Hillside Colonial

Concord, NC

A functional, flexible two-story home designed for modern living.

Project Overview

This Concord, NC home holds a special place in our portfolio — it was our first home built and our first basement project. Designed as a spec home, the goal was clear: build a house that challenges the misconceptions of modular construction.

The property featured a highly sloped lot with a very narrow buildable area, creating the perfect opportunity to demonstrate how modular construction can adapt to complex site conditions without compromising design or value.

The final result was a striking two-story home on a full basement that clearly proved what modular construction is capable of when paired with proper planning and execution.

The Vision: Redefining What Modular Can Do

From the start, this project was meant to prove a point.

Many buyers assume modular homes are limited in design, foundation types, or adaptability. This home was intentionally designed to show the opposite:

• Two-story layout

• Full basement foundation

• Highly sloped lot

• Narrow building footprint (under 28’ deep)

• Elevated finish selections to support appraisal value

Originally, the basement was designed to function as an in-law suite. During the process, that vision evolved. In the final layout, half of the basement became a garage and the other half was finished living space — maximizing both usability and resale appeal.

Site Challenges & Design Constraints

The lot itself defined the home.

• Steep slope

• Narrow buildable footprint

• Foundation configuration tied directly to topography

Because of the limited depth allowance, we had to carefully select a floor plan that would not exceed 28 feet deep. The basement design and structural planning were driven entirely by the land conditions.

This project is a perfect example of how site constraints do not limit possibility — they shape smart design.

Design & Customization

To ensure the home appraised properly based on surrounding comps, we strategically upgraded key features:

• 9-foot ceilings

• Walk-in tile shower

• Upgraded cabinetry

• Upgraded countertops

• Enhanced finish selections throughout

Exterior materials included:

• Hardie plank siding

• Architectural shingles

• Basement foundation with brick imprint finish

These upgrades were selected intentionally to elevate perceived value and market appeal.

Construction Timeline

From initial design to Certificate of Occupancy, the project took approximately 10 months.

About 2.5 months of that timeline involved waiting on a final decision regarding the basement configuration (garage vs. in-law suite). Once that direction was finalized, the process moved forward efficiently.

Unique Modular Challenges

One of the most significant logistical challenges involved crane placement.

Due to the foundation location and module staging area, we required a 250-ton crane, rather than the originally anticipated 90–120 ton crane. This required coordination, recalculating lift logistics, and careful planning to ensure a smooth set day.

Additionally, site prep presented challenges — particularly managing soil during grading. We had to strategically move and reuse dirt on-site to achieve final grading efficiently.

Key lesson learned: Avoid performing major site work in wet conditions whenever possible.

The Buyer Experience

The final buyer relocated from New York and was already familiar with modular construction. That familiarity reinforced confidence in the build quality and overall process.

The buyer was extremely pleased with the finished product, further validating the design decisions and construction execution.

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