ekō Process

Decide your budget (These steps will help get a general idea of cost)‍The big question of “How much will it cost?” Our goal is to help you find the best fit for your needs in finding that answer. By looking through our current layout offerings, you will better understand which model and pricing meet your needs. Upgrades and Customizations to current offerings are normal, Please review our upgrade list to ensure these are included in your budget. Once you have selected the floor plan you are halfway there. In order to finish getting a general idea of your overall cost, you will need to factor in the land cost (if you don't own it) and the cost of the site preparations such as foundation, utilities, driveways, etc. We would recommend contacting a local general contractor who can help provide some ballpark figures. We would be happy to provide some basic information to your contractor so they can provide you with some ballpark pricing.

If you need financing, there are usually two types of loans you should start with. *(Please understand these are recommendations, you will need to contact your local bank to understand their process) Traditional home loan - (15yr or 30yr) -This type of loan is often found through a mortgage lender and not so much your local bank. However, you could get a recommendation from your local bank or simply search online to find mortgage lenders. Once you have selected a mortgage lender that will lend on a modular/manufactured home then you should apply for a pre-approval letter. This is vital for your budget and your construction loan approval. Construction loan - In most cases you will work with a local bank that you have a relationship with or is local to the area of construction. A construction loan allows for upfront money to purchase the land, home, site improvements, etc. This type of loan allows for draws to be taken throughout the construction, paying for the progress from start to finish. Typically once the home is near completion, you would contact the mortgage lender you received your pre-approval letter from and start the process of rolling the construction loan into a permanent mortgage of either 15 years or 30 years. They can best direct you on how this works.

Call your local city or county building department and ask the following: Do they allow shipping container homes? One thing to note here is some times as soon as you mention shipping container homes they might get cold feet and say "NO," because they have the incorrect idea of what you are asking. Please make sure to ask them if a state-certified modular home is accepted. If they allow modular/manufactured homes then unless they have it written specifically "NO" container homes, then it should be allowed if all other criteria are met. Is there a minimum square footage requirement? Ask your city/county if there is a square footage minimum. -Do they require a building permit for a new residential build? Some areas have no restrictions or permits needed.‍If they allow shipping container homes and a permit is required be prepared for the next steps. Most likely at this point, we will have to certify your container home as a state-manufactured/modular home. Please contact us to get a list of the states we are approved in and what floor plans we currently have certified.

Now that you have verified with the city or county that a container home is allowed you can start the property search (unless you already own it). Below is a list of things to consider when searching for property. 1. Does the area have a HOA? *If so, contact the HOA to make sure they will allow a container home, what expectations they have for the exterior look, and if they have a minimum size. 2. Does the property have utilities *For budget reasons, it is important to know if the property offers sewer, water, and electrical connections. If not, then a well might be needed for water, a sewer system installed for sewage, and either solar or a generator for electricity. If the utilities are already there or you must install them it is probably worth exploring the cost of each one. 3. Access to property. *One benefit of a container home is how versatile it can be and the ability to be placed in more remote areas. Please keep in mind when looking for property the accessibility from the main highway. The property might be easy to access with a standard vehicle but always remember we deliver with a large semi with up to a 40’ container chassis. 4. Delivery Cost *One thing to note is the delivery cost is not included in the core price of our container homes. You can visit the delivery page on our website to calculate the delivery cost to your location.

Now that you have the property selected, it is time to reach out to the general contractor you have selected. Check to see if their schedule is conducive to your timeline. Items the General Contractor will be assisting with. *PERMITS* If permits are required it is normally the responsibility of the General Contractor to pull all the permits needed for the job. Once a design is selected and a contract is signed we will provide you with a set of plans your General Contractor can use to pull most permits.‍ *FOUNDATION* You will need your general contractor to install the foundation for your container home. Once the foundation style is selected, we will work with your general contractor to provide what is needed to install the foundation.​​*UTILITIES* This is something that will be completely up to your general contractor to coordinate and install. We will instruct them on the sizes needed and the locations where to stub the sewer, water, electricity, and gas. Now that you have the property selected, it is time to reach out to the general contractor you have selected. Check to see if their schedule is conducive to your timeline. Items the General Contractor will be assisting with:‍ Driveway, site grading, final connections. At some point, ekō Solutions and your general contractor will discuss the delivery of your home to make sure all the pieces of the build are moving forward. The general contractor will be responsible for installing your driveway. If a new driveway is installed, it is important that it will handle the delivery load of your new home. After the container is set the general contractor will need to have the plumber and electrician return to make final utility connections to the home. They will also complete all the dirt work and final grading. Once the home is fully completed the general contractor should get a final occupancy from city or county for you to move in.

Now is a fun time to understand the layout of your build. Here are some simple questions to ask: 1. What is the budget 2. How many bedrooms 3. How many baths 4. Square Footage (space you need 5. Customization & Upgrades you might add.

After you approve the final quote we will generate the sales contract for you to review and sign. With your signed contract you can provide a deposit of 50% by mail or a wire transfer. Each build is done in a professional and timely manner. We will continue to keep you updated throughout your build(s) so you know exactly what phase your home is in. If you want to see your build in progress please let us know ahead of time so we can set up an appointment. Build time is typically 6 weeks for stock-approved modular models and 12-16 weeks for custom depending on complexity and approvals for design.

ekō Solutions will supply the truck and trailer to get your home delivered to you safely. Each delivery fee will depend on your location and how many containers your build has. Once onsite we will do the work to get your home set properly on your foundation. Depending on your location and if additional equipment is needed - Heavy Duty Crane, we will work with the company to make sure we are still providing you with the best service in a timely manner.