site built home compared to manufactured?

[Mickey]

Just wondering what opinions you have that might convince me to buy Manufactured? I have been looking at manufactured and am thinking about building. Quite a bit of difference in money. Will there be that much difference in the quality of the home and the quality of HOW the home it built?

Interested in your thoughts!
Mick

[John]

I have been doing a lot of research recently, both here and elsewhere; and everything I have read leads me to believe that manufactured housing, due to the fact that the constuction environment and processes are controlled, a better quality product is the result. Also, manufactured housing's cost of production is lower, because the environment is controlled and not affected to damage to materials caused by weather, vandalism, or theft. In many cases, due to the quality of the materials used and the processes in place; exceed what can be accomplished on a site built home. There is also a higher degree of energy efficiency than a site built home as well...

[debbie]

Hi,
What I've gathered during extensive research not only on this board but with set-up contractors, salespeople, and owners is that the quality depends on the product you start with (the manufactured home) and then ESPECIALLY on the set-up. Start with the best constructed home you can afford (resist the cosmetic bells and whistles if you have to) and then don't scrimp on the set-up. The best home on the market can be a dog if the crew does not set it up right.

[Skarlett]

I am also doing research right now, and my husband and I are trying to decide on a site built home vs. a manufactured home. I was wondering what suggestions you have (Debbie) on setup. We're looking at a Palm Harbor , and have about decided on buying it over the site built home, but I would like to know more about issues in setup.
Thanks, and I hope this will help Mickey too.

[don]

Hi,
Ive been in my Palm Harbor now for six months, I too researched heavily into the site built VS manufactured....I have 2x6 ext studs, 2x4 int, 2x8 joist,2x8 rafters all on 16" centers ,3/4" T&G subfloor, full OSB wrap, 12' cathedral cielings, 1/2" taped and textured sheetrock throughout, 2170 sq ft, also a few nice perks stone FP,glamour bath, etc...

I could not have got half the home Im in now for the money that I spent, and the home is "Energy Star" rated.

As far as set up..Palm Harbor does a good job in this area...I have a perimeter footing, plus the standard footings, all below the frost line. All the piers are surewalled. Brick underpinned.Ties downs every 5'

I asked questions of the dealership until I was blue in the face....set-up took awhile though, almost 3 months, which was a bit excessive...but on the bright side, it was done correctly...GOOD LUCK!!

[Mickey]

Should I have concerns about setting a Manufactured on a basement?

[karen]

We compared manufacturered homes , site built, and modular homes for months. Researched many web sites, vistited many places and homes. We were preapproved for a loan on a Hart manufactured home. However, the appraisal would not pan out. They could not find comps in our area that were anywhere near the cost we were asking for. We own our 20 acres. That didn't seem to help and we even went through a mortage lender that specializes in mh. They told us as well as the dealer we were working through that standards have gotten tougher in mh sales and if in a rural area like we are it would be almost impossible to get the appraisal right. So when we were just about to give up, the broker called as well as the dealer and told us that they could get us into a modular, ( less sq footage but a well built house.) with a full basement constructed for about the same price as the larger sq foot Hart. The broker even had us talk to a couple in the Kansas City area that also cannot find comps close enough for their appraisal. We both went through 4 different appraisers. All of these appraisers specialize in mh. I would check with modular homes in the area . When the appraisal was done, they did one modular and 2 site builts. It was done in a week and a half compared to the 6 weeks we waited for the appraisal on the mh. With a modular you get less sq ft and a little more cost but there are some good things. Less $ for basement, full drywall throughout, no sales tax, and it is considered a real home for appraisal purposes, ( good and bad for taxes).