manufacturer question

[John]

My wife and I are thinking about purchasing a MH and have checked out these companies so far:

Palm Harbor
Fleetwood
Oakwood
The Housing Mart
Washington Home Center
Lamplighter Homes
Liberty Homes

All of these homes seem to be built well. We are leaning towards Palm Harbor or Oakwood homes at the moment due to the floorplans and quality of the homes.

Some standard features on the Oakwood:
All copper wiring
200 amp electrical service
2x6 rough sawn eave fascia
Vinyl windows
Longitudal floor system
Aluminum heat ducts
Tape and textured throughout
90" sidewall
True 3:12 roof pitch

Some optional features on the oakwood:
Optional 4/12 and 5/12 roof pitches
30, 40, 80, and 120 Lb. roof loads
Cedar and cement lap ciding
Super good cents package
2x6 walls, R-38 ceiling, R-21 walls, R-36 floor
A/C heat pump ready
Frost proof outside faucets

The Palm Harbor seems to offer similar features/packages. Most of these homes, in fact, seem very similar. The Oakwood home model we like is the winter special,
Model # O1-522F 3bed 2bath 1,404 Sq.Ft. 58,590 with options The Palm Harbor we liked is Model # 4P471A5 4bed 2bath 1,908 Sq. Ft. 65,000 before options. Is there anything positive/negative about the general quality of the homes and companies we have looked at? We live in western washington and the Oakwood home center we looked at is located at 197 Hamilton Road, Chehalis WA. 98532
360-740-0825. The Palm Harbor we looked at is located at 1606 51st Avenue East, Fife WA. 98424 253-922-9800 Thank you for all your help, John.

[rmurray]

"Longitudinal floor system"..is not a good feature..this means the floor joist run the same direction of as the i-beams...This home will have to have substantial perimeter blocking to keep the floor from crowning in the center some years in the future..There is less lumber in this floor system..

The best homes will have horizontal..across the i-beam placement of the floor joists..with properly placed outriggers for support..

Palm Harbor does not use a "longitudinal floor system"..

One of the best ways to compare products is to visit the plants..here you can see the differences...ask questions about why things are done the way they are..and generally see the care and detail that goes into the home behind the walls..

It is worth taking a day off work for these visits..

[Rich]

I also live in West. Washington. Like you we went to almost every dealer in the area in purchasing our new home. We just sold our 1993 Skyline and purchased a new Kartsen. The dealer we are working with is Detrays on Meridian in Puyallup. They sell Karsten, Skyline and Homebuiders NW. I was expecting to buy another Skyline as the one we have has been great with no problems in the 11 years I've lived in it but decided on the Karsten. Both offered the same floor plan but Skyline was a more than our budget allowed for. Also toured the Karsten plant in Stayton, OR and in my opinion they are building a good product. I've read alot of negatives on Oakwood with all there financial troubles so we never even looked at them. Anyway, thats my 2 cents and now that we have finally gotten good old Pierce County paperwork (getting the title reinstated to obtain a move permit) out of the way they will be moving the old home next week and replacing with the new one. Good luck in your search

[Kevin C]

If I did my math right on the PH, that comes out to about $34 per sq. ft. I know that is for a basic home without upgrades, but does that sound about right for a PH? I thought they were a lot more expensive than that. If that price is close to being right, that makes the PH even more attractive to me. My wife and I are considering one in about 2 to 3 years. We've been researching MHs for about three years now and have the brand narrowed down to PH, Patriot, or Southern Energy. Will be placing it in Alabama just north of B'ham.
Thanks.
Kevin C

[John]

Thanks! I really appreciate all your help. Decisions, decisions...

[rmurray]

Palm Harbor in your area has 3 different lines of homes...the 8000 series will be from $31 to $37 per square foot depending on size..the larger homes are priced lower per sq. foot..

The 9000 series will be $40 to $44 per foot again depending on the size and features...some might go up to $50...but that is the Roles of the industry...

The Discovery System Built Homes will be from $55 to $75....

You are very close to the plant your home will be built in at Boaz, AL...It is worth the effort to visit the plant..they have guided tours every weekday for the public..call your local dealer for an appointment..

[Kevin C]

Thank you very much Murray, you made my day.
Kevin C

[TonyV]

I know this may only ad to the tough decisions you have to make, I am a web designer, just got done doing a site for a company called Superior Homes of Fife. They deal exclusively with Liberty Manufactured homes. After looking over the floor plans and even visiting the business I have to say I have seen some very nice houses. They actually have two different offices, one located in Fife Washington and the other in Bremerton Washington... I Highly recomend them not only because I did their site, but because they are great people and I know you will not be disapointed. Check out http://www.surperiorhomesoffife.com or http://www.futurehomesofbremerton.com for more information. You won't be sorry.
Should you decide to communicate with them please tell them that their webmaster recomended them. thanks
Tony V

[Richard]

The most horrendous thing in my life was the three years I spent triing to get my new Skyline brought up to HUD Code. It was a long and exhausting battle and took all of three years with the state and with HUD filling documents constantly.
And still there were some things that the manufacturer would not fix.
We were bairly able to get it up to HUD Code and sell it.
We found an honest dealer and bought an excellent home through the Redman Plant in Ephrata, PA.

[as]

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