FAQs

Northstar does not retail directly to the general public, but has an exclusive dealer network located throughout the Midwest to the foothills of the Rockies. Many of our dealers have model home(s) on their lot for viewing, a selection center with the color options displayed and much more! Combining their experience and your vision will enable you to work together to create the home of your dreams!

All of our standard and upgrade options are shown on our website, in our catalogs, and most of our dealers have a selection center in their model home. Remember, we are passionate about customization, so if you have something specific you would like used in your home, just ask – 99 times out of 100 our answer will be “Yes, no problem!”

Many of our dealers have model homes on their lot, and our factory is open to tours if you would like to view the production process first-hand. Contact us to find your nearest dealer with a model home for viewing.

Here are a few major advantages of building modular vs stick-built. See also our Modular vs Others page for further details and differences.

• Simple, fast, and enjoyable experience. Modular home construction is quick and efficient, saving you the ongoing stresses of building on-site. All the “best price” research has already been done for you.
• More affordable. Northstar homes are more affordable than traditional site-built homes thanks to factory efficiencies and years of experience. That said, we are still focused on quality homes customized to each individual.
• Fixed price guarantee. You contract the price for your home, and are guaranteed that price unless you direct a change order. The price is the price.
• Built solid. Each home exceeds required building codes and is inspected by our quality control team for structural integrity before leaving the factory. Modular homes are “over built” in order to be strong enough for truck transport to the job site.
• Built away from the elements. Imagine what it would mean to the cost and quality of your next car if it were assembled in your driveway often in rainy or snowy conditions. Your home is built indoors so it is never exposed to the elements, or is susceptible to weather-related delays. Before your home leaves the factory, it is sealed up tight to avoid moisture or warping problems in the future.

Yes! We are open to ideas – if you have a plan you love, we want to see it! 

Northstar homes offer a high level of customization to fit your lifestyle and preferences. You can start with one of our base floor plans and modify it to better suit your needs—adjusting layouts, room sizes, and overall design. We also offer a wide range of finish selections including colors, materials, cabinetry, flooring, and exterior options so you can personalize the look and feel of your home.

Yes – we offer split-level and two story plans and are open to look at any plan you submit.

Northstar Systembuilt homes are constructed in two main phases. The home itself is built in our controlled factory environment in approximately 8–10 weeks (which is usually about the same time it takes to get permits and install a foundation on site), which helps improve efficiency and reduce weather-related delays.

After that, additional time is required for on-site work including foundation, setting the home, utility connections, and final finishes. The total timeline can vary based on site conditions, permitting, weather, and any changes made during construction. Your dealer will guide you through the full schedule and keep you informed every step of the way.

‘Approximate sq ft’ prices that people quote can be very misleading. It is best to discuss your entire project with a dealer to get a better estimate of your project cost. Often the ‘Modular Home’ part is only about half of the total project cost. (Need to consider expenses like: Wells, Septic systems, Dirt work, Tree removal, Driveways, Crane requirements, Heating/Cooling completion on site, etc.)

Yes, modular home are built to high energy standards.

There are 7 easy steps to get your project underway:

• Step 1 – Plan your dream home…
  • Choose a plan from our website, customize it or draw your own plan. We don’t just sell you a standard plan – they are only a starting point. We’ll customize our plans to fulfill your dreams. Show the plan to your dealer and they will take it from there.
• Step 2 – Plan Review
  • The dealer will submit the plan to Northstar and our professional design team will draw a preliminary plan and a 3D render of your home. The dealer will pass this on to you, and from there you can review, make changes and customize to your heart’s desire.
• Step 3 – Quoting Process
  • Once you are happy with your plan and have chosen all of the upgrades you wish to include (i.e. decorative stone on the front of the home, solid poplar doors, etc…) Northstar will provide the dealer with a detailed quote that will be presented to you along with the dealer's quote for on-site work to set the home.
• Step 4 – Push the Go Button! Sign off on the Contract
  • Once you are happy with the contract, it is time to sign off the acceptance and pay the deposit to the dealer…don’t delay!
• Step 5 – Choose your Colors
  • Now is the time to make your color choices! Take a look at our vast range of selections at the dealer location – it is best not to decide just from looking at our brochure or website. We’ve tried our hardest to represent the product colors accurately, but a printed or web version usually doesn’t do the product justice.
• Step 6 – Over to us for preparation of construction plans
  • Once you have made all your choices, we document them into our construction plans. This means everyone has now finalized all options and choices and your project is now ready for construction!
• Step 7 – Sit back and relax, your project is underway
  • Now that everything is in place, you can sit back and relax knowing that Northstar Systembuilt will deliver your dream. Your dealer will keep you informed as to how your project is progressing and exactly when it will be finished.

Yes, all our home plans can be set on a basement or crawl space foundation. We cannot, however, place our homes on a slab on grade foundation, due to running all our plumbing, electrical and mechanical through the floor system.

MN, IA, ND, SD, WI, NE, MT, ID, CO, and WY

We build to the relevant codes for the following states: MN, IA, ND, SD, WI, NE, MT, ID, CO, and WY.

No—modular homes and manufactured homes are not the same.

Modular homes, like those built by Northstar Systembuilt, are constructed in sections in a controlled environment and then assembled on-site. They must meet the same local and state building codes as traditional stick-built homes, ensuring comparable quality, durability, and long-term value.

Manufactured homes, on the other hand, are built to a different federal standard (HUD code) and are not held to the same local building requirements as modular or site-built homes.

At Northstar we only build Modular homes. Some manufacturers build to both HUD and Modular codes which often results in a lesser quality product, as some of the same components and building practices are used when building both the HUD and Modular homes.

In addition, even compared to many modular builders, Northstar offers enhanced customization—especially on the exterior. Our in-house capabilities allow for higher roof pitches, advanced truss designs, and more architectural flexibility than many modular providers, helping your home achieve a true custom, site-built appearance.

This means Northstar homes offer the efficiency of off-site construction while maintaining—and often exceeding—the design flexibility and standards of traditional site-built homes.

Product Warranty

• The customer is given specific legal rights that may vary from state to state. Each customer is encouraged to refer to his or her specific rights. Refer to Minnesota State Statute 327A. Each building fabricated is warranted to the original purchaser for one year from date of retail delivery by the company. The company reserves the right of deciding the appropriate correction of any defect as per all applicable codes. All construction methods comply with the applicable codes approved herein at the time of fabrication. Repair, adjustment or replacement of any defective items manufactured at the plant facility, will be provided free of charge. Non-warranted items excluded.

Conditions of Warranty

• All claims must be submitted in writing to their Dealer. Dealer must be allowed reasonable time to investigate claim. Claims must include; home owner’s name, address, serial number, date of purchase, and full claim description. All work to correct claim by dealer, must have the manufacturer’s approval. Items having their own warranties shall apply. Extensions of warranty will be made by the company as required by state laws. Such warranties will be included in shipping packet. Dealer is solely responsible for any claims, or contracts they make.

Exclusions to Warranty

• Any wall or floor issues at the mating line of the modular pieces subject to or due to on-site work.
• Damaged exterior finishes caused by carelessness of on-site workers.
• Damages or losses due to shipping/transportation incidents/conditions (i.e. water damage, theft, etc.).
• Any damage caused by compromising the structural stability of the structure (i.e. cutting through the center rim joists).
• Any damage caused by inadequate ventilation system (i.e. not installing an air exchanger).
• Damage caused by altering factory-installed items or not complying to any/all applicable building code items, either factory installed or on-site.
• Any damage or loss caused by theft, vandalism, or abnormal weather conditions including but not limited to; rain storms, flooding, hail, snowstorms, fires, wind storms, tornadoes, or any act of God.

Start by contacting our team for an initial conversation. From there, we’ll connect you with an authorized Northstar Systembuilt home dealer in your area. Your dealer will guide you through the entire process—from budgeting and planning to coordination and preparing for construction.

Pricing varies based on location, site conditions, and your level of customization. Base pricing typically includes the core home structure and standard finishes, while upgrades, site work, and certain features may cost extra. Your Northstar Systembuilt home dealer will provide detailed pricing, explain allowances, and help you make selections that align with your budget—typically with 10–30% flexibility depending on upgrades.

Northstar Systembuilt homes are built using an exclusively modular construction process, meeting the same local and state building codes as traditional stick-built homes—not manufactured housing. We combine this with a focus on quality craftsmanship, transparency, and a structured process. We are fully licensed and insured, offer warranty protection, and can provide references so you can build with confidence.