The Manufactured Housing Forums

Sorry guys...this is a double post in regard to jason thread..I replied..but didnt want it to get lost in the shuffle

Jason,
I researched for almost 24 months before making a decision on wheather to buy stick built, or manufactured. I toured the Palm Harbor plant to see how the homes were built. I visited several "high end" stick builts under construction. I compared apples to apples.

I make a nice living, I have an MBA, and am going for my masters in business . I'm an educated man...your mindset is stuck in the time of yesteryear when trailers were just that...and were held togther with 1 bys and glue. Thats changed.

After considerable research I decided to go with a Palm Harbor manufactured.
CONSTRUCTION: 2x6 ext studs, 2x4 int, 2x8 joist....all #1 lumber, all on 16" centers.
3/4" T&G plywood subfloor. Full OSB wrap.12' cathedral ceilings (textured), Energy-Star rated. 1/2" sheetrock taped and textured throughout.Etc..

NICEITYS: Riverrock stone fireplace. Glamour bath. Berber carpeting (small upgrade). Mud/laundry room. Dishwasher, standup freezer, side by side with icemaker,water in door. etc...

COMPARISON: I will not even begin to go into how much better this is built than the stick-builts I looked at. There is no comparison!

Manufactured homes for the most part...I know this is true of the Palm Harbors are built inside out of the weather....ever seen what cold and rain can do to common lumber..studs,subfloor etc...in a stick built...I have.

The base price on my home was 69K...and thats with the upgrades. My 2170 sq ft 4 Bedroom,3 full bath, huge kitchen,sitting room,living room,office...is sitting on 2.5 acres of land that I found and financed with the home...the total price, $119,000 incld. land improvements....the price of a stick built "low end" on a lot 135,000 with much lesser construction, and none of the afore-mentioned perks..so call me trailer trash cause Im laughing all the way to the bank

Oh...by the way, that loud popping sound you hear is you removing your head from your arse....have a nice day!!

Thanks Don. You said what everyone else wanted to. LOL

you say your home has not been exposed to the weather. Well my stick built home has never been drove down the road at 65 mph. Been jacked up by guys with no education and who dont care about the home. I know that some of the manufactures in Indiana have their lumber sitting OUTSIDE, so yes they are exposed to the weather.

No...As Ive stated before, the Palm Harbor plant I visited has no matierials whatsoever sitting outside.

Yes, my home withstood windspeeds in excess of 60 MPH without falling apart. and it was in two sections.

Yes, they used a jack and pulley system to manuever the home , the only effect of the 60 MPH winds, and all the jacking by ignorant men were four stress cracks in the sheetrock, which was mudded up to look like new again

What would happen if Steve's stick-built home HAD gone down the road at 65 MPH? How many pieces would it be in?

steve,
I read your post and quite frankly you Pissed me off!...I am a manufactured housing contractor in North Carolina ..which has the most strengent code as far as manufactured housing is concerned ..so if you think that the men who contract these homes and install them are uneducated you are very sadly mistaken ...the whole process of home installations deals with physics and trigonometry ...These "uneducated" men can fit a square peg in a round hole....and I'll make you a promise....anytime you want to see how easy it is ....You have a job with us..you have my word...these men would eat you live!....oh and lets don't forget the money they make...average $1,100.00 week me personally? probably more than you make in two months....now whos uneducated!

Sincerely,
Danny Gerringer pres.
Gerringer, Inc.

Settle down Dan. What I meant to say is that people on this board always bring up that the home is built in a enclosed enviroment. I have seen doubles going down the road at 65 mph, turning corners, hitting bumps and sometimes (even on the dealers lot) the plastic is torn and water or snow is getting in.They get jacked up, slid together. I know people who work in Mobile home factories, I mean they are in management and when I ask them if they would live in one the response is "hell no". These are people who can afford stick built homes and choose to live in stick built home because they are better built. Manufactured homes are good in many cases. They are a reasonable, affordable way to get into housing. Its just that if you could afford a stick built house you should buy a stick built house. My guess is you cant afford a stick built house that is way you, danny are upset.

Have a good day,

Steve

I have a question. As a potenial future buyer of a MF home, how can i be sure that a dealer/contractor in my area will have high standards such as yours? I know that the quality of a home is also determined by one that is set porperly. I live too far from your state, but would appreciate some advice to help me find a good contractor in my area.
Sherry
PS- My son loves math and physics-I'll tell him of another potential career option!

Hey Stevie,
most folks would know better than to purchase a home that was not covered and open to the elements .and as for it bumping around down the road ..well heck that should tell you about its integrity.and strength.
And if you know someone in MANAGEMENT at a plant that talks about how bad their product is ....then sounds to me like the MANAGEMENT is NOT doing their job. and these are your FRIENDS ...how well do you do your job Stevie?
And just for the record I live in a tent with dropcord to the T.V.

This is my last post on this issue with you so ,,,give it your BEST shot.

DANNY

Actually the moisture content of the building materials is controlled at the plant and regulated by HUD...That is why no building materials are stored outdoors at a plant...

Your management friends need a new job..Every plant has folks who do not belong there...many top execs live in manufactured homes...Dudley Horton prides himself in this fact at his company..Other CEO's in the industry have as well...

Candidly the only thing proctecting the local production builder is zoning...Local leaders value those political contributions local builders supply..