ceiling

[Kelly Smart]

We have purchased a new Franklin double wide with complete sheetrock interior. The house was really busted up by the time it got to our land. It was delivered on 01/25/2005 and we have yet to be able to move into it. The main problem is the ceilings in theliving room, dining room, and 3 of the 4 bedrooms. They all had significant cracks in them. The dealer has tried to fix them with 2 different sheetrock guys and spraying alot of acoustic. You can see where each ceiling cracked and it looks like the ceiling is sagging on these repairs. We finally threw such a fit that last Thurs. which is somewhere around day # 52, the dealers wife came to look at the ceilings. She claimed she could not see what we were really talking about and even asked her sheetrock guy if he thought he could fix it by spraying more texture. He informed her he had done all he could do and suggested tear the ceiling back to a seam and replace it. The dealer is not willing to do this. Does anyone have any advice. THe factory has said they are not responsible because the cracks occured in transit.

[Bill Fry]

Its a lot easier to tear out a piece of sheetrock and replace it then spending time trying to cover up a sag.(which you can't)Sounds like a case of a dealer balking over a few extra dollars to do a job the right way.Theres always damage to taped sheetrock when the home is moved,the factory or dealer is always responsible for fixing it correctly.Stand your ground ,for a few hundred dollars I doubt the dealer would lose the sale.

[Kelly Smart]

There lies the problem. The dealer has already been paid in full in November. I am about to make my 6th house payment. We had such terrible weather in Nov. & Dec. that they did not get the house to us until 1/25/05. The dealer has told me that if he tears out the ceiling to replace the sheetreock that it will make the trusses weak. I may be a female who doesn't know alot about construction but this sounds like BS to me. Can we legally make him fix the ceilings? This is a $90k house and I am just sick at these ceilings. The dealer told us he could take us in many 300k+ houses and the ceilings look like this one. He said this is how sheetrock does. I think he is wrong. What is our next step?

[Bill]

Kelly,
You are really getting the run around. First of all, contact thte Better Business Bureau. Next, threaten both the manufacturer and dealer that you are considering going public with their neglect on this and other forums. Lastly, if all else fails, threaten legal action and if necessary contact an attorney. Good luck!
Bill

[David Oxhandler]

I would find an honorable drywall contractor, you can find them in the local yellow pages and get a written estimate to make the necessary repairs. Present this to the retailer and the builder and let them know that:

1- You know (in writing) that the repairs are possable and

2- you are going to make the repairs with or with our them and

3-will be sending them a bill for repayment or an invitation to the local small claims court, which ever they prefer.

I think you will find that the investment of a few hundred will make you headache go away ... Make your home comfortable for you and your family and duke it out later with the sellers.

[Pendragon]

Unfortunately, they've already gotten paid, so their incentive to finish the job is just about zero.

Send them a certified letter, clearly and politely indicate that you have tried to get the work done and are giving them x days to make arrangements to either have the work done, or send you a letter of authorization to hire contractors on their behalf to perform the work.

Sheetrock is not a structural component, but some MH's have the sheetrock glued to the framing with foam to make it a structural part. It's a real PITA to tear out, smooth the framing down and reinstall.

The proper way to repair the crack would have been to scrape the texture off along the crack, mud and tape it, then reapply the texturing. Properly done, you will see NO seams, cracks, hills or valleys in drywall, that's why it's used!

Texturing (either on ceiling or walls) is often done not for appearence, but because it's easier and faster than making a truely smooth surface.

[trmimo]

The BBB doesn't do you much good. All they are really good for is using as a threat against your dealer. When you report a problem it may cost them a future sale, but it isn't going to force them into action.
Lawyers are usually a waste of money. Most simply report your claim to the state agency that regulates manufactured homes, then if there is no result they sue. You can do both without the lawyer.
It sounds like the drywall man knows what to do, but your dealer is unwilling to pay for it.
Write a letter detailing all that has been done and not done regarding this issue. Emphasize the recomendation of the drywall man.
Send a copy to Franklin, your dealer and the appropriate state agency. (they will be listed in the back of your homeowner's manual.)
Franklin does have some responsibility here. Manufacturers do not typically repair hairline ceiling cracks or wall cracks. However, large ceiling cracks especially when they recur throughout the house are a different issue.
The fact that the drywaller has suggested the appropriate repair and the dealer has declined due to cost bodes well for you.
Willingness of the dealer to do a cheap repair is a virtual admission of responsibility, and once they have admitted responsibility they are required to take corrective action.

[Eugene]

Kelly,
You are getting a mixed bag of advise, both good and bad. First, the home must be designed and contructed to withstand transportation forces for its intended life!
Second, your drywall ceiling is indeed a structural component.
third, without a wood backer at the damaged area, it will never be right.
you need to file a complaint with your state or with HUD right a way!
The BBB wil do nothing.
Call 800-927-2891
that will either get you in touch with HUD or your state, who ever handles complaints where you live.
Call today!

[Lewis C.]

AS OTHERS HAVE SAID BBB NO GOOD, YOU HAVE TWO OPTIONS HUD OR THE FIRE MARSHAL. BEST OF LUCK!

[Galen]

Or your states Manufactured Housing Association