Karsten, Fuqua or Golden West.

[Dan Smith]

We're close to deciding on a MH for a lot in Eureka CA. It never snows here, and only a few days a year get below freezing. In the summer the average high is 66 so energy bills are low regardless. From what I've seen the Karsten may be the best built. The Fuqua is nice as well. Don't know enough about Golden West yet. Those are the three closest manufacturers to us, and each is over 300 miles so transportation is an issue.

Anyone have a suggestion as to the best built of these?

Dan

[Mac]

I'm in NW Oregon, so my Karsten plant would be Stayton, yours would be Sacramento. We bought a Karsten last year. It was not as fancy as the Fuqua, but was less expensive and the quality of details seemed better. Golden West is an Oakwood brand - once was Karsten's, sold to Oakwood. I didn't think it quite as well done as the other two, or as well thought out from a design standpoint.

The plants will likely be different where you live. One thing I'd recommend, given your damp climate - Hardi-Plank siding. It's standard on Karstens from Oregon, don't know about Sacramento.

Good luck! Mac

[Kari]

my husband and i have decided on a fuqua. we just looked at a karsten and due to the plants inflation of lumber costs, they are just as much per square ft as a fuqua. fuqua is much better quality and alot of things that would normally be an upgrade come standard. chico ca has a big fuqua supplier their web site is serenityhomes.com.

a fellow newbie

[jgn]

Most Fuqua models are 2x3 interior where Karstan is 2x4. Fuqua builds a nice home but to say they are better or even on par with Karstan is not a true statement. Some Fuqua homes are close to Karstan in construction but not all. Tere are some things Fuqua does betteran some Karstan but overall they are both good homes on the higher end.

[Ray]

"Most Fuqua homes are 2x3 interior..." The only interior walls 2x3 are non-bearing partitions such as closet walls. I wouldn't doubt that Karsten does the same. Also Fuqua builds the floors with the floor joists perpendicular to the I beam supports as opposed to the longitudinal floor joists in a Karsten. From my opinion and many others, this is a much more important structural detail than non-bearing 2x3 partition walls. In my opinion, transverse floor joists are superior. At any rate, installation is key to the logevity and homeowner satisfaction with any home and the proper dealer that takes responsibility for customer satsifaction is what completes the picture for a new homeowner. Most problems seem to boil down to dealer/ salesperson misinformation, poor communication, or lack of follow through after the sale- or improper installation. Rule #1: FIND A REPUTABLE DEALER AND CHECK REFERENCES!

[Mary Stanley]

Not true!!! Fuqua's homes all use 2x4 on interior walls and 2x6 on load bearing walls. Please check their web site or get a copy of Randy Eaton's "Mfg. Home Comparison Guide" for reference. Their standard roof loads are 30 lbs., use no plastic plumbing, double headers over doors and windows, 3-tabbed archetectural shingles, dormers, covered porches, "super good cents" homes because of the insulation factors which exceed many site-built homes, shut off valves under each sink, 1/2" sheet rock through out the homes, fireplaces, solid wood cabinets [not particle board], garage-ready floor plans, etc., etc. Fuqua and Silvercrest are probably the best in the industry and will appreciate in value. Used Fuqua's are nearly impossible to find here in Oregon. Usuallly, you have to buy a new one.