FAQs

1. What Is A Systems-Built Home?

1. System Built Homes (sometime called Industrialized Homes or Modular Homes) refer to a building method, not to a type of home. System Built homes are “stick-built” homes that are built offsite indoor rather than at the building site outdoor.
2. System Built homes can be modified to fit your needs. Existing floor plans can be modified or new floor plans can be created to fit your needs.
3. Systems-Built homes are computer engineered to meet all national, state & local building standards.
4. Systems-Built homes typically use 20% to 30% more material in the framing to insure a safe and secure trip to its destination. Built with 30% more materials, that is 30% more screws, nuts, bolts, supports etc... than traditional site built homes, system built homes are stronger and can withstand hurricane force winds as demonstrated while driving 55-65 MPH down the interstate for a lengthy amount of time!
5. System Built homes are screwed and glued (or nailed and glued) to ensure solid assembly.
6. System Built homes are built with a superior floor layout and strength, since the floor carries the weight of the home as it travels to a site.
7. System Built homes provide for volume purchasing discounts from ordering material for numerous homes per month.
8. System Built homes employ the latest manufacturing and construction technologies to ensure the highest precision production. With a system-built home, jigs are used to make sure the walls are straight and square. All studs are mechanically cut to length before installation.
9. System Built homes are built be full time craftsmen who are constantly supervised by quality control experts at each stage of the construction process.
10. Since all the labor needed to build the System Built home is employed at the factory, there are no construction delays caused by late or slow subcontractors.
11. Systems Built homes are built indoors where there are no construction delays caused by bad weather conditions and where materials can be kept safe and dry. Conventional outdoor construction can come to a halt because of rain or other adverse conditions. Supplies left outside can get water damaged due to rain and can start to warp caused by humidity resulting in inferior lumber.
12. System Built homes use building materials that are stored indoors and are not subject to bad weather for lengthy periods of time.
13. Indoor storage of materials eliminates theft and vandalism that outdoor construction sites can face.
14. A direct result of eliminating construction delays (subcontractors, weather, theft), System Built construction results in lower interest payments for the construction period.
15. System Built homes are shipped to different areas with different zoning codes which means Systems-Built homes must meet the highest standard in every zone.
16. Since all of the delays in the construction process have been eliminated, System Built homes can be completed in less time, usually 12 weeks or less.
17. System Built homes give you the most home for the money. First compare standard features, then compare price. With System Built homes, you get the most value.
18. We deliver the house finished on time, we erect and assemble the house at the site, we make all mechanical reconnections. And if you want, we will even erect the garage, hand the siding, hand the shingles, and install the HVAC so you can eliminate a few more subcontractors. We finish the house within days of delivery.

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2. WHERE DOES PHOENIX BUILDING SOLUTIONS DELIVER ITS HOMES?

Generally, we delivery anywhere within a 400 mile radius of our factory in Brookville, Ohio. This includes all of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Kentucky, and to most areas in Illinois, West Virginia, and Tennessee.

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3. ARE THERE ANY DESIGN RESTRICTIONS?

Product selections and design restrictions result from what is economically feasible or what we are allowed to transport over the roads to your location. Shipping restrictions vary by State. Also, county and local roads and site access must be considered. Usually, we are able to ship components as wide as 15’9” and as long as 60 feet. All of our floor plans conform to these size limitations. However, some rooms may have "bump-outs" to enhance the basic floor plan. You are always better off modifying one of our workable designs rather than requesting substantial re-design or a completely new engineering plan for a "non conforming" plan.

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4. HOW TO I CUSTOMIZE, MODIFY OR ADD OPTIONS TO MY PLAN?

Once you have selected a plan close to what you anticipate building and have reviewed the price response given to you and have found a plan within your budget, you may consider customization and/or modification to the published plans and standard specifications. All modifications to published plans and standard specifications should be handled personally with your Phoenix Building Solutions sales representative. Our pricing is designed to give the customer an estimate to make wise plan choices. Final price estimates will be provided to you once you have decided on your plan of choice and applicable modifications and options. A confirmed price will be provided to you once your personal plans have been ordered, processed and signed off by you. Custom plans that you may provide or request will be priced separately from our standard plans. We will provide a price estimate but strongly suggest that you request personal plans to be prepared for a more accurate cost review and price confirmation.

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5. WHAT IF I WANT A VERY CUSTOMIZED PLAN?

If your plan is "Modular home Friendly" we will convert your plan to a modular home as part of our normal engineering service. You will be required to make a drawing deposit before we provide this service. The drawing deposit is refundable after your house is paid in full. If you desire a more unique plan to be prepared for you, we can develop a modular home plan that meets your needs. However, there is a charge for this service:

1. Option A: You may pick up to three (3) of our floor plans that come close to your desired idea but need modification. We will provide pricing for these at no cost to you. These three should be sufficient for you to develop a commitment. Redesign and customization will be provided after you have submitted a drawing deposit of $1,000 which will be credited at the time of order. Custom pricing or pricing for more than 3 plans will require additional fees (see Option B).
2. Option B: A new home design with elevation and floor plan requires the dedicated time of our design and engineering staff. If you want us to design and engineer a new home, complete with elevation and floor plan. You will be required to submit a $5,000 deposit for these services, of which $1,000 which will be credited at the time of order. We can price your new home plan and develop the final engineering detail and approved plans for permits, at no additional cost to you.

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6. WHAT ARE THE STANDARD FEATURES OF A PHOENIX BUILDING SOLUTIONS HOME?

The Standard Features of a Phoenix Building Solutions home are the basis for initial costing. Both plans and specifications may be modified to finalize and customize your home.

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7. HOW DO I ORDER A SET OF DRAWINGS (FLOOR PLANS & ELEVATIONS)?

Please submit a DRAWING REQUEST to order your initial drawings.

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8. WHAT IS THE COST OF THE DRAWINGS AND TIME TO RECEIVE THEM?

DRAWING-ORDER-AND DELIVERY PROCEDURE explains the procedures, cost and time requirements to order and receive your drawings.

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9. WHAT IS THE TIME INVOLVED IN RECEIVING MY HOUSE AFTER AN ORDER IS PLACED?

DRAWING-ORDER-AND DELIVERY PROCEDURE explains the normal time required to receive the modular home product after the complete order, contract documents and deposits have been submitted..

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10. WHAT INFORMATION DO I HAVE TO PROVIDE TO GET DRAWINGS AND MAKE SPECIFIC SPECIFICATION AND COLOR CHOICES?

COLOR and OPTION SELECTIONS provides for various product and color selections available for your home. NOTE - The top information (Names, Address, Phone Numbers, Zip codes, Site Locations, etc.) and the "DESIGN CRITERIA" MUST be fully completed and provided with your request for drawings. Actual color selections can be made at a later time once the preliminary drawings have been received and signed off for final Approval and Construction sets.

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11. HOW IS MY HOUSE PAID FOR AT TIME OF DELIVERY?

STANDARD C.O.D. ASSIGNMENT OF FUNDS is the standard method of payment at time of delivery. It is suggested you and the bank review and sign this document at the earliest opportunity. We suggest that you consider using financing programs as underwritten by some of the nations largest lenders...

• Mortgage lenders must appreciate that a modular home is paid for completely at delivery.
• Mortgage lenders must have experience with assignment letters.
• Mortgage lenders must be able to make payments via wire transfer because funds are due on delivery.
• Clarify the above with your lender before you spend any fees! If they cannot comply with this Industry Wide standard requirement please do not continue with that lender and consider contacting your rep for financing ideas.
• Please note: Your final price will be contingent on the changes you make in the SPECIFICATIONS and the OPTIONS you select. These changes to the Published Plans should be discussed with your PHOENIX BUILDING SOLUTIONS Representative.

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12. WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW REGARDING MY SITE AND THE CONDITION OF THE SITE IN ORDER TO SET THE HOUSE?

CRITICAL REVIEW provides common sense insight regarding the preparation of your site to receive and set the modular home. You must also make sure that the streets to your site are adequate to move the units. This is especially critical if your site is a small site in a city. You may be required to retain a police escort for safety reasons. Small or city lots, are one of the most active areas for modular home construction. City sites especially offer great opportunities for new construction and "Modular home" is the most effective solution. There are some challenges. Most likely the site will not be adequate for the foundation and storage of the modular home "units" when they arrive. We may have to re-design the floor plan creating additional "smaller" units if the large units are difficult to manage on inner city roads. A "hold site" will most likely be required for temporary storage and the units must be moved from the hold site to the construction site on day of set. Hold sites can be another vacant lot, local parking lots, municipal lots etc. None of these issues are of major concern and in fact are very common. As long as the pre-arrangements are made for these known requirements, they can generally be dealt with. Other helpful considerations are spelled out in greater detail on the Delivery Receiving Set Checklist and elsewhere in this section. If you have any questions, your PHOENIX BUILDING SOLUTIONS representative will be available to assist you.

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13. WHAT IS PHOENIX BUILDING SOLUTIONS'S RESPONSIBILITY AND WHAT IS MINE

GENERAL INFORMATION AND BUYER'S RESPONSIBILITY answers questions regarding our responsibility and the buyer's responsibility, the normal requirements involved in the completion of your home and what you may expect regarding the condition of the product at delivery. To help you develop a budget to complete your project we have provided a PROJECT CHECKLIST for your use.

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14. HOW DO YOU KNOW HOW TO GET TO MY BUILDING SITE?

DELIVERY DIRECTIONS TO JOBSITE must be completed with simple and accurate directions from a major highway and name with phone number for the person who will be available to receive the delivery. We suggest that you do not use computer generated maps as they are not accurate enough for the purpose of delivering modular home units. The drivers cannot simply turn around in someone's driveway if they miss your site.

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15. WHAT IS THE STANDARD MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY?

We warranty everything for one year from date of delivery, all mechanicals for two years from the date of delivery, and the entire structure for ten years from the date of delivery. Please see the Phoenix Building Solutions Warranty. Also please refer to the Product Inspection and Claims Procedure Form. Because of the very stringent nature of producing the units in the factory, continuous quality checks by our own Quality Assurance department and in house inspections by State designated third party inspectors, who must approve the drawings and give a final inspection and seal before the units can be shipped, the opportunity for problems are very remote. ONE OF THE KEY BENEFITS OF A MODULAR HOME FROM PHOENIX BUILDING SOLUTIONS IS THE SUPERIOR QUALITY OF THE PRODUCT AND THE STRINGENT INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS PLACED ON OUR PRODUCTS BY THE STATES THAT ISSUE LICENSES TO ALLOW US TO SHIP INTO THE STATE. Corrections that may be necessary due to damage during transportation or set, that become apparent when the units are connected or back-ordered items will be apparent almost immediately. If there is a factory warranty issue, there is a simple procedure to handle these corrections – similar to any "punch list" situation you may have on any project.

• You may purchase an extended warranty, issued by an independent insurance company, at very little cost, (if it gives you greater piece of mind) but remember that such a warranty only covers "structural" situations which are very unlikely to occur after a house has been set. If any "structural" problems were to exist they would be noticed immediately during set and most likely to occur as the result of transportation or during the set. Items such as windows, siding, roofing, etc. carry the original manufacturers warranty that may be 25 years or longer, and these are passed on to you. Items not part of the modular home unit such as site additions, the foundation, porches, steps, added structures, heating systems etc. would not be covered by such a warranty as they did not originate in the suppliers factory. Most problems that you will encounter are (a) not related to the modular home units or (a) the modular home units have been affected by other issues such as an out of level foundation, settling of your foundation, poor on site completion work, etc. If this is the case, any damage to the modular home units would not be covered under an extended warranty.

Having presented all the above, many clients appreciate the warm and fuzzy feeling they get from an extended warranty. As such every home purchased from us shall have a 1/2/10 Transferable Limited Warranty. Your builder may participate and extend the warranty to the other work and products not furnished under this order.

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16. WHAT DO I DO IF THERE IS A SERVICE REQUIREMENT REGARDING MY HOUSE?

The PRODUCT INSPECTION & CLAIMS PROCEDURE outlines your responsibility to inspect the product upon delivery and the procedure to make a service claim.

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17. CAN I BUILD MY OWN HOME OR ACT AS MY OWN GENERAL CONTRACTOR?

Unlike an on-site "stick" built home, a modular home is not difficult to complete and if a person is familiar with scheduling and willing to be involved with coordinating or even doing some minor work himself, it is possible to save the normal fees charted for this type of work. Our "FREE" on-site information is designed to guide you and answer most of your questions. If you need any further assistance we are always available to help you. If you do not feel qualified to perform this work, we strongly suggest that you retain a licensed contractor to act on your behalf or contact us to locate a builder in your area. Some states require you to retain a licensed contractor to be in charge of the project.

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18. DO YOU RECOMMEND ANY CONTRACTORS?

We do not recommend any specific sub-contractors such as Site Contractors, Foundation Contractors, Carpenters, Exterior Finishing Contractors, Plumbers, Electricians, etc. Although we will assist you with crane operators, we simply cover too large a geographic area to make it possible to track the hundreds/thousands of local sub-contractors in order to maintain a meaningful and dependable list for publication. We plan to make available a "controlled" list of crane operators and finishing contractor that indicate an interest in appearing on our site. We are not responsible however, for the quality of their work or the fees they charge. We will make sure however that they are licensed, insured and have a good reputation. Otherwise, you can locate sub-contractors locally closer to the time you plan to build your home. It is of no benefit for you to contact early however, as many will indicate an interest but may not be available when you actually plan on building several months later. No extraordinary skills are required to finish a modular home from Phoenix Building Solutions and any contractor normally engaged in this type of work, should be able to complete the home. In fact, a home from Phoenix Building Solutions is far closer to completion than homes from most other modular home manufacturers and should actually take far less work to complete. Much of the work (site, foundation, heating, etc.) is no different than that required for an on site built house. By purchasing the modular home directly from Phoenix Building Solutions, you save time, money and aggravation.

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19. HOW SHOULD I GO ABOUT FINDING A LOCAL CONTRACTOR TO DO THE WORK?

The information that we provide gives enough detail for the buyer to decide how much (if any) of the work he wants to perform himself, how much he may want to sub-contract to others or if he finds it preferable to hire a general contractor to perform all the necessary work on his behalf. You might consider retaining someone licensed as a consultant but still sub-contract the work yourself saving you the normal general contractor fees.

You have made a wise choice in dealing directly with Phoenix Building Solutions regarding the modular home. You will save time, money and aggravation. The remaining work however should be done by local people. If you do not know someone personally or someone that has been recommended to you, check with your local builders association or the Better Business Bureau, both of which will have lists of licensed & qualified contractors. Additionally your local supply houses (lumber yards, Home Depot, Lowe's etc.) will be glad to share names of their best customers (contractors) with you.

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20. WHAT ABOUT MY FOUNDATION?

Actual foundation specifications and design are contingent on your specific site conditions/requirements and fall under your local jurisdiction. Check with your building inspector. The modular home may be designed for a full concrete poured or block foundation, on piers, on a crawlspace, on a pre-cast or wood foundation. The supplied drawings will provide a foundation "foot-print" detailing the necessary dimensions to assure a proper "set". You must have the foundation "sill plate" properly installed and the lally columns / top plates on site in anticipation of the "set". The set crew will cut and set the lally columns in place as part of their service. The top/sill plate must be installed according to local code requirements and we suggest a "double" plate. Factory installed siding is set for a double plate unless we are advised otherwise. Questions are often asked about the "spacing" of the lally columns as provided on our suggested foundation drawing. Our drawing is provided for the sole purpose of providing a foundation footprint that is dimensionally correct to fit your house (see the first comment in this section). Lally column spacing as shown on our drawings are "suggestive" only. Critical locations are at load bearing points, maximum spacing generally not to exceed six feet. Actual spacing is under the jurisdiction of the local building inspector.

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21. WHO "SETS" THE HOUSE ON THE FOUNDATION?

A) A crane lifts the modular units from the Phoenix Building Solutions carriers and places then on your foundation. The customer is responsible for the renting the crane and hiring the crane operator, usually as a package from a crane company. The crane company must be licensed and must carry the required insurance in order to perform this work. (This is a standard requirement in all States). The crane operator is responsible for the units during the lifting and setting process. The crane company is responsible for any damage cause by the crane or its operations to the modular home units, the site, the foundation, or Phoenix Building Solutions equipment.

• The customer should budget $250 per hour for the cost of a crane, including operator. Smaller homes may only take 4 hours to set. Larger homes may take 12 hours or more. Check with your PHOENIX BUILDING SOLUTIONS representative for a time estimate opinion.

B) Our highly experienced, in-house field service crew directs the crane operator and secures the modular home units to the foundation and to each other and makes all mechanical connections between each of the units. Phoenix Building Solutions is responsible for delivering, setting, and assembling your modular home.

• This service is included in the price of a Phoenix Building Solutions home. Since many other modular manufacturers do not provide this service (or do so at a substantial additional charge), we believe that this service alone provides the customer with a substantial savings – as little as $3,500 on smaller homes and as much as $35,000 on larger homes.

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22. HOW IS THE INITIAL PRICE FOR MY PHOENIX BUILDING SOLUTIONS HOME DETERMINED?

The price of your home is based on the following items:

1. Your floor plan and elevation;
2. The Standard Features offered by Phoenix Building Solutions. Please note that items shown on photos or renderings may not be included. The floor plan and standard specifications determine what is and what is not included.
3. Your site location. It is critical to the calculation of freight costs and sales tax;
4. Your upgrades to the Standard Features; and
5. The price of additional services you request from Phoenix.

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23. HOW LONG ARE PRICES FIRM?

Unlike a site (stick) built home where you purchase materials over an extended period of time and where you may find price increases each time you order more material, your modular home price from Phoenix Building Solutions will remain firm once you have entered into a Unit Sales Agreement and agreed to a delivery date. Generally, because we have bulk purchasing contracts our prices change much more slowly than prices available to stick builders.

In the past we have been able to hold firm estimates for as long as 180 days and prices were usually updated twice a year. Recently however, there is a trend by suppliers not to give quarterly or annual contracts on purchases of lumber and other items such as windows, cabinets, roofing, drywall etc. – virtually all have gone to a "surcharge" basis assuming they are willing to project costs at all. As such we have been forced to make adjustments in the way we hold our pricing firm. Phoenix Building Solutions establishes a Base Price for each of its models on January 1 and July 1 of each year which remains valid for a period of six months or until such time as price increases from our suppliers forces us to revise our pricing. Therefore, our base prices are subject to change at any time without notice prior to the receipt of an actual order. Prices given are "estimates" and not quotes and subject to adjustment and/or confirmation at the time the order is placed. Just like your bank is unable to protect your rate until you "lock in", we also are unable to protect your price until you "lock in" with an order.

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24. HOW DO I KNOW WHAT IT WILL COST ME TO FINISH MY HOUSE?

• The total cost will consist of...
• Land acquisition.
• Site preparation.
• Foundation
• Modular home units
• Subsequent finishing of the modular home units.
• Financing costs & related fees.
• All of the costs above can vary greatly depending on your location and your house plan. You may use our modular home trim-out estimate form as a guide as well as the task check list, CRITICAL REVIEW and GENERAL INFORMATION AND BUYER’S RESPONSIBILITY. It remains your responsibility to verify these costs locally.

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25. CAN I DO A MODULAR HOME GARAGE?

All Estate Series Homes, Classic Series 2-Story Homes, Classic Series Ranch Homes, and Neo-Traditional Homes from Phoenix Building Solutions come with a panelized garage packages that can by erected and assembled quickly and easily within a few hours by experienced carpenters. Some garages are an integral part of the house and therefore no extra on-site work is required. There is an extra charge for a panelized garage package with a Select Series Home from Phoenix Building Solutions.

• Panelized garages will arrive on a flat bed and must be erected and assembled on site by the customer. The roofing, wiring, insulation and drywall work is also the responsibility of the customer.
• The typical 2-car garage from Phoenix Building Solutions is 20 feet by 20 feet.
• The length and width can be increased to virtually any size.
• Some home models provide for a bonus room over the garage. If you have a garage with a bonus room or dormers, additional site work is required to complete the garage.
• Garage doors and finish trim is NOT part of any garage package.

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26. ON CAPE STYLE HOMES, IS THE UPSTAIRS FINISHED?

The typical cape code style home from Phoenix Building Solutions is two (although you can order larger models) modules. The roof is folded down during transportation and therefore the upper level is not finished in the factory. You can order a cape with dormers facing the front or the rear of the house that are set into place by our highly experienced, in-house field crew. Both will require additional on site finishing work. Provisions for plumbing and electric to the upper level are made in the factory. After the roof is raised into place, the upper level will look like an attic. The floor of the attic (or the ceiling of the first floor) is factory insulated and decking is provided knee-wall to knee-wall. The open area between knee-walls is usually about 16 feet.

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27. WHAT IF I WANT CENTRAL AIR OR HOT AIR HEAT - WHO WILL DO THIS?

Every Phoenix Building Solutions home includes a finished central HVAC system. We test the system in our factory. The system is completely connected by our highly experienced, in-house field service crew when Phoenix Building Solutions assembles the home on your site. You have the choice of gas heat or electric heat. You have the option:

A) Purchase an Energy Star Qualified HVAC unit from Phoenix Building Solutions and:

• Have Phoenix Building Solutions install it the HVAC unit (for an additional charge) after your home is assembled; or
• Have a third party to install the HVAC unit purchased from Phoenix Building Solutions after your home is assembled; or

B) Purchase any HVAC unit you desire from a third party and have them install it after your home is assembled.

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28. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CATHEDRAL CEILING AND A VAULTED CEILING?

• CATHEDRAL CEILING provides for a slight, about 12 inch rise in the ceiling center. Caution must be taken not to exceed the room span of about 14 feet or the center beam will protrude into the room and defeat the purpose of the ceiling. This type of ceiling is available on a 6/12 and 8/12 roof pitch only and is relatively inexpensive. The truss employed is a scissors truss and the interior ceiling is mostly factory finished.
• VAULTED CEILING follows the roof line and is available up to a 12/12 pitch roof. This type of ceiling is substantially more expensive because of the use of laminated beams. After raising the roof, collar ties will have to be installed and the temporary framing at the normal ceiling height, may be removed. As you look up at this ceiling, you will see only framing, similar to an attic. Any electric wiring, insulation and drywall work and exterior roofing will have to be completed on site. This provides a very attractive interior space but does require additional work.

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29. WHAT IS THE CEILING HEIGHT?

• For Estate Homes, Classic Series 2-Story Homes, Classic Series Ranch Homes, and Neo-Traditional Homes, the first floor ceiling height is 9 feet and the second floor ceiling height is 8 feet.
• For Select Series Homes the ceiling height is 8 feet;

Please note:

• Many models include a 2-story entry;
• Tray Ceilings are available for an additional charge;
• Cathedral Ceilings are available (in homes with a 6/12 and 8/12 roof pitch) for an additional charge and require the customer to do additional drywall work and painting in the field;
• Vaulted Ceilings are available (in homes with an 8/12 and 10/12 roof pitch) for an additional charge and require the customer to do additional drywall work and painting in the field;
• Two-story ceilings are available for an additional charge and require the customer to do additional drywall work and painting in the field.

However, with extra height additional steps to the second floor are required which may cause a revision to the stairs and take away space from living areas.

Please note that transportation height is limited to 13'6" from pavement to the top of the unit (includes carrier height). Any wall height above 8 feet on a roofed module (send floor of a 2-story home) would exceed the legal height limit and therefore either (i) not be "permitted" for transportation or (b) add to the cost of the unit because the roof would be built and shipped separately. Check with your PHOENIX BUILDING SOLUTIONS representative for advice.

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30. DO YOU INCLUDE OR SUPPLY PRODUCTS OR SERVICES SUCH AS HVAC, EXTERIOR ADD-ON, NON-VINYL SIDING, FINISH FLOORING, APPLIANCES ETC.

Yes, some of these products and services are included in our Standard Features while others are available with an additional charge. Each customer can decide how much they want Phoenix Building Solutions to include or exclude from their home. You may find that you can purchase some products or services not offered by Phoenix Building Solutions or for less than what it would cost from Phoenix Building Solutions. If you want to save a little extra money and do not mind extra time and effort buying these products and services from a third party, simply delete these items from your Unit Sales Agreement and the price from Phoenix Building Solutions will be adjusted accordingly. We want you to get the best quality at the lowest cost and our experience has shown that items we do not normally furnish are much easier to obtain at a lower net cost when purchased locally. Please see “GENERAL INFORMATION AND BUYER’S RESPONSIBILITY”.

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31. WHAT ABOUT INSURANCE COVERAGE?

A) THERE ARE THREE TYPES OF BASIC INSURANCE COVERAGE GENERALLY APPLICABLE TO A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT, THEY ARE:

1. PROPERTY (COVERS DAMAGE TO PROPERTY);
2. LIABILITY (COVERS INJURY ON THE JOB SITE);
3. WORKMAN'S COMP (REQUIRED TO COVER EMPLOYEES); OTHER TYPES OF COVERAGE MAY BE REQUIRED BY LAW OR BY YOUR BANK BUT WE WILL ADDRESS THE ABOVE ONLY. THERE ARE ALSO SEVERAL CATEGORIES RELATING TO ON SITE ACTIVITY AND EACH WOULD REQUIRE or PROVIDE DIFFERENT TYPES OF COVERAGE.

Phoenix Building Solutions sells a product and is not engaged in any on site activity nor has any on site responsibility. Phoenix Building Solutions is not a licensed contractor and may not engage in "on site" construction work. Any on-site work the customer asks Phoenix Building Solutions to perform on their behalf is outsourced to a third party sub-contractor. The role of Phoenix Building Solutions is the same in functions as any other product supplier (for example appliances, automobiles, furniture, lumber from the lumber yard). They all supply a product. You would not expect your lumber yard to deliver your lumber and then remain on site and have the responsibility to build your house.

Phoenix Building Solutions is a "sophisticated" lumber yard delivering a substantially completed product rather than piles of framing material, sheets of sheathing, drywall, nails etc. Phoenix Building Solutions is responsible for delivering its product. Once the product is delivered, erected, set and assembled on its foundation, Phoenix Building Solutions has no further responsibilities (unless specifically contracted for by the customer) with the exception of the Phoenix Building Solutions Standard Warranty. Phoenix Building Solutions provides no insurance to the customer or the project. Nor is the customer responsible for providing insurance to Phoenix Building Solutions or its product prior to delivery, erection, set and assembly on its foundation. Please note, however, since the crane is hired directly by the customer, the customer’s insurance should cover the activities of the crane and the customer should only lease and hire a crane with an operator that is fully insured. Any damage or loss cause by the crane, its operations, including any damage to any Phoenix Building Solutions product or property, is the liability of the customer.

The customer is the person/persons/organization in whose name the property title is held. The customer is responsible to carry any insurance required to protect the property, himself and the Bank from any damage or injury claims arising from any activity on the site. Usually law and the Bank will dictate the required coverage. Supplemental coverage should/may also be in place by any licensed contractors hired by the customer. The customer may act as the general contractor, be a sub-contractor or simply hire others to perform all the work for him.

Any Contractors performing work on the site should be licensed and must have applicable insurance coverage that might include general liability, property damage, and workers compensation.

You will need the services of a "crane operator" to properly erect, set, and assemble your home on its foundation. Crane services usually are retained and operate locally. THESE SERVICES REQUIRE SPECIAL LICENSES AND INSURANCE COVERAGE SUPPLEMENTAL TO OTHER COVERAGE THAT MIGHT BE IN PLACE.

SUMMARY... There is often confusion regarding insurance coverage. The SUPPLIER not having any site work responsibilities, not being licensed to perform such work, does not provide any insurance coverage after the product has been delivered. In simple terms, a stranger cannot purchase insurance coverage on your property, life, business, etc. Insurance responsibilities might be summarized as follows:

1. Phoenix Building Solutions insures the modular home units during transportation to the site.
2. The customer, or owner of the property, insures the property, including the land and anything thereon (including the modular home units once delivered) for both Property and Liability coverage.
3. The crane operator provides additional insurance coverage during the erection. In essence they "own" the units while they are in the air and any damage would be their responsibility until the units sit on your foundation.
4. The customer or property owner should have insurance for any on site work. The customer’s policy would be supplemented by the appropriate and required coverage provided by on site contractors. The customer should request to be added to these policies as additional insured during the contractors' stay on site.

NOTE----We are not INSURANCE CONSULTANTS OR EXPERTS and therefore you should consult your own Agent, Bank or local applicable agency for your personal requirements.

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32. HOW AND WHEN IS MY HOUSE DELIVERED?

Using its own fleet of steel carriers, Phoenix Building Solutions delivers your house in sections. Phoenix Building Solutions then assembles your house on its foundation with the help a crane (leased and operated by a third party hired by the customer). When your house is set on its foundation, Phoenix Building Solutions leaves the site with its steel carriers. (see “GENERAL INFORMATION AND BUYER’S RESPONSIBILITY”). Unlike most manufacturers Phoenix Building Solutions (a) uses its own carriers (not a third party service) and (b) uses its own highly experienced in-house field service crew to erect, set, and assemble your house on its foundation (not an inexperienced third party crew or someone you hire yourself).

It is important that you realize that we travel hundreds of miles between the plant and individual building sites. Our deliveries must be scheduled with each State that we pass through and transportation permits must be obtained. Certain restrictions apply to the times and days that we may travel. We are subject to traffic conditions, flat tires, breakdowns, delays at weigh stations, etc. These considerations make it impossible to always erect, set and assemble your house on the same day as delivery. Although we make every attempt to deliver on time, we cannot be responsible for delays that are beyond our control. The further we deliver from our factory , the most likely we would erect, set and assemble the day following delivery. Scheduling is important as the crane is usually booked several weeks in advance and if you miss your date, you may have to wait for another opening in their schedule.

Please note, unlike most manufacturers, our pricing includes the cost transportation to your site, erection, set and assembly by our own highly experienced, in-house field crew..

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33. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR...

Phoenix Building Solutions is responsible for the manufacture, delivery, and assembly of the home. The customer is responsible for the foundation, utilities, crane rental, house interior finish (minor dry walling, painting, etc.), house exterior finish (installing porches and decks, hanging shingles, hanging siding, hanging shutters, installing gutters and down spouts, etc), driveways and sidewalks, connecting HVAC and hot water heater, connecting house to outside utilities, and landscaping. This is general information to help you understand your responsibilities. Although a modular home is substantially completed when delivered, there are still numerous preparation and completion tasks that have to be undertaken by you. We refer you to forms “CRITICAL REVIEW” and “GENERAL INFORMATION AND BUYER’S RESPONSIBILITY” for more details.

The site work is the same for a modular home as it is for an on site built home. It is the actual construction of the home that is generally less expensive, faster and of better quality when using a Modular home versus on site construction.

Phoenix Building Solutions will provide the FOUNDATION DETAIL. We are often asked if this FOUNDATION DETAIL is sufficient to obtain for a Building Permit application. In 99.9% of the cases is NO. The sole purpose of the FOUNATION DETAIL is to provide the dimensional information for the exterior size of the foundation and to show where LALLY COLUMNS have to be placed based on the structure loadings.

NONE of the other criteria such as the type of foundation (block, poured concrete, wood, crawl space, partially framed, etc.); vertical configuration and drops, cellar stair information; water sealing; insulation, slab information; location and number of windows; etc. are provided by Phoenix Building Solutions. The customer is completely responsible for these criteria and should discuss these items with the foundation sub-contractor. (You may need the services of a local engineer to provide this information for your building inspector similarly to the requirements of your site map, septic design and approval, etc.)

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34. WHAT IS THE NORMAL TIMELINE FOR DELIVERY?

1. First of all you must remember that while your house is being built, your on site construction activity should continue to take place. Ideally there will be very little down time between you completing your foundation and having your site ready and the delivery of your house.
2. Before you can start your on site work, you generally need a building permit and to get a building permit, one of the elements/requirements is "certified" building plans. Certified plans are issued within 1-3 weeks AFTER YOU HAVE SIGNED OFF ON PRELIMINARY PLANS with NO further changes. Many people who are in an initial "rush" take weeks and sometimes months to get to this point. Your order CANNOT be processed into production until we have a complete order including Full Deposit, Bank Assignment Letter, Jobsite Directions, all colors and selections, final "certified" plans, etc. Only production can give you an estimated delivery date but not until they have a "completed" order. Until that time any dates are speculative and subject to receipt of other "complete" orders.
3. Although we try to maintain a 4-6 week delivery schedule for "standard" product orders, there are seasonal fluctuations that may change that delivery schedule. Like most manufacturers, we close for the holidays which may change our delivery schedule.
4. We are able to increase our production capacity when we see sustainable increased order volume. But, at any given point in time, our production capacity is determined on reasonable order expectations. We are unable to predict future orders as accurately as we would like. Therefore, any preliminary delivery projections would be purely speculative.
5. As mentioned elsewhere, delivery delays may occur with extra wide units.

We are sharing this information in an effort to narrow the gap between "expectations" and "reality". After over 30 years of experience, we have learned to be realistic when planning a project. We want to serve you efficiently, respectfully, realistically but most of all honestly.

We urge you to work closely with your representative and keep realistic time schedules in mind. Refer also to form “DRAWING ORDER AND DELIVERY PROCEDURE” for further information.

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35. WHAT ARE "EXTRA WIDE" UNITS AND HOW WILL THEY AFFECT MY DELIVERY?

Modules that exceed 13'9" in depth are considered "extra wide". Delivery of such extra wide modules may require special permits beyond the normal over-size load permits. Some States have very strict procedures regarding the transportation of such units. This includes permit application times, police escort requirements, and days / times of delivery. These restrictions may affect our projected delivery schedules. We make every attempt to deliver according to our projected dates but deliveries are dependent on permits and if permits are delayed then delivery is delayed. We understand that this makes it difficult to plan on-site activity but it is a situation beyond our control. If your home includes extra wide units we strongly recommend that you allow at least two weeks between scheduled delivery dates and on-site set dates.

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36. UP TO WHAT POINT CAN I MAKE CHANGES TO MY HOUSE PLANS WITHOUT INCURRING DELAYS?

You may, make as many changes to your Preliminary Plans as necessary to make the plans exactly what you want them to be. Any changes you wish to make must be submitted to on a Change Order form submitted to Phoenix Building Solutions. While, additional changes can be made only after your plan revisions processed. Once you receive your revised plans, you may make further changes following the above procedure each time. There is no charge for the first two (2) revisions to your original plan selection. Any subsequent changes will require a $250.00 minimum change order fee and may cause delays. Each change could take up to two weeks to process. No order can be released into production scheduling until we have a final sign off on plans without any changes.

Assuming that you have now submitted all of your final information required for your order, see form “DRAWING ORDER AND DELIVERY PROCEDURE” for details, and NO FURTHER CHANGES OF ANY KIND to your plans, a Production Release is prepared by our office and submitted to “ENGINEERING”…..not Production.

Engineering prepares final, detailed production plans. These plans include framing details; wiring details for each outlet, switch, light, etc.; plumbing details; heating details; etc. etc. etc. These plans serve several purposes, including the basis for the purchase of materials for your custom home and eventual release into production.

ONCE ALL OF THESE DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN RELEASED, NO FURTHER CHANGES CAN BE MADE WITHOUT INCURRING ADDITIONAL COSTS AND DELAYS! Yes, you can make further changes BUT all of these documents have to be pulled, revised and re-processed. This WILL delay your project and result in additional costs, especially if your revisions require re-certification of your plans.

We strongly urge you to read “Critical Review”, “DRAWING ORDER AND DELIVERY PROCEDURE” and “General Information and Buyer’s Responsibility” for further clarifications.

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37. What is included in the price of the home from PHOENIX BUILDING SOLUTIONS?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions and originates from the confusion about buying a modular home directly from a manufacturer such as Phoenix Building Solutions versus buying a modular home from a builder engaged in both selling a modular home and acting as a contractor. The price of the home from Phoenix Building Solutions, includes:

A) The Unit with the Standard Features described in the Unit Sales Agreement. See complete list of Standard Features which includes:

1. Appliances (stove, dishwasher);
2. HVAC,
3. Hot Water Heater;
4. Finished Kitchen with Cabinetry;
5. Plumbing and Plumbing Fixtures
6. Electrical and Fixtures;
7. Installed Flooring (tile, carpeting, laminate, and vinyl depending on rooms)
8. Finished Bathrooms;
9. Walls Finished two coats of white paint (except in certain minor spots);
10. Shingles drop-shipped to the roof of the house;
11. Siding drop-shipped to the home site;
12. Panelized Garage Package; plus

B) State of Ohio Sales Tax; plus

C) Transportation to your site; plus

D) Erection, Set and Assembly of the Unit by our highly experienced, in-house field service crew (with the assistance of a crane leased from, and operated by, a third party by the customer).

The price of the home from Phoenix Building Solutions does not include the cost of:

1. Land;
2. Site preparation;
3. Excavation and foundation;
4. Laterals;
5. A crane leased from, and operated by, a third party by the customer).
6. Minor interior finish work (minor drywalling, minor carpentry, grouting tile, minor painting, etc. (see Scope of Work).
7. Exterior finish (erecting and assembling garage, erecting and assembling the porch, if any, hanging shingles, hanging siding)
8. Connecting mechanicals (HVAC and Hot Water Heater);
9. Connecting home to outside Utility Services (water, sewer, gas, electric);
10. Flatwork (sidewalks and driveway);
11. Landscaping; and
12. Clean up.

Some local builders may provide you with what is known as a “turn-key” service and price. These builders are usually re-sellers who combine the modular home product with the services of their favored local sub-contractors and sometimes with limited direct services to provide this “turn-key” service. It is obvious that you are contracting with the builder for such a service. The builder will coordinate all of theses activities for a fee (mark-up) above their direct cost of the products and services involved. Once you have decided to work with a builder, your choices for upgrades and finishes and features will be limited to those choices offered by that builder and the sub-contractors working on your home will be those used by that builder.

If you decide to buy direct from the factory and act as your own general contractor, your choices for upgrades and finishes and features will be virtually unlimited. You also have the flexibility to use any local contractors engaged in home construction in your area. You also have the choice of working with any sub-contractors you choose. There is no mystery to completing a modular home. The amount of work needed to complete a modular home is far less involved than “stick-site built” home.

PHOENIX BUILDING SOLUTIONS does not engage in any “on-site” activity. Like a lumber yard, we provide a “product”, the modular home. However, being far more complete than mere deliveries of framing lumber and other materials as delivered from the lumber yard, we make your project far less difficult, less risky, less expensive, deliver on budget and enhance the overall final quality of the home.

YOU HAVE THREE CHOICES:

1. I WANT TO BUY DIRECT AND ACT AS CONTRACTOR: Do I want to buy my modular home direct from Phoenix Building Solutions and act as my own Contractor/Coordinator and hire my own sub-contractors for the remaining work? (NOTE: some States may require you to retain the services of a licensed contractor for ANY construction project but you may still be able to hire sub-contractors of your choice, thus saving money). For the amount of money I may save, I realize that I will be more involved in every aspect of the project but I am willing to commit much more time and attention to my new home to ensure it is exactly what I want.
• You have total control in acting directly with Phoenix Building Solutions and you other suppliers during the critical design and purchasing phase of your home. You avoid extra mark-ups by eliminating another party.
• You will follow the most logical and cost effective program for your project: design home, have final plans, get final cost of modular home, use plans to obtain timely quotes for the rest of the work, use plans to satisfy bank requirements, etc.
• You have total control in selecting sub-contractors on a competitive and time available basis.
• You will coordinate the delivery of your modular home with the progress schedule of your on site activity.
• You have direct access to the Phoenix Building Solutions and your other suppliers after your home is delivered for any questions and, if needed, warranty assistance.
2. I WANT TO BUY DIRECT BUT STILL DESIRE A TURN KEY SOLUTION: Do I want to buy my modular home direct from Phoenix Building Solutions and still have a “turn-key” project? In this case, you will need to hire a contractor. You may use any contractor you choose. Your contractor most likely use sub-contractor to finish your home after it is delivered. For the amount of money I may save, I realize that I may be more involved at every level of the process but I am willing to commit the time and attention to my new home to make sure I get what I want.
• You must retain a local contractor for the remaining work but you should receive the same benefits described above in choice #1.
3. I WANT TO TURN ALL OF MY PURCHASING AND SITE ACTIVITY CHOICES OVER TO A BUILDER: I have found a local builder that I am comfortable working with and I trust that builder to do everything needed to finish the home. I am willing to pay more to work through a builder just to have the peace of mind knowing someone else is taking care of all the details. I realize that I do not have the time or knowledge or desire to be actively involved in all the details of the project.
• You must make a choice regarding all of your work, modular home, site work and completion work, months before you actually start your project.
• You give much of the control of the project to one modular home builder in your area.
• You will most likely loose control over selecting known, good reputation, sub-contractors.
• You will most likely have greater problems, delays and perhaps errors, during the design phase of your home since you will not be working directly with Phoenix Building Solutions. Generally we are available during normal office hours to answer your questions where it may take several days to coordinate conversations with a builder that is usually on a work sites during normal business hours.
• You will most likely be competing with other projects that the builder has going.
• You will most likely pay an additional mark-up on you home. There is nothing wrong with the builder marking up the home since he has responsibility during the design and purchasing phases.
• You are loosing the services and advice of our 30 plus years of modular home experience at Phoenix Building Solutions. Make sure your builder is of good reputation, licensed and insured – check with the local BBB and Builder’s Association.
• You are accepting the Warranty of you local builder rather than that of Phoenix Building Solutions.
• You only have to deal with the builder.

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