As one of the more versatile architectural styles, there is no shortage of unique, good-looking prefab and modular ranch homes. Whether you are looking for a modern one-story home or a cost-effective modular, our list highlights the range of prefab ranches that exist. To further help you in your new home build, we have addressed some of the most important questions that you might have particularly around cost, timeline, and key terms. If you would like assistance building your own prefab ranch, speak with a member of our prefab concierge team.

Understanding Prefab and Modular Ranches

What is a prefab ranch? What is a modular ranch? And what’s the difference between the two?

A ranch-style house is characterized by characteristics such as a single-story, low-pitched roofs, and an open plan interior. Technically speaking, a prefab ranch refers to any ranch that is built using prefabricated construction techniques. This includes modular construction, kit home building, panelized home construction, and manufactured construction.

Modular ranches are a subset of prefab construction where box-like module(s) are built off-site, shipped, then set, and finished at the final build site. So, there is very little difference between the two as both will have the design elements of a ranch. The only outlier would be manufactured ranches which are built to a different building code than traditional, residential buildings. And while manufactured homes may be cheaper, they sometimes can not be financed like other site-built or prefab homes and their value appreciates differently over time.

How much does a prefab ranch home cost?

The ranch homes included in our list have turn-key costs ranging from $288,000 to $1,265,022. These estimates are based on the all-in costs to build each home, not including land. It is worth noting that there are both more affordable and higher-end, fully-custom prefab ranches beyond those that are included on our list, depending on your budget and preferences.

To determine what it will cost for your own prefab ranch, there are a number of factors to consider:

Land
Permitting fees
Site preparation - site assessment, excavation, utilities, foundation
Home cost - modules, panels, kit components from the builder
Delivery - many prefab companies serve large areas of the U.S., if not the whole country. It is worth inquiring if they have regional manufacturing facilities or if they ship materials from their headquarters, in which case, long-distance shipping costs can add-up
Installation/set - setting modules on a foundation & tying them together, or the assembly of the materials kit or panels
Finishes - depending on the company and your project’s needs, some modular homes can be delivered in a highly-finished state (around 90% complete). This means homes can arrive on-site complete with flooring, cabinetry, electrical, and plumbing; this requires little on-site work for the home to be move-in ready. Kit homes and panelized homes require significantly more on-site work to assemble and finish, increasing the local cost section of your budget

How long does it take to build a prefab or modular ranch?

Like other styles of prefab and modular homes, a prefab ranch can often be built quicker than a site-built home. While the exact timeline of your project will be determined by the length of the design/engineering process, permitting approvals, off-site build times, and on-site assembly & finishing, it is our experience that a prefab ranch can be move-in ready anywhere between 9-16 months. If you are in a hurry, however, there are some companies (particularly for tiny homes and ADUs) that list build times as short as 3 - 4 months.

Prefab and Modular Ranches For Sale

Beaumont by Lindal Cedar Homes

The Beaumont by Lindal Cedar Homes is a 2,425 square foot cottage that is built using a prefabricated building materials kit. With 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, the Beaumont is a higher-end ranch-style home with options for customization. Lindal Cedar Homes’s home has interesting features such as a large single-story floor plan that features a master suite, office, and picture windows.

Lindal Cedar Homes is based in Seattle, Washington, and can work with buyers throughout the entire United States. Although regional cost differences will affect the cost of building a Beaumont, we estimate that buyers in mid to high-cost areas can expect to pay $1,265,022 to build the Beaumont ranch by Lindal Cedar Homes, not including land.

ib.04 by ideabox

The ib.04 by ideabox is a 1,100 square foot cottage that is built using modular construction with options for fully-custom designs. With 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, the ib.04 is a smaller ranch that would be well suited as a beginner home or for a small family. ideabox’s home has interesting features such as a modern ranch style with an open floor plan.

ideabox is based in Salem, Oregon, and can work with buyers throughout the Central and Western U.S. Although regional cost differences will affect the cost of building an ib.04, we estimate that buyers in mid to high-cost areas can expect to pay around $580,000.

Yates by Pratt Homes

The Yates by Pratt Homes is a 1,920 square foot cottage that is built using modular construction though they also offer options for manufactured homes. With 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, the Yates is an affordable and functional ranch-style home. Pratt Homes’ design has interesting features such as a covered front porch and a master suite.

Pratt Homes is based in Tyler, Texas, and can work with buyers throughout the Southern U.S. (TX, LA, NE, & AR). Although regional cost differences will affect the cost of building a Yates, we estimate that buyers in mid to high-cost areas can expect to pay around $288,000.

BreezeHouse by Blu Homes

The BreezeHouse by Blu Homes is a 2,140 square foot cottage that is built using modular construction. With 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, the BreezeHouse is a modern adaptation of a ranch. Blu Homes’s home has interesting features such as a modern, ranch-inspired aesthetic with a master suite, open floor plan, and breezeway for seamless indoor-outdoor living.

Blu Homes is based in Vallejo, California and can work with buyers throughout California. Although regional cost differences will affect the cost of building a BreezeHouse, we estimate that buyers in mid to high-cost areas can expect to pay $856,000 to build the BreezeHouse ranch by Blu Homes, not including land.

Ridgeline C by Deltec Homes

The Ridgeline C by Deltec Homes is a 2,126 square foot cottage that is built using a structural shell kit that is assembled and finished on site. With 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, the Ridgeline C is a traditonal ranch home with modern influences. Deltec Homes’ design has interesting features such as vaulted ceilings, lots of windows, and an energy efficient design that makes achieving net-zero energy usage more attainable.

Deltec Homes is based in Asheville, North Carolina, and can work with buyers throughout the entire U.S. Although regional cost differences will affect the cost of building C, we estimate that buyers in mid to high-cost areas can expect to pay $907,000 to build the Ridgeline C ranch by Deltec Homes, not including land.

Key Takeaways of Building a Prefab or Modular Ranch Home

Just like site-built ranches, prefab and modular ranches are characterized by: a single-story, low-pitched roofs, and an open living plan interior
As with most types of residential construction, the turn-key cost of your ranch will be heavily influenced by several factors: location & local labor cost, standard vs. custom, site work costs, and degree of finishes. That being said, buyers with mid to high-end costs can expect turn-key pricing from $400 - $600 per square foot, while low-end costs can range from $200 - $400 per square foot
Similar to cost, the timeframe to build your ranch will be largely determined by factors like permitting time, standard vs. custom, and whether or not your selected company has a backlog of orders. While some modular homes can be built in as little as a few weeks, the entire process: from the time you put your deposit down until your ranch is move-in ready is often between 9 - 16 months
There are a number of builders that sell prefab and modular ranch homes including Lindal Cedar Homes, ideabox, Pratt Homes, Blu Homes, and Deltec Homes