Jim Hofacker of Point Pleasant Beach will never forget driving behind his home on Route 35 south.

As an emergency medical technician, he was transporting a patient to the hospital. It also happened to be the day before his two-story modular home was to start being assembled.

And there it was in front of him — in precise pieces — being carted down the road.

"I'll never forget that," says Hofacker, 64. "I wish I had a video of it. There's not many people who have driven behind their house on the highway."

Hofacker, a superstorm Sandy survivor, is one of many Jersey Shore residents choosing to build new homes with the modular kind, experts say.

Modular homes are ones that are roughly 80 percent built inside a factory, versus on a homeowners' property. Because the homes are built in climate-controlled environments, the construction process is said to be much quicker than those of stick-built homes — which can be affected by the weather.

Anthony Zarrilli, owner of Zarrilli Homes of Brick, says there is a current uptick in people purchasing modular homes.

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"Because of the storm, people want to get into their homes as soon as possible," says Zarrilli. "The quality (of materials) and the time it takes to build, and the amenities put into it, it comes in less expensive."

Building the basics Nick Garofolo, principle designer of Circul Custom Builders of Long Beach, started his modular business for simple reasons, he says.

"Site-construction homes took too long, and the costs associated with building a home were getting out of control, and the process in general, were so voluminous and time-consuming" Garofolo says. "There had to be another means of building a home. The approach that I took to the business was 'how was can I build a house better, how can I build it faster and how can I make it more affordable?'"

John Colucci, vice president of sales and marketing for Westchester Modular of Wingdale, New York, has seen the modular home industry evolve from very "quick, cookie-cutter models" and small ranches to more customizable homes.

"We can basically give the buyer just about anything they want," says Colucci.

While a stick-built home can take seven months to a year to be completed, a modular home is often quicker. Garofolo says Circul Custom Builders can construct a modular home, from start to finish, in three to four months.

"Our homes are more affordable, in most cases five to 15 percent less than site-built construction," Garofolo says. "So when I tell somebody that they can have a house that's built better, faster and more affordable, they usually sign on."

Following a beginning consultation, homeowners work alongside a builder during the designing process — which could be the sole hold-up, depending on how often specifications and features are changed.

"It takes six to eight weeks to prepare the job site with the foundation," Colucci says. "What customers don't understand — it's the process before that, it's them choosing what they want in the house. If somebody wants to get in for next May, they need to be starting the design process today."

The home then begins to get created using precision jigs — to ensure accuracy and straight lines — inside the company's factory. While this is taking place, the property's foundation is being built on-site, sometimes by the modular company.

Before the modular leaves the factory, it's examined by a third-party inspection agency, Colucci says.

"As the home moves down the production line at the factory, it's inspected," says Alfred Sica, president of Sica Modular Homes of Toms River. "When the home leaves the factory, it's already approved to be built in New Jersey. What a local building inspector would do is, when a modular unit is assembled on the job site, those plans (plumbing, electrical, etc.) would be approved locally."

Modular homes are also said to be built with the same or higher-quality materials than traditional homes. Think about it — modulars are required to have 15 to 20 percent more lumber to withstand being driven on roadways from the factory to job sites. They also need to sustain being picked up by machinery and placed onto the foundation.

"They're built with more lumber than a traditional stick-built home, the R-value on insulation (is higher), the walls are two by six perimeters — to do them on a stick-built wall is pricier," says Lou Obsuth, owner of Jersey Proud Modular Homes & Design Center of Point Pleasant. "They hold up to the wind and the storms so much better because they have to be built to withstand the transportation here. They've already gone through a storm just to get here — by going on the highway."

Once the pieces arrive — there's typically four sections, depending on the size of the home — they're assembled together, usually in one day.

Then, the 15 to 25 percent of remaining work begins. That includes adding electric, plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, flooring, painting, exterior decks, etc. The process could take between two and four months before the homeowners can move in, Obsuth says.

After the storm With nearly two years passed since superstorm Sandy, an upheaval of residents are still displaced. But some such as Hofacker are not, especially if they chose their new homes to be modulars, experts say.

"Before the storm, we were very busy," Zarrilli says. "We were nice and steady building homes. After the storm, it's been exponentially increased. You drive up and down the barrier island, (modular) homes are being set every day."

Sica, of a third-generation company, says he's built 900 to 950 modular homes in Ocean County. That number has increased since Sandy.

"It's safe to say, the modular home is engineered to be built to the International Residential Code (2009) New Jersey Edition," says Sica. "What that means is, the homes within our wind zones along the coast are in (up to) 120 mile wind zone. That is a pretty impressive design feature."

Obsuth remembers when he started building modulars in 1986 and how the product grew around the area.

"I think that modulars became very popular down here years ago because our client base was predominately second homebuyers," says Obsuth. "So people wanted to spend their summer in their house, spend Labor Day weekend in their house, and they wanted it (construction) done for Memorial Day weekend. So that shortened construction time was very appealing to customers who didn't want to give up their summers."

But the public has had its misconceptions on the modular industry, often confusing them with mobile homes, Colucci says.

"It is not a trailer, or a mobile home, and it's not built to the specification standard that a mobile home is built to," says Colucci. "There is a little bit of a misconception."

Garofolo says, for many years, modular home design was basically "a box with a roof on it."

"In fact, I just called it shelter," Garofolo says. "Advances in software technology, in the architectural space, has given us the ability to create cutting-edge designs that are on par with any site-build designs in the marketplace. We also utilize the software to create 3D modeling, so our clients can get a real good handle on the interior of the home as well as the exterior. The days of architectural blueprints on paper are way behind us."

Luxury, customized features All experts agree: there no limits when choosing features for modular homes.

"Most customers will look at those (modulars), and think, 'I never thought that was a modular home,'" Colucci says. "Outside the Jersey Shore, we're building 3,000 to 4,000 square-foot colonials. Gorgeous stuff. From an interior standpoint, we use Amelia (Cabinet Company), some want a custom cabinetry."

Sica agrees, citing features such as vaulted and cathedral ceilings and custom flooring.

"There are very few things that we can't do," Sica says. "The only limitation is the homeowners' imagination and their pocketbook."

Hofacker's new 1,800-square-foot home, built by Zarrilli Homes, is an upgrade from his former 1,150-square-foot cape. It is elevated 13 feet above sea level, and also boasts a deck outdoors.

"I never want to go through this flooding process again," says Hofacker. "The end product is a wonderful new product that I appreciate and enjoy very much. I have more square footage ... it's a much nicer layout."

Obsuth, whose Jersey Proud Modular Homes & Design Center business also does demolition, house raising, restoration, kitchens and bathrooms, says the company has incorporated features such as nine-foot ceilings, upgraded kitchens, tile and marble, granite countertops, hardwood flooring, wraparound porches and more on-site.

Circul Custom Builders' standardized products include names such as Kohler, American Standard, Owens Corning, Anderson, Therma-Tru Doors, and CertainTeed Siding.

"There is no product that we cannot integrate into our homes," says Garofolo. "We also provide for our tech-savvy homebuyers, smart home solutions, Energy Star ratings, and other fine environmental products."

Obsuth also finds those rebuilding after superstorm Sandy desire features such as whole-house generators, elevators, open decks, and wraparound porches in their modular homes.

"Now we have a lot more stairs going down (in elevated homes), so we have to use our imagination a little bit more to get all those stairs to be (aesthetically pleasing)," says Obsuth.

The average median of homes Zarrilli has designed is between 1,800 and 2,500 square feet — but it's also gone up to 12,000 square feet, he explains. He's also seen an unlimited amount of features go into recent modulars.

"Extremely custom kitchens, gourmet kitchens, rooftop decks, elevators," lists Zarrilli. "We're doing (on one), making the house overhang a patio so they have screened-in patios on the home. (There can be) outdoor showers. Instead of people going with larger homes, they're going smaller with more amenities in it — higher-end kitchens, radiant floors, steam showers."

Homes with benefits Modular homes have additional benefits, experts say — primarily speed, quality, customization, and even some financial savings.

"The need for the site labor becomes lessened," says Colucci. "Right now, especially on the Jersey Shore, (where you're) replacing homes for superstorm Sandy victims, it gives the builder the ability to get the homes done quicker."

Those are exactly the reasons why Hofacker chose to go modular. His former cape-style home had been flooded with four feet of water during Sandy, and he simply wanted to get back to reality. He and Zarrilli first met in December 2012; and Hofacker moved into his new home September 2013.

"I felt that the speed of the process would be faster by doing a modular home, and I was basically homeless," says Hofacker. "I was living in a small apartment and I wanted to build the home as quickly as possible, so I could get back to my normal life, my friends. The quality of the materials used is a bit stronger, to withstand the travel from the factory."

Zarrilli, whose business appeared on PBS' "This Old House/Jersey Shore Rebuilds" in October 2013, adds modular homes are built to be energy efficient, and often have lower heating and air conditioning costs.

"A lot of people are led to believe that modular is going to save them a ton of money," says Colucci. "The answer to the question is 'sure, it's going to save them a little bit' because we are controlling the cost of the product. Unless they make a material change in the house, your costs are very controlled. You're going to save more on your construction loan interest. The sooner we can get you into the house, the better off you'll be."

Garofolo says with Circul Custom Builders recognizes how busy today's working families are, and choosing a modular home eliminates stress.

"A considerable amount of our homebuyers, both husband and wife, work," says Garofolo, who has a target goal to build 14 to 16 modular homes in 2015. "They unquestionably don't have the time to be driving for hours every week to view their project. Our concierge service gives them the peace of mind, that from the day their house is set on the foundation, they up front have made all their selections and know everything going into the home. In essence, we really don't need to see the homeowner, in most cases, until it's time to hand them he keys."

But, he laughs, that's not always the case — since many homeowners are eager to see continual progress.

Hofacker enjoys seeing family and friends come by, amazed at his new home.

"They'll say, 'this is a modular home?' It's not something you have to buy a design off the shelf," says Hofacker, touting the high-quality and insulated materials. "It's customized as if it was a stick-built home. I have no fears that my house will never have a problem with the winds or rising waters."

Westchester Modular, which, in addition to New York, serves New Jersey, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and more, holds open houses the first Saturday of each month. Upcoming dates are Sept. 6 and Oct. 4.

"We get several hundred people," Colucci says. "It's a true education process. It gives them a behind the scenes view of what we're doing."

From start to finish, Zarrilli has a favorite part of the entire modular process.

"Handing the homeowners the keys, and they start getting back to their life," says Zarrilli. "Just seeing people moving into somewhere ... where they're going to make memories with their family — and start getting back to life at the Jersey Shore."

A sampling of area manufacturers

SPAGNUOLO COMPANIES SHORE DIVISION LLC: 278 Mantoloking Road, Brick; 732-202-6601 or www.jthomes.home-improvement.glsites.com

STATEWIDE CUSTOM MODULAR HOMES: 1905 Route 37 East, Toms River; 732-270-0050 or www.statewidemodular.com

JERSEY PROUD MODULAR HOMES & DESIGN CENTER: 2109 Bridge Ave., Point Pleasant; 732-903-7780 or www.jerseyproudmodularhomes.com

ZARRILLI HOMES: 186 Mantoloking Road, Brick; 732-262-4848 or www.zarrillihomes.com

WESTCHESTER MODULAR HOMES: 30 Reagans Mill Road Wingdale, New York (serves New Jersey and other states); 800-832-3888 or www.westchestermodular.com

SICA MODULAR HOMES: 1938 Route 37, Toms River; 732-270-1100 or www.sicahomes.com

CIRCUL CUSTOM BUILDERS: 1805 Long Beach Blvd., Ship Bottom; 609-494-7225 or www.circul.com

What you may not know about the indoor-built homes

Modular homes appraise the same as their on-site built counterparts do. They do not depreciate in value.

Most modular home companies have their own in-house engineering departments that utilize CAD (Computer Aided Design).

These home designs vary in style and size.

Modular construction can also be used for commercial applications including office buildings.

Modular homes are permanent structures — "real property."

The homes can be built on the following on crawl spaces and basements.

Modular homes are considered a form of "Green Building."

Modular homes are faster to build than a 100 percent site-built home.

Home loans for modular are the same as if buying a 100 percent site-built home.

Insuring your modular home is the same as a 100 percent site-built home.

Taxes on a modular home are the same as 100 percent site-built home.

Modular homes can be built to withstand 175 mph winds.

Modular homes can be built for accessible living and designed for future conveniences.

Zarrilli Homes, based in Brick, provides quick reasons

Quality and strength in modular. Modular homes are built in climate-controlled factories, offering many advantages over traditional stick-built homes.

Modular homes are built "out of the elements". As a result, they have significantly less weather related issues, such as water damage that can cause uneven walls and unleveled floors, and ensure the highest level of craftsmanship as workers are not exposed to the elements or made to work in hazardous conditions.

Modular homes are also built with approximately 20 percent more lumber than stick-built homes, significantly increasing its strength. This enables modular homes to withstand the stress of the shipping process, as well as 120 miles per hour winds.

Superior engineering and the latest construction technology significantly increase the energy-efficiency of your new modular home. Deeper wall studs with space for two extra inches of wall insulation, airtight seams in sheet rock and around windows, and Low E window glass all ensure that your home will be economical to run and comfortable to live in regardless of the weather.

Faster and smarter. Once all necessary permits have been secured, the average-sized home takes approximately five days to be constructed at the factory. Your home will be delivered to your home site approximately five weeks later. Once delivered, the final finish work on the home averages from 90 to 120 days, depending on the intricacy of the options and house design selected.

Upon delivery, your modular home will already have been inspected by an independent inspector who will certify that the home has been manufactured to conform with the approved plans and complies with the strictest building code requirements. As a result, less on-site inspections will need to be completed by your township officials, allowing you to move in to your new home as quickly as possible.

Green building is a design and construction process that saves energy and natural resources while protecting the environment. A green home uses less energy, water and natural resources, creates less waste and promotes the health and well-being of the home owners and their families. Modular manufacturing by its very nature is Green by recycling materials, reducing material waste and having a low environmental impact on the job site.