Method for constructing, transporting, and permanently installing modular building

Abstract

A method for constructing a modular building subdivision includes the steps of planning a plurality of residences, selecting an area of land, selecting sites on the land to place residences, selecting a construction yard, building facilities on the construction yard to construct building structures, having the facilities authorized by a governmental authority, using the facilities to building permanent unitary modular building structures to construct over 10,000 square feet of livable space, constructing a foundation at each of the sites, and moving the permanent unitary modular building structures to the sites to be installed on foundations at the sites. The permanent unitary modular building structures are moved along paths excluding public thoroughfares.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to the construction of buildings.

[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to the construction, transport, and installation of buildings which are larger than conventional mobile homes and therefore ordinarily can not be transported over public thoroughfares due to size restrictions.

[0003] Numerous modular, or “mobile”, homes have been constructed. Each module in a mobile home has a maximum width of about sixteen feet and a length that typically can be eighty feet. The width limitation of sixteen feet is mandated by law or statute or regulation for safety reasons. Attempting to transport over public thoroughfares modules having a width greater than sixteen feet is not deemed safe or practical by various governmental authorities. There are also, for safety reasons, height limitations associated with each module.

[0004] Another disadvantage associated with mobile homes is that the construction is usually less sturdy than that found in conventional “on-site” residential home construction. Less sturdy construction weighs less and facilitates the transport of completed mobile homes from the factory where the mobile homes are constructed. The lightweight construction associated with mobile homes often makes it impractical to attempt to stack one module on top of the other to produce a multi-story structure.

[0005] A further disadvantage associated with mobile homes is that permits have to be obtained to move mobile home modules over a public thoroughfare.

[0006] Still another disadvantage associated with mobile homes is that when a mobile home is moved, regulations often require the use of vehicles in front of and behind the mobile home while the mobile home is traveling along a public thoroughfare. This increases the labor costs associated with moving the mobile home.

[0007] Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide an improved modular construction method which would enable the construction of modules having a width larger than sixteen feet, which would facilitate the transport of modules from a construction site to a selected installation site, which would enable sturdier construction materials to be utilized so that multiple story buildings could be erected, and which would reduce the overhead associated with the construction of modular buildings.

[0008] Therefore, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an improved method for constructing, transporting, and installing modular buildings.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide an improved modular building construction method which significantly reduces the cost of constructing, transporting, and installing a modular building.

[0010] A further object of the invention is to provide an improved modular building construction method which eliminates having to obtain a permit to move a completed modular building along a public thoroughfare to install the modular building.

[0011] Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved modular building construction method which does not require the use of a conventional factory to assemble modular buildings.

[0012] Briefly, I have discovered an improved method for constructing, transporting, and installing a modular building.

[0013] In one embodiment of the invention, I provide an improved method for constructing a subdivision. The method includes the steps of preparing construction plans for a plurality of residences collectively including in total at least 10,000 square feet of livable space; selecting an area of land on which to construct the plurality of residences; selecting sites on the area of land on which to place each of the plurality of residences; selecting a construction yard on the area of land on which to construct building structures; building on the construction yard facilities to construct building structures; having the facilities authorized by at least one governmental authority; using the facilities to construct a plurality of permanent unitary modular building structures to produce said plurality of residences collectively including in total at least 10,000 square feet of livable space; constructing a foundation at each of the sites; and, moving each of the permanent unitary modular building structures to a selected one of the sites by loading the permanent unitary modular building structure on a transporter for carrying the permanent unitary modular building structure from the construction portion of the area of land to the selected one of the sites, by moving the transporter from the construction yard to the selected one of the sites by moving the transporter along a path which excludes public thoroughfares, by positioning, at the selected one of the sites, the transporter to move the permanent unitary modular building structure from the transporter to a position over the foundation at the selected one of the sites, and by removing the transporter from the site after the permanent unitary modular building structure is moved from the transporter.

[0014] In another embodiment of the invention, I provide an improved method for constructing a subdivision. The method includes the steps of preparing construction plans for a plurality of residences collectively including in total at least 10,000 square feet of livable space; selecting an area of land on which to construct the plurality of residences; selecting sites on the area of land on which to place each of the plurality of residences; selecting a construction yard on which to construct building structures; building facilities on the construction yard to construct building structures; having the facilities authorized by at least one governmental authority; using the facilities to construct a plurality of permanent unitary modular building structures to produce said plurality of residences collectively including in total at least 10,000 square feet of livable space, each of the permanent unitary modular building structures having a maximum width greater than sixteen feet and a maximum depth greater than sixteen feet; constructing a foundation at each of the sites; and, moving each of the permanent unitary modular building structures to a selected one of the sites by moving the permanent unitary modular building structure along a path which excludes public thoroughfares.

[0015] In still a further embodiment of the invention, I provide an improved method for constructing a subdivision. The method includes the steps of preparing construction plans for a plurality of residences collectively including in total at least 10,000 square feet of livable space; selecting an area of land on which to construct the plurality of residences; selecting sites on the area of land on which to place each of the plurality of residences; constructing above the ground a plurality of permanent unitary modular building structures to produce said plurality of residences collectively including in total at least 10,000 square feet of livable space, each of the permanent unitary modular building structures having a maximum width greater than sixteen feet and a maximum depth greater than sixteen feet; constructing a foundation at each of the sites; and, moving each of the permanent unitary modular building structures to a selected one of the sites by moving the permanent unitary modular building structure over the ground along a path which excludes public thoroughfares.

[0016] In still another embodiment of the invention, I provide an improved method for constructing a subdivision. The method includes the steps of preparing construction plans for a plurality of residences collectively including in total at least 10,000 square feet of livable space; selecting an area of land on which to construct the plurality of residences; selecting sites on the area of land on which to place each of the plurality of residences; selecting a construction yard on which to construct building structures; building on the construction yard facilities to construct building structures; having the facilities authorized by at least one governmental authority; using the facilities to construct above the ground a plurality of permanent unitary modular building structures to produce said plurality of residences collectively including in total at least 10,000 square feet of livable space; constructing a foundation at each of the sites; and, moving each of the permanent unitary modular building structures to a selected one of the sites by providing first jack means which extend between the permanent unitary modular building structure and the ground, by providing a transporter for moving the permanent unitary modular building structure to a selected one of the sites, by operating the jack means to lower the permanent unitary modular building structure onto the transporter, by moving the transporter and permanent unitary modular building structure carried thereon to the selected one of the sites, by providing second jack means which extend between the permanent unitary modular building structure and the ground, and by using the second jack means to position the permanent unitary modular building structure onto the foundation at the selected one of the sites.

[0017] In yet still a further embodiment of the invention, I provide an improved method for constructing a subdivision. The method includes the steps of preparing construction plans for a plurality of residences collectively including in total at least 10,000 square feet of livable space; selecting an area of land on which to construct the plurality of residences; selecting sites on the area of land on which to place each of the plurality of residences; selecting a temporary construction yard on which to construct building structures; constructing above the ground in the open on the construction yard a plurality of permanent unitary modular building structures to produce said plurality of residences collectively including in total at least 10,000 square feet of livable space, each of said permanent unitary modular building structures having a maximum width greater than sixteen feet and a maximum depth greater than sixteen feet; constructing a foundation at each of the sites; and, moving each of the permanent unitary modular building structures to a selected one of the sites.

[0018] As used herein, modular building construction comprises constructing modular building structures and transporting the modular building structures from a construction site to a building site at which the building structures are each permanently set on a foundation. Modular building structures are usually built above the ground, i.e., are built on jacks, piers or other structural supports so the building structures are elevated above the ground. Modular building structures can include manufactured homes and modular homes as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development publications concerning the manufacture, repair, transportation and sale or lease of manufactured or modular structures. Modular building structures can also include building structures which are not defined under said U.S. Government publications but which are still constructed above the ground and are transported from a construction site to a building site at which the modular building structures are permanently set on a foundation.

[0019] Typically, although not necessarily, modular building construction utilizes two by four or two by six wood studs or comparable structural members to frame walls and floors. Metal structural members or structural members constructed of any other desired material(s) can be utilized in place of or in combination with wood to frame walls and floors.

[0020] Modular building construction usually does not include mobile home construction. Mobile home construction typically includes 2 by 3s for walls and floors. Mobile home construction usually is not as strong as modular building construction. A mobile home includes a metal I-beam floor joist support structure. Axles are attached to the I-beam structure. When a mobile home is moved, wheels are attached to the axles. After the mobile home is moved to its intended destination, the wheels normally are removed. The I-beam structure remains an integral part of the mobile home in anticipation of the mobile home being moved again at some future time . In contrast, modular building construction is intended to be moved once and then permanently affixed to a foundation.

[0021] As used herein, permanently as used with respect to modular building construction indicates that a modular building structure, once affixed to a foundation, is not intended to be moved again. It is understood that all buildings can, with sufficient time and effort, be removed from a location and moved, either in one piece or in parts. A building structure constructed with modular building construction is not, however, intended to be moved again once the building structure is mounted on the foundation at its “final resting place”.

[0022] A carrier is used to transport modular building construction. The carrier typically includes wheels or tracks (like a tank track) which move over the ground. Once a modular building construction unit reaches its appointed destination, the modular construction unit is removed from the carrier and set on a foundation.

[0023] As used herein, a mobile home modular building section (1) is a mobile home which stands alone, or (2) is a portion of a mobile home which is connected or attached to another modular building section at a selected construction site in order to produce a mobile home. A modular building section is normally no more than sixteen feet wide. The sixteen foot wide limitation is imposed because when the modular building section is transported along a street or other public thoroughfare, the modular building component must not be excessively wide. While a modular building section can have a width of no more than sixteen feet, the length can be up to about eighty feet. There often are also height limitations for modular building sections so that such sections will not strike a bridge or utility lines while being transported along a public thoroughfare by a truck.

[0024] As used herein, livable space is the square footage floor area in a residence that is in rooms which a person or entity living in or utilizing the residence inhabits or uses to eat, sleep, relax, work, or play. The floor area in bathrooms, kitchens, dining rooms, family rooms, dens, living rooms, offices, storage rooms, shopping areas, rooms for manufacturing equipment, classrooms, day care rooms, closet space, garages, etc. comprise livable space. Patios, out-of-doors side walks, swimming pools, out-of-doors lawns and gardens do not comprises livable space.

[0025] As used herein, a governmental authority is a federal, state, municipal or county organization or agency which enforces selected laws, regulations, rules and/or ordinances and authorizes certain actions in accordance with laws, policies, regulations, etc. For example, a city police department is a governmental authority which enforces laws or regulations concerning criminal or misdemeanor behavior. A city planning and zoning commission enforces rules or ordinances or regulations concerning rezoning procedures and concerning zoning violations.

[0026] As used herein, construction yard facilities are authorized by a governmental authority if the authority approves, inspects, issues a permit, or takes some other action approving or authorizing the construction facility or a modular building structure constructed by the construction facility.

[0027] As used herein, a public thoroughfare is a street (including interstate highways, state highways, etc.) or path along which (1) transport of a modular building section or other building structure having a width of about sixteen feet and/or a height greater than about fifteen feet is allowed only if a permit is obtained or if some other authorization is obtained from a governmental authority, (2) transport of a modular building section or other building structure having a width of less than sixteen feet may also not be allowed unless a permit or some other authorization is obtained from a governmental authority.

[0028] As used herein, a public thoroughfare is a street or path along which it would be required by government authority to get authorization because of the width or height of the building structure. If the width of the building structure is greater than eighty feet, you normally need a permit to move along a public thoroughfare.

[0029] As used herein, a street in a new subdivision does not become a public thoroughfare until a permanent modular building structure is erected on each lot in the subdivision and any modular building construction yard on or adjacent the new subdivision is removed.

[0030] As used herein, a subdivision is a tract of land surveyed and divided into one or more lots on which at least one residence is constructed. The residence can comprise a single family home, apartment, condominium, office building, motel, nursing home, store, or other building structure. Construction in a subdivision can take place continuously until a completed building structure is in place on each lot in the subdivision, or, can take place in phases. During each phase, only a selected number of lots in the subdivision are each provided with a building structure(s). After a phase is completed in a subdivision, a selected period of time passes before the next phase begins in the subdivision.

[0031] As used herein, a modular building construction is constructed in the open when it is not constructed inside a fixed, permanent building structure but is constructed at a site that is out-of-doors and that utilizes temporary building structures. A temporary building structure is intended to be removed at the completion of construction and can, by way of example and not limitation, include a tent, a building with a pipe framework which fits together and can readily be taken apart, etc. If a tarp or umbrella-like cover is provided over a modular building during construction of the modular building, the building is still constructed out of doors because it is not constructed in a fixed permanent building structure.

[0032] As used herein, a permanent unitary modular building structure comprises the walls of a building built as a unit and transported to a designated lot or other location for permanent installation; comprises the floor of a building built as a unit and transported to a designated lot or other location for permanent installation; comprises the roof of a building built as a unit and transported to a designated lot or other location for permanent installation; comprises the walls and roof of a building constructed as a unit and transported to a designated lot or other location for permanent installation; comprises the walls and floor of a building constructed as a unit and transported to a designated lot or other location for permanent installation; or, comprises the walls, floor, and roof of a building constructed as a unit and transported to a designated lot or other location for permanent installation. When a roof, wall, or floor is built as a unit, it ordinarily is transported as a unit, i.e., is transported as a single piece.

[0033] Once a permanent unitary modular building structure is constructed, it is, in accordance with the invention, transported to a selected lot in a subdivision (or other selected location) and is permanently affixed to a foundation on the lot. Consequently, a permanent unitary modular building structure is not a mobile home section because a mobile home building section is not intended to be permanent. Mobile homes are intended to be portable, that is why they are called “mobile”. A mobile home building section ordinarily can not be more than sixteen feet wide. In contrast, a permanent unitary modular building structure can, and usually will be, more than sixteen feet wide. The depth, or length, of a mobile home building section can typically be up to eighty feet. The depth, or length of a permanent unitary modular building structure can vary as desired, as can the height of the structure.

[0034] Two or more permanent unitary modular building structures can be constructed and assembled one next to the other on a lot to produce a larger building. For example, a first permanent unitary building structure including a twenty foot by thirty foot floor, walls, and roof can be constructed and installed on a foundation on a lot. A second permanent unitary modular building structure including a twenty foot by twenty foot floor, walls, and a roof can be constructed and installed on a foundation on the same lot side by side or on top of the first permanent unitary modular building structure and connected to the first permanent unitary modular building structure.

[0035] While it is preferred in the practice of the invention to build a permanent unitary modular building structure which includes the floor, walls, and roof, it is, as would be appreciated by those of skill in the art, possible to build the floor, transport it to a designated lot; build the wall unit, transport it to the designated site and install it on the floor; and, build the roof, transport it to the designate site and install it on the wall unit. Or, the floor and wall can be built as a unit and transported to a lot and installed. Then the roof can be built and transported to the lot and installed on the wall-floor unit. Or, a permanent modular building structure can be built which includes only the wall and roof because the foundation on which the structure is set will serve as the floor. And so on.

[0036] The following example is provided for illustrative purposes and not by way of limitation of the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLE

[0037] An area of land is selected to construct residences. The residences are each two stories high. The area of land is rectangular. The land is subdivided into one hundred lots. The size of each lot is one-half acre.

[0038] The subdivided land is bounded on each side by an existing municipal thoroughfare municipal jurisdiction. Washington Street runs north and south and bounds the west side of the subdivided land. Jefferson Street runs north and south and bounds the east side of the subdivided land. Adams streets runs east and west and bounds the north side of the subdivided land. Lincoln street runs east and west and bounds the south side of the subdivided land.

[0039] Municipal water, sewer, and electric lines also bound the land. Connections are made to these municipal lines to provide water, sewer, and electric lines underground leading to each of the lots. Streets and curbs are installed on the land to access each lot. Since residential structures have not been erected on the lots, maintenance and care of the streets is not yet turned over the appropriate municipal authority or authorities, i.e., the streets on the subdivided land are not public thoroughfares. A building foundation is constructed on each lot except for the four lots occupied by the construction yard.

[0040] Plans for constructing modular building structures are prepared.

[0041] Four lots on the southeast corner of the land are selected as a construction yard. Two temporary tents, each 50 ft×50 ft, are erected. Floor and roof sections are built inside the first tent. Wall sections are constructed inside the second tent. A large 20 ft×40 ft transporter trailer is provided outside the tents. Jacks are positioned on the ground.

[0042] A floor built inside the first tent is placed on the jacks and the jacks support the floor above the ground. Wall sections built inside the second tent are installed on the floor. A floor and wall sections are used to construct a second story on top of the first story. A roof built inside the first tent is used for the roof on the second story. Flooring, dry wall, paint, cabinets, cupboards, plumbing fixtures, shingles, air conditioning units, windows, etc. are used to complete the portion of the construction tasks relegated to the construction yard to produce a partially finished, enclosed modular building structure. An enclosed modular building structure is a modular building structure which includes a floor, walls, and a roof. In the event the modular building is built to be set on a concrete slab foundation, a conventional floor is not constructed. Instead, the walls are constructed and then a bracing system comprised of metal or wood beams.

[0043] The 20 ft×40 ft transporter trailer is backed underneath the enclosed modular building structure. The jacks are used to lower the modular building structure onto the transporter trailer. A truck pulls the transporter trailer over streets on the subdivided land to a selected lot. The transporter trailer can, if desired, be self powered. Since the truck and trailer only travel on streets on the subdivided land, the truck avoids traveling on a public thoroughfare.

[0044] The truck positions the trailer such that the enclosed modular building structure is positioned over and in registration with the foundation on the lot. Jacks are used to raise the modular building structure upwardly off the trailer. The truck pulls the trailer free from beneath the modular building structure. The jacks are used to lower the modular building structure onto the foundation. The necessary plumbing and electrical connections are made.

[0045] The foregoing procedure is used to build and transport a modular building structure to each of the remaining ninety-five lots not occupied by the construction yard. After ninety-six of the one-hundred lots have two story modular building structures installed on the lots, the temporary tents and other equipment in the construction yard are torn down and moved across Lincoln Street to a lot which is south of and bounds Lincoln Street. The tents are erected on the lot and two story residential buildings are constructed in the manner noted above. Four such buildings are constructed, one for each of the remaining four lots. The 20 ft×40 ft transporter trailer carries each of the two story buildings straight across Lincoln Street to the subdivided land and to a selected lot on the land. Since the transporter trailer travels only a short distance over Lincoln Street, a permit or authorization from the municipality is not required, and the transporter trailer does not travel on a public thoroughfare. As used herein, travel over a distance of one mile or less on a public thoroughfare does not constitute travel on a public thoroughfare simply because governmental authorization may not be required to travel such a short distance on a public thoroughfare. If however, the municipality or another governmental agency or organization with authority over a public thoroughfare uses, directly or indirectly, the method of the invention to construct modular building structures and gives authorization (or an exemption from having to secure the permits or authorization normally required) ) to transport modular building structures over a public thoroughfare without having to obtain permits or authorization in the manner required by others using the public thoroughfare, then for the purposes herein, such constitutes transporting a modular building structure over a street which is not a public thoroughfare. In other words, the action of the municipality in not requiring authorization makes the public thoroughfare function, in essence, as if it were not a public thoroughfare, which saves significant costs in transporting a modular building in accordance with the spirit and purpose of the invention.

[0046] After the four remaining two story modular building structures are completed, the tents are taken down and removed from the lot that is south of Lincoln Street, along with all remaining construction equipment.

[0047] If desired, the modular building structure can be constructed directly on the transporter trailer. The building structure is then removed by lifting it off the trailer with jacks, by pulling the trailer out from beneath the building structure, and by using the jacks to lower the building structure onto a foundation. Any other desired equipment can be utilized to engage and carry, lift, or otherwise move a modular building structure to its selected lot.

[0048] A modular building structure includes both partially constructed structures and completed structures. If the modular building structure is only partially completed when it is moved to its selected lot and lowered onto its foundation, construction of the building structure can, if desired, be completed.

[0049] Each story of a multiple story building can be completed separately. The first story can be completed at the construction yard, moved to the selected lot, and lowered onto the foundation at the lot. The second story can be completed at the construction yard, moved to the selected lot, raised with a crane onto the first story, and joined to the first story in conventional fashion.

[0050] Separate parts of one story of a building can be completed separately, moved to the selected lot and joined together at the lot after being moved into position at the lot.

[0051] There are several important advantages associated with the construction method of the invention.

[0052] One advantage of the method of the invention is that it does not require the manufacturer of modular building structures to purchase and retain a piece of land on which to build modular building structures for a plurality of subdivisions.

[0053] Another advantage of the method of the invention is that it does not require the manufacturer of modular building structures to pay taxes on land for an extended period of time while the land is used to build modular building structures.

[0054] A further advantage of the method of the invention is that it does not require the manufacturer of a modular building structures to invest $1,000,000 (typically) or more to construct a permanent factory in which to assemble modular building structures.

[0055] Still another advantage of the method of the invention is that it does not require a manufacturer to invest continually in the repair, painting, and other upkeep necessary to maintain a permanent factory building.

[0056] Yet a further advantage of the method of the invention is that it does not require a manufacturer to transport a modular building structure over an extended distance to a subdivision in which the modular building structure is to be placed, reducing the likelihood that the modular building structure will be damaged during transport and reducing the time expended in moving modular building structures.

[0057] Another advantage of the method of the invention is that a manufacturer does not have to go to the time and expense of obtaining permits and hiring individuals to transport a modular building structure over public thoroughfares.

[0058] A further advantage of the invention is that the modular building structure is not subject to width or height restrictions, and the width of the modular building structure can be greater than sixteen feet and the height greater than fifteen feet.

[0059] Still another advantage of the method of the invention is that unitary multiple story modular building structures can be constructed and transported to and installed at a designated site in one piece, providing more architectural flexibility and options at a reduced cost.

[0060] Yet a further advantage of the method of the invention is that only temporary construction facilities are required.

[0061] Yet still a further advantage of the method of the invention is that the land on which modular building structures are assembled in a subdivision is used only for a limited period of time and later—after the temporary construction facilities are removed and modular building structures are placed on the land—produces additional revenue.

[0062] Another advantage of the method of the invention is that the cost required to construct a plurality of residences in a subdivision is less than the cost incurred by building the residences one-by-one on each lot in conventional fashion.

[0063] Accordingly, the method of the invention is believed to offer significant advantages over long-used conventional construction and other currently used modular construction techniques.

[0064] Having described my invention in such terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice it, and having identified the presently preferred embodiments thereof.

Claims

1. A method for constructing a subdivision, including the steps of

(a) preparing construction plans for a plurality of residences collectively including in total at least 10,000 square feet of livable space;

(b) selecting an area of land on which to construct the plurality of residences;

(c) selecting sites on the area of land on which to place each of the plurality of residences;

(d) selecting a construction yard on the area of land on which to construct building structures;

(e) building on the construction yard facilities to construct building structures;

(f) having the facilities authorized by at least one governmental authority;

(g) using the facilities to construct a plurality of permanent unitary modular building structures to produce said plurality of residences collectively including in total at least 10,000 square feet of livable space;

(h) constructing a foundation at each of the sites;

(i) moving each of the permanent unitary modular building structures to a selected one of the sites by

(i) loading the permanent unitary modular building structure on a transporter for carrying the permanent unitary modular building structure from the construction portion of the area of land to the selected one of the sites,

(ii) moving the transporter from the construction portion to the selected one of the sites by moving the transporter along a path which excludes public thoroughfares,

(iii) positioning, at the selected one of the sites, the transporter to move the permanent unitary modular building structure from the transporter to a position over the foundation at the selected one of the sites,

(iv) removing the transporter from the site after the permanent unitary modular building structure is moved from the transporter.

2. A method for constructing a subdivision, including the steps of

(a) preparing construction plans for a plurality of residences collectively including in total at least 10,000 square feet of livable space;

(b) selecting an area of land on which to construct the plurality of residences;

(c) selecting sites on the area of land on which to place each of the plurality of residences;

(d) selecting a construction yard on which to construct building structures;

(e) building on the construction yard facilities to construct building structures;

(f) having the facilities authorized by at least one governmental authority;

(g) using the facilities to construct a plurality of permanent unitary modular building structures to produce said plurality of residences collectively including in total at least 10,000 square feet of livable space, each of the permanent unitary modular building structures having a maximum width greater than sixteen feet and a maximum depth greater than sixteen feet;

(h) constructing a foundation at each of the sites;

(i) moving each of the permanent unitary modular building structures to a selected one of the sites by moving the permanent unitary modular building structure along a path which excludes public thoroughfares.

3. A method for constructing a subdivision, including the steps of

(a) preparing construction plans for a plurality of residences collectively including in total at least 10,000 square feet of livable space;

(b) selecting an area of land on which to construct the plurality of residences;

(c) selecting sites on the area of land on which to place each of the plurality of residences;

(d) constructing above the ground a plurality of permanent unitary modular building structures to produce said plurality of residences collectively including in total at least 10,000 square feet of livable space, each of the permanent unitary modular building structures having a maximum width greater than sixteen feet and a maximum depth greater than sixteen feet;

(e) constructing a foundation at each of the sites;

(f) moving each of the permanent unitary modular building structures to a selected one of the sites by moving the permanent unitary modular building structure over the ground along a path which excludes public thoroughfares.

4. A method for constructing a subdivision, including the steps of

(a) preparing construction plans for a plurality of residences collectively including in total at least 10,000 square feet of livable space;

(b) selecting an area of land on which to construct the plurality of residences;

(c) selecting sites on the area of land on which to place each of the plurality of residences;

(d) selecting a construction yard on which to construct building structures;

(e) building on the construction yard facilities to construct building structures;

(f) having the facilities authorized by at least one governmental authority;

(g) using the facilities to construct above the ground a plurality of permanent unitary modular building structures to produce said plurality of residences collectively including in total at least 10,000 square feet of livable space;

(h) constructing a foundation at each of the sites;

(i) moving each of the permanent unitary modular building structures to a selected one of the sites by

(i) providing first jack means which extend between the permanent unitary modular building structure and the ground,

(ii) providing a transporter for moving the permanent unitary modular building structure to a selected one of the sites,

(iii) operating the jack means to lower the permanent unitary modular building structure onto the transporter,

(iv) moving the transporter and permanent unitary modular building structure carried thereon to the selected one of the sites,

(v) providing second jack means which extend between the permanent unitary modular building structure and the ground, and

(vi) using the second jack means to position the permanent unitary modular building structure onto the foundation at the selected one of the sites.

5. A method for constructing a subdivision, including the steps of

(a) preparing construction plans for a plurality of residences collectively including in total at least 10,000 square feet of livable space;

(b) selecting an area of land on which to construct the plurality of residences;

(c) selecting sites on the area of land on which to place each of the plurality of residences;

(d) selecting a temporary construction yard on which to construct building structures;

(e) constructing above the ground in the open on the construction yard a plurality of permanent unitary modular building structures to produce said plurality of residences collectively including in total at 10,000 square feet of livable space, each of the permanent unitary modular building structures having a maximum width greater than sixteen feet and a maximum depth greater than sixteen feet;

(f) constructing a foundation at each of the sites; and,

(g) moving each of the permanent unitary modular building structures to a selected one of the sites.