When Mr. Andrews, a retired Michigan contractor with his own excavator, found an opportunity to buy a lot near Grayling, Michigan, he saw both a challenge and a calling.
“Our area’s hurting bad for good housing,” he said. “I see an opportunity.”
With decades of construction experience — “I’ve swung a hammer most of my life,” he laughed — he wanted a solid home that could handle Michigan winters, but without overpaying for middlemen or unnecessary markups.
That’s why he reached out to Home Nation — a factory-direct mobile and modular home dealer that helps customers manage their own projects while keeping pricing transparent.
“I Don’t Need It Built for Me — I Just Need the Home”
Mr. Andrews wasn’t new to housing. He’d built, sided, and decked modulars for years. He still runs his excavator in the summers and plows snow in winter.
“I’m retired,” he said, “but I’ve still got a lot of kick in me.”
He didn’t need someone to build the home for him — just a partner who could deliver a well-built, snow-load-rated modular to his land. Everything else, he could handle or hire locally.
That’s exactly how Home Nation works. We deliver the home directly from the factory and provide installer contacts if the customer wants them. The buyer then hires and negotiates directly with those professionals.
How the Process Works
1) Browse & Choose
Jeff, his Home Nation specialist, walked him through the website.
“The price you see online,” Jeff explained, “is the home and delivery only — no hidden extras. You’re not locked into any crew or installer.”
2) Get Your Site Ready
Home Nation provides manufacturer’s foundation specs so customers can give them directly to their local concrete or block crews.
3) Coordinate Installation
“If you need help, I’ll send names and numbers of local installers. You contact them directly, you pay them directly. We don’t quote or supervise their work.”
4) Delivery & Set
Most modular homes are craned onto the foundation, and the installer completes the interior and exterior close-up.
5) Finish & Personalize
Garages, porches, and landscaping are handled by local contractors or the homeowner — exactly how Mr. Andrews prefers to work.
Manufactured vs. Modular: Which Fits You?
| Feature | Manufactured Home | Modular Home |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Code | Built to HUD national code | State & local building codes |
| Structure | Steel frame with axles/wheels | Box sections set by crane |
| Financing | Often cash / specialty lenders | Easier conventional financing |
| Foundation | Pier or slab | Permanent foundation |
| Resale/Appraisal | Must convert to real property | Appraises like site-built |
For Mr. Andrews, modular was the right choice.
“I want something well-built for our climate,” he said. “The roof’s got to handle the snow load. It’s got to meet the codes here.”
What Customers Handle Themselves
Home Nation’s delivered price covers:
• The home built to spec
• Freight to your ZIP code
Customers (or their installers) manage:
• Foundation / crawl space
• Crane service and interior/exterior close-up
• Utilities and connections
• Driveway, decks, and porches
• Permits and inspections
This keeps Home Nation at arm’s length from the installation, so each homeowner remains in full control — and full responsibility — for the contractors they choose.
“You Can Do It Yourself — or Hire Local and Save”
Jeff summed it up best: “Anything you can do yourself, do it — save the money. Job it out to people you know and trust. I’m here to help with info, but you run the show.”
Mr. Andrews liked that. “Other companies want to charge double to do everything for you,” he said. “This way, I can use my own people and keep the costs down.”
Timeline & Budget Snapshot (Example Only)
| Step | Approx. Time | Example Cost Range* |
|---|---|---|
| Factory build | 8–10 weeks | Included in home price |
| Delivery to site | ~1 week | Included in home price |
| Site prep + foundation (by contractor) | 2–4 weeks | Varies ($10k–$25k typ.) |
| Crane set + connect utilities | ~1 week | Varies ($8k–$20k typ.) |
*Illustrative only. Home Nation does not quote or guarantee installation costs.
FAQ
Does Home Nation coordinate the installation?
No. We can share names of independent installers, but you hire and manage them directly.
Can I do some of the work myself?
Definitely. Many customers handle site prep, excavation, or trenching to save money.
Is the foundation included in your price?
No. Our pricing includes the home and delivery only. Foundations, cranes, utilities, and other work are separate.
Can I see homes in person?
Yes. Home Nation has locations throughout the United States with homes on display.
How long does it take to get a home?
Typically 4–8 weeks, depending on the model and time of year.
Key Takeaway
For builders, tradespeople, and hands-on homeowners, Home Nation offers something rare: factory-direct pricing, full transparency, and total freedom over who handles the on-site work.
As Mr. Andrews put it:
“Everybody’s got their strengths — mine’s building it, and my wife’s the financer.”
If that sounds like you, Home Nation lets you build smarter, save more, and stay in control — from your first phone call to your finished home.
