We Checked 50+ Prefab Modern Homes—Here Are the Top 8

Unique and unconventional stays are winning on Airbnb. They’re beating standard listings with higher occupancy and nightly rates.

If you want to take advantage of this growing trend, a prefab or modular home is a great option. Plus, you can skip the unavoidable delay and stress of traditional construction.

But here’s the catch: Not all prefab suppliers are created equal. And not all deals are as dreamy as the glossy websites make them look.

That’s why Kai Andrew—land hacking and unconventional real estate expert—put 50+ prefab companies under the microscope. He separated the legit builders from the shady scammers. 

Join us as we break down his top picks, plus the red flags you need to keep an eye on.

Why Prefab Homes Are Perfect for Airbnb Hosts

Prefab homes (AKA modular or manufactured homes) are pre-built structures assembled on-site. Instead of a two-year construction headache, you could go from dirt to hosting guests in a matter of weeks.

Here’s why they’re a strong play for STR investors in 2025:

✅ Lower build costs. Depending on finishes and features, some modular homes cost less per square foot compared to traditional builds. There’s a prefab for nearly every budget.

✅ Faster build times. Many prefab suppliers ship fully finished or flat-packed homes, meaning you could be live in weeks instead of years.

✅ Unique designs. Airbnb is extremely competitive right now, and it’s never been more important to get noticed. From sleek Scandinavian tiny homes to rustic log cabins, prefab builds stand out. And guests pay more for “Instagrammable” stays.

✅ Remote build potential.  Rural and remote Airbnbs are on the rise (up 23% since 2019, per AirDNA). The minimal foundation and construction required by modern prefabs make them ideal for off-grid or hard-to-reach locations.

✅ Consistent quality. With traditional construction, quality can vary based on materials and your contractors. There’s a lot more room for error. Modular homes are built in controlled factory settings. That means fewer surprises, less waste, and stronger sustainability and quality standards.

✅ Flexibility and customization. The right supplier will offer endless customizations to help you build a structure that works for your climate, location, and ideal guest.

Kai’s Top Picks for Prefab Home Suppliers

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Many Airbnb hosts have shared horror stories of losing hundreds of thousands to fake or shady modular home companies.

Luckily, Kai has put his years of experience building unconventional stays to use to select legit top-rated prefab suppliers for hosts and real estate property developers in 2025. From 50+ options...to 8 top contenders.

Backcountry Hut Company (Canada) – 9/10

Kai’s Take: They’re like Ikea, but for beautiful cabins you can actually live in. These beautiful Scandinavian-style cabins are well-built and are really easy to assemble. Backcountry Hut offers a wide range of options from smaller footprints to much larger builds.

Style: Modern, minimalist flat-pack cabins

Sizes & Cost: 107–2000+ sq ft, starting ~$50,000 up to $400,000+

Features: FSC certified wood, recyclable materials, fast on-site assembly (3–6 weeks)

Best for: DIY enthusiasts who want freedom to customize as they scale

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KODA by Kodasema (Estonia) – 6.5/10

Kai’s Take: Koda homes are cool and look really modern, but they’re pricey for the square footage you get. They win for quality and convenience (fully turnkey), but I’d rate them mid-tier for the price. If you’re going for that sleek, minimalist vibe and don’t want to deal with setup, this is for you. 

Style: Scandinavian minimalist tiny homes

Sizes & Cost: ~$100,000–$150,000, fully turnkey with kitchen, HVAC, and fixtures

Setup: Delivered fully built and ready in a day

Best for: Add-on spaces or small STR turnkey units with minimal hassle.

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Zook Cabins (USA) – 9.5/10

Kai’s Take: Zook Cabins' quality is insane. They’ve got A-frames, cabins, and traditional builds. If you want a rustic but really high-end cabin experience, they’re hard to beat. Thanks to Amish craftsmanship, these are built to last! They get a 9.5 for the build quality. For my own projects and needs, I'd give them an 7.5.

Style: Rustic A-frames and log cabins

Cost: $100,000–$200,000+

Features: Hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, handcrafted finishes

Best for: Traditional cabin stays with exceptional craftsmanship

Koto (UK) – 10/10

Kai’s Take: Design-forward Scandinavian-Japanese fusion. Sounds like a word salad, but it’s real. These guys do it all: From tiny units to full-on multi-million dollar projects. They’re fast, sustainable, and their design is next level. Definitely one of my top picks for manufactured homes.

Style: Japanese meets Scandinavian minimalist design

Sizes & Cost: From $52,000 (67 sq ft) to $4M luxury builds

Features: FSC certified timber, fast flat-pack assembly (4–14 days)

Best for: Off-grid stays, unique luxury Airbnb builds

Ark Shelter (Belgium/Slovakia) – 7/10

Kai’s Take: Ark Shelters stand out with affordable pricing, eco-friendly features and more off-grid options. The downside? They’re not widely available outside of Europe yet. If you’re in their market and want to go off-grid, they’re a solid option.

Style: Minimalist off-grid cabins

Cost: Starts ~$60,000–$77,000

Features: Solar options, rainwater harvesting, no permanent foundation needed

Best for: Eco-friendly remote builds and budget-conscious investors. (Europe only for now)

Cabin One (Germany) – 7/10

Kai’s Take: Super clean design, very minimal. They’ve got some smart layouts for smaller spaces. But again, not easy to order if you’re in the US. More of a niche play right now.”

Style: Modular micro homes

Size & Cost: 301 sq ft, ~$113,000

Features: Smart layouts with Scandinavian design, not yet shipping directly to the US

Best for: Compact urban or rural stays

Manta North (Latvia) – 8.5/10

Kai’s Take: These are really sleek, premium builds. High-quality materials, very energy efficient. They’re pricier, but you can see where the money goes. Perfect for someone who wants a higher-end product.

Style: Danish-inspired premium prefabs

Sizes & Cost: 216–430 sq ft, $150,000–$250,000+

Features: Triple-glazed windows, smart energy systems, fast setup

Best for: High-end off-grid STRs

Iglucraft (Estonia) – 6/10

Kai’s Take: These weird but wonderful handcrafted, shingle-clad cabins and saunas shaped like igloos are quirky and definitely unique. If you love a charming hobbit home, you’ll love these. Iglucraft builds are eye-catching, so if you want something truly different, this is it.

Style: Handcrafted shingle-clad igloo-style cabins and saunas

Cost: ~$50,000–$127,000 (saunas start at $20,000)

Features: Fully assembled, ships to the US East Coast

Best for: Quirky, eye-catching STR builds

Honorable Mentions

Avrame – A-frame kits with lots of size options for DIY investors.

DEN Outdoors – Popular prefab kit company with stylish modern cabins.

OOD Cabins – Eye-catching designs, but mixed feedback on quality and customer service recently.

Pluspuu – Gorgeous high-design cabins, unfortunate name. 

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Scams & Red Flags to Watch Out for in 2025

Prefab and tiny house scams are on the rise in 2025.

Here are a few common traps to avoid:

❌ Fake builders with AI-generated images. Verify their portfolio and look for real past builds. Talk to past clients and tour a build if possible.

❌ Too good to be true pricing. A $150K home for $45K shipped in 2 days? You're about to get scammed.

❌ Full upfront payments. Legit companies use milestone-based payments. Don’t just pay a huge deposit without contracts, verification, and proof of past clients either.

❌ Lowball bids. Contractors can underbid at first to reel you in, then inflate costs with endless changes and surprise costs later.

❌ Cash-only deals with no contract. MAJOR Red flag. Always pay in a way you can trace with signed agreements to protect yourself.

❌ Greenwashed upgrades. “Eco-friendly” materials that are overpriced and underperform. Always check certifications. If you’re offered something that sounds eco-friendly but costs a fortune, do your research first.  Post on the community and ask other real estate investors what they think.

Checklist: Before You Buy a Manufactured Home

✅ Verify licenses, reviews, and completed projects

✅ Tour a physical model, even if it’s not yours

✅ Ask for client references and call them

✅ Budget for shipping costs ( this can add thousands)

✅ Prepare a proper foundation before delivery (this adds value to your property!)

✅ Research permits, zoning, and building codes in your county

✅ Talk to other hosts and land developers on the Host Forum for real-world advice 

Tap into the Power of Community with Host Camp

Prefab and modular homes can be an incredible short-term rental investment. Fast builds, unique guest experiences, and standout designs. But only if you partner with the right supplier and protect yourself from scams.

The good news? You don’t have to figure it out alone.

👉 Join Host Camp today and unlock:

• Monthly market deep dives with vetted STR deals you can act on now
• A monthly 1:1 coaching call to turn your goals into an action plan
• Templates, calculators, and tools to save you hours (and thousands)
• Access to a 400+ host community—real people who can recommend reliable suppliers, contractors, and lenders
• Premium STR Masterclasses on everything from high-profit glampsites to rental arbitrage

Try it now for $1 to see what it’s like to start and scale with a community and coaches that have your back!

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