Starting off
The Home Itself.
When looking at these homes. customers are often given prices for that home itself. After deciding you like it and want to purchase. Then the unforeseen expenses start piling up. Now you need excavation, a foundation, utilities, a driveway, etc.
In our contracts the prices are fixed and agreed upon for everything all-inclusive so yes, it can sound like we are more expensive however we won't hit you with those extra costs unless you agree make changes to the overall plan. That means you control your budget! and its all done in house through us.
Timeframe
After purchasing customers are told they will have a house within six months. Although true and the home is on site within six months, they leave them sit to settle from relocating them. [or at least they should.] Then the homes are fully assembled still taking up to a full year or more at times.
Our homes will have delays as well although the delays are more weather and material delays. We often run into inspections and payment draw delays as well. We date our contacts for a full year for most cases and have built homes as fast as a few months completed however, speed is not the goal. in the end timeframes are often the same although it's widely believed that manufactured homes are faster, but we firmly believe that's not the case.
Quality Differences
We have conversations with customers quite often about the differences between stick built and manufactured. Most cases in our dealings, the customers were not aware of the difference until they see it in person. Below we will point out some major differences in how they are built.
Quality differencs
Exterior Sheathings
Structural Supports
Exterior Sheathings
Often these homes are fitted with a 1/4" foam insulation instead of proper sheathings like OSB or plywood's which provide important structural strength for the walls.
2x6 Construction
Structural Supports
Exterior Sheathings
Although they're advertised as 2x6 construction which is true. The studs are over-stapled in place instead of nailed using proper framing nails and the exterior sides are notched to run wires along the entirety of the home, instead of drilling proper sized holes in the center of the stud where the stud can handle losing structural integrity.
Structural Supports
Structural Supports
Structural Supports
It is IRC [international residential code] for contractors like us to have proper Headers above windows and doors on load bearing walls.
Manufactured homes follow federal guidelines and often do not have these supports which make walls sag to the point windows and door cannot open.
Framing differences
Framing differences
Structural Supports
These homes are often fitted with a single top plate along the walls and no corner or wall ties framed to help connect walls together and more secure. The fascia boards are often stapled 3/4" boards that warp and mishappen.
Our walls whether framed using 2x4,2x6,2x8 and yes even 2x12 on occasion. Have double top plates that intertwine with perpendicular walls to fasten more securely and are also fitted with California corners to allow more secure wall ties and insulations. Our overhangs are framed using 2x6 or 2x8 construction, all of which is fastened using proper framing nails.
Rafters/Trusses
Framing differences
Rafters/Trusses
Manufactured homes are typically built with 2x2 trusses on slopes lower than the requirement for architectural shingles. These designs are often undersized for local snow loads in our region but they are built to those same federal guidelines.
Our trusses are engineered at a minimum 2x4 and fastened with hurricane tie downs and specific nails which is IRC in today's standard.