Major Repairs on 1yr. old Fleetwood

[jgn]

Just Me:
You seem to miss the point. Yes they have the obligation to fix the problem and No I would not like to pay to fix it but the alternative is to let the problem keep building until it goes from minor to major. Your analogy of the car is not the same, if you don't fix the car it will not get worse you will just be out using the car but if you do not fix a leak it will get much worse. Untreated moisture can do more damage than almost anything except termites. Yes you can wait and over time win the battle but you just may lose the war.

[Just Me]

So at what point does someone make the manufacturer accountable for their product? If there is an obvious problem with the roof from the start and they won't fix it your other options are SAA or an attorney. The SAA is going to try to get the manufac to fix it, or you can spend money out of your pocket and try to take legal action to get reimbursed. Why do homeowners have to spend their money on things like defective roofs, floors, etc. when it is obvious the manufac should be fixing this? It isn't like they purchased a second hand home, it was brand new. Sure throw the warranty to the wind and spend more money fixing a home that should be in excellent shape to begin with. That way the homeowner goes deeper in debt when they shouldn't have to and the manufacturer keeps selling pieces of crap and laughing all the way to the bank.

Would you be happy if you purchased a new mobile home only to find that it had major problems from the start and they wouldn't fix it? I think not.

[LL]

Dear Just:

No! No one would be happy with a new home plagued with major problems from the start and not having them fixed. And of course, everyone feels for others that are facing such difficulties with their home. I would guess it makes every mfg. home owner cringe somewhat to read about someone's distress regarding things going wrong and then not getting help. No one is wrong in what they say in response to this particular posted question/comments......and YOU (and others) are not wrong to want corrective action to take place. Of course a company should stand behind their promises and do it in a timely manner, but unfortunately it's not always that way. From what I've read on here, it's almost like it becomes a part-time job for some owners to get various manufacturers to respond appropriately. In my opinion---I would not sacrifice my home trying to get someone to respond to my complaints. I think I would do everything to make sure my home is spared further damage and fight the battle later with the big company. (Kinda like pick which war I'm going to fight). Don't forget while an owner waits for them to respond, (and they can make you wait), you're losing valuable time in stopping what may turn out to be even more major damage and repairs. That's even scarier to me, to think of more damage occuring. Just my 2 cents....

[rmurray]

We are not in disagreement that the manufacturer should have fixed the problem...but...they did not...in the mean time additional damage is occuring...

Your example of the auto is not at all the same...Roof leaks are not major repair problems if caught early...better example would be the water pumb belt breaking...If the manufacturer did not replace the belt...I would not drive the car with no water pump..I would fix the belt..then take it up with the manufacturer later...

[Just Me]

Some friends of mine have a mobile home, new that has a leak. They have reported this several times and the techs come out but they still have the leak. They do not have the money to bring in someone to fix/find the leak nor can they afford to hire an attorney to get reimbursed. What do they do?

Their only choice is to hope at some point the leak will be fixed.

[rmurray]

Again...I say what will happen to these folks during the rest of the life of the home...What would have happened had they bought an older stick built home...???

Warranty even if preformed flawlessly is only for a short part of the life of the home...Homeowners (and investors..the homeowner) must take it upon themselves to maintain the home...hopefully improve the home...enjoy the home...

Your friends problem would be the same in any home they had ownership in...If the roof leaks..they must be sure it gets fixed...I doubt an attorney will do this..money wasted on them for a $ 50 repair job when done by the homeowner would be foolish..

When you own a home..you either have enough money to pay for upkeep...or you take it upon yourself to learn how to do it yourself.......I feel sorry for your freinds...but..they need to go to a library and start reading on home maintenence...There will be many other problems in the future and if they cannot afford to repair this one..I doubt they will be able to afford repair crews for the next one...They need to invest some time learning how to do it your self...

A good..free..place to start might be Do It Yourself Dot Com..at

http://www.diynet.com/

Lots of good info and support for do it yourself projects here..

[Jolane]

I don't know where ya'll got off on the leaks... I don't have any leaks. The floor has a high spot in it because of adhesive build-up between the joists and decking. That is a problem with the factory. The roof has high spots because the rafters are below standard - another factory problem. I don't think the stud bowing in my MB wall has anything to do with my maintenance on the home - again a factory problem. And I don't think the vinyl siding falling off has anything to do with how I maintain my home. Let's put the blame where it belongs.

[Augustaga]

I am sorry..I just assumed...I have been in the business for many years and this "adhesive" build up is a new one on me...Bowed floors in homes with NovoDeck (pressboard) are almost always from a water leak or excessive moisture build up..

Of course...both your sagging roof and bowed floor can also be explained by improper set up..

[sheila]

Murray you pretty much summed up what I had to say... If you own a home stick or manufactured there is up keep. Period. If you dont "mantain" your home which cost $$$ It will sooner or later begin to fall apart. This is something, in my opinion, that should be considered much more carefully when purchasing a home, can you afford the up keep? When having a child it is a consideration.... This, is a comparison. Both take Money, after the initial "investment"
What all has your friend dne to resolve this issue? If they cant fix it, cant get anyone out to take care of it, they need to be dilligent in their quest to beat down the manufact. If indeed that is the problem, also I am sure I would of figured out a way to patch a leaky roof myself if need be. If I had water leaking in the roff of my home...


My three cents!

[sabrina]

gee,
not everyone can go to the library, read a while, get a ladder, go up 7' and fix a leak in the ceiling.

i couldn't because i can't physically. maybe the person in trouble here is tired and overwhelmed? i certainly would be.

how about some compassion and not so much judgement? not everyone is gifted with the ability to read and do according to a guide book. some people are working very hard just to keep a roof over their family's head....haven't you all read about the vast layoffs all over the country???

jolane, i'd be calling every public official in the book and writing a form letter and sending it to them all. give it a week, do it all over again, ad infinitum.

the person who helped a friend of mine with very similar problems on her new home was the legal aid center for the county. she had to meet their criteria but then they took the ball and went with it leaving her some time to recuperate and heal. they kicked b..tt.

sabrina