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Quality Is Not Expensive,
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Manufactured Homes, Modular Homes, Mobile Home About Wiki information and
text.
MFG houses or house What are they and how they are made.
Manufactured housing (also known as prefabricated housing
or prefab) is a type of housing unit that is largely assembled in factories
and then transported to sites of use.
In the United States, the term manufactured housing specifically
refers to a house built entirely in a protected environment under a federal
code set by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The
term mobile home describes factory-built homes produced prior to the 1976
HUD Code enactment.
The original focus of this form of housing was its mobility.
Units were initially marketed primarily to people whose lifestyle required
mobility. However, beginning in the 1950s, these homes began to be marketed
primarily as an inexpensive form of housing designed to be set up and left
in a location for long periods of time, or even permanently installed with
a masonry foundation. Previously, units had been eight feet or less in width,
but in 1956, the 10-foot (3.0 m) wide home was introduced. This helped solidify
the line between mobile and house/travel trailers, since the smaller units
could be moved simply with an automobile, but the larger, wider units required
the services of a professional trucking company. In the 1960s and '70s, the
homes became even longer and wider, making the mobility of the units more
difficult. Today, when a factory-built home is moved to a location, it is
usually kept there permanently. The mobility of the units has considerably
decreased.
The factory-built homes of the past developed a negative
stereotype because of their lower cost and the tendency for their value to
depreciate more quickly than site-built homes. The tendency of these homes
to rapidly depreciate in resale value made using them as collateral for loans
far riskier than traditional home loans. Loan terms were usually limited to
less than the 30-year term typical of the general home-loan market, and interest
rates were considerably higher. In other words, these home loans resembled
motor vehicle loans far more than traditional home mortgages. They have been
consistently linked to lower-income families, which has led to prejudice
and zoning restrictions, which include limitations on the number and density
of homes permitted on any given site, minimum size requirements, limitations
on exterior colors and finishes, and foundation mandates. Many jurisdictions
do not allow the placement of any additional factory-built homes, while others
have strongly limited or forbidden all single-wide models, which tend to
depreciate in value more rapidly than modern double-wide models. The derogatory
concept of a "trailer park" is typically older single-wide homes occupying
small, rented lots and remaining on wheels, even if the home stays in place
for decades. Modern homes, especially modular homes, belie this image and
can be identical in appearance to site-built homes. Newer homes, particularly
double-wides, tend to be built to much higher standards than their predecessors.
This has led to a reduction in the rate of value depreciation of many used
units.
Although great strides have been made in terms of quality,
manufactured homes do still struggle with construction problems. Author Wes
Johnson has pointed out that the HUD code which governs manufactured homes
desperately needs to be updated, quality control at manufacturing facilities
are often lax, and set-up issues often compromise even a well-made manufactured
home. The Manufactured Home Buyer's Handbook points out that four out of five
new manufactured home owners find at least one major problem with their new
home, and most are unable to arrange for satisfactory repairs under their
warranty. These continuing quality issues mean that even the newest manufactured
units will probably face some issues with both stigma and excess depreciation.
Johnson states buyers need to be exceptionally cautious if they are entertaining
the idea of purchasing any manufactured home by carefully checking it for
defects before signing the contract and supervising the set-up process closely.
Both types of homes - manufactured and modular - are
commonly referred to as factory built housing, but they are not identical.
Modular homes are transported on flatbed trucks rather than being towed,
and lack axles and an automotive-type frame. However, some modular houses
are towed behind a semi-truck or toter on a frame similar to that of a trailer.
The house is usually in two pieces and is hauled by two separate trucks.
Each frame has five or more axles, depending on the size of the house. Once
the house has reached its location, the axles and the tongue of the frame
are then removed, and the house is set on a concrete foundation by a large
crane. Most modern modular homes, once fully assembled, are indistinguishable
from site-built homes. Their roofs are usually transported as separate units,
eradicating the telltale roof line of the factory built home.
Our site is mainly for the southern United States, and
our sales are FL, AL, GA, NC, TN, KY, WV they are built and lived in all over
the world
Factory-built housing in Australia
In Australia these homes are commonly known as transportable
homes, relocatable homes or prefabricated homes. They are not as common as
in the US, but the industry is expected to grow as this method of construction
becomes more accepted.
Manufactured home parks refer to housing estates where
the house owner rents the land instead of owning it. This is quite common
in Queensland in both the form of tourist parks and over 50's estates. The
term transportable homes tends to be used to refer to houses that are built
on land that is owned by the house owner.[citation needed]
Typically the homes are built in regional areas where
the cost of organizing tradespeople and materials is higher than in the cities.
In particular prefabricated homes have been popular in mining towns or other
towns experiencing demand for new housing in excess of what can be handled
by local builders. This method of construction is governed by state construction
legislation and is subject to local council approval and homeowners' warranty
or home warranty insurance.
See also
* Modular home
* Prefabrication
* Prefabricated home
* HUD USER
* Regulatory Barriers Clearinghouse
* Lustron house
* Dymaxion house
* Cardinal Industries, Inc.
* Palm Harbor Homes
* All American Homes
* All Parks Alliance for Change
New and used manufactured homes are available in a huge variety of styles,
sizes and floor plans to fit your every need and budget. It's no wonder they
are an affordable housing choice for nearly 30 million Americans. If you are
thinking about buying a new manufactured home we are here to help at every
step, here are a few good tips to help you make this important personal and
financial commitment.
Tell us What You Want
Make a list of your priorities and needs. What size, price and type of home
do I want? Where do I want the home to be located? What features are most
inportant necessary? Will I consider extra features that would be nice to
have, but not essential?
* Size, price and type: The most common and economical
choice is a single section home with about 1,000 square feet of living space.
Average cost for a single section home is around $30,000. Double-section homes
are larger at around 1,600 square feet of living space with a selling price
of about $50,000. These prices can vary depending on what part of the country
you live in.
* Home locations: There is a wide choice of home locations.
You can place your new manufactured home in a rental community, on private
land or a planned subdivision. See "Choosing the Right Location" for detailed
information. Florida seems to be then most picked for retirement sun and fun.
* Features: Your New manufactured home interiors include
a spacious living room, fully equipped kitchen, dining room, one or two bathrooms,
two or more bedrooms, family room and utility area. Exterior designs can be
standard or customized to your specifications. Porch and or sun deck.
* Extras: Although not essential, you may want to consider
features such as built-in stereos (including surround sound systems), appliances,
custom cabinets, walk-in closets, bathrooms with recessed tubs, wood burning
fireplaces and hip roofs. Since most manufacturers use computer-aided / assisted
design CAD, you have a lot of flexibility in choosing floor plans and décor.
* Variety and flexibility: Some manufacturers have many,
many floor plans to choose from. try not to get lost in them. Find one with
a lot of variety and one that looks most useful to you and your needs. You
may be able to move an interior non-load bearing wall a few inches, but major
changes most likely can't be accommodated in the factory assembly line construction.
After you decide on the community where you'd like to live and have an idea
of how much house you can afford, it's time to go shopping and tell us what
you want. Begin your search by visiting our manufactured home retail sales
center.
New or used Look At Construction
All of today's manufactured homes meet the Federal Manufactured Home Construction
and Safety Standards (HUD) Code for design, construction, strength, durability,
transportability, fire resistance, and energy efficiency. Exterior and interior
features to increase the value, durability and quality of your home.
* Choose a shingled roof over a metal roof and make sure
it hangs over the edge of the home and is properly ventilated. This may cost
a little more, but is well worth the investment.
* Look for a home with vinyl siding because metal or
hardboard siding tends to have more water problems than vinyl. Also, make
sure the home has 8 feet exterior walls and 7-1/2 feet interior walls to
provide higher ceilings and standard-height doorways (although many new homes
now have 8' interior wall heights and cathedral ceilings).
* Double-hung and sliding windows are two common types
of windows offered in manufactured homes. If possible, select insulated windows
with vinyl frames to prevent air and water leaks.
* Be sure the home's cooling/heating system is appropriate
for the climate in your area. Homes in cold climates should have air outlets
placed low around the edges of rooms, while hot climate homes should have
air outlets in the ceiling.
* Upgrade to plumbing fixtures made of heavy reinforced
plastic or porcelain covered steel. It's a good idea to ask for a shutoff
valve at each kitchen and bathroom plumbing fixture.
* Ask about wall stud thickness and floor joist thickness.
Typically 2x4 wall studs and 2x6 floor joists. But homes are regularly built
with 2x6 studs and up to 2x12 joists. Thicker framing material means more
room for insulation.
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