Here’s How a Canadian Manufacturer like ROC Modular Makes it Easier…
Not long ago, the small town of Stanford, Montana, had a big problem. Teachers were hard to recruit and even harder to keep. It wasn’t because they didn’t love the community, but because there was simply nowhere for them to live.
They didn’t have time for years-long construction projects. They didn’t have the budget for overpriced housing. And they didn’t have enough local trades to pull it off themselves.
So what did we do? We designed and built a modern, high-quality duplex made from eight precision-built modules in our Canadian facility. While the site was being prepared in Montana, the #ROCStars in our factory were already hard at work.
Weeks later, those modules rolled across the border, were craned into place, and in no time, teachers had a place they could truly call home.
The kicker… modules delivered free from any tariffs and red-tape.
The Tariff Question Most U.S. Developers Forgot to Ask
If you’ve been following construction news lately, you’ve probably seen the headlines about tariffs. Steel, aluminium.. Finished components. The cost can add up fast and sometimes enough to throw an entire project off the rails.
It’s the kind of thing that makes developers nervous about sourcing anything outside the U.S. But here’s the part most don’t realize:
Canadian-built wood-frame modular homes and buildings that meet USMCA standards are tariff-free.
This means we can build in Canada, ship to the U.S., and your budget stays focused on what matters mosty… the quality of the build… not the government fees or import duties.
We work with experienced Customs brokers to ensure the modular units meet USMCA compliance. That way, there are no surprises when your project hits the border.
Just smooth, predictable delivery.
Did You Know: The U.S. Dollar Goes Further in Canada
Tariff-free is great. But here’s the other piece of the puzzle: the exchange rate. Right now, the U.S. dollar has more buying power in Canada. That’s not just a footnote, it’s an opportunity. Your budget can suddenly stretch further than you thought possible.
Modular units coming from Canada meet all of the same requirements and State Inspections as from a US factory, and we meet all of the required local building code and AHJ requirements for all projects.
ROC Modular is third-party certified for all US States we work in, and our geographical reach extends from Colorado all the way West to Southern California.
How The Montana Project Came Together
For Stanford, the goal was clear: get teachers into quality housing, fast.
In a traditional build, the process would have been bogged down by weather delays, subcontractor schedules, and supply chain hiccups. But modular changes the game. While the foundation was being poured in Montana, we were already constructing the modules in our factory.
No rain delays.
No waiting for crews to show up.
No on-site chaos.
By the time the modules arrived, everything was ready and in a matter of weeks, the building was weather-tight. From there, finishing work moved quickly and before long, the keys were in the teacher’s hands.
Check out the video to see how it all came together.
Why This Matters Beyond Montana
Sure, this project was for a school district in rural Montana. But the same approach works for:
- A mountain town in Colorado looking to add affordable housing for employee housing
- A developer in Washington State planning a multi-unit complex for workforce housing
- A community in California replacing fire-damaged homes
Wherever speed, cost-control, and quality matter… modular can be the answer. And when you can bypass tariffs and stretch your budget thanks to the exchange rate, it’s an answer that makes even more sense.
Crossing the Border Without Cross Your Fingers
If you’ve ever tried to import building materials or components before, you know how nerve-wracking it can be. One missing form, one misunderstood regulation, and suddenly your project is sitting in a warehouse on the wrong side of the border.
We’ve been doing this long enough to know the process inside and out. We handle the documentation. We coordinate with carriers. We work with customs brokers. And we make sure everything about your build, from design specs to labeling, is done to State modular certification standards.
So, by the time your modules leave our factory, the only thing you need to worry about is where you’ll stand to watch the crane set them into place.
Misconceptions We Hear from US Developers
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Will it meet our building codes? | Yes. We work with your design team to ensure all IRC/IBC U.S. codes are met, and we are compliant with State plan check and State inspections. We also work with third-party inspectors to ensure compliance before the modules leave the plant. |
| Won’t shipping be expensive? | The ROC Modular factory is just 1.5 hours’ drive from the USA border — in many cases, closer than other options. You can also factor in the USD/CAD advantage with the shipping cost. Shipping is just one line item and a small one compared to the total value you gain. |
| Isn’t modular only for small projects? | No, not even close. We’ve delivered everything from duplexes to multi-storey buildings. Modular is ideal for large-scale, repeatable developments like workforce housing — and it’s faster. |
Why Now is the Time to think Modular
The U.S. construction landscape is facing three major pressures:
- Housing shortages in growing communities.
- Labor constraints that drive up timelines and costs.
- Material price volatility from global supply chain shifts.
Modular doesn’t solve every problem, but it solves a lot of them. And working with a Canadian partner like ROC Modular means you get the benefits without any downsides
You get speed, predictability, and value all while knowing your project is backed by decades of experience and a track record of delivering for U.S. clients.
The bottom line is if you’re a U.S. developer or municipality, here’s what working with ROC Modular means for you:
- Tariff-free delivery under USMCA.
- Better value for your dollar thanks to the exchange rate.
- Streamlined border logistics so your modules arrive without delays.
- A partner who knows U.S. codes and compliance inside and out.
The Montana teacher housing project is proof.
