The Manufactured Housing Forums

I'm interested in purchasing a new skyline 4/2. How long will the typical skyline manufactured home last?

Mike

Mike,

We do the service work here in Colorado for Skyline homes and I know they make different series. "Jaguar vs Pinto." You can expect many years of quality if you maintain the home. Look at spending your money on things that can't be changed very easy like upgraded windows, good shingles.

Depending on the area purchase the best exterior application and ask about wrapping the home with Tyvek if that is an option.

The biggest problem I see is that homeowner will fail to keep the exterior of the home in good shape. A home needs caulked, and painted BEFORE water has a chance to get behind the wood and trim.

I have homeowners that have told me "the shingles have been missing for months, but its still under warranty and didnt think it was our job!"... Frustrating!!!

I just worked on a home here in Colorado that the owner had the entire exterior of the home bricked to fit the looks of other homes in the neighborhood. Im sure this house will see a longer life than most.

I remember working on a home that had been lived in for only 3 months. The interior had holes in the wall panels from the husband having "Im mad streaks"
Two interior doors had busted jambs from being slammed, dog and cat feces through out, and the exterior screen door was laying in a field because the owner said it wouldnt stay shut..
He thought the home should be repaired because he purchased extended warranty. How long you think this home will last?

So, in a nutshell---You get what you pay for, and depending on your living habits, your home can last for years.


Hope this helps

-Tracy
www.mbqc.com

Tracy,
Very good reply! I have people email me off my website who ask the same question, and I tell them virtually the same thing. Upgrade the home with major componants up front, make sure the structure is the best it can be, and then maintain the home. A site built home that isn't maintained will fail early just as a factory built home will suffer when not maintained.

Of course, then there is me... and my style of maintainence.. my neighbors think I'm nuts washing the house regularly, heck I've even been known to Armor-All the siding a time or two.

One advertsing style that really bugs me is employed by many retailers have is to tout how the homes are "maintainence free." Really? So I never have to repair anything? Ha.
Tim

These people in short are PIGS.

Not you Tim and not you Tracy. This didn't appear as I'd hoped it would.

I have a 1988 Clayton mobile home which is very drafty through the floor. What can I do to improve this? I have tried putting hay bales and plastic around the
perimeter, but it seemed to bring the cold air up through even more. Help!!