Palm Harbor Homes

[TanyaF]

Wow, I'm so sorry people are having such bad experiences. Yes, the subcontractors can be a problem. The worst problems we had with our ordeal was with one of the subcontractors, not PH themselves. We were in a unique position of having to find and hire our own subcontractors, since we lived so far away from the dealership we chose to work with. We were extremely fortunate that all but one of the contractors we found (literally by word of mouth and looking through the yellow pages!) were great people. Even the one we did have trouble with, with their delaying and demanding more money, seemed to do a quality job once they got around to it. At any rate, we could hardly blame PH for the people we hired ourselves. Actually, I take that back, that contractor was a referral from the PH dealership we chose NOT to deal with, because we didn't trust the people there. But since then, PH corporate has sent a new GM to that dealership to "clean house" because there were some shady things going on there.
Yes, some of the fixtures are "bargain brand". We're not very impressed with our vertical blinds, which break easily. But before this, we lived in a used Champion Infinity, where every single fixture and faucet was made of plastic, and the construction of the home itself was questionable. The difference between our old home and this, overall, is night and day. When I think about what we would have to have spent on a "stick built" home for the same square footage, I'm willing to forgive them a couple of "Kmart specials"
I have to reiterate again...make sure you absolutely trust the dealer you work with. It's their willingness to go the extra mile to deal with the problems that come up and protect you from them that will make things go a lot smoother.

[neilsen]

Palm Harbor really should stick to being manufactures and leave retail to the dealers. Alot of Palm Harbor factories compete directly with their local dealers who carry their products also. There are only a few manufactures who also retail their homes. That should say something. Dealers transact with installers and plumbers on a regular basis, Palm Harbor sells from the plant and therefore needs to sub contract outside of 50 miles, They have no consistant relationship with outside subs, they simply do not do enough business in one localized area. They make a fantastic home, strong and durable, towel bars and such should have been explained before hand by your sales rep. Without constant and consistant sub relationships, what can you expect. These subs are probally reputable but a lack of relationship or useage causes problems. Subs do their best work for the person who gives them the most business, If you like Palm Harbor homes, check out who carries them locally first. Manufacturing and retail are two different businesses, Retailers have a hard enough time in business alone, could you imagine how difficult it must be to do both and not just locally either?

[Good neighbor]

Cheap fixtures, fit and finish problems, construction crews and subscontractors that cut corners? For a minute, I thought you were talking about the Pulte (stick-built) home I purchased a few years ago. This sort of thing is par for the course with virtually any type of home. Unless you are building with Toll Brothers or a high-end custom builder, your home is built to a price point and will look and feel like it. There are no free lunches...or free high-quality ceiling fans.

[BRJ]

Consider Solataire Homes rather than PH. PH spends too much on advertising and high pressure sales tactics to produce volume instead of quality. Solataire uses 2x6 exterior framing and 2x4 interior, along with 1/2" textured drywall in all models as a standard.... all others use 2x4 ext... 2x3 int.... 1/4" drywall with wallpaper or vinyl..... anything else is an "option" for $$$. They also use standard fixtures, doors and windows which you can replace from Lowes or Home Depot... all others have to be special ordered from a mobile home or RV supply which will cost twice as much. Also, all of thier subs are bonded and insured.... you won't get two bubba's in a pick up truck to show up with a hammer in one hand and beer in the other. Also, Palm H.... Fleetwood, Clayton... and nearly all others use glue and staples everywhere..... Solataire uses screws, nails, and quality caulking and sealants. Better home... Better quality.... Less Bull. And no, I don't work for Solataire.... just did a lot of research and am buying one. But NONE of them are perfect... I am sure you can find dirty laundry on any builder.... even high dollar custom homes have lots of problems.... but for the money, it's the lesser of many evils.

[Angry man]

Consider Solataire Homes rather than PH. PH spends too much on advertising and high pressure sales tactics to produce volume instead of quality.

> This is BS. The "high pressure sales tactics" of PH are an out-of-date concern; these practices have been eliminated. PH is somewhere in the middle of the pack in terms of quantity. Volume production also gives economies of scale that smaller builders don't have. Volume production alone is not a bad thing.

Solataire uses 2x6 exterior framing and 2x4 interior, along with 1/2" textured drywall in all models as a standard.... all others use 2x4 ext... 2x3 int.... 1/4" drywall with wallpaper or vinyl..... anything else is an "option" for $$$.

> Patently not true. Many builders offer these quality features. Yes, some lower-end models and lines are built with cheaper materials; some buyers care only about price, and the market has responded with low-cost homes.

They also use standard fixtures, doors and windows which you can replace from Lowes or Home Depot... all others have to be special ordered from a mobile home or RV supply which will cost twice as much.

> More BS. Check your facts, don't just believe what a salesperson wants you to believe.

Also, all of thier subs are bonded and insured.... you won't get two bubba's in a pick up truck to show up with a hammer in one hand and beer in the other.

> Most states require licensed contractors to carry insurance. Big deal; thayt doesn't guarantee you quality workmanship.

Also, Palm H.... Fleetwood, Clayton... and nearly all others use glue and staples everywhere..... Solataire uses screws, nails, and quality caulking and sealants.

> More bull again, right out of sales brochure.

Better home... Better quality.... Less Bull.

> LOL - the bull content of this info is sky high...better pull on yer boots!

And no, I don't work for Solataire.... just did a lot of research and am buying one.

> A lot of research = bought the sales pitch hook, line and sinker. Sucker.

[betty]

Where did you purchase your ph home?

[TanyaF]

Who are you asking? All of us? We bought ours from Chino Valley, AZ

[Michael]

BRJ, I too am looking at buying a solitaire, my only concern is the Smart Panel siding, I have had no experience with it, but have heard some bad things about it.
Do you know anything about this product? I agree Solitaire seems like a well built home, I am looking at the Imperial series.
Thanks,
Mike

[katz]

We are looking to purchase a new mobile home. Spent all day yesterday looking at different dealers. The last one we went to was Palm Harbor. Nice enough salesman at first, even gave us a glass of cold water. He asked us what we were looking for, so we told him. He said he could give us the key and let us look, but still wanted to know exactly what we were looking for. He wanted us to narrow it down, so he asked us again. We told him we were looking, wanted to see what they had, and compare them to the other places we had been. He suggested we take some brochures to save time. (his time I guess) He did not show us any homes, he did not let us look at any homes. That total lack of customer service still astounds me!!!! We will certainly not be buying a Palm Harbor Home.

[David Oxhandler]

Katz -

It has to be very frustrating to invest your time in researching for the right home and then not being able to view the display homes. Your problem was not with the product but the sales character.

I would try another PH dealership. The product is built right and has a solid reputation. Even thought we have heard from a few unhappy owners here, the company has an excellent record for consumer satisfaction, as you can tell from the PH owners who are telling us here that they made a happy decision.

Tell us where you are located and where the unfriendly dealership is we can probably tell you the next closest location