manufactured home builders in Florida

[Billie Webster]

I have spent 2-3 years researching various MH builders, most of which do not build or transport in/to Florida. PH does build a nice home and I would like to have one but they are so overpriced when compared to other brands. I am looking for a builder who will do some custom work and for that PH wants an arm and a leg.
I read what someone said about HOM. If they had been to the Florida plant as I have they would not get within a mile of that manufacturer.
Is anyone familar with the Fleetwood "Life Style" model? It looks good on paper but I have not seen one. Most Fleetwoods I have seen do not come up to my standards.
I would be interested in hearing from anyone with info on MH in Florida.

BW

[DR]

Fleetwood's "Life Styles" series is their effort at targeting the Senior Market. I have actually evaluated the product at the factory for the community that I work for, I did not feel that the quality or construction was what we needed. Fleetwood is the number one manufacturer in Florida as far as overall sales but they are geared to the lower end market. The "Life Styles" seemed to take some features that Seniors typically order in their homes and add them standard. Our community chose to go with Palm Harbor and Homes of Merit. Each of these manufacturers are more expensive but worth the extra money if you consider better construction, great service, great after sale service and a committment to quality important. I hoped this helps.

[Mrs X]

I'm just curious - what kinds of things are geared towards seniors that would not necessarily be important to younger people?

[rmurray]

2 things...The number 1 selling home in FL is Homes of Merit..

Sorry you had a problem at one of the plants..What did you see that you did not like...remember Homes of Merit has 5 or 6 plants in Florida..Some in Bartow and some in Lake City...

If you had gone to the Lake City plant...there is no way you could be not impressed...some of the Bartow plants are very old and might be a little shoody looking...I think I would give them another look...Remember they build many different models...each to different specs...most with 5 year factory warranties....

Beside those already mentioned...there is Skyline, Nobility and Liberty in Ocala...All mostly geared for the retirement market...Of course..there is the Jacobson in Palm Harbor who build one of the best in the industry...They also offer more than 1 model..but all are strong on construction...

For more Florida specific info you might visit

http://www.fmha.org/ and

Florida Manufactured home Magazine at

http://www.mcxpress.com/index.iaw

Many used homes are listed here for sale...and great articles in the archive..

[Pat]

Do you have any good websites that would offer similar information for GA residents? The addresses listed above concentrate on central fl and have virtually nothing about northwest fl. We are moving to GA but live in fl now. Thanks for your info.

[rmurray]

You could try my company web site at www.MelvinWilliams.com

Our links page has links to many interesting sites...All to help the buyer make a good desision...

What part of GA are you moving to?
E-mail me if you wish...just what you might be looking for and the location you might want to put it in...Maybe I can help..

[DR]

I apologize and stand corrected, as of the end of August Fleetwood is number two.

[Kimmy]

Hi,
I have just ordered a Palm Harbor 56H2(4 BRs 3 bath), 2x4 on 16" centers, 1/2 sheetrock throughout, 3/4" plywood sub-floors, full OSB wrap,thermo-pane windows, the base price of the unit was 68K, I really don't find that expensive.

I looked at several manufacturers, including Fleetwood, and they didn't meet my expectations either.My PH was built in Siler City NC...so the price differance may be accountable to that....what model PH did you look at, and what was the base price?

[billie webster]

I looked at several models in the 2000 sf. range. I wanted several options and some custom work. The best price I got was around 100,000 dollars plus maybe up to 25000 setup fee. For that my husband can build our own. The worst thing though was the lack of attention we got. I fooled around with them for almost a year and put down 1000 dollars up front and wound up having to get my money back. I was very unhappy. I don't deny they make a very nice MH but they are too expensive.
Billie Webster

[billie webster]

I have descovered that any MH I might buy will have to have many upgrades; none of them are acceptable as presented.