Starting to freak out.

[martha]

Jgn- You mentioned major damage to watch out for:

"Damage in the transportation will happen in 100% of the cases most of it is minor (cracks in the drywall, doors need to be adjusted, etc) but some can be major and it is up to the setup crew to take care of it."

What kind of damage do you look for to show "major" transportation damage? Will it be obvious when I see something or are there specific things/places to look at?
I want to be there the day of setup to take pictures for my scrap book and really think the idea of shmoozing (sp?) the setup crew is great!

[jgn]

I would have a home inspector who is familier with MH look the home over before it is set. If you look at the inside of the home you will see cracks in the drywall, some doors that are not in alignment and several other things, but all of these things are normal transportation issues that are part of the setup. What I am concerned about is the frame being twisted and I do not have the experience to detect that but it can cause problems and is well worth the money to have an expert look it over. with this size of an investment there are two things to budget for, an attorny and a home inspector. It's the ole pay me now or pay me later and the few dollars spent could save you thousands.

[Monica Gaarnett]

Martha, girlfriend I would NEVER do it again. Our house was nothing like the model home. I moved in Oct. 31, 2003 (not even 7 months), we have siding coming off, gutters coming apart, terrible carpet seams, etc, etc. etc. I mean the list goes ON and ON. I am going to video tape the huge list of defects and send it in. I have had the CORPORATE office call me twice (Southern Showcase Housing/CHAMPION homes), I filled their ears up. Both times, we will get back w/you very soon to clear this up. NOTHING. I mean the model house like we wanted came in (which we did not get to go through before setting up) with Very thin plastic sinks, cheap plastic faucets, no caulking ANYwhere, den carpet w/3 rips, ceiling just patched up. No filters on the well OR in the house (I kept wondering where and how the red dirt dust was always on everything.) I had to go ahead and move in because it was supposed to be ready weeks earlier and I HAD to move out of my apartment. I told them to get on the ball or rent me a hotel. They got on the ball alright???! I am so dissatisfied that I have NOT even tried to decorate. Southern showcase says its the MANUFACTURERS fault and the manufacturer says that it is SOUTHERN showcases (construction crew) fault. You tell me, we have gotten no where, but I'm getting ready to go somewhere. They are not gonna like it either. I am not paying well over 100,000 and 30 years for something that is falling apart in months. Monica Garnett, King, NC 336-983-3538

[Monica Gaarnett]

Martha, girlfriend I would NEVER do it again. Our house was nothing like the model home. I moved in Oct. 31, 2003 (not even 7 months), we have siding coming off, gutters coming apart, terrible carpet seams, etc, etc. etc. I mean the list goes ON and ON. I am going to video tape the huge list of defects and send it in. I have had the CORPORATE office call me twice (Southern Showcase Housing/CHAMPION homes), I filled their ears up. Both times, we will get back w/you very soon to clear this up. NOTHING. I mean the model house like we wanted came in (which we did not get to go through before setting up) with Very thin plastic sinks, cheap plastic faucets, no caulking ANYwhere, den carpet w/3 rips, ceiling just patched up. No filters on the well OR in the house (I kept wondering where and how the red dirt dust was always on everything.) I had to go ahead and move in because it was supposed to be ready weeks earlier and I HAD to move out of my apartment. I told them to get on the ball or rent me a hotel. They got on the ball alright???! I am so dissatisfied that I have NOT even tried to decorate. Southern showcase says its the MANUFACTURERS fault and the manufacturer says that it is SOUTHERN showcases (construction crew) fault. You tell me, we have gotten no where, but I'm getting ready to go somewhere. They are not gonna like it either. I am not paying well over 100,000 and 30 years for something that is falling apart in months. Monica Garnett, King, NC 336-983-3538

[Monica Garnett]

I hear you loud and clear sister!! We are playing the blame game too. Read my story. I'd like to know if your NIGHTMARE is as bad as ours.

[Rod]

im looking for a vent cover for the outside of my manufactured home. Mine in broken and i havent been able to find any place to order it from near by. im in malibu CA. any advice on where i might order something or pick up the vent cover parts?
thanks,

[Scott]

The sagging in the frames is called "camber" and is absolutely essential. If the builder is not putting camber in the frame then good luck in the future. I hope you have a good insurance policy.

[martha]

Yeah that bothered me at first too and then I remembered that they talked about building their frames with camber up at PH too. It does look pretty freaky though to see the sag in the floor at first. But I understand the weight af the walls and all that.

[New England Mess]

Jen,
I share your frustration with a new MH delivered in the past two months. Internal water pipes not connected to each other, no heating conduit connected to vents in rooms, doors, windows broken, sidding wrong, floor joists fallen, dimensions OFF- woun't fit on foundation! What a mess!

They have all the money, we have no home to live in!

You mentioned the BBB and DCED, as well as attorneys, have you had any results with either? We are dealing with Liberty Homes and it seems they have no intention of resolving these major issues, even though their own plant manager agrees this is totally unacceptable. What options are there in the MH industry? Is there a licensing or regulatory authority Federal or State (NH or PA or IL)?

Distressed!!!