Are prefabricated homes crappy?

Question

I'm considering building a home from scratch and I heard that prefab has come a long way from the flimsy trailer-looking things...

There are two attractive aspects:
(1) cheaper
(2) faster

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on prefab homes, especially if you've had one built, or live in one, know someone who does...

thanks for any input!

Answer 1

I live in a Fleetwood from Idaho I would not buy one again because there service was crappy I like my home though. Just literally took them 2 years to get all the initial stuff fixed. My home and awnings upgrades that I had to make for the park was 100,000 without the land

You defiantly want to get all the upgrade like Tape and Tex because it looks more like a regular home. Also tell them you will put in your own carpeting I haven't seen one that uses good carpeting and you will get better quality on your own.

Things to consider
1 Buying your own land Check the covenants and restrictions on land use some does not allow MFH
Then there's all the cost putting in water sewage electric gas not to mention paying for plot plans and those nasty impact fees for all of them which can run 7,000 to 10,000 each utility. Then there is cost of the land on top of all this.
2. Livening in a Park is close quarters and you do not own the land and you are only renting the land and Many MFH parks are closing all across the states and you have to pay the 10,000 to 18,000 fee to move your home Not to mention all the improvements you will be expected to pay for to improve the park.
Mine is currently being bought out 160 families are going to be homeless in March and I have to move my home at a cost of 18,000 plus land and all impact fees.
If I had to do it all over again I would buy a used Sivercrest home
That I saw in California much better than Fleetwood because of the service and the up grades.
Differences between your home and a stick built usually a MFH is closer than 16 inches on center because they move it by truck and it has to hold up in the move also Your MFH is built in the factory never being out in the rain or snow so the wood never got wet.

If I were you I would look into nice used reposetion home cost you half the price just look up the state you live in I would buy a 1999 or newer. You can always paint and throw in new carpeting Lots of Parks are closing in every state so I would check there first and you could get some great buys.
Mobile home reading truths and myths
http://www.rebelhome.net/myth.html

Repossessed homes are often great buys and sometimes offer a solution to buying a home on a limited budget. These homes usually have any repairs made to them - if necessary - prior to selling. They may even have limited warranties. Be sure to ask if it has any kind of warranty or not. Also, be sure to GET IT IN WRITING. Do not take the salesperson's word on anything. If it isn't written into the contract it probably is NOT included.
To locate repossessed manufactured or modular homes, (or "repos"), for sale, check with local dealers and see if they carry them. . You should be able to help you locate dealers and other information.
Check with local banks, too. They, of course, will not have the homes they have repossessed in their parking lot but they have to have SOMEONE to sell these homes for them. They should be able to tell you who sells them in their area.
hope this helps
Diane

Answer 2

It all depends. There are +/- to bolth sides. We where going to put a prefab house on a lot we had and rent it out sounds good right basic prefab house 80,000-100,000+ OK but you have to get the lot graded plumbing electrical driveway garage if need be then you have the option of what kind of foundation you want or skirting around the house. It all comes down to what you want if you want it to look more like a house its going to be more expensive. so by the time you get every thing done to make it fancy your looking at around 200,000 dollars plus the cost of a lot unless you all ready have one I would say the biggest factor is time a prefab can be put to gather in a lot less time the conventional frame house i would suggest going down to a local prefab home builder. Also my mother lives in Nevada and had a nice energy effectient certified 2000 sq ft prefab and all the fixings built and put on a lot for 160000$ buts that Nevada

Answer 3

Some prefab homes are high quality, some are crap. I would consider owning one if I researched the company very well including talking with some current owners/people who had them built. I am a painting contractor and in the last two years we have painted some very high quality prefabricated homes. The biggest problem I have seen with most of the recent ones have been cracks developing in the drywall as the house settles on its foundation. My sister in law just had a new house stick built about a year and a half ago and they are having the same problems, hairline cracks developing in some of the drywall corners as the house settles. In my opinion, research the company very well, and go for it. Good Luck! Tony

Answer 4

They talk about them in every issue of Dwell magazine. Actually, they can be of higher quality than site built homes. Dwell magazine's website might have more info, or pick up an issue to read more.

Answer 5

Factory built homes are faster, but NOT cheaper
many very good ( quality ) manufacturers out there today

Answer 6

It really depends on the manufacturer.