Interview with Modal Founder Colin Jube

What makes Modal prefabs different?

"At Modal, we believe in providing high-quality, modern designs at a reasonable price. It is important to maximize every inch of space in small-home design, so our team has put a lot of effort into getting this right.

We are not competing with low-cost providers or luxury providers, but instead focus on building units that are accessible to ordinary homeowners and provide a lot of bang for your buck. Our designs are meant to look and feel great, and function really well without breaking the bank.

It takes a lot of hard work and creativity to find the right balance. As for manufacturing philosophy, we believe in continuous innovation and focus heavily on working with suppliers who are pushing the needle, particularly when it comes to environmentally-friendly materials and processes."

How do you think about the future of prefab?

"The prefab industry has grown substantially in the last decade and has become more important than ever as housing costs and construction costs rise around the globe. The industry is at an inflexion point today where there is a lot of new technology and investment coming into the space, and there are some players who are really on the cutting edge of the processes, materials and types of structures that can be built in a factory.

Although it's been around for some time, I believe that the industry is just getting started in terms of the market share that will be represented by offsite construction in years to come."

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What are some common misunderstandings about prefab, and how should people think about them instead?

"If you have decided to build prefab, in addition to selecting the right product supplier, it is critical to find a contractor who has experience building prefab projects. If you are working with a panel system, it is important that your contractor has experience assembling that particular system and properly securing it the foundation, waterproofing, etc.

The permitting process can also be difficult, as it usually requires educating the local building department, which can delay the time to receive a permit. The building phase can be particularly complex, which is why Modal provides a turn-key service for our clients. We only work with vetted, experienced contractors who know how to navigate sitework complexities and are experienced in successfully installing our products."

What should customers expect from Modal?

"We work hard to break down the barriers for homeowners who want to build an ADU in their backyard by providing price and timeline predictability via modular construction and handling projects from start to finish."

Modal is a modular accessory dwelling unit (ADU) provider. They ship from their shop in Salt Lake City, Utah to anywhere in the USA. You can learn more about their products, see if your property qualifies, and get in touch with their sales team by visiting livemodal.com

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