Whole House Repair

[Patti]

My husband and I are buying a MH that smells like it was a puppy mill. We thought it was a 1998 and now the papers are saying it is a 1990, the title company is still trying to locate papers indicating the year/make/model of the home. Its a good deal and we figured it we can't make it liveable its a nice piece of land that we can put a new MH on it - which I am dreading after last weekend shopping dealers!

The carpets have already been torn out as have the baseboards and the sheetrock/wallboard in spots.

I am aware of the Killz & Zinzer products to seal in the smell but I am afraid that I will have to spray the intire interior (walls & ceiling) to cover this smell. Would I be better off just changing out the ceiling tiles instead of painting them?

The bathrooms are a horrible mess as well, from the time we have spent looking at it, most of it is cosmetic - sink, vanity, a GOOD cleaning. I can't remember what the tub/shower surround looks like, that miight not be a bad thing.

I read somewhere here that I can install regular kitchen cabinets in the kitchen area - is there anything else I should be aware of when choosing the cabinetry for the kitchen.

Whatever insight you can provide as to what I need to be aware of with a MH I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank You
Patti

[Tracy]

Your first question is on the ceiling tiles and changing them out. You make it sound like you have a suspended ceiling. I don't know of any manufacturer that builds using anything but panels attached to the rafters. If attached panels are currently installed, you will be dealing with insulation above them if you are thinking of "changing out"

I agree on the kitchen cabinets being changed as well, but you might double check your exterior floor to ceiling height to make sure you have enough height between your countertop and the ceiling to allow for standard overhead cupboards.

It sounds like you have pretty good knowledge on what a home is constructed of and how to make repairs. Just make sure you not falling into a money trap when you start thinking about a little money here, and a little bit there....Next thing you know, your wishing you would have just spent the money on something new or newer that involved little or no repair expenses.


Good Luck,
-Tracy
www.mbqc.com

[ila123]

We recently purchased a used mobile home and wanted to paint the walls. We asked at a local home center and were told to use an oil-based primer, not a latex one. Latex will peel off. We were also told that if there were odors in the walls that we wanted to cover to use a shellac based primer. Since we didn't notice any odors, we used an oil-based primer and painted over with latex. So far we have had great results. I don't see why you couldn't use it on the celing panels if you decide to paint instead of replace.

We also have questions about painting the cabinets. So far we haven't determined whether our cabints are particle board or MDF. We were told at the home center not to paint particle board cabinets, but if we painted only the vinyl coated face using an oil-based primer I don't see a problem. But, I sure would like to hear form anyone who has painted particle board cabients.