Hardwood Floor Question

[Naia]

I'm in the process of purchasing my first MH and am very interested in having Pergo type floors installed. I spoke to one dealer who said that I should not install any wood or Pergo floor until two years after the home is installed due to settling. I haven't been able to find anyone else to concur on this advice. I would really like to put the floors in immediately. Any thoughts or advice?

-Naia

[Scott]

I havn't heard of any problems with Pergo flooring causing any problems. As a matter of fact, I know that Karsten offers a Pergo type flooring and I am sure that some other manufacturers do as well. It doesn't make any sense that you were told to wait two years due to settling. If that were the case, ceramic would be out as well and I know there are tons of manufactures that offer ceramic tile floors. Usually when a dealer says something so outlandish, it is because they don't offer it and they don't want you to find someone who does, and if you do, you will be turned off by the idea. I have heard from many people that the Clayton dealership in my area tells people not to get Tape and Textured walls because they crack too much. They only tell people that because Clayton in this region does not offer T&T.

[rmurray]

Run from this dealer...do not walk...Sounds like they do not do a very good job of setting the home..

Pergo (this is NOT hard wood) floors can be had from many manufacturers directly from the plant...the floors take the shipment process very well...

By the way...Pergo is not hardwood...many plants also offer true hardwood as well...Hardwood floors are more expensive..

Get a high quality home..then get all the features you weally want..Good Luck

[trmimo]

You couldn't be more right rmurray.
Would you buy a site built home from a builder who told you it was going to settle?
I don't think so.
A properly installed home will never settle and will never need to be releveled.

[Craig]

my Homes of Merit was set up on steel reinforced concrete runners 10 inches deep in north Florida in 3/04. my T&T walls have several cracks. it was set up to Homes of Merit specs.
so is it really true that "A properly installed home will never settle and will never need to be releveled." as Trmimo stated ?

[trmimo]

Many things can cause drywall cracks. I am not a big fan of homes that come with unfinished drywall that is completed on site. Mainly because the factory typically uses fewer fasteners at wall to wall connections when they are not building to stop cracking in transit. I have found this to be a major cause of drywall cracking. Footings must also be correctly sized and placed on compacted soil, vegetation must be removed from under the home and a vapor barrier installed along with proper ventilation. Unwanted moisture causes nail pops and drywall cracks.

[Paula]

Hi All-
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
My 1986 modular home is literally starting to
fall apart. I have a gap that runs through the home
about an inch in width.
Is this called releveling? Why would this happen?
And who do I call to get it fixed? Is this a costly
expense? I live in NJ.

Thx in advance!

[rmurray]

Is this a modular..or manufactured home..??..

Sounds like the foundation has settled..if it is a manufactured home (has a metal frame under it)..have a manufactured home set up crew check the piers..and relevle..then fix the interior problems...It is not unusual for any 20 year old home to settle in the ground...manufactured homes are much cheaper to correct than modular or stick builds that have this problem...If you have a true modular home..(no frame under the home)..you might need a foundation specialist to inspect and recommend a solution...

[Paula]

Thank you so much!

I would have to say it is a manufactured home.
I see metal underneath. Any idea of how
much the cost would be, so I know I am
not getting taken?

Again, thank you for responding!

[Paula]

P.S.- are YOU located in NJ? If you are, you're hired rmurray!