Top-end manufactured vs site-built?

[psears]

Hello,

I've been thinking about going the manufactured home route for a while now, but when I get to looking at all the upgrade features that I would want for my first house, I wonder if it would'nt be smarter fiscally to just go with a site-built. Here is what I'm thinking as minimums for my manufactured home:

ground-set concrete foundation w/Hydra X or some other top-quality modern stabilization system
2 x 8" or 2 x 10" floor joists with 3/4" plywood decking
6/12 roof pitch w/quality shingles w/R-30 value
2 x 6 exterior walls w/high R values with
some type of high-end siding w/Tyvek or other
insulator
1/2" sheetrock w/tape & texture
high-quality windows, six panel doors, etc...

What do you think? Is manufactured housing still a good deal or not?

Thanks!
psears
[email protected]

[Tracy]

Well, obviously I'm a bit biased. I've been working on these homes for a very long time. Some of the 'higher end" homes do meet all your requirements. Karsten, Fuqua and Magnolia all can meet your needs (you may have other options down in your area) Keep in mind that some of what you listed, such as a higher pitched roof, are considered options and you'll pay a premium price for those. The 3 manufacturers I've listed are all T & T homes, some of them offer copper plumbing, just about any manufacturer will put on house wrap and have multiple option in siding grades.

Here in Colorado, with cost of land being very high, manufactured homes are a pretty good deal. A similarly priced stick built house has 2x4 walls, lower insulation values, and fewer options to dress the house up.

Good luck house hunting!
Tracy

[Mac]

I sure think so. We started by looking at a log shell, then looked at cedar packages, then customs, then cookie-cutter. The total cost, foundation and all, was $50 a square foot on 2000 square feet. No one else even came close. We maintain things very well, so we assume we will be there for the next 45 years or so.

[Dan F]

I will relay some info a contractor game me. He is building a bed and breakfast next door to me here in the Napa Valley. He said " I cannot match the quality control, environment control, or overall quality with my sitebuilts to a factory built unit". He said all this as looked over his shoulder for his carpenters. He also said he would never trust one of his homes on wheels going 70 down the road. He wanted the # from the dealer I used so he can order a custom built unit for a second story remodel he is doing. This guy has 25 years of experience. I am biased also since I just purchased a 3 section home for myself.