That’s a modular home? Why yes, it is, says Reframe Systems. [Courtesy photo]
The Massachusetts-based firm says its modular homes can be built in under five months—significantly faster than the eight- to 18-month timeline typical of conventional “stick-and-brick” construction. Company officials also estimate cost savings of 20 to 25 percent compared to traditional methods.
“We recognized that there was really a moral imperative to figure out how we could get to California sooner and start helping people get back into their homes,” said Justin Hersh, Reframe’s Head of Growth.
He added that the company accelerated its entry into Southern California following the Eaton and Palisade fires.
The meeting will feature presentations of four sample home designs and remarks from Co-founder and CEO Vikas Enti and Justin Hersh. Attendees will be treated to Pink’s Hot Dogs.
Organizers say the session will also address confusion surrounding insurance coverage. Consultant Michael Bustamante cited a recent conversation in which a resident was incorrectly told that modular homes are not insurable. He said an insurance manager clarified that while manufactured homes such as double-wides may not be covered, modular homes built to residential code are fully insurable.
Reframe officials explained that its homes are delivered in sections, placed on permanent foundations, and built to city, county and state codes for fire and earthquake safety—sometimes exceeding existing standards. The company also claims its installation process minimizes disruption to surrounding neighborhoods.
Hersh said Reframe’s modular units are designed with “super energy efficient” systems, high-quality air filtration, and fire-retardant materials that “exceed standard building code requirements,” adding that the company is focused on “how in a changing climate we build homes that people can be confident are going to survive what might come.”
Following the Eaton Fire, Reframe shaped its housing designs through focus groups and nonprofit meetings with local residents. Bustamante said the company’s approach differs from developers who arrive with fixed plans, noting that Reframe started by asking the community what it wanted.
Hersh emphasized that community input has been central to the company’s design process.
“We held a focus group—all 12 attendees were people from Altadena near Eaton, and 11 had lost their homes in the fire,” he said. “That was really to help us inform our design effort.”
Bustamante, whose neighborhood lost numerous homes in the fire, said he was drawn to Reframe’s “light touch” and community-first philosophy. The company’s leadership team, which includes founders with backgrounds in robotics and automation at Amazon, will be present at the meeting to share their plans.
For more information, visit https://www.reframe.systems/
