In the past we openly listed our telephone numbers, but we no longer do so.  Why?  The average telephone conversation for an initial inquiry lasts 42 minutes and thanks to the internet our potential owner-builder customers have a growing knowledge base, typically asking construction specific questions that our general office staff is not qualified or capable of answering.  If you would like to speak with Castle Gate Homes, please complete one of our Feedback Forms and we will 'assign' your potential project to a Castle Gate Homes Regional Construction Consultant or "RCC."  A Castle Gate RCC will contact you directly via telephone and when they call they will provide you with their direct telephone contact information.  A Castle Gate RCC is competent to answer your general AND technical construction related questions and inquiries.

To answer simply: Castle Gate panelized homes are fabricated in a consolidated factory with other engineered building system manufacturers.  BUT they are NOT identical.  Please read on: 

Each engineered systems building company fabricates to different standards, uses different materials and suppliers, has different price and marketing structure, ships product to differing regions, provides differing customer programs (i.e. commercial accounts only vs. owner/builder options) and operates independently one from the other.  In some cases however, blueprints may be shared (for cost effecient continuous build license), but the materials used, distribution territory and cost/pricing WILL vary substantially. 

This type of consolidated manufacturing for independent companies/business is very commonplace in today's global manufacturing environment.  A simple (although NOT identical) comparison unfamiliar to most people is Menu Foods, Inc.®.  The consumer cannot purchase product directly from Menu Foods, however the consumer does purchase over 64 varieties of pet food manufactured at a consolidated factory.  The 64 pet food varieties are each manufactured to the independent companies specifications/ingredients, are distributed to different locations (regional stores throughout the U.S./Canada) and of course have different marketing structure and pricing.

On a similar note- most people are familiar with the consolidated manufacturing process of Chevrolet® and GMC®, or Hyundai® and Kia® or Ford® and Lincoln®.  Each of those companies operate independently, compete with each other, and yet still share some similarities due to the consolidated manufacturing between them.

To understand why Castle Gate Homes still offers the best panelized kit available be sure to consider the next question!

If you've spent any time looking at other panelized home companies you've probably already noticed several key differences.  Although these differences may not be unique to Castle Gate, we are the only company to offer these COMBINED 'features' to every customer:

1. Open and upfront PRICING policy.  Our home package prices are listed on our website; the price you see is the price you will pay for that model.  There are no surprises when it comes time to complete the purchase.
2. Open and fully disclosed package materials list; have you noticed that very few companies provide a written list of "what is included" in the home package?  It is easy to leave things out when full disclosure is not provided.
3. Castle Gate uses superior quality materials; most OTHER panelizing companies use only #2 grade lumber, minimum 2x6" headers, and cheap oriented strand board (OSB) panels. 
4. Enclosed weather protected delivery; Castle Gate delivers our home packages in fully enclosed 48' and 53' trucks for weather protection.  Most companies use open flatbed trucks for delivery.
5. Our owner builder, "Builder Assisted" program;  Many companies claim they have an owner builder program, but that simply means they provide a panelized shell to an owner builder.  Castle Gate provides the panelized shell (built with higher quality materials) but also provides a complete owner-builder program with instructional videos, construction manuals, editable Word document contracts, etc.  For more information please see questions # 24 and 25 below.  Finally, your Castle Gate construction consultant will be available to you throughout construction to guide you through every step of your building project... not just to sell you the panelized kit.
6. FREE BLUEPRINTS!!!  We are the ONLY company that provides FREE blueprints to our customers, saving you $800 to $1200 on average.
7. World-wide shipping capability; Many companies will only ship within a particular region of the U.S. or Canada.  We can ship world-wide.
8. Custom Blueprint building.  Many companies can only panelize their pre-existing models.  We can build your dream.
9. Attention to details and strong knowledge base.  We've had many customers share with us their frustration with other panelizing companies for their lack of answers, conflicting answers, or general 'secrecy' regarding their pricing, products and procedures.  Our answers are honest, direct, and based in fact because we need our customers to have a positive experience with the products we provide... when our customers are happy, we eventually end up with new customers through future referrals.
10. The absolute LOWEST cost when comparing 'apples to apples.'  Even if you can find another panelized company that has the same STANDARD BUILDING materials list (you won't!)... Castle Gate pricing is substantially lower.

YES!  Our component built panelized home packages appreciate in value just like any traditional 'stick-built' home in your community.  Do NOT confuse a panelized home with a modular or mobile home. 

NO.  Castle Gate Homes is not a dues paying member of the Better Business Bureau or BBB.  The BBB is NOT a consumer protection organization; it is a business organization funded by businesses.  When consumers see a Better Business Bureau plaque or BBB Online logo the consumer is given a false sense of security.  All you need to do to become a BBB member in GOOD standing is to pay the annual dues and respond to any complaint allegations.  Please take a few minutes to review information about the BBB:  Click HERE.  Castle Gate does support other organizations and consumer advocacy groups such as these.

Yes... and NO.  Please READ carefully: Any home built with a panelized home package from Castle Gate Homes is an 'owner-builder' project (unless it is a turn-key, ready for occupancy home built by a Castle Gate RCC, if available in your local area).  You, the customer are responsible for unloading the delivery trucks and assembling the kit, using locally hired sub-contractors.  It is a relatively simple procedure: Panel A connects to Panel B, which connects to Panel C, etc.  Although many owner-builders will assemble the kit with friends and family, most kits are assembled by local contractors... and yes- it is easy to find them.  Read the next two questions: but don't start talking to potential contractors to assemble the kit until you've received our materials and assistance!  Remember- we guide you through this process using our owner-builder program. 

Castle Gate offers you the additional option of an experienced ON-site RCC available per independent contract to visit your construction site on a limited time basis.  You pay time and travel expenses directly to the RCC based upon pre-arranged agreements.  Generally, the RCC will assist with Phase 1 and 2 of the Construction Agreement (assembly of the panelized shell), guiding you or your local contractor with the panelized kit assembly. 

We will always give you a specific recommendation based upon the complexity of your home design choice for kit assembly cost.  Generally, depending on the complexity of the design, we suggest a kit assembly payment to your contractor of $1.75 to $2.50 per square foot.  For example; a very simple home design such as our Manor model should be closer to $1.75 per square foot for assembly cost, but the complicated Country French model should be closer to $2.50 per square foot for assembly cost.  Please keep in mind the cost per sq.ft. is based upon total dry-in, which means all of the walls are assembled together, roof is completed with felt paper on and ready for shingles, and all windows and exterior doors are in and locked with everything plumb and level.  The home package is now assembled and ready for finishing. 

Castle Gate is aware that other panelized homes are assembled by local professional crews at prices as high as $4 to $5 per sq. ft., however- that is NOT an apples to apples comparison.  WHY?  There are multiple differences between the work load required to assemble a Castle Gate kit compared to others on the market.  For example- contractors assembling a panelized kit getting paid $4 per sq.ft. are typically installing ALL of the windows (if the Castle Gate window option is ordered- they are already installed at the factory!), they are assembling the first floor system (although the first floor system is optional, most Castle Gate customers already have the first floor decking built on-site to expedite the assembly of the rest of the kit), and they are fabricating internal partitions (we do not ship internal partitions to save on shipping costs and because our kits generally have no internal load bearing walls allowing for countless variations of floor plan layouts)  In the end, after comparing the original price of the complete kit and the assembly of that kit, in a fair apples to apples comparison with other panelized options- the Castle Gate choice provides the best financial position for BOTH the home-owner AND the assembly contractor in most every situation.

Shipping cost is currently $3.25 per LOADED mile (one way) per container from our shipping distribution center in Alabama, ZIP 36303.  Generally, a complete 1800 sq.ft. ranch home package will fit on ONE container.  Once the truck(s) is unloaded at your building site, you do NOT pay for the return trip.  If you would like an initial general estimate on the shipping cost of your panelized home simply email us with the address of your building site, and the total square footage (including garage) of the structure.  The EXACT cost of shipping will be listed in your contract - kit pricing agreement.

NO.  Due to this extensive website (over 150 pages; larger than 98% of all internet websites) we no longer use print media.  This website contains much more information in greater detail than any of the marketing brochures and catalogs previously used.

If you want to know the EXACT cost (provided by Contract) of ONLY the shell or kit provided by Castle Gate (from your custom blueprints) you'll need to follow the process provided HERE. 

For a general estimate: most of our custom homes range from $15 to $23 per square foot (similar pricing per sq.ft. for our pre-existing models) dependent upon the complexity of the design.  Simple rectangular ranch or two story Colonial style homes generally fall in the lower cost spectrum, while more ornate and architecturally complex homes fall on the higher end of the cost spectrum.

The vast majority of our customers finance the cost of construction (sometimes including their land/lot cost) with National or regional banks/lenders.  Many of our customers have financed their projects through the large construction financing lenders, while others choose to utilize their local bank or credit union.   

Castle Gate will initiate construction of your panelized home package as soon as we receive a "Letter of Credit" from your lending institution.  The factory will be paid directly by the lender from funds allocated for the Castle Gate home package in your construction loan prior to shipment.

If you are NOT using a FDIC affiliated bank/lender for your construction financing, we will begin construction of your home package once we receive the package price PAID IN FULL.  Be sure to verify that your potential lender will advance funds in full prior to delivery before you sign with them for your construction loan.  Please speak to your RCC about this, if you have questions or concerns.  Generally this has not been a problem for most banks we've worked with in the past, however their policy may have changed.

Your panelized home package construction begins with an FDIC recognized lenders Letter of Credit or cleared funds from any bank/source via personal check, cashiers check, money order, or bank wire draft.  Your panelized kit SHIPS with cleared funds paid in full.

Castle Gate Homes is an International (residential and light commercial) panelized building company engaged in the design, construction and marketing of quality component built houses and commercial buildings. Since the factory inception in 1983, there has been an excellent and solid growth rate with representation extending Internationally into 17 Countries and every State in the U.S. including Hawaii and Alaska.

You can build the home (assemble the kit) yourself -OR- you can have the home completely built for you and just move in -OR- you can do a little bit of both.  Most can be constructed:

 A.  As a package to be erected by the owner.  In this case the owner-builder is the General Contractor and is responsible for every aspect of the home construction.  Many times, the owner will NOT do any physical labor but will interview, hire and schedule (intellectual management) local professional contractors to finish every aspect of the home.

B.  As an assembled kit up to 'dry-in' with the shell ready for the interior completion.  In this case the owner contracts with a local professional General Contractor (GC) to oversee the entire project up to the dry-in stage.  The GC will be responsible for site-work, driveway, temporary power, foundation and kit assembly to dry-in.  Once dry-in is completed the home-owner takes over with the intellectual management of the project and finishes the home from there, by either doing the work themselves or by hiring other sub-contractors to do the work (plumber, electrician, drywall, etc.).

C.  As a complete turnkey finished home (owner places order for home, along with choice of colors, cabinets etc.; owner chooses to have NO involvement in homes physical construction or intellectual management and waits for home to be completed and moves in). "Turn-key" finished homes are only available if a Castle Gate Regional Construction Consultant is available in your U.S. location OR through a local independent professional General Contractor of your choice privately hired by you, with Castle Gate Homes assistance. 

YES.  Please CLICK HERE for more information.

The OB program is provided free to all of our customers; to assist them in managing the construction of their new home.  This unique program provides you the opportunity to move into your new home with substantial equity.  For more information, please CLICK HERE.

In addition to your free consultations with your Castle Gate RCC via phone or email, Castle Gate has assembled a collection of materials to assist you with your knowledge base and construction preparation.  These materials are NOT intended to be memorized, nor should you try.  The materials are provided to you as an additional reference source to move you from an undeveloped building site, to a beautiful finished home.  The materials include (but are not limited to) our two part DVD owner-builder video,  owner-builder book, construction manuals, editable Word documents of three owner-builder contracts stored on a ZIP drive, line item breakdown sheets, cost estimation sheets, simplified illustration of construction stages 'map', a Castle Gate LOGIN to access our internal website resources and our Castle Gate customer message board, multiple cash back incentives and your free blueprints of any Castle Gate pre-existing model.  Remember- these program materials and RCC construction consultation is free to our customers.

There are two options to become a Castle Gate Homes customer?

1. After signing a Purchase Order Agreement (contract) to purchase a specific model or accepting a custom quote (from your custom blueprints), along with an attached affiliate lender/bank Letter of Credit (showing proof of available funds) or payment in full from a bank/lender of your choice.  Fabrication of your home will then commence.
2. After signing your Fabrication Deposit Agreement (contract) along with your $500 non-refundable home deposit.  The deposit is valid for ONE FULL YEAR and will lock-in current prices for that time period.  Once your deposit is received Castle Gate will forward the Owner-builder package and blueprints of your choice of any pre-existing Castle Gate model.

We encourage potential customers to use option 2.  Option 2 provides you with the opportunity to plan, research, and seek guidance on your upcoming project well in advance.  Statistically, most customers will spend a minimum of THREE months of planning using our OB materials/program BEFORE the Purchase Order Agreement (to begin fabrication of your home) is completed.  We recommend at least TWO months of planning before you make the final decisions on your home.  You should also plan on (at least) a one month time period to pull multiple bids from local professional contractors that you anticipate hiring to work on your project.  This information is provided in greater detail in the OB materials. 

After your initial contact with Castle Gate Homes you will be assigned to an RCC or a Castle Gate Regional Construction Consultant.  Your assigned RCC will continue to work with you as you explore the possibility of using a Castle Gate panelized kit for your project.  Once you become a contracted customer, your RCC will continue to work with you throughout the construction stage providing guidance and assistance as needed in conjuction with our owner-builder program and contract.  As a contracted customer you will be given DIRECT telephone contact information for your RCC and in many cases they will voluntarily provide their private home telephone number for your convenience.  Our Castle Gate staff is dedicated to your success througout the project.

You can... but it may cost you more in the end due to additional closing fees with your bank.  Most customers will take a construction loan and finance EVERYTHING; including the lot/land cost, the driveway, septic system, the home kit, the cabinets... everything.  Yes- even the kitchen sink!

Absolutely. Our STANDARD 2 x 6" walls have Energy Efficiency Ratings of R-23 with typical R-19 BATT insulation by using our R-Max thermal board insulation!  Our optional 2 x 4" walls have Energy Efficiency Ratings of R-17 with typical R-13 BATT insulation with the R-Max board!  Ceiling insulation R values can be as high as you need to meet your Energy Calculations dictated by your Building Code requirements.  All of our homes can EASILY MEET THE ENERGY STAR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS; in fact our panelized homes outperform comparable homes (size and mechanicals) in thermal efficiency because of our standard use of the R-Max thermal board insulation.

You have the OPTION of ordering the materials for the FIRST floor (our 'round' kits offer a pre-built panelized floor system).  On a TWO-STORY home the second floor IS INCLUDED.  We do not include the first floor materials for several reasons:  we suggest that you purchase materials locally and have the first floor 'cap' or 'decking' (the wood floor over your crawl space or full basement) completely finished PRIOR to the arrival of the panelized kit.  Not only does this potentially save on shipping costs, but it speeds up the kit assembly, because the factory built wall panels can be placed directly onto the first floor with roof trusses and roof sheathing placed near the perimeter of the structure on the day of delivery.  In addition, competent excavators do NOT want to backfill your foundation (full basement or crawl space) UNTIL the cap is on.  The cap provides structural support to the foundation walls and helps prevent them from buckling under the weight of the back-fill.  This also helps speed up the unloading and assembly of the Castle Gate kit, because you can walk right up to the foundation and first floor- instead of having to deal with open, un-filled trenches around your foundation perimeter.  Finally- dependent on the season (i.e.- winter) or local weather, having the first floor cap on prior to the Castle Gate kit delivery may help with the flat-work concrete floor mason because he can finish the floor in most any inclement weather (because the cap is, in essence a 'roof' over head).

Please NOTE: Castle Gate offers a factory built panelized "stress-skin" floor system for all of our 'round' home models.  The floor system is also insulated.  The round house panelized floor system OPTION is a convenient method of building the FIRST floor decking.  Like ALL other Castle Gate models, the SECOND floor system on any TWO-story home is included in the kit price.

A panelized home is sometimes called a "pre-fab" or pre-fabricated home.  They are also referred to as a "package", a "shell", a "panel home", kit homes, or component built systems.  A panelized home is NOT a modular home.  A panelized or kit home is considered a 'stick-built' home; built in a controlled, automated factory environment and shipped in sections to your local building site to be fully assembled.  For more detailed information please CLICK HERE.  The panelized process allows the average person with NO BUILDING KNOWLEDGE or experience to build their own custom dream home without doing any of the physical labor.  In addition, professional builders (contractors) and developers often use our efficient kits providing the opportunity to build more, in less time and with less cost, waste and man-power.