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Business owners say modular homes are increasing in popularity

BY JOHN D. HOMAN, The Southern

Saturday, November 24, 2007 6:18 PM CST

MARION - Charlie and Ellen Sharpe have seen their business, New Horizons Homes, undergo much change in recent years.

When they first started the business 10 years ago on the east end of Marion, it was all about doublewide mobile homes. That evolved into manufactured homes and now it's turned into prefabricated modular homes.

Earlier this month, the Sharpes watched in amazement as their newest modular home on the west end of town was built to order and pieced together in one day on 17th Street, right across from Burgers 'N Cream. Their office is located on the same property.

"We wanted to be in a more visible location, which is why we chose to come into town where there is so much new development," Charlie Sharpe said. "This new modular home is a nice example of our construction."

Sharpe said the 2,300-square-foot structure features six modules, which were built independently off site in Pinckneyville.

"There's no worry about the weather," he said. "Materials are kept dry and there's less chance of theft. It's basically a safer work environment and much more efficient."

Ellen Sharpe said most of their customers are residential but more and more commercial customers are placing orders.

"We've built modular homes for local and state government offices, churches, dorms, condos and even a funeral home."

Ellen said structures vary from one to three stories in height. Basically, no size is too small or large.

"It's just an educational process for the general public," she said. "This is the wave of the future. Instead of waiting months to build a house, it can be done in a matter of days. Our sales are up 15 percent from last year and we project a 40 percent jump next year."

Rusty Whitby, owner of Countryside Mobile Homes in Energy, agrees with the Sharpes that modular homes are becoming increasingly popular with those in the market to buy a new home.

"And the way they're built today, they look just like they've been built from scratch on site," he said. "You can draw up your own floor plans just like you would any other time."

Whitby said he has seen his business grow considerably in recent years.

"Our sales have definitely gone up. We're not talking about selling trailers anymore. These houses are built in a climate-controlled factory and it doesn't take long to put them up and only a few days more to put on the finishing touches. We do everything for our customers except hook up their utilities."

john.homan@thesouthern.com / 351-5805