Design: Vermod Single Box

 

BeachHousesMuizenbergBeach by Stefan Schäfer, Lich 

This is a post in a series of discussions of pre-fabricated and modular home builders I've considered. I'll cover the general experience researching and talking with builders, and the highlights of their offering in the "minimum cabin" space.

Vermod Homes from Wilder, Vermont is next on the list. 

The Design

Unlike some of the other homes reviewed, Vermod doesn't have cute names for their designs. The options are described in utilitarian terms like "Single Box," "Double Box." Maybe a Double Quarter-Box with Cheese. I guess nobody would give me a job naming homes.

Similar to other modular builders, the dimensions are long and narrow due to the width restrictions for shipping modules on trucks. The designs here are incremental, so it's essentially a 14'x40' box that can be combined with one or more other boxes to create the desired footprint.

First Impressions & Website

Continuing the utilitarian approach, the website gives straightforward answers, immediately shows a video tour of a ZEM (Zero Energy Modular) home, and provides up-front information about their policies for in-person visits and model home tours.

The layouts shown show that the design is functional and flexible. I'd love to see a couple more floor-plans posted on the site. The gallery is under construction and a few more photos of interior and exteriors would be a good addition.

Meeting and Q&A

When I contacted them through the form on their website, Kristen was quick to respond. Continuing the pragmatic feel of the website, she gave me all the key information I'd need in PDFs attached to the first email. This is not a woman who is going to waste your time or hers.

When I fired back a question, she responded right away. Then things got busy for me and I didn't follow up for another week. When I did finally have some time, I grabbed the cell number from her signature and gave her a call.

Our conversation took place across a couple days, and I'm again structuring here as a paraphrased Q&A format for consistency and ease of reading.

Disclaimer: any inaccuracies here are likely to be my own mistakes and not those of Vermod. This summary is not endorsed by them in any way, and they had no say in it. If they run across this post and contact me to correct any facts, I will update the post.

Q: What's the backlog like for getting a Vermod home?

A: We're booked up for the fall and winter and now planning for spring.

Q: Does Vermod handle the construction or do I need a general contractor (GC)?

A: You need a GC to handle the hookups, but it's delivered completely finished, so this is a small job for the GC.

Q: How hard is it to increase the size later with an addition?

A: Not hard. You can connect other modules, or you can do a regular framed addition.

Q: Is the layout always 40'x14'?

A: No, that's a basic building block but you can go longer or configure it differently. 72' is the max you can do in one bay. The width is based on what you can take on the roads. 16 in the ditch. But then you combine several modules and build out or up and that creates the overall shape.

Q: 16 in the ditch? I've never heard that phrase before.

A: Depending on the location, you can go out to 16' width with the overhang going over the ditch at the side of the road. Then the interior is 15'. But 14' can go on most roads.

Q: How much customization can I do? Can I have a vaulted ceiling, for example, instead of the flat one?

A: Yes, but it has to be built separately, and although Vermod has done them, you need a second bay to build it in and ship it separately. It's not as cost-effective and sometimes isn't as functional. Insulation needs to be added, and if you add a loft you access that via a ladder.

(My strong impression was that if I pushed for the vaulted ceiling I could get it, but Kristen was giving me solid advice about the draw-backs, and I appreciate that.)

Q: What kind of foundation can I have? I'm guessing not slab. [See? I learn.]

A: Not a slab, but basement or piers. I don't love crawl-spaces because they can have moisture issues - I'd like it to be a full basement or Linear piers are a possibility.

Q: Wait, I've never heard of Linear piers. What's that?

A: This is something we've done before where instead of having separate footers and piers (posts that are sunk down below the frost level) you do a continuous trench for the footers.

Linear Piers? Come on, you made that up! Show receipts. (She did)

[Kristen showed me some photos of these linear piers, and they look great. They just look like a nicer finish option than some of the other pier-and-post foundations. I wasn't able to find any further information on this way of doing pier foundation, so I don't know if that means it's new or just something Vermod and their builders do.]

Q: So what is included in this design?

A: We deliver it with everything installed. Only the hookups need to be done on-site, and if you did the vaulted ceiling we would eliminate the EPDM and a truss roof would be installed on site. Otherwise roof, trim, insulation, windows, doors, cabinets, appliances, wiring and plumbing, heat and air. Solar panels or solar-ready.

[This now-seasoned author was no longer impressed with getting a roof.]

Final Thoughts

Another builder I spoke with had great things to say about Vermod, "they've been doing net zero for years - they know more about it than anyone" which is pretty high praise. Based on my research and conversations, they seemed like a no-nonsense company with a lot of experience but not a lot of polish.
In contrast to some of the other builders in this space, Vermod's focus seems fully on delivering the product and not as much on marketing or innovation. They have their formula down and have been doing this successfully for a long time.

To me, this means there's probably an opportunity to save cost while still getting a strong product, but I'll need to be intentional if I want to move away from the modular aesthetic because the emphasis is strongly on function (zero energy, efficient, arrives ready to live in and solar is assumed).

And in final-final-thoughts: I like that this shop is co-owned by a woman. Through the course of my research on all the parts of buying land and building a cabin, this is one of only two women I've talked to at length. Kristen is obviously an experienced and seasoned professional who knows the business through-and-through. She was the quickest to respond of anyone I talked to and the quickest to cut to the chase over email and present me with hard facts and figures, and detailed photos of real builds. Another person who'd be a pleasure to do business with.