MHE Manufactured Housing

[Tony]

I'm am trying to gather information on MHE Homes in Bryan, Oh. My wife and I are looking at a home in their colonial series (i.e. 1/2 finished sheet rock throughtout, 8 ft ceilings, 5/12 pitch, etc). My first question does anyone know about their workmanship, warrenty, etc. Secondly, I have some concerns about the floor decking. This house will be set over a basement and I have upgraded to the 2 x 10 perimeter floor with engineered "I" floor joists. My concern is the floor decking. Standard is a "Nova deck". When I asked about an upgrade, I was told Cresdeck which costs approximately $1300. After doing research, I don't know if there's a big difference in the two. Is there? Is it worth $1300? Also, does anyone know if MHE has an upgrade to OSB floor decking? This house will be set in Northeastern KY about a 1/2 from the mighty Ohio River.

Thanks for any help

[trmimo]

MHE doesn't offer osb anymore, novadeck and cresdeck are the only options.
Cresdeck is better than Novadeck, but I personally wouldn't pay $1300 extra for it.
It is the stiffest and smoothest floor decking, but has the same problem of swelling and softening when exposed to moisture for more than 24 hours. And that's the thing people don't like about novadeck.

[Tony]

Thanks for the advice. Do you know anything about MHE quality and warrenty?

TDQ

[Kevin C]

First I'm not an expert but have been paying attention to this forum and reading the books as we will be buying a MH in a year or so. Personally, I would not by a MH with anything but OSB or plywood, especially if I were setting it on a basement. If the toilet overflows, the tub overflows, the washer or dishwasher leak, you are going to have a big problem with the floor. One of those things will happen. I also won't have carpeting in a bathroom.
Just my opion. Happy house hunting.

[trmimo]

MHE quality has improved dramatically over the last 5 or 6 years. For decades MHE was known for very low cost, very low quality homes. That isn't the case any more. I have visited the factory several times over the last 6 years and been VERY imrpessed with the improvement in processes, workmanship and materials. Today MHE has good quality, and the colonial series has many, many standard features. Warranty work with MHE is handled almost exclusively by the retailer, so quality of service varies from retailer to retailer. It is very important to check out your retailer. They are always the most important link in the chain to provide you with a home you will enjoy, but it is even more important with a manufacturer that relies on the retailer for warranty service (and many do)
Ask your retailer for references and check them. Ask local building inspectors and manufactured home community managers about their experiences with them. Ask for a copy of the MHE installation manual and read it before your house is installed, so you know what to look for.
Also, the wood I-beam floor is a good choice, it is one of the strongest floors on the market and is the only one that doesn't require support under the frame when placed on a baement. I would suggest 9' basement walls, because the frame will reduce basement ceiling height by about a foot.

[Tony]

Thanks again for your help. When they explained their I beam floor system to me, I was very impressed also. I have already spec'ed out the basement for 9ft walls. I was told to put a 2 x 10 top plate on my basement walls and let the "extra" lap over to the inside. Then when they set the house, they attach each joist to the top plate with lag bolts. Sounds reasonable to me? But I'm not an expert. What's your thoughts? By the way, I have read a lot of your comments in the forum. Your thoughts and ideas have good balance. Many of the people comments are to short-sided (i.e. If it doesn't have this or that, it's not worth having). You seem to be...Weigh all the goods with all the bads to chose a home.

[Tony]

Sorry to bother you again Trmimo, but do you know anything about the roof structure (i.e 5/12 gable roof). They have told me something like a "engineered roof system". My main concern, is my future bride wants a porch (~7ft x 15ft). I would like to add it later for 2 reasons...1st their dormer option is not over the door...2nd I want the pitch of the porch to match the pitch of the house (i.e. we think same pitches makes the house look better). In your opinion, will I have any problems adding a porch later.

I have another general question, how do I get into the "attic". To my knowledge they have no openings. In my previous "stick built" house, I installed pull down stairs. Can you do this with MH. Or at least a entrance cut-out, that you can get a step ladder and crawl up there; in case you need to fix or check something?

I would be happy to hear anything else about MHE that your willing to offer.

Thanks

[trmimo]

The 2 by 10 sill plate is the way to go with this house. I have used this method and it provides more anchoring power than trying to toe nail into the rim joist.
You can order an attic access, however you don't have much space to move around up there due to the truss design, and it's not really suitable for storage. There's even less room if you do the hipped roof. You should have no problem adding a dormer later for your porch. You will want to make sure that the porch roof is supported by posts rather than resting on the house.

[Clarence Yeary]

Tony,

I have no idea where you heard that OSB is not offered in the MHE! That is simply UNTRUE!! Nova deck & Crest Deck flooring has one bad enemy...."WATER"!!! I would never even consider buying a mobile home without OSB or Plywood flooring. Novadeck & Crestdeck is a strong flooring BUT NOT WHEN IT IS EXPOSED TO ANY TYPE OF WATER!! THIS INCLUDES MOISTER FROM THE GROUND!! Please beware!! Three close friends of mind had to replace their Novadeck within seven years. They only over is in the MHE because it is cheaper! If you don't upgrade the flooring you WILL PAY the difference in the next few years! BEWARE!

Clarence Yeary - Kentucky

[trmimo]

osb has not been offered by MHE for over a year.