Top Manufacturers in CA

[Randy Eaton]

The top manufacturers in California based on quality construction:
#1. Silvercrest
#2. Fuqua (Northern CA)
#3. Palm Harbor
#4. Champion
#5. Marlette
#5. Fleetwood

Randy Eaton
www.buymfghome.com/

[Sandy]

Randy: I have a question for you. In all of your posts regarding different Manufacturers and who the best one are, I have never ever seen a comment from you on Golden West homes. Down here in Southern California, in numerous paper etc. all you see is the name Golden West. Even our park manager says that Golden West homes are the best homes he has ever seen. Please comment.

[Randy Eaton]

Hello Sandy,Hello Sandy,

Goldenwest is onwned byOakwood which has a poor reputation in the industry. The other problem I have with Goldenwest is they have a longitudinal floor system, which I feel is a poor design. Because of those reasons I can't recommend them. I sold against Goldenwest here in Washington State and have walked through them and have spent some time looking at them. I don't like the way they look I feel they have a mobilehomeish look, just my opinion, I sure there are people who owned a Goldenwest and like it. But I personaly would not buy one.

Randy Eaton

[Sandy]

Thanks for your opionion. Naturally, I don't agree with you. My friend has a Fleetwood which is almost identical in the floor plan as mine and I don't think her's or mine has a mobilhomeish look to it. Maybe you have not seen what is offered here in Southern California. I don't know why you don't like the longitudinal floor system, like they say "more steel, more strength" but again your opinion. Thanks.

[Terry]

Since, GoldenWest was bought out by Oakwood Homes, they have been cutting corners. GoldenWest WAS once one of Southwest finest home builders until they were bought out. Even though GoldenWest used the longitudinal floor system, they used to put in 1x3 runners across every 24"o.c. and this really helped with the floor from seperating. It was more like a grid work. Now they don't do that anymore, they just lay the Novadeck which is a 8'x13'6" across and staple them down. Take a close look at the eaves and you could see the roof trusses it's just covered with wire screen. They used to even have the 8' sidewall height as standard and now they came down to 7' sidewall and from 4:12 to 3:12 pitched roof. I just happen to see one in Albuquerque, New Mexico and GoldenWest doesn't look like the home they used to anymore. Oakwood just gave GoldenWest a new dity make over. Sadly to say, but true.

[Terry]

I personally feel that the best home in California, which isn't cutting corners and take's the time in building fine quality homes is the HallMark Southwest Corporation of Loma Linda, California. They use standard 2x6 exterior wall's with 2x6 top and bottom plates, real 2x4 interior wall studs with 1/2" sheetrock tape and textured thru out, 3/4" plywood floors T&G, solid wood cabinets, real house type steel doors, 9-panel interior doors, 30 pds.per.sq.ft. roof load as standard, onepiece shower tub stalls, watershut off thru out. This home is sold as far away into Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. If you want a home that's well constructed and built by craftsmen who dosn't speed the home thru the factory, take a look at the HallMark and you'll see the difference, and the product speaks for itself. Good luck.

[Bill W.]

Don't forget Skyline! We moved into our 28X56 double wide in August. We really line the design and the construction. We opted for 2x4 walls and a 20lb roof 4:12 pitch instead because in our area roof load and very heavy insulation isn't necessary. As is our highest gas bill has been 15.00 and electricity 49.00 using central air. Fit and finish is very good and response to the nagging little problems with all new homes has been great. Our dealer (Five Star) has really done right by us. We couldn't be happier.
Bill W.

[Sandy]

I wanted to comment regarding manufacturers and who the best is etc. I bought a Golden West and love it. My point though, in our park the only dealer who is allowed to sell, sells only Golden West homes. If I would have found the park before I found the dealer I would not have been able to shop for a home and have it brought to that park. Like my friend who owns the Fleetwood, her park has a guy who sells in that park and only sells Fleetwood. For people who have land to put the homes on or MH sub divisions whatever, shopping for the best construction and so on is great but for someone buying to put the home in a park, it may the park that ultimately has a deciding factor in the manufacture. I live in Southern California.

[Doug]

Terry,

Couldn't agree with you more.
Our Hallmark arrived on time with hardly a crack in the drywall after the twisting dirt roads to get to our 4000' elevation. The home married back together with no alignment problems because it was assembled together at the factory. The setup crew liked working on Hallmarks because of the ease of the marriage of the floor, walls and roofline.
Full mortised triple hinges, levered handles on raised panel doors and full casement trim.
Low-e (the best) dual paned windows with 6" bottom sill and full case trim.
4:12 (residential style) pitched roof on 2" X 6" X 8' exterior studs on 16" centers.
Single lever faucets on cultured marble counters in the baths and 2 cell porcelin kitchen sink.
Cabinet doors are dowelled and screwed solid wood with 3/4" adjustable interior shelving.

ALL of the above, and more, is standard equipment.
Hallmarks are truely the best value.
Doug

[Terry]

Doug, Congradulations on your new HallMark Home. The name says it all and the product really speaks for itself. When you order a HallMark Home, they always tell you that they don't rush the home thru the factory. Their old saying is, "If the best has to be built make the job right the first time" and I truly believe this. HallMark is a small company and really doesn't do advertising like other company. I see them on I-40 being shipped from California into New Mexico and Colorado and their homes are popular in those areas. Again you did the right move in buying a fine quality home that will last years to come. Again Congradulations.