Comments (3)

Christopher_H

It's not necessarily the manufacturer, but the dealer that you need all the information on. You see, the dealer is the one who will be your contact throughout the process, and s/he's the one who will make the home either a comfort or a nightmare.

I don't know if you're looking at single wide, double wide or what, but a bad setup crew can do more damage than good.

I suggest you go back unto past threads here to get lots of knowledge on the subject.

2 Likes Bookmark March 12, 2016 at 4:32AM

cathyyg

What Christopher_H said. All manufactured homes from a certified manufacturer will meet the HUD standards as a minimum, but faulty setup can ruin a good home. So see if the manufacturer is HUD certified, and then find a reputable dealer with an awesome delivery and setup crew and post-installation warranty work.

1 Like Bookmark March 12, 2016 at 8:22AM

Debbie B.

Agreed. You can read through every thread on this forum inside of a month. I know, because I did it last October. It's like taking a master class in Manufactured Homes 101. Francis Bacon said, "Knowledge is power," and that's still true today. Go in armed with knowledge, know what you're talking about, and follow your gut when evaluating a dealer.

I would just add that when you buy, use your money to upgrade the structural integrity of the home rather than the cosmetic stuff that you can do any time. Insulation, subfloor, etc., over garden tubs.

If you have any questions as you go through the process, please don't hesitate to ask!

Have a great day! :-)

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Thank you for your advice. I have selected a reputable dealer and now narrowing it down. I have been reading the forums and will continue to do so. Thanks again!

Reading as many threads here as you can, as Debbie B suggested, will be the best thing you can do. Especially the ones mentioning problems. Get that expensive upgrade to OSB subfloors instead of particle board. Get all the insulation you can. Leave the cosmetic upgrades, nicer carpet and fancier countertops, if you hit your price maximum.

When evaluating floor plans think hard about your daily life. If you cook from scratch a lot, you need a kitchen with more counter space and cabinets than if you usually heat up a tv dinner in your toaster oven. If you are not putting your home on a basement foundation, think about where you will keep the Christmas decorations, the hand tools, the fishing tackle boxes, the vacuum cleaner, the other stuff you use regularly but not daily. You need more storage space than you think if you are anywhere near average.