Sears offered complete houses in large DIY kits
One thing overlooked is that the majority of the components were made in the U.S. This was pre-globalization, when even fasteners, pipe, and fittings were manufactured in the U.S. The increase in number and specificity of building codes has come in-part due to foreign-made building materials and poor QC.<p>Even the quality of lumber has decreased as old growth forests that were harvested 80 years ago no longer exist. Heart pine lumber that were used in 1940s homes (I own one) is more dense and stronger than new growth pine lumber. [1]<p>It would be tough to offer the same kind of kit in this day and age given the difference in building material back then compared to now.<p>[1] <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;etmoore.com&#x2F;news&#x2F;reclaimed-heart-pine-vs-yellow-pine&#x2F;#:~:text=Durability,around 870 for yellow pine" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;etmoore.com&#x2F;news&#x2F;reclaimed-heart-pine-vs-yellow-pine...</a>.