Urban Infill a New Target for Modular Homebuilders

Urban infill housing is becoming a major part of business for large homebuilders, even those building modular homes.

1 minute read

August 31, 2011, 12:00 PM PDT

By Nate Berg


Builders are focusing on infill as a new area for modular homes, which have been coming down in size in recent years.

"In fact, over the past seven years, modular has risen above 3% of the total only once, at 3.6% in 2009 (see chart below). In markets where tract building dominates or where labor is cheap, modular "doesn't make sense for a lot of builders," observes Dan Goodin, vice president of sales and marketing for Nationwide Homes, which has been producing modular homes in Martinsville, Va., for 52 years.

Still, Goodin remains convinced that housing trends and buyer demand are shifting toward a greater acceptance of modular, particularly for rural scattered lots (where it would otherwise be expensive to send subcontractors over long stretches to complete a stick-built house) and urban infill, where the speed at which factory-built homes can be assembled at jobsites is less disruptive to the surrounding neighborhood."

Wednesday, August 31, 2011 in Builder

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of Shirley Chisholm Village four-story housing development with person biking in front.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning

SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

June 8, 2025 - Fast Company

Yellow single-seat Japanese electric vehicle drivign down road.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs

The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

June 6, 2025 - PC Magazine

White Waymo autonomous car driving fast down city street with blurred background at night.

Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars

Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.

June 16 - Smart Cities Dive

Two small wooden one-story homes in Florida with floodwaters at their doors.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?

With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

June 16 - Governing

People riding bicycles on separated bike trail.

With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike

For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.

June 16 - UNM News