerTom]

Here's what we're looking at. I'll find out more info on it when we get our appointment to look at it. My wife did say the realtor said it was built in the early 80's. 3 bedroom, 3 bath, gas log fireplace, 2 car garage, fenced backyard which runs all the way back to those pines, plus the workshop.

 

Gotta like the workshop in back. Already wired for cable and phone. Perfect place to park my trailer, store my ATV's, and store all my tools.

 

[99silveradoz71]

Looks good, I wish I had the lot space for an additional garage or out building

[Greg]

I never heard the term "pre-slab." Pre-fab houses have come and gone a number of times since the '60s if not earlier. Unlike stick-built homes, the stud walls were assembled at a factory and delivered to the work site and hoisted into place with a crane. However, I've also heard the term pre-fab used when referring to modern manufactured homes.

[Wingnut]

Looks good, I wish I had the lot space for an additional garage or out building

I agree....Looks great!

 

I have the lot space, just not the $$ to build a decent shop...I am out of tool space right now. Especially when you park the ATV's in the garage....I might have to start parking in the driveway

 

That is a great looking house man! Good luck!

[Worktruck]

Pre-fab housing, at least here in the north east is what most people call modular. The advantages are that the home is built in a factory under ideal conditions and delivered to the site. Much more control over materials and workmanship, and the house is "erected" quickly when delivered.

Disadvantages are the trip to the site can be hard on the frame. Also some contractors that set the homes tend to cut corners. Have had several friends buy modular and get burned when the home was set. Have also seen homes tumble off the trailors when being set.

All in all the modulars can be as good as stick built if you deal with a reputable company.

[Shaners]

That house is not a modular by the way it looks...

 

I'd ask the realtor to define what they meant by "pre-slab". I have never heard that term before, but things are different down South!!!

 

BTW that is a great looking house and set-up!!! Good Luck!!!

[Black02Silverado]

Oh to have all that room. It would give me a place for all my "Stuff" As George Carlin puts it.

 

You never can have to much "Stuff"

 

Looks great!!!

[Z71GUY]

I would guess she is referring to the "slab" due to it not having a basement...if thats the case. Most homes down south or near the coast dont have basements, they use a slab. It is also used everywhere else were a basement is not needed...this cuts alot of cost while building.

[Truckman031]

I would guess she is referring to the "slab" due to it not having a basement...if thats the case.  Most homes down south or near the coast dont have basements, they use a slab.  It is also used everywhere else were a basement is not needed...this cuts alot of cost while building.

I live in Georgia and alot of homes have basements.

 

BTW, nice house Tom .

 

Shaners, things aren't different down South, they're different up North j/k.

[MountaineerTom]

Shaners, things aren't different down South, they're different up North j/k.

 

We're going to look at it this evening.