When we hear the word prefabricated house, many people immediately think of a mobile home or a trailer installed on a plot of land. However, they are not at all the same thing!
A prefabricated house, also called factory-built house, is a home built in part or in full in a factory, then delivered to the future owner's land for assembly. And no, it's neither temporary nor of poor quality — quite the opposite.
Modern, fast and supervised construction
Prefabricated homes are manufactured in a controlled environment, ensuring consistent construction quality and protected from the elements. Walls, floors, roofs, and other components are prepared in the factory according to precise plans, then transported and assembled on site. Some homes are delivered in panels, others in complete modules, ready to be attached together.
This approach often allows for reduced lead times and better adherence to budgets, while ensuring excellent quality of execution.
No, it's not a mobile home!
This is probably the most common misconception: many people confuse prefabricated homes with mobile homes. However, the difference is clear:
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A mobile home is designed to be moved (often on a metal base with wheels).
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A prefabricated house is designed to be permanently fixed to foundations, just like a traditional house.
In other words, once installed, a prefabricated house will never move — it's your real home, for life.
A variety of styles and types
There is a great diversity of types of prefabricated houses : bungalow, cottage, two-story house, tiny house, kit house, modular house, etc. Each type has its own particularities, advantages, and price. Some models are fully customizable, while others are designed to be delivered turnkey.
👉 Want to know more about the different types and styles available? Check out our full article: Types of Prefabricated Homes: Overview and Styles
Why choose a prefabricated house?
Beyond speed of construction, there are several reasons to choose a prefabricated home. Cost savings, energy efficiency, reduced environmental impact, design flexibility, less material waste... and less stress! It's a modern solution adapted to today's realities.
👉 To help you see if this is a good choice for your project, here is our decision-making guide on prefabricated homes.
A quality comparable (and sometimes superior) to traditional houses
Contrary to what some may think, a prefabricated home is not a “cheap” option. Construction standards are the same—and often even stricter—precisely because everything is factory-controlled. Materials are stored away from moisture, cuts are precise, and errors are minimized.
And as mentioned Expert Maison in their article, factory framing allows for consistent quality and tight control at every stage. Homes are inspected throughout the process, reducing the risk of unpleasant surprises on the construction site.
In conclusion, what is a prefabricated house?
It's a house designed to simplify life, without compromising on quality. Built in a factory under optimal conditions, then assembled on your property, the prefabricated house combines the best of both worlds: strength, speed, and efficiency. Contrary to popular belief, it's neither a trailer nor a mobile home. It's a permanent, durable, and often more economical home.
Want to see what it actually looks like? Discover all the models available in Quebec with our easy-to-use search tool:
👉 View prefabricated house models
