Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Elon Musk’s alleged stay at a $50,000 pre-fabricated Boxabl Casita home sparked media interest, but many Americans live in such homes. So, which is better, buying a manufactured home, building one or building a home with a log cabin kit? Discover four factors you should consider.

1. Design and Lifestyle Flexibility

While a manufactured home may be easy on your pocket, it can limit your customization options. For example, the Boxabl Casita has a pre-designed floor plan, ceiling, and furniture.

In addition, log cabin kits such as those provided by Frontier Log Homes (https://frontierloghomes.com/). Building a home from scratch can allow you to customize it to the last detail for your lifestyle. Yet, your options are only partially limited if you purchase a manufactured home. You can add space-conscious appliances and fixtures.

2. Cost and Affordability

A manufactured home costs less than building one from scratch. According to the Manufactured Homes Institute, the average sale price of a new manufactured home is $108,000, while building one from scratch will cost almost three times the amount. However, land acquisition can tilt the balance between building or buying. Manufactured homes are any homeowner’s dream in areas with high land costs or sparsely populated.

Log cabin kit homes, however, can be far cheaper than a manufactured home or a home build from scratch.

3. Time, Effort, and Convenience

On average, it’ll take 1-4 weeks to get your manufactured home up and running. On the contrary, you’d have to wait 7-8 months to build a house from scratch. Manufactured homes offer the modern homeowner unparalleled convenience. You don’t have to think too hard, plan, or hire a contractor. The manufactured home company will typically install the house for you—so you only have to move in. Building a home may seem like plenty of work for people looking for less hassle.

Log cabin homes, on the other hand, can be both easy to manufacture, and don’t have quite as long of a wait.

4. Quality and Lifespan

Building a home from scratch may be tedious, time-consuming, inconvenient, and even pricey—but the quality and lifespan make up for it. The Michigan-based pre-fab home manufacturer says a manufactured home can last 30-50 years. According to Angi, a home with a concrete foundation can last more than 100 years. Of course, building codes have improved, and the quality of manufactured homes has increased, but land-built houses are still ahead.

Bringing it all together, manufactured and land-built homes are suitable housing options depending on your needs. If you prefer a minimalist style, a manufactured home may be a delight and save your wallet. If you desire longevity and design flexibility, it may be better to build from scratch. Log cabins, however, blend both.