Manufactured Homes

MANUFACTURED HOME – YOU’VE COME A LONG WAY BABY
The manufactured home of today is an evolution of style and amenities that has its roots in a history of answering the American public’s demand for quality housing at and exceptional value, in the 1920’s, “Trailer Coaches” were built to serve the American traveler who wanted the ability, whenever vacationing, of  having a ready-made place to sleep at a campsite. During WWII, these temporary dwellings were used to house factory workers who came from miles around to aid in the war effort.

When the war ended, veterans came home to find affordable housing in short supply. The industry answered this call by building homes that were large enough to house a veteran and his family. However, these homes could still be moved from one location to another to provide the mobility that in the 1960’s American consumers wanted even more out of the industry. The demand was for bigger trailers with more amenities and the new appliances that were rapidly coming on the market. And still, it had to be mobile. History buffs may remember Lucille ball in the movie “The Long, Long Trailer.”

From this demand was born the mobile home. Mobile homes were bigger in size, nicer in appearance and met the needs of prospective young American home owners.

1n 1974, Congress passed the National Mobile Home Construction and Safety Standards Act, also known as the HUD Code. This watershed legislation made mobile homes the only form of private and single-family building subject to federal regulation. Even site-built homes did not enjoy such strict regulations. These regulations, which became effective in June of 1976, preempted any existing state or local construction and safety codes applying to the product.

The effect of federal regulation was to more clearly define mobile homes as buildings rather than vehicles. The Housing Act of 1980 adopted this change officially, mandating the use of manufactured housing (factory built homes) to replace mobile homes in all federal law and literature for homes built since 1976.

The manufactured home you see today is truly a home and it bears little resemblance to its tin-box predecessor, the trailer. Often, you may not even recognize a manufactured home – so close is it in design and structure to its site-built counterpart. Thanks to sophisticated production processes and the demands of the consumer, manufactured homes have become a model of efficiency, affordability, and innovative design options. 
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MANUFACTURED HOMES VS. CONVENTIONAL HOMES
Since the “mobile home” grew up into what is now called manufactured home, they have reached a level of standards and sophistication that makes it difficult to differentiate between a conventionally built home and a manufactured one. There are a few differences that make the purchase of a manufactured home more affordable and convenient, not to mention the time factor involved in construction.

Let’s look at similarities first.
As far as building codes are concerned, both the conventional and the manufactured home have to adhere to the same local building codes, as well as local zoning restrictions.

Floor plan / Design is where many have the misconception that you do not have a choice in manufactured homes. That was the case in the early stages of the development of manufactured homes, but today they can be as individual in design and floor plan as any conventional home. You can even employ your own architect to help design the perfect space.

Misconception number 2 is Resell Value. Since the advent of manufactured housing, they have increased in quality of material and construction that today they increase in resale value the same as a conventional home, considering both are in acceptable upkeep and repair. Each have the capability to be improved upon or expanded, according to individual need.

The appearance of either home is dictated by the individual taste of the owner, and customized to suit your need. Manufactured home manufacturers offer many standard options to individualize your home, or you can have your own architect help in the design that you prefer. Once completed you will find it difficult to determine whether the home was manufactured or built conventional.

Now let’s address a few items that ARE different.
For those of you who have built a home we do not have to point out the timeframe for construction. It takes long tedious months. Not only are the elements a factor, but also since the home is built on site, one process has to be finished before the next can begin. The normal timeframe for a manufactured home is 2-3 months, and since the home is manufactured inside a facility, the weather has no impact and several phases can be constructed simultaneously and then assembled. It usually requires the same amount of time it takes to build the foundation, and whereas the manufactured home is ready to be assembled within a few days, the conventional home is far from being built.  The building process is the most costly part of a conventional home, involving permits, materials, labor and weather condition. A manufactured home benefits from an assembly line construction inside a facility that not only provides shelter from the elements but also allows for simultaneous construction of various segments of the home which saves time and your hard earned money.

Maintenance is another key issue that separates manufactured homes from conventional homes. Traditional, on-site built homes are built in all sorts of weather conditions with a wide range of quality of materials that fit the individual budget. Research has shown that oftentimes the quality of materials used in conventional homes, will eventually lead to maintenance and repair much sooner than in a manufactured home. Home manufacturers have to apply to codes that cover a much larger market. To streamline production they use the same high quality of material in all homes, including additional insulation along with more precise construction to provide the home owner with energy savings and greatly reduced maintenance costs.

When it comes down to it, today’s manufactured home is in no way of lesser quality than a conventional built home of the same size and design, but offers long term advantages a conventional home can not. Shorter completion times and cost savings weigh in favor of the manufactured home, along with long term savings on energy and maintenance. Today’s manufactured home has escaped the trailer park mentality and moved into the suburbs with swimming pool and tennis court.  

You can have 1 story or 2, split level or ranch, traditional, log cabin or contemporary, the variety of designs and floor plans for manufactured housing is in the hundreds. And last but not least consider this; now that you are ready to retire, are you really ready to go through the hassle again of building a home again?  Consider your options, and chose a manufactured home, no need wasting your hard earned retirement time by chasing contractors.  Home