With advances in modular home quality,how do I convince my parents that they are not just all doublewide crap?

Question

My parents just sold their house and are trying to retire. They want something a bit smaller and I was trying to show them some nicer quality modulars that they can put $250- $300k into.

The only thing is that all they know about modulars is that they are junky poorly made doublewides. I've tried to show them websites and pictures, but the one's they've looked at in their small town of Clarion, Pa are still the crappy cheaper ones. They are totally turned off and everyone is telling them that they ARE bad and to stay away from them.

I need hard proof to counter all their friend's point of views. Anyone know of articles or shows that have covered modular homes that are credible. Anybody like CNN (they watch it religiously and would probably listen to them).

Please help!!! They are rushing and are looking at crappy 1970's houses for $300k! Its driving me crazy!!!!

So it looks like modulars are basically stick built houses and manufactured housing are the lower grade doublewide style houses (our home inspector below has informed us).

Based on this. What do you think? Is the misconception between modulars and manufactured homes what is scaring people away?

Answer 1

I own a company that services new home warranties on manufactured homes. I have worked on both, "mobile" homes, and "modular" homes. Here is your basic difference between the two.... the "modular" home, is made to have the steel frame removed from under the home, after its parts have been delivered to the site. The parts (Ive seen up to 4 sections in one home) are assembled, and the steel is removed. After the home is perimeter blocked, (or set on a poured foundation, or basement), you cannot tell it is a "manufactured" home just by looking at it. Therefore, the wood structure of the home, is built more solid, than on a manufactured home, where the steel is meant to be left intact. Now... in addition to this difference... there is the difference in the quality of construction in mobile homes. When you talk about 'mobile' homes... there is a LARGE range of quality. Everything from the simple 'box' with glitzy trim... to truly well built homes. (I refuse to do business with the 'box on wheels' manufacturers....and I can tell you, on the best built homes... the only things I get called out to fix, are transport damages).


Here are some things to look for when new home shopping:

Construction -- The best homes are built with 2x6 exterior wall studs, and have more insulation in them, than the homes built with 2x4 studs, or smaller. Using 2x6 wall studs is something that has even become popular in 'site built' construction. You may want to check the 'site built' homes in your area... they may have still been using standard 2x4 contruction at the time.

Roof trusses will be made of full 2x4 stud construction. Many manufacturers use smaller lumber to create their roof trusses.
Look for long lasting shingles. The MINIMUM I would settle for would be a 25 yr shingle. Also make certain that the roof has actual felt under the shingles, and not paper. (Some manufacturers will use a 2 ply 'wax' paper....thats about as inferior a quality part as you can get)

Interior walls should be at least 2x3, preferably, 2x4 studs. Interior walls, except for "marriage walls" (where different sections come together) are simply cosmetic... they are not load bearing.... BUT... having the thicker wall DOES help with sound reduction, and gives you a better framework to hang wallcoverings on. There is a manufacturer out there, that uses some misleading statements concerning their homes.... they say things like "all load bearing walls are made of 2x4 construction"... well, all THAT means, is that your EXTERIOR walls are 2x4. All the INTERIOR walls will be ripped studs!

Practically all modular homes will be drywall finished throughout the home..... this IS becoming quite popular with the better built manufactured homes, too. It's quite common to find 1/2" sheetrock used in these homes, just as you would in a site built home.

Windows will all be thermo-pane, insulating windows. Usually of vinyl construction, with tilt in sashes for easy cleaning. These windows are also adjustable for tension... making them harder or easier to open and close.... you can literally, tune them to suit yourself.

Doors -- Exterior doors will be of steel construction, AND standard height. Many of the 'lower quality' mobile homes, cut costs here, and use short doors, to fit short walls.... and make them out of fiberglass, instead of steel.
Interior doors, will usually be 'raised panel' doors... just like you would buy at the home supply store.

Overall Insulation -- on the better built homes, you will have standard Owens Corning insulation (just like the contractors use) in the walls, and floor. Ive seen both, 'blown in', and batten insulation in the ceilings. Either works just fine. I believe if you compare a good quality modular (or even manufactured) home to a home built in the '70's.... the modular will have better insulation.

Interior -- Look for raised panel cabinet doors, with solid wood frames, with wood veneers. Lower quality homes will use paper coated cabinets. Floor coverings will range from laminated wood flooring, to good quality carpets, and vinyl floors. Some homes can even be bought with tile already installed.

Plumbing -- Now.. this is an EASY area to spot quality. Just open the cabinet door and look at the plumbing under a sink.... if you see grey tubing... (called PEX)... stay away from it. Its rolled tubing, it will expand a bit, if it freezes, so you have less likelyhood of pipes bursting... BUT... its 3 times the cost of anything else out there to maintain! Pex plumbing uses a copper band, as a crimp, on the joints.... there's no glue.... and the tool to put that crimp band on? It runs about $100 .... you CAN buy valves and connectors made for Pex.. but again.... they cost more. A typical valve, using compression nuts, will cost 2 to 3 times what a brass, or cpvc valve will cost.
My personal favorite, is cpvc plumbing. Its good quality, and easy to work on. On a manufactured home, the plumbing is run between the floor, and the floor's insulation too.... the only 'exposed' pipe you will have, will be where the main supply comes into the home. And, the manufacturer will have an electical outlet near it, so your dealer can install heat tape on that section of pipe.
On a manufactured home, you know all the plumbing is NEW. You need not concern yourself with rusty galvanized pipes, or copper pipes that have suffered from a 'leech' effect, because someone had the electrical ground hooked up to the water system. (The 'leech' effect... is literally, where copper atoms, are pulled from the copper pipes, leaving them very thin, as the years go by. Ive gone to some homes, where the copper pipes were as thin as paper)

All of the plumbing fixtures in the home should be METAL... many manufacturers, trying to cut corners, will install plastic faucets. Also, look for stainless steel, or ceramic sinks. You can even get some homes now, with corian, silestone, or avonite, as an option. (All popular brands where the countertop is the same all the way thru... you can even have sinks made of matching material, and intalled)

Look for shut off valves too.... hahahha...you'd be surprised how many 'cheapie' mobile homes don't bother to put in shut off valves.

Overall -- the industry as a whole -- has improved greatly over the last 15 years. Even the 'cheap' mobile homes of today, are built better than they were 15 years ago. But, as you can see from what little information I've listed here... there is still a large gap, in the better quality homes, vs the 'boxes on wheels'

With a manufactured home, you get a warranty....on practically everything... all of the appliances are new, and will have warranties on them from their manufacturers, the floor coverings will be warrantied (laminated floors, for example), shingles, windows, even siding...

Oh, I forgot to mention siding -- there is siding... and there is siding.... lol.... Many of your 'boxes on wheels' manufacturers will use a thinner vinyl siding. The better quality homes will use standard 'house type' siding (40 mil thick, usually), or... some are even using Hardiboard now. Hardiboard is a cement siding product. Most often, it appears to be a wood plank, in style/texture. The advantage is... it won't rot, its not susceptible to termite damage, and it lasts..... and lasts... and lasts.... heheheh.

Here is something else for your parents to consider...... BECAUSE the homes are made at a factory... the quality is easier to control. The parts that go into the home, are bought in large quantity.... thus reducing the overall cost of the home. A VERY GOOD quality manufactured home will STILL COST LESS, square foot per square foot, than a site built home. And here's a secret.... the same home you price for $200,000 there, locally.... only runs $80,000 at the factory. So shop around. I'm not kidding.... the dealerships will price their homes according to the local market.... not according to what they pay the manufacturer for the home.

Good quality manufactured, and modular homes are a good investment. A "modular" home is NOT a 'trailer'....its made to be moved to the homesite, and left there. Some options now, are second stories, higher pitched roof, etc. There is a LOT out there. Ive just covered the basics here.

Let me add something here about the dealerships too.... Ive traveled to a LOT of different dealerships, sales lots for different manufacturers, etc.... When you pull into their lot... is it CLEAN? Do they take pride in their appearance? Same goes for the OFFICE -- If the offices are dirty... turn around and run... dont walk.. RUN away! A top knotch dealership will help you find the home YOU want... not sell you what THEY need to move off the lot. CUSTOM ORDER your home... they are built in an in-door facility.... you can have it anyway you want! And, as I said earlier.. SHOP around.... MOST dealers have NO PROBLEM traveling an hour or two, to your homesite! And you can save a lot of money buying the exact same home "out of the city".

Wikipedia has an excellent article on 'modular' homes, what they are, etc... here is the link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modular_home


Have Fun Shopping!

Answer 2

You're going to have to take them to a new modular show home.
But why spend 250-300k on a modular or 30 year old house?

The other idea that might interest them is the warranty on a new modular. Afterall, the workmanship is guaranteed with a warranty. A 30 years of age house has no warranty or guarantee and most likely will need work unless it's the exception.

Answer 3

First, you need to know the difference between modular and manufactured houses. Modular homes are usually built in a factory and installed in pieces on-site. Manufactured homes are usually referred to as mobile or double wide homes.

Manufactured houses are not kept to the same standards as "regular" homes. That said, the quality of the major components and systems are lower, but not unacceptable.

You need to research the dealers in your area and look at the manufacturer's website, or call them. They will happily speak with you and give you specs on the houses. Feel free to email me and I will answer any other questions you have. Good luck.

Answer 4

Crazy is as crazy does.

The 1970's stick build will keep them warmer, dryer, longer than any modular. Sorry, just a fact.

One thing that is always important when spending 250K or 600K is will you be able to sell it to an large group of potential buyers. The manuf. homes just haven't gotten popular enough to ensure that if your folks put their hard earned 250K down on one of those that they could get their money back out of it in a few years.

Answer 5

if they are retired they dont really want to sink so much money into a home. most people want to down size. a small little fixer upper is ideal. there really is nothing better than stick built. i know we have been through many mods. they are built on a production line, fast and not very good. after a few years you need to put money into them because they move so much more because they come in pieces. they deserve what they want they have worked a long time, just be supportive with their wishes. they have to live in it.

Answer 6

You will have a hard time with this as I have worked making these types of homes and they are cheap and the stories I could tell you about how they are built and the things that happened inside them and to them would make your head spin.
Bottom line = Your parents are right