|
In the author’s opinion, I think of
older mobile homes as trailers with a metal roof. The interior
walls are constructed from panel board that is usually coated with a hard
surface for wear and tear. Older homes usually have a few holes in the
walls that are covered by painted tape. Single pane windows with steel
storms that tend to frost up over winter was the standard. On the older
mobile homes, the exterior is usually metal siding and newer mobile
homes are wrapped in vinyl siding. Yes, these mobile homes have an
axle below them and were driven to the home site that is usually within a
mobile home park. They range in price from a few thousand dollars to the
price of a good used car. These mobile homes are a great
alternative to apartment living when comparing square footage and costs.
When the term mobile home was viewed unfavorable by the public, the
industry decided to change the name to manufactured home.
Manufactured homes are mobile homes with minor improvements.
If it looks and feels like a mobile home, it is a mobile home. A
new singlewide manufactured home in 2010 will cost approximately
$25-35,000 with transportation (factory to site) and set-up. A drywall
interior and ceramic flooring including oak cabinetry will cost slightly
more.
HUD manufactured homes were the next invention of the industry.
Most of these homes are constructed to almost the same standards of
stick-built homes. Simply put, a very nice home assembled on rails with an
axle. My thoughts, mobile homes and true HUD manufactured homes
have only two things in common; both are built on a factory floor and both
have an axle.
A true quality modular home is unique. Yes, it is a factory built
home constructed to the same International Energy Conservation Code as a
site built home without the additional cost. These homes are constructed
in sections and shipped on flat bed semi-trucks to the home site. Then, a
100 ton crane stacks the boxes together and the setup crew completes the
process. When it comes to modular homes, you have choices, ranch,
cape cods and two story homes. Depending on your area, the savings on a
typical ranch modular home is about 12 percent over a site built home.
Plus, a true quality modular home appreciates in value when located
on land.
There are many dealers/ manufacturers who produce and sell cheap so called
modular homes with panel walls. If you are buying a modular home
for $30-50k, it is usually a manufactured home without the axle.
As a home inspector for 17 years whose company has inspected over 5000
individual homes, I would feel comfortable recommending a true IECC
quality modular home to my family and friends. If the basement was
completely finished and set-up completed properly, the only obvious clue
of modular construction is the split attic trusses.
|
