Smart Modular Canada blog

How to order a Modular House with Smart Modular Canada

Smart Modular Canada Resources — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 13:09:56 GMT

How to Order a Modular with Smart Modular Canada: 5 Simple Steps for Homeowners

Ordering a modular home in Ontario can feel like a big step, but with the right guidance, your new home journey becomes much easier to navigate. At Smart Modular Canada, we work with homeowners to make each stage clear, practical, and well planned from the very beginning.

If you’re thinking about investing in a modular home, it helps to understand what comes first, what decisions matter most, and how to prepare your property for delivery. Below are the five main steps to ordering a modular home through Smart Modular Canada.

1. Secure Your Property and Plan Your Home Layout

The first step is having a property where your home will be delivered and set up. The size, shape, and layout of your lot will help guide the type of home that fits best.

Once your property is in place, you can begin choosing the size, style, and overall layout of your home. Whether you’re considering a bungalow, a tiny home, or a larger sectional design, this early planning stage helps ensure the home suits both your vision and your land.

This is also the right time to think about access to the site, utility servicing, and delivery conditions, since these details can affect installation requirements later in the journey.

2. Choose the Right Foundation and Understand Ontario Permit Requirements

Before your home is crafted, it is important to choose the foundation that will support it. Your foundation affects structural stability, long-term performance, installation costs, and how your home is prepared for delivery.

For modular homes in Ontario, the foundation needs to be chosen early so the proper specifications are in place before the modules arrive. Smart Modular Canada notes that modular homes cannot be placed on concrete slabs and require the right type of foundation for utility access and long-term support.

Homeowners are also responsible for obtaining key site-related permits, including municipal building permits and, where required, septic permits. Permit approval is required before a modular home can be placed on a property in Ontario.

Starting this step early helps avoid delays and keeps your project moving forward with confidence.

3. Connect With Our Team and Pick a Home Model

Once you have your property and early site planning underway, the next step is to connect with our team. You can call, email, or visit us to talk through your goals, your budget, and the type of home you’re looking for.

We’ll help you explore the models that best match your needs, whether you’re planning a primary residence, a seasonal property, or an additional dwelling. This is where your new home journey starts to take shape in a real and exciting way.

Our team is always here to help you make informed decisions without feeling overwhelmed.

4. Customize Your Home and Reserve Your Spot in the Build Queue

After choosing your model, you can personalize the finishes, features, and details that will make the home feel like your own. This may include layout preferences, interior finishes, cabinetry, flooring, and other design selections.

Once your choices are finalized, a deposit secures your place in the production schedule. Smart Modular Canada uses a first-come, first-served build queue, so reserving your spot is an important part of moving ahead.

Because each home is crafted using Factory-Controlled Quality Construction, planning and customization happen with care before production begins.

5. Prepare Your Site, Schedule Delivery, and Complete Installation

While your home is being built, work begins on your property. Homeowners are responsible for hiring a qualified contractor to prepare the site, complete the foundation, and ensure the property is ready for delivery.

You will also need to arrange utility connections and hook-ups so everything is in place when your home arrives. Site readiness is one of the most important parts of avoiding delays during delivery and installation.

Once the property is ready, our team will work with you to confirm scheduling for delivery and installation. From there, your home is delivered to your site and set into place.

Welcome Home

Ordering a modular home in Ontario involves more than choosing a floor plan. It’s about preparing your property, making key decisions early, and working with a team that understands how to guide you through each stage with care.

At Smart Modular Canada, we take pride in supporting homeowners through every step of the journey with Northern Built, Northern Tested, Northern Trusted Modular Building Solutions.
We're BUILT IN THE NORTH, FOR THE NORTH

Ready to Start Your Modular Home Journey?

If you’re planning to order a modular home in Ontario and want help choosing the right model, understanding permit requirements, or preparing your property, reach out to Smart Modular Canada today. Our team is here to help you move forward with clarity, confidence, and support every step of the way.

FOR MORE DETAILS ON THE SMART MODULAR CANADA PROCESS CLICK HERE

Rebuilding After Wildfire: How Modular Houses Offer Hope

Smart Modular Canada Resources — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 18:59:54 GMT

When wildfire devastates communities, modular building solutions provide faster, durable paths to recovery. Modular construction is helping families return home and rebuild their lives with quality construction designed for resilience, within a quicker timeline. Featured in this photo is the Skyview single module house with built-in front deck by Smart Modular Canada.

Why Speed Matters When Communities Face Devastation

We're deeply sorry for what you and your community have experienced. Losing a home means losing a place filled with memories, comfort, and security. Rebuilding can feel overwhelming, and every family's path forward is different.

For families recovering in Northwestern Ontario, getting home sooner means more than completing a construction project. It helps restore routines, reconnect children with familiar schools, and allows communities to begin healing. Because modular homes are built in a controlled facility while site preparation happens simultaneously, they can often shorten the overall rebuilding timeline.

Faster Rebuilding Through Factory-Controlled Construction

With modular construction, your home is built indoors while foundation work, utilities, and site preparation are completed on your property. This parallel process can significantly reduce project timelines compared to traditional site-built homes, where weather delays and trade scheduling often extend construction.

Building indoors also protects materials from moisture and harsh weather, helping maintain quality and consistency throughout the construction process.

In addition to faster timelines, many homeowners appreciate the budget predictability modular construction can offer during a period when labour availability and material costs may be uncertain.

Quality and Durability You Can Count On

When rebuilding after a loss, durability matters. Modern modular homes are built to the same Ontario Building Code and CSA standards as site-built homes and can incorporate features designed for long-term resilience.

Factory-controlled construction ensures materials are protected throughout the build, supporting consistent quality in framing, insulation, electrical work, and interior finishes.

Each home is designed for Northern Ontario conditions, with high-performance insulation values of R-60 in the roof, R-24 in the walls, and R-40 in the floor. Standard features include 200-amp electrical service, GFI receptacles, HVAC systems, cabinetry, fixtures, and finished flooring—delivered move-in ready.

Flexible Foundation Options for Changing Site Conditions

Wildfires can alter lot conditions, affecting drainage, soil stability, and site access. Modular homes offer flexibility to adapt to these changes.

Homes can be installed on full or partial basements, walk-out basements, crawlspaces, screw piles, or cribbing where permitted. This allows rebuilding plans to reflect current site conditions while meeting budget and design requirements.

Foundation and installation requirements vary by property, and experienced professionals can help evaluate site suitability, coordinate engineering support, and navigate municipal permitting requirements.

Energy Efficiency That Supports Long-Term Savings

Rebuilding is both an emotional and financial investment. Energy-efficient design can help reduce long-term operating costs and improve year-round comfort.

Factory construction allows insulation to be installed with precision, minimizing gaps and maximizing thermal performance. Combined with high insulation values, this helps lower heating costs during Northwestern Ontario's long winters.

For many families, lower utility costs provide meaningful savings over time while reducing environmental impact and supporting sustainable community recovery.

Start with Your Insurance Provider

If your home has been damaged or destroyed by wildfire, one of the first steps is contacting your insurance company and mortgage lender. Ask for your claim number, the name and contact information of your adjuster, and clear details about what expenses are covered during the recovery process, including temporary housing, essential replacement items, and debris removal.

The days and weeks following a disaster can be overwhelming. Understanding your coverage early can help reduce uncertainty and keep your rebuilding plans moving forward.

Temporary Living Expenses

If your home is unsafe to occupy, ask about your Additional Living Expenses (ALE) coverage, which may help cover costs such as accommodations, meals, and other expenses incurred while you are displaced.

Key questions to ask include:

What is my ALE coverage limit?
Is coverage limited by time, a maximum dollar amount, or both?
Can I receive an advance payment for immediate necessities such as clothing and personal items?
Do I need to keep receipts for all expenses, or is a daily allowance available?

Home Rebuilding Coverage

Understanding your rebuilding coverage is one of the most important parts of the claims process.

Consider asking:

What is the policy limit for rebuilding my home?
Do I have Guaranteed or Extended Replacement Cost coverage?
Does my policy cover upgrades required by current building codes?
Are debris removal and site cleanup included?
Are detached structures, fencing, or landscaping covered under my policy?

Construction costs and labour demand can increase significantly following major wildfire events, making it especially important to understand the extent of your coverage before rebuilding begins.

Personal Belongings Coverage

Your contents coverage applies to personal belongings inside the home, from furniture and appliances to clothing and household items.

Ask your insurer:

What is my personal property coverage limit?
Am I covered for Actual Cash Value (depreciated value) or Replacement Cost (new replacement value)?
How detailed does my inventory of lost items need to be?
Can partial reimbursement be issued before all items are replaced?

Understanding the Claims Process

Knowing how your claim will be managed can help avoid delays.

Important questions include:

Who is my primary point of contact?
When will the property assessment take place?
What documents must be submitted as proof of loss?
What deadlines apply to the claims process?
How often can I expect updates on my claim?

Deductibles and Claim Payments

Before making major rebuilding decisions, confirm how claim payments will be issued.

Ask:

What deductible applies to my claim?
Will settlement funds be paid directly to me or through my mortgage lender?
Are payments issued in stages as rebuilding progresses?

Taking the time to understand your coverage can make the recovery process more manageable and help you make informed decisions about rebuilding. Keeping detailed records, saving receipts, and maintaining regular communication with your insurer can help ensure your claim proceeds as smoothly as possible.

Smart Modular Canada is not an insurance or mortgage provider. The advice provided within this article is for information purposes only. Please contact a licensed professional for more details.

Local Support Throughout the Recovery Journey

At Smart Modular Canada, we build modular homes locally in Thunder Bay and understand the unique challenges facing Northern Ontario communities.

As a single provider for design, manufacturing, transportation, and installation, we help simplify the rebuilding process while maintaining clear communication from start to finish. Our local expertise allows us to support homeowners through permitting, site preparation, utility coordination, and final installation.

Clients can further simplify their rebuilding process by including a full built-in appliance package and add in home furnishings from a local provider.

Every family's recovery journey is different. Whether modular construction is the right solution for you or not, we're committed to providing reliable information, practical guidance, and compassionate support.

If you'd like to learn more about modular construction or discuss your rebuilding needs, we're here to help. We wish you strength, resilience, and hope as you move forward. Smart Modular Canada will help you REBUILD your whole LIFE, not just your HOUSE.

Comparing Modular House Foundations in Northern Ontario

Smart Modular Canada Resources — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 12:15:00 GMT

Choosing the right foundation for your modular home in Northern Ontario's challenging climate is one of the most important decisions you'll make on your new modular home journey.

Understanding Foundation Options for Northern Ontario's Demanding Climate

When building a modular home in Northern Ontario, your foundation choice directly impacts structural integrity, energy efficiency, and long-term comfort. The region's harsh winters, freeze-thaw cycles, and varied terrain require foundations specifically designed to withstand these challenging conditions. At Smart Modular Canada, we take great pride in crafting high-quality, energy-efficient homes that reflect the unique needs of every homeowner and the demanding Northern Ontario environment.

Full basements, partial basements, walk-out basements, crawlspaces, pony walls, screw piles, and cribbing each offer distinct advantages depending on your lot condition, soil type, budget, and long-term plans. Understanding how each foundation type performs in Northern Ontario's climate will help you make an informed decision that protects your investment for years to come. Because all utilities in modular homes are located in the floor trusses under the house, having adequate access for maintenance and future repairs is essential to every foundation decision you make.

If you want to return to the Smart Modular Canada Website, Click on the SMC Logo in the top left corner of this page.

Full and Partial Basement Foundations: Maximum Living Space and Weather Protection

Full and partial basements provide exceptional protection against Northern Ontario's extreme cold while creating valuable additional living or storage space below your modular home. These foundations extend below the frost line, typically 4 to 6 feet deep in Northern Ontario, ensuring stability throughout freeze-thaw cycles that can damage shallower foundations. The deep excavation places your home's foundation well beyond the reach of frost heave, providing reliable structural performance year after year.

Full basements offer complete below-grade space with potential for finished living areas, additional bedrooms, recreation rooms, or storage. This foundation type provides excellent energy efficiency by creating a thermal buffer between your home and the frozen ground, helping to reduce heating costs during harsh winters. Partial basements deliver many of the same benefits while reducing excavation costs and construction time, making them a practical choice for homeowners seeking basement space without the full investment.

Walk-out basements combine the benefits of full basement construction with direct ground-level access on sloped lots. This foundation type is particularly well-suited to Northern Ontario's varied terrain, allowing you to maximize your lot's natural topography while creating bright, functional basement spaces with natural light and independent access.

For maintenance access to utilities, basement foundations provide excellent convenience. The open space allows technicians to easily reach plumbing, electrical systems, and HVAC components housed in the floor trusses above the basement ceiling. This accessibility can reduce service costs and simplify repairs over the life of your home. Great care should be taken during foundation construction to ensure utility entry points align with your house drawing specifications for seamless connection.

The team at Smart Modular Canada does not do the foundation work but we can provide some contractor suggestions.

Crawlspace or Pony Wall Foundations: Practical Protection with Essential Access

Crawlspace or Pony Wall foundations, provide an elevated foundation system that lifts your modular home above ground level while creating essential access space for utilities, plumbing, and HVAC systems. In Northern Ontario's climate, this foundation type offers important advantages for maintenance and protection. Because your modular home's utilities are located in the floor trusses beneath the living space, crawlspace access is absolutely essential for servicing these systems throughout your home's lifetime.

The elevated design allows proper ventilation beneath your home, reducing moisture accumulation that can lead to mold or structural issues in humid summer months. During harsh winters, the crawlspace provides a protective buffer zone where insulation and weather-resistant construction shields the utilities from extreme cold. Great care should be taken to ensure adequate insulation values in crawlspace construction, as this space directly impacts your home's overall energy efficiency and heating costs.

Crawlspace foundations also offer flexibility for lots with moderate slope or irregular terrain where full excavation isn't practical or cost-effective. This foundation type typically requires less site preparation than basement options while still providing the utility access that Northern Ontario building codes require. Your modular home cannot be placed on concrete slabs precisely because crawlspace access to utilities is essential for maintenance, repairs, and long-term system performance.

From a budget perspective, crawlspaces represent a middle ground between full basement construction and more minimal foundation systems. The reduced excavation and materials costs make this option attractive for homeowners who need reliable utility access without the investment required for full basement space. Following this foundation approach will help ensure you maintain proper access for years of trouble-free maintenance.

Screw Pile Foundations: Engineered Solutions for Challenging Sites

Screw pile foundations represent an innovative, engineered solution particularly well-suited to Northern Ontario's rocky terrain, remote locations, and environmentally sensitive sites. These helical steel piles are mechanically driven deep into the ground until they reach load-bearing soil or bedrock, creating stable anchor points that support your modular home above grade. This elevated design provides excellent access to the floor trusses where all your utilities are housed.

This foundation type offers several distinct advantages for Northern Ontario building conditions. Installation can proceed year-round regardless of weather conditions, avoiding delays caused by frozen ground or wet seasons that impact traditional foundation work. Screw piles work exceptionally well on sites with limited access, rocky soil, or environmental restrictions that make excavation impractical or prohibited. The minimal site disturbance makes screw pile foundations particularly appropriate for lake properties, conservation areas, and remote locations where preserving natural terrain is important.

Screw pile systems provide excellent structural performance in freeze-thaw conditions because the piles extend well below the frost line to stable bearing layers. The elevated design protects your home from ground moisture while creating the essential crawlspace area needed for utility access and maintenance. This is particularly valuable in remote locations where service calls may be infrequent and having accessible systems becomes even more critical.

Following this foundation approach will save you time and help to prevent on-site complications related to difficult soil conditions, seasonal weather delays, or access limitations.

If you choose screw piles, we recommend that you meet with a qualified structural engineer to design a screw pile system that will meet site-specific requirements and the Ontario Building Code standards for your location. The engineering ensures proper load distribution, adequate frost protection, and sufficient clearance beneath your home for accessing utilities in the floor trusses.

Cribbing Foundations: Temporary and Seasonal Housing Solutions

Cribbing foundations consist of stacked timber or steel framework that elevates your modular home on a stable, level platform. While less common for permanent residential construction, cribbing offers practical advantages for specific applications in Northern Ontario, particularly for seasonal properties, temporary workforce accommodations, or sites where other foundation types aren't permitted or practical. This elevated design maintains the necessary access space beneath your home for utilities located in the floor trusses.

This foundation type provides cost-effective solutions for camp properties, hunting cabins, or seasonal vacation homes where permanent basement construction isn't necessary or desired. Cribbing can be installed relatively quickly with minimal site preparation, making it suitable for remote locations with limited contractor access or short construction windows. The elevated design protects your home from ground moisture and provides adequate ventilation beneath the structure, which is important for preventing condensation and maintaining the integrity of floor systems and utilities.

It's important to understand that cribbing foundations have limitations compared to engineered permanent foundation systems. Local building authorities may restrict cribbing use for year-round residential occupancy, and this foundation type typically offers less insulation value and structural permanence than basement or screw pile options. In Northern Ontario's harsh climate, additional attention must be paid to protecting utilities from freezing temperatures when cribbing is used for winter occupancy. Depending on the foundation chosen, the condition of the property and the address location, the delivery and installation requirements will change.

We can recommend representatives to help you assess whether cribbing suits your lot conditions, intended use, and local permitting requirements.