Modular house in MD/NOVA - where to start?

Question

There is a modular house design that I really like - small, efficient, stylish. Having never done new construction, I want to figure out what it would take to build it. Problem is, it's designed by a company in Russia, which entails a long list of logistics challenges. Assuming I can get the house stateside, I have no idea what approval processes I have to go through in order to be able to build it. I know every county has a planning department, which I probably need to go through. But what about if my plot of land in an established subdivision? I assume subdivision-level approval would also be needed. Also, how much of this can I go through before actually buying land?

And then there's building code compliance - how hard is it to do, especially for a foreign-based design?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, as well as contact info of any MD/VA modular builders who might know something about this.

And then there's building code compliance - how hard is it to do, especially for a foreign-based design?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, as well as contact info of any MD/VA modular builders who might know something about this.

Leonid Sapronov · Answer

Nothing. Waiting for them to open a US office, which they promised last year. Haven't checked to see if it happened. I suspect that will be the only feasible way to get a Dubldom in the States.

Lindsay Smith · Answer

@leonid - I'm curious as to what you decided about Dubldom. I love the look but have concerns about ordering a house from outside the country.

Ben Leybovich · Answer

I'll go ahead and place a call to my buddy Trump. He'll throw a line his his buddy Putin. We'll push this thing through for you :)

You've got my number, don't you? Give a call

Leonid Sapronov · Answer

@Ben Leybovich the fact that you've graced my post with your reply has already made my day brighter. A phone intervention??? Even better!

So let me acknowledge right off the bat that your concern (sarcasm) is totally justified. As is my naivite. When does innovation happen? When a curious person doesn't yet know that something is impossible.

The main reason I started looking into this whole thing is twofold - design and price. I won't go into the design - their website can show it off much better (dubldom.ru). As far as the price goes, in Russia their various models range from $25 to 80k, with $80k getting you a large home (130 m2). Delivered and built. The one I like is closer to $50k. Remember, this is all Russian prices, in rubles (there is a noticeable mark up on their english/dollars page, not sure why. Well, maybe I know why.) So you can imagine that living in Maryland, the land of $400k 40-year old townhouses, as I read about these little homes, my mind is painting beautiful pictures of free and clear home ownership, with all the magical financial freedoms that entails.

As @Doug McVinua very rightly points out, getting permission to build this house in the US may be very difficult and costly. As yes, the design can absolutely be copied - while different and original, there is nothing special about it. The question is - how much?

So that's what I've been doing for the past two weeks - researching American modular home companies, looking at plans and trying to understand how that whole ecosystem comprised of planning/zoning people, builders and architects works. And with every passing day, my dream of doing this on the CHEAP is growing weaker and weaker. At this point, it doesn't look like you can go much lower than $150/sq foot total (exluding land), which is comparable to regular stick-built construction (although I believe modular still has some advantages).

As far as Urals go - of course I remember them. A trusty Russian workhorse based on a proven 80-year old BMW design. I was amazed when I found out a few years ago how much they go for in the US and Canada. I guess they are considered somewhat of an exotic/quirky novelty. Go figure. But I'd love to have one. Your neighbor sounds like a good guy to know.

Doug McVinua · Answer

@Leonid Sapronov It would seem on face value the hurdles to bring a Russian built modular up to Code along with the logistics would make such an endeavor very challenging.

Is the design so clever it can't be copied and built in the US by someone? I would guess many of the builders are more regional just due to transportation costs anyway!

If they are clever like the Ural is to a Honda or Harley will they sell in mass numbers in the US? Its one thing to buy a Ural and get it licensed to ride in the US, bringing a building up to code might be a very different experience.

Some have stated it's possible to view Russia from Alaska, maybe that is the niche that lowers the hurdle for you?

Ben Leybovich · Answer

Wow - this is fun!

So, I bought a house in Chandler, AZ. I met my neighbor, and as we got to talking he tells me that he owns like 5 Russian motorcycles Ural - do you remember those, Leonya? The ones with the side-car...

Frankly, I was shocked. If you live in America, there are options when it comes to motorcycles - why Ural. The only thing it's good for is operation in cold weather...I mean the thing'll start having been buried in snow for 2 months :)

Turns out, he has a home in Alaska HAHAHA! So, the whole Ural thing made sense...

Now - you wanna go to Russia, pick a modular there, and bring it here?! I mean had you said you were unhappy with the American Abrams tank and want to pick an Armata in Russia, that might make sense. Had you said F35 jet sucks and you want to go to Russia and pick up a T50, this might also make sense.

But - you want to buy a modular home in Russia... Dude - call me! You clearly require an intervention LOL

Leonid Sapronov · Answer

@J Scott It's awesome that you replied because I was thinking about just messaging you directly.  So a couple follow up questions:

1) Local building regulations - do you mean just the HOA's regulations?

2) If there's no HOA, which building regulations should I check - county? state?

3) Permits - which ones do I need and who issues them? Again, does this happen at the city or county level?

I know it's difficult to give specific advice, but I don't have all the details fleshed out myself. I don't even have a county yet - could be  Montgomery, could be Howard or even something else.

Also, who can I approach with such a project? Should I just find a local modular builder, show them the plans and ask if they'll do it? Would a regular builder be willing to take it on?

Thank you!

J Scott · Answer

You probably want to start by getting a copy of the architectural plans for the house. Get approval for the plans from the HOA, and verify that they are in accordance with local building regulations. If the HOA will approve it and if you can get permits to build it, you should be okay... But unfortunately, it's impossible to give you step-by-step plan without knowing a whole lot more information.