Mandala Custom Homes Inc., based in Nelson, British Columbia, Canada, designs and manufactures custom prefabricated building packages for permanent, site-built residential homes.
This statement is provided to clarify our construction methodology and to distinguish Mandala Custom Homes from modular, manufactured, mobile, and other transportable housing systems for the purposes of building permits, mortgage financing, property appraisal, and insurance.
A. CONSTRUCTION METHOD
Mandala Custom Homes utilize conventional wood-frame (stick-frame) construction methods combined with the precision and efficiency of off-site prefabrication.
Our building packages consist of pre-assembled wall panels, pre-cut framing materials, engineered structural components, and other building materials prepared at our production facility.
Rather than constructing every framing component individually at the building site, selected components are fabricated in advance and delivered to the property for assembly by the owner’s contractor.
This approach is commonly referred to as panelized construction or prefabricated component construction.
The completed home is a permanent, site-built, wood-framed residence. The fundamental distinction from traditional stick-frame construction is that portions of the framing and other building components are prepared or assembled off-site.
B. DISTINCTION FROM MODULAR AND MANUFACTURED HOUSING
Mandala Custom Homes are not constructed or delivered as completed three-dimensional building modules or transportable dwelling units.
Specifically, our home packages:
• Are not volumetric modular homes assembled from enclosed factory-built building sections.
• Are not mobile homes, recreational vehicles, park model homes, or transportable manufactured dwellings.
• Do not incorporate a permanent transport chassis, wheels, axles, or towing system.
• Are not delivered as completed or habitable residential units.
• Are not designed or intended to be relocated after construction.
Instead, our packages are delivered as individual building materials and structural subassemblies, requiring substantial on-site assembly and completion.
Although manufactured housing may be used as a broad term encompassing various forms of prefabrication, Mandala’s specific construction method is panelized, site-assembled residential construction, not the manufacture of complete transportable housing units.
C. BUILDING COMPONENTS AND ON-SITE CONSTRUCTION
Mandala building packages incorporate conventional residential construction materials and structural systems, including:
• Wood-framed exterior wall panels with conventional dimension-lumber studs, plates, headers, and structural sheathing.
• Engineered floor framing systems and structural supports.
• Engineered roof trusses, framing components, and pre-cut roof sheathing.
• Exterior building-envelope components, including insulation, weather barriers, siding, windows, and associated trim.
• Additional project-specific framing materials, structural connectors, and building components.
The exact contents and degree of prefabrication depend upon the individual design, package level, and contractual specifications.
Each home is assembled on-site upon a permanent foundation, which is constructed by others. The owner’s contractor is responsible for coordinating the assembly of the supplied structural components and completing the remaining residential construction.
This includes the applicable plumbing, electrical, heating, ventilation, mechanical systems, interior partitions, insulation, and interior finishes.
A Mandala home package is not a complete dwelling when delivered. It becomes a permanent residential building through conventional on-site construction, installation, and finishing.
D. BUILDING CODES, PERMITTING, AND FINANCING
Mandala Custom Homes are designed and engineered as permanent residential buildings for construction under the applicable building codes and requirements of the jurisdiction in which they are located.
Project documentation includes architectural drawings, structural engineering information, and assembly instructions as applicable to the individual building design. Mandala coordinates with professional engineering consultants as required.
The property owner and their locally retained contractors and professionals are responsible for obtaining building permits, completing construction, coordinating inspections, and satisfying local regulatory requirements.
For mortgage financing, appraisal, and insurance purposes, Mandala Custom Homes confirms that its standard residential packages are intended to create permanent improvements to real property, comparable in fundamental construction methodology to other conventionally framed, site-built custom homes.
The use of prefabricated building components does not change the intended permanent nature of the completed dwelling.
Final building classification, permit approval, financing eligibility, and property valuation remain subject to the requirements and determinations of the applicable authorities and financial institutions.
SUMMARY OF MANDALA’S BUILDING SYSTEM
Mandala Custom Homes Inc. confirms that its standard residential building packages are designed for the construction of permanent, site-built, conventional wood-framed homes using prefabricated structural components.
These homes are not volumetric modular buildings, mobile homes, or transportable manufactured dwellings. They are assembled and completed on-site upon permanent foundations, using conventional residential construction methods and materials.
This statement accurately describes our standard building system and is provided for the consideration of building departments, financial institutions, insurers, appraisers, contractors, and property owners.
Project-specific contracts, drawings, and engineering documentation govern the actual scope and specifications of each home package.
Need project-specific construction information for your lender, insurer or building department? Contact our team.