Manufactured vs. Modular

[Kelli]

I have been told by dealers that there are slight differences in Manufactured vs. Modaular. It is my understanding that a manfactured is built on a steel fram, whereas the modular is built on a stick frame. Both can be placed on a foundation, or crawl space. A manufactured can be placed on pillars: A Modular, has the furnace and hotwater heater placed in the basement and must have the furnace ducts run after placement.
My question: Does anyone have a clue as to the pricing differences? What we have seen in the dealer lots are all manufactured. When I ask the dealers, they tell me any of their homes can be made into modular, but they never offer a pricing difference. In the end, is cost the same,lower or higher?
When it comes down to it, keeping the bottom line price to a minimum is a concern for us, however comparing these to a traditional stick built home, the quality is the same or better, but about 30K more.
We are looking at MHE and Commodore of PA, we have looked at Pine Grove, but their pricing seems to be much higher with all the bells and whistles. I just want a modest home at a modest price. Any suggestions or comments will be appreciated.
Thanks
Kelli

[Eugene]

Kelli,
I have a very good knowledge of the 3 manufacturers you are looking at.
A Mod home is built to the model building code that all stick built homes are constructed to. typically if you are in OH or PA, it will be either theIRC, BOCA or CABO.
A manufactured home is built to the Manufactured Home COnstruction and Safety Standards, ( AKA: the HID Code). The requirements are a little less than the other codes, but not much. The biggest differnce is the HUD code allows flexibility in the design of the code.
Price wise, the products I see, for a normal home, without too many bells and whistles, it will be between 3,000 to 6,000 more for a modular of the same home. (In my opinion, it is worth it).
If you plan on staying in your home for more than a few years, stay away from MHE. very dishonest!
Commodore is OK, but they can be slippery as well. Not near as bad though.
Pine Grove is very, very good. A pine grove home can be a good investment! The others will most likely depriciate.

[trmimo]

If you live in Pennsylvania, MHE does not build mods for Pennsylvania. Commodore still offers mod.s with frames just like a hud house. A conventional floor is an option. It seems like a strange comparison to me because, MHE is a price point house and Commodore is a higher end home. Kind of like comparing a Chevrolet to a Buick. Yeah, the Chevy costs less but you can't expect to find the same features. With MHE you will get more square footage for the same price, with Commodore you will get more features and a more elaborate floorplan. I agree that MHE does not have a great reputation, but they have made huge strides in the quality and construction of their homes in just the last 2 years. I don't know of any dishonest practices at either of these companies and I would be interested in healring a specific example instead of abroad accusatory statement like they are slippery or dishonest.

[Mark]

Also depends on if you go off frame or on frame. Off frame is considered a permanent structure.

Total cost to 'upgrade' to modular code for my home, including the cost of the crane (about $6000) to lift it into place was about $20,000

[Kelli]

Hi Mark,
Was that an additional 20,000 for the foundation/crawl space or for the initial upgrade for your home to be a modular?
The dealers told me they wouldn't be using a crane, instead they use a slide for placing also the cost of foundations in my area are being quoted "somewhere around 25K".
Thanks
Kelli

[Kelli]

I have to agree that the Pine Grove is the Cadillac of the homes, unfortunatly my husband is only seeing the price tag!
There was a 30k difference between the MHE and the Pine Grove home: both were drywalled, a 15K difference between the MHE and a panneled Pine Grove. The commodore is priced between the two.
I know you can't compare apples to oranges when it comes down to it, but I find that Pine Grove builds a good quality constructed home using more traditional stickbuilt processes. (2x12 for floor joist vs. 2x6 in the MHE).
If I'm going to put out money, I want the most for the buck!
Thanks!
Kelli

[Eugene]

Kelli,
Consider the long term investment, You received some good advise here from the people above.
Pine Grove is sure to apriciate in value, That is not to say that the Commodore will not, as they also build a great home, just not quite as nice as PG.
MHE has earned their reputation, Trmimmo wants specifics, ok, go to a little town on Northeast PA called Albion, On Rt 6N, there is a 3 year old home that is a total mess and all they do is say its not their problem. A good company stands behind their home, doesn't look for excuses to hide behind.

[Mark]

It was about $15k for the additional modular changes, $6k for the crane. Septic, foundation, electrical, etc was all additional. $25k is extremely high for a foundation, especially if you are leaving the frame, since all they will essentially be doing it building the same block pillars they build for any other MH. I'd be asking specifically what I was getting for a $25k foundation.

If they are using slides, then they are leaving the frame and in most cases it won't be considered a permanent structure (regardless of how it's tied down).

[trmimo]

I thought from your first post that you had ruled out pinegrove. If you can make a Pinegrove home fit in your budget, there is no doubt that is the home to chose. Far superior to the other 2 in terms of material, workmanship and durablity.

[dan]

Regarding the price difference between the Pine Grove and other brands, take a look at the standards. If you price in the standard features of the Pine Grove from other homes that have lesser standards the price difference will become less, usually.

Remind your husband, the lowest price is not alway the best value.