Six fabulous prefab houses

Prefabricated homes have come a long way since the days when modular meant mobile to home buyers. Today, buyers can find a wide selection -- from studio units to single-family homes -- for a variety of prices. The cost per square foot for a typical modular home is $76.80, according to the National Association of Home Builders. The average stick-built home costs $94.34 per square foot.

The prefab houses we profile here are far from average and definitely aren't cheaper quality. They range in size from 2,200 to 4,400 square feet, are constructed using high-end "green" materials and, in some cases, have been custom-built to owners' exact specifications. Take a look.

Note: Estimated market prices do not include the value of the land.

Click the photo to see Kiplinger's guide to buying a prefab house. (Photo credit: LivingHomes.net)

An eco-friendly pad
Market price: $589,030
Square footage: 2,560
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 2.5

This RK1 Model by LivingHomes, a Santa Monica, Calif.–based prefab builder, comes with standard finishes that include cork tiles for the floors, drywall ceilings and recycled-content solid surfaces for the countertops -- and a roof deck at the base price. Buyers can spring for higher-quality features such as glass tile or hardwood or bamboo floors and high-efficiency plumbing packages. This home earns a gold-level LEED ranking for energy-efficient design, thanks to its recyclable building materials and water-saving devices.