A lot of site builders, developers, Realtors, Veterans and others are looking for ways to get into the modular housing industry but until now they’ve never had a roadmap. Now they do.
Ken Semler, president and CEO of Impresa Modular, answers questions about how he’s taking franchise owners to the forefront of the innovative modular home-building industry.
Mariotti Building Products
Viking Carrier
PFS Corporation
Q: What are modular homes?
A: Modular refers to a construction process, not a type of home. Think of modular construction like the hybrid car of the home-building industry! This construction process starts in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, so the homes can be produced more efficiently than those built onsite. A home is assembled in a quality-controlled, weather-tight environment. The home arrives to the building site up to 85% complete when we deliver it. One big bonus of modular construction is that we can deliver a new, move-in ready home in up to 50% less time than traditional site-built construction.
Q: Why are modular homes so popular right now?
A: Our homes are popular because they save money – and just make sense. They are superior to stick-built homes and cannot be distinguished from their traditionally built counterparts once assembled. Modern modular homes can take on the appearance of a traditional home or can assume the look and style of today’s most contemporary structure. There is practically nothing you cannot do with a modular home!
Q: What sets Impresa Modular apart from competitors in the building sector?
A: First and foremost, our experience is what sets Impresa Modular apart. We are the only nationwide modular builder in the U.S., and hold licenses, registration or certifications in over 40 states. While most builders only rely on the experience they have gained from building in a local area, that’s not Impresa Modular. Our national presence means that we have experience in every region of the country, and have met the very different challenges unique to each region. We have built virtually every type of residential project in all types of environments, from infill homes, rural lot homes and homes on pilings, to homes on mountain tops, high-end custom and vacation homes.
Q: Is prior experience in the construction business required of an Impresa Modular franchise owner?
A: Not at all! With modular, off-site construction processes, a candidate with excellent project management skills and great people skills can be very successful as an Impresa Modular franchise owner. We have identified several personas that we feel are a great fit for becoming an Impresa Modular franchise owner. They span a wide range of entrepreneurial types, from home remodeling and real estate professionals to veterans, designers and subcontractors. It is also interesting to note that one of the fastest-growing segments in construction is women entering the industry.
Q: What personal qualities and characteristics make a great Impresa Modular franchise owner?
A: We seek individuals with a proven track record, not necessarily in home construction or building, but in several core areas. These include strong management experience or a sales background. We value candidates with an entrepreneurial drive, exceptional time-management skills and the ability to multitask. An ideal candidate should be a team leader who is optimistic, ready to learn and have a passion to succeed!
Q: What training and support do you provide to new franchisees?
A: Impresa Modular offers new modular home builders training and support that’s not offered anywhere. Our training and support help flatten the learning curve to help ensure success. Others who try modular construction are faced with many questions from their customers, but soon realize they have no access to resources who understand modular construction or who can support them as they service and support their customers. They won’t find Modular Construction 101 classes. That’s where we come in!
Q: Why is now a great time to invest in an Impresa Modular franchise?
A: Anyone who’s been on a construction site knows that traditional construction methods are inefficient, time-consuming and costly. Impresa Modular franchising offers the opportunity to be on the forefront of this cutting-edge wave in the construction industry. We are delivering better-built homes to happy homeowners while providing a great living space for their families. We offer a one-of-a-kind, clear path into new home construction!
For more information regarding franchising opportunities with Impresa Modular, visit impresamodularfranchising or call 1-866-622-2906.
One Response
Let me say first that Franchising the modular building process is a step in the right direction given no in dept education exist in the product, processes, setup, servicing and marketing of Modular Homes. This is quite different to other industries where a burger is burger therefor you are purchasing a BRAND in acquiring a Franchise in the Food Industry as well as others industries.
With that said Ken is on the right track in my humble opinion in offering this type of service especially to those not familiar to building like realtors for example and to those who are only familiar with site built homes. I know my wake up call was in visiting as many factories that would allow me in to view and understand the process. What a wealth of knowledge all of those folks working in factories are as they are a great ambassador for the industry as a whole, cant say enough great things about the men and women who work on the line and elsewhere in Modular Home Factories.
I do think a different educational format is required for those wanting to enter the industry as it relates to obtaining a Contractors License. I am working on this right now myself and have completed 3/4 of the testing yet stating it's open book is misleading at best and attending a 1 day class to pass these test is misleading as well or maybe I am just plain outright DUMB. Bottom line I think a lot of folks, me included, could use an educational format that was easier to acquire, not a give me yet was not created so the average person is intimidated and wont try.
However, in a recent article that Gary wrote regarding the Modular Home Industry as a whole he indicated that factories are 6 months behind +/- in orders. Now this is to be understood given material supply and delivery issues, staffing issues, OSHA regulations and so on related to COVID 19. Given one of the main benefits that the Modular Industry has always communicated is TIME of Delivery being shorter for Modular than Site therefor benefiting both customer and builder alike.
So, Ken and Gary how do you think that will impact New Builders and Consumers interested in purchasing a Modular Home? Existing builders I would assume with Manufacturer relationships already in place would have an edge over New Builders regardless of the franchise relationship.
Thanks guys for your willingness to share Industry News and insights to those of us on the outside looking in. Much success to you both.