Southern Energy Homes

[Kevin Clifford]

My wife and I were pretty much sold on Palm Harbor homes, but when we looked at them in Alabama, they didn't look as well constructed as the ones made in Texas/Oklahoma. We did find what we were looking for in a Southern Energy home and the home appeared to be well built. We would upgrade the home with 2x6 exterior walls, 32" interior doors, and UV coated vynal windows. Is there anyone out there who has had any expreirnce with this company and can comment on the quality of the homes?

[proequine]

Run Away! Don't walk.. The SEhomes in Alabama and the other SE Homes are a different division than SE of Texas. Not the quality of the other divisions. Don't even compare them. If you have problems, which I had pages.. the corporate company has NO Control over Texas. Texas uses different materials and manufactures. I purchased a home in Oklahoma that was to be delivered within 3 weeks (no changes, other than the same up-grades that I had seen in the model home) and I lived in a motel for 3 months. It arrived unfinished, 3 different dye lots of carpet, (was NOT the up-graded carpet or pad) and barely a single coat of interior paint.(white sheet rock was showing) Up-graded cabinets are wooden doors on particle board covered with contact paper, not sure if I received the up-grade of facets (I would hate to see the standard grade) Bathrooms without drawers, kitchen without shelves, I did also asked for a normal outside rear door.."didn't get it, can't be done." I could write pages... I should have turned it down but I was so sick of living in a motel waiting for "any day now" The dealer dropped them, Corporate called them repeatedly, but after a year I gave up after getting my carpet shipped, and a rough paint patch. $100,000. piece of Junk! RUN
If I had the time, energy, and was in the same state, I would have filed.

[rmurray]

Looks like you had loads of DEALER problems..First..the 3 week promise came from the dealer which was a lie in the first place..Upgraded carpet would have been on the order confirmation if it had been ordered. Did you ever see the order confirmation which most dealers review with the buyer prior to the home being built.. If it was on there the plant would have had it in the home period.Most sheetrock homes are shipped "blue nail" rough finish with some having a primer coat of paint and the dealer doing final finish and paint after it is set up. Sounds like yours and you dealer dropping the ball..Your dealer should have gotten a good idea of what you meant by "normal rear door", most plants SE included have numerous door options available. You should have seen a sample of the "upgraded cabinets prior to your order at your dealers office and you would have known what you were getting. Kitchen base shelves are options in many homes and would have been missing in the model..Sorry but you have put the blame for your problems in the wrong place.. You should have blamed the dealer and your self for your lack of attention to paperwork detail. Hope your home serves you well for years to come..

[proequine]

Sorry, Nice try.
But the promise came from SE of Texas for delivery ..I was sitting there when the call was made.. and again, and again for 3 months??? Up graded carpet was on the invoice, It wasn't until the new carpet arrived that the carpet layer informed me of the difference in grade.. which I would have NOT known if it hadn't been installed with all the different colored dye lots. Except, I had complained about the lumps under the carpet. (Which was the cheap pad along with trash on the
floor with carpet laid on top)

I did see the kitchen cabinets in the model, ordered the same, got something different. What shelves that were installed were not practical. (i.e.: Cabinets above washer/dryer, you could not place a spray and wash on the shelf, wasn't tall enough and you can forget laundry detergent)

SE of Texas plant has different suppliers, manufacture, and different plans. Sheet rock ceilings, I got "cottage cheese." Closets along the wall, I got a corner closet. Entertainment Center, I got a whole in the wall.. Hinged shower door, I got the cheap leaky slider. Bathroom drawers, I got none! I have pages of differances.

You are correct when you say " most plants SE included have numerous door options available." I got the rear utility door nothing fits through. and yes, I paid extra for a "normal size rear door."

It was my understanding that the dealer is responsible for the touch up painting at the joining of the units; not to paint the interior of the home.
Serial numbers and plans were re-verified and double checked with the model, order, and web site photos.

My problems were all related to the SE of Texas plant. It is NOT made clear on the Southern Energy web-site that the production and quality of the home is different from plant to plant. The pricing does not reflect this, except in shipping and transportation cost to a customer's location.

Dealers rarley have all units on their lots.
If I shop for a automobile with the same make/model at different dealerships, I still expect to receive the same quality, at what ever plant it was manufacture in. Not the case with SE of Texas plant. This should have been disclosed on the web site. SE should not have shown the same pictures and floor plans. (Which SE of Texas has now pulled.) SE of Texas has limited details and photos.

SE of Texas is a Black-Eye to Southern Energy Homes. Customers ask what plant will manufacture your Southern Energy Home.

[rmurray]

It is true different homes are built in each of the plants for this and MOST manufacturers.. SE is owned by Clayton Industries, the largest most well funded company in the industry.. By now I assume you have addressed your concerns with the layers of management in this VERY large company.. IF THEY CHANGED THE SPECS ON THE CABINETS, your dealer should have informed you and/or insisted they change them out for you..What has you attorney done for you?

Try some of the new super concentrated laundry detergent, the bottles are smaller. I am still convinced your dealer is at fault for most of your problems..Good Luck with your home..

[Celtlund]

Wow, a lot of water under the bridge since I first posted under Kevin Clifford in 2004. My wife and I ordered a Southern Energy EZ439 http://www.sehomes.com/customer/details ... 8011c6c81b from Greg Tilley's Bossier Mobile homes around Sept. of 2008. The home was delivered and we closed on it in November. I retired in March of 2009 and we moved in.
All in all we had a very positive experience. There were some bumps in the road due to miss-communications during the set up phase but the problems were resolved and our overall experience with Tilley's and Southern Energy has been very positive. A special thanks to Hugh at Tilley's who has been outstanding in taking care of most of the minor problems we have had. SE has also been very good in resolving the problems Tilley's could not take care of.
We did purchase several upgrades to the home such as 2X6 walls and dual pain windows, fans in almost every room, upgraded toilets, etc. The only thing I would have done differently is order upgraded water faucets. The ones that came with the home are plastic and the one in the kitchen leaked and couldn't be fixed. So, I bought a new and better one and Tilley's installed it for free.
All in all I feel I got a fair deal on the house and would recommend Southern Energy of Alabama manufactured homes. I'd also recommend Greg Tilley's Bossier Mobile Homes to anyone in the Arklatex who is looking for a manufactured home.
Kevin Clifford aka Celtlund.

[rmurray]

Congratulations on your successful purchase.I kinda hope your visits here in 04 help you develope your plans. Your experience will be valuable to many in the future. Stop back here often, keep us informed and help others..Good Luck with your home..

[Celtlund]

Thanks Murray. This site and Grissom's books were a big help.