Experiences with modular house providers from Poland?

Hello everyone,

I am currently planning the construction of a turnkey modular house and have identified two providers from Poland, both offering interesting models in the range of 100–115 m²:

1. DMDmodular – Model Smart House B115bM

[*]Living area: approx. 115 m², 2 modules
[*]Turnkey with building services
[*]Optional with heat pump, mechanical ventilation, etc.
[*]ISO-certified production

2. Modulhaus HAPPY – Model LOUNGE 110+ ENERGY

[*]Living area: approx. 110 m²
[*]Heat pump + photovoltaic system planned
[*]Turnkey handover offered

I am now looking for experience reports regarding these two providers or comparable companies from Poland:

[*]Has anyone already built with DMDmodular or Modulhaus HAPPY?
[*]How did the planning, project management, delivery, and installation go?
[*]Are there known problems with permits, transport, or warranty?
[*]How is the quality of the interior finishing, technology, energy efficiency, etc.?
[*]Are there any special features compared to German providers?

General experiences with modular houses from Poland would also be very helpful! Also, any tips on building permit documents, foundation construction, and potential pitfalls in contract drafting with foreign companies.

I look forward to every contribution and any experiences.

Thank you very much and best regards, Manja

Hi Manja,

both companies mentioned are quite present in the market, with DMDmodular operating more internationally and presenting itself rather transparently with certifications such as ISO. With Modulhaus HAPPY, it is worth taking a closer look at the technical details regarding the building envelope and system technology, especially with the photovoltaic package. Have you already checked whether both providers offer German-speaking contacts for the building application and follow-up support? That makes things considerably easier in case of doubt.

The issue of building permits strongly depends on your location – often you need static proofs and detailed foundation plans in German, which Polish companies sometimes only provide minimally. Regarding transport, it must be clarified in advance whether the modules come as a whole or divided and how they will be lifted on site. Warranty claims can be difficult to enforce in practice; securing these contractually is absolutely crucial.

Are there any specific requirements for you regarding the final fit-out, such as soundproofing or automation? This is often where these providers differ significantly compared to German prefabricated house companies...

Good luck!

What do you expect from the houses? These modular houses are designed as leisure properties, and they explicitly state this on their homepage (DMD). In principle, they are comparable to those from Germany. If you see these houses as an inexpensive alternative to a residential house, you might be somewhat disappointed with the living quality. They are effectively built living boxes, coated walls, possibly more plastic than anything else. I have stayed in such houses myself on vacation. The base is a strip foundation or similar, not comparable to a slab foundation, as it is hollow underneath.

Price-performance ratio: certainly correct if you expect what you get. However, there are many additional costs, and you probably won’t have the right contact person here in Germany. Building application, foundations, etc. The price at Happy-Haus is for a shell construction.

What might be the case is that you won't get financing for these houses. Considering the fuss some people make over a timber frame house from a German manufacturer.

There are always interested parties and inquiries about these modular houses here in the forum. I have never heard of anyone building such a private house.

Hello Nauer, hello ypg,
thank you very much for your feedback.
I am actually looking for an affordable alternative to building a single-family house in Germany. I have contacted both companies and requested the relevant information. Before making a decision, I would definitely like to see such a house.
Let's see what they reply.

I am actually looking for an affordable alternative to building a detached house in Germany.

Ok, then I would definitely stay away from a foreigner and orient myself towards German modular house builders. At least you get legal support that you can actually use before it turns into a never-ending story regarding financing and building regulations.

There are plenty of disadvantages. A very big one is the lack of storage space – you might not even be able to adequately store your clothes, let alone hobby equipment if you have children. Soundproofing is also not a topic, so it could also be a building regulation problem.
Basically, the house-building companies that work with prefabricated construction are exactly the counterpart, but suitable for permanent residence. Unlike modular houses, they have real rooms and not just sleeping places. It is very hard for a family to really develop: no one finds an adequate retreat, furnishings are basically included, but if you want it more individual, you can get frustrated with a 40cm Ikea shelf because there is no space for it. The kitchen works for making a sandwich, but not really for guests. Toilet and shower are only functional in terms of space.
Don’t imagine it too nicely: what is enough for leisure isn’t enough for everyday life permanently. Of course, a 90 sqm modular house will be sufficient for 2 people, but not for 4. Even desks are missing here. And if you think it’s still better than an 86 sqm rental apartment, that’s true, but you give up a basement room, the advantages of renting, and pay permanently for something that has less value compared to a real house.
If you choose that because you can’t afford a normal house: a six-figure amount, or close to it, will anyway be added for the foundation slab, incidental building costs and various permits. Talk to a financier first whether something like that can even be financed.

Before making a decision, I would definitely look at such a house.

Then just take a vacation in a holiday park – these chalets, mobile homes, bungalows etc. are popping up there like mushrooms.
Best in the cold and wet autumn to test the air quality.

I am actually looking for an affordable alternative to building a single-family house in Germany.

These modular houses are designed as leisure properties, and they explicitly state this on their homepage (DMD).

What makes building expensive in Germany are standards (which must also be complied with by imported goods) and regarding which a permanent residence is assessed differently than a "fixed tent" or a temporary structure. No advantages can be gained here from favorable exchange rates or low wages anymore. The Poles do not live behind the moon and know what the Westmark is worth. And they understand how to utilize this, similar to how the Dutch are underestimated by Germans. Cheap shopping does not work there or may even backfire.