Questions to ask before buying a prefab home

Buying a home can feel like a weird mix of online dating and home renovation shows. Everything looks perfect until you dig in… and suddenly there’s a mystery fee, a missing permit, and someone saying, “That’s not included.”

If you’re looking at prefab homes in San Jose CA, you’ve already made a smart move. But before you sign that dotted line or fall in love with a floor plan, you’ve gotta ask a few real-world questions. Not the fancy brochure stuff. The what’s-really-going-on stuff.

Here’s the honest list you’ll want in your back pocket. These questions will also help you out if you’re planning to get a Casita in Santa Clara County

1. “That price looks cute—but what’s actually included?”

Prefab home prices can be like movie trailers. They show the good parts and leave out the stuff that’ll cost you later. Is delivery included? What about installation, permits, or site work? If you’re buying prefab homes near San Jose, ask for a breakdown. Like, an itemized, actual-humans-can-understand breakdown.

2. “Is this plan already approved where I live?”

If you’re in Santa Clara County, you don’t want to find out your chosen plan needs six months of back-and-forth with city officials. Ask if it’s a pre-approved plan or if you’ll need to go full permit warrior mode. Pro tip: a dealer who’s done a few Casitas in Santa Clara County will know what flies.

3. “How long until I can actually move in?”

Not just factory build time. Not just delivery. The whole shebang. From signing the contract to having keys in your hand. Ask for the real timeline. Not the optimistic one they give when you’re still smiling at the showroom sink.

4. “What’s going on under my prefab palace?”

Let’s talk site prep. Is your land ready for a foundation? Do you need to level anything, bring in hookups, sacrifice a goat (just kidding)? And are they handling it, or are you supposed to call a bunch of contractors while Googling what a trench is?

5. “How the heck do I pay for this?”

Financing prefab homes isn’t always as straightforward as you’d hope. Some banks don’t totally get it. Ask your dealer if they work with lenders who know prefab life. If they go blank when you say “construction loan,” back away slowly.

6. “Can I switch things up… or is this a take-it-or-leave-it deal?”

You love the layout but hate the countertop. Can you swap it? Or is it one of those ‘what you see is what you get’ deals? Some prefab homes come with flexibility. Others are more like frozen pizza. You get what’s on the box.

7. “Who’s doing what once it shows up?”

Here’s where things get messy if you don’t ask upfront. Are they hooking up the plumbing and electricity? Or is that your job? Some dealers install, connect, and handle final inspections. Others? They drop it off and disappear like it’s an Amazon package.

8. “Permits. Help me. Please.”

If your prefab dealer says, “That’s up to you,” it’s not a red flag—it’s a whole carnival of red flags. If they’ve built prefab homes in Santa Clara County, they should at least walk you through the process. Bonus points if they deal with the city for you.

9. “So, what about the warranty?”

Ask what’s covered and for how long. If something leaks, creaks, or stops working, who fixes it? And are you calling them—or some faraway factory person who ghosted you after install?

10. “Have you built anything around here before?”

You want a dealer who knows the local lay of the land. If they’ve installed prefab homes in San Jose CA, they’ll know what paperwork you need, what site conditions to expect, and how to dodge any weird local rules that pop up mid-project.

Here’s the bottom line:

Prefab homes are cool. They’re fast, smart, and way more stylish than people expect. But only if you go in with your eyes open. Ask questions. Don’t assume. And never settle for vague answers or pretty renderings with zero detail.

If you’re looking at prefab homes in Santa Clara County or dreaming of a backyard Casita that doesn’t take a year to finish, the right dealer will guide you through every step—with real answers and none of the fluff.

Now go ask those questions. Be that buyer. Future you (and your property value) will be glad you did.