5 Reasons We Know Your Home is Sturdy

Finding a home that can be trusted to keep you and your family safe is a top priority. Manufactured homes are quickly growing as an affordable housing option, but sometimes concerns still arise about the strength and stability of these homes compared with a site-built home. Worry not – Today’s manufactured homes are just as strong and sturdy as any site-built home, and may even be more durable against extreme weather like tornadoes and hurricanes. We’ve explained five reasons why we know your current (or future) manufactured home is ready for anything, so you can stop worrying and start searching for the home of your dreams. 

1. Manufactured homes are built with more materials than site-built homes.

Manufactured homes are intentionally constructed with 20 to 30 percent more materials than site-built homes.¹These homes need to withstand the stresses of transportation from the factory to the intended lot or property, so they are built for maximum durability from start to finish. The common myth is that manufactured homes are weaker or flimsier than site-built homes, but the reality is just the opposite. The extra materials used in the construction of the structure provide additional support to the manufactured home, even in the strongest weather conditions. This building technique makes each factory-built home a strong and resilient structure. 

2. Manufacturing facilities enforce strict building standards and inspections.

Construction is closely monitored for all manufactured homes. All homes built after the year 1976 must adhere to a set of strict building standards specifically developed for manufactured homes by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The HUD Code sets regulations that all manufacturers must abide by, with stringent rules that address building safety and construction processes. HUD standards provide rules and regulations for everything from plumbing, electrical, and fire safety to inspection, testing, and proper installation. 

Safety inspections to confirm quality and stability are conducted regularly in manufacturing facilities. These inspections are not just conducted by the facility themselves, but also by third-party inspectors that are trained to detect any problems or violations to address them right away. As building nears completion, many different tests are completed to ensure that all plumbing, electrical, and air systems are working correctly. Rigorous weather tests are also completed to make sure the home can withstand hurricane and tornado level winds. Once the home is confirmed to be code-compliant by the manufacturer, and again by third-party inspectors, it is awarded a permanent certification seal to represent the high standard of quality. 

3. Manufactured homes are built in a controlled environment.

Building a home in a manufacturing facility has several advantages when it comes to constructing strong, reliable housing. Building materials such as wood and metal are stored safely inside, unlike site-built homes where materials are exposed to the elements. Exposure to elements like rain and moisture during the building process can lead to warping, corroding, and other effects on building materials. With indoor storage space the materials can also be purchased in bulk for a lower price and saved until needed, meaning that building costs can be lowered and so can the retail price of the home.

The controlled environment of the manufacturing facility benefits more than just the building materials of your home. A stable environment with no wind and with level ground allows for more precision in the construction of the home structure. Beams can be aligned more accurately and walls can be joined at perfect angles, which makes your home as solid and sturdy as is physically possible. Manufactured home facilities also have access to state of the art tools and technologies that aren’t easily accessible at outdoor construction sites. These tools ensure quality construction, but they also provide opportunities for innovation in home resilience. Manufacturers are constantly discovering new ways to strengthen and enhance the construction of their manufactured homes.

4. Factory-built homes are rigorously tested for wind and extreme weather.

Every single manufactured home is rigorously tested at the end of construction to make sure it meets HUD code federal requirements for roof load, wind resistance, thermal efficiency, safety and durability. The home also has to meet regional standards for wind, tornado, and hurricane resistance, which are determined by the area of the intended property. In the early 1990’s the HUD revised their building code to improve the wind resistance of manufactured homes in areas prone to hurricane-force winds. This means all manufactured homes built for these zones today are certified to withstand these extreme weather conditions.

A study completed in 2004 during the Florida hurricane season showed that not a single manufactured home built after 1994 was destroyed by hurricane-force winds.² In 2017, when Florida experienced hurricane Irma, the majority of manufactured homes were in a similar condition to site-built homes – battered but intact. The manufactured homes of today stand strong through any weather, thanks largely to the rigorous construction standards and review processes in place throughout the industry.

5. Cost savings come from smart buying, not from cheap materials.

Another common myth about manufactured homes is that they are cheaper to buy because they are made with cheaper materials than a site-built home. The lower costs of a manufactured home are made possible in a number of ways, but the cheaper cost of building a factory home is made possible by buying smarter, not by buying lower-quality materials. Manufacturing facilities buy their materials such as wood, metal, and glass in bulk, since they have plenty of space for indoor storage. These building materials are much cheaper to purchase in large quantities, but on-site builders have to worry about materials being damaged in the elements, or about having extra materials left over that go to waste. 

Manufactured home factories can safely store and use every bit of their materials, making them more cost-effective and more environmentally friendly. The ability to reuse and recycle efficiently, unlike site-built homes, contributes to the green build approach that manufactured housing construction has adopted. Manufacturers can also buy in bulk for other items that are traditionally expensive for home builders, such as appliances and other home system components. These efficiencies are what lead to the lower cost of manufactured homes, not a lack of quality in the design, materials or construction. Homes can be built for maximum safety and stability, while still being affordable for manufacturers and home-buyers alike. 

Making a Better Name for Manufactured Housing

Stereotypes and movies can give manufactured homes a bad name, portraying them as weak, unstable housing that can blow away in an instant. The myths and misconceptions around manufactured homes have officially been busted, and we know now that today’s factory-built homes are strong, sturdy structures that make for a safe, comfortable lifestyle. Using new precise technologies, a controlled environment, and unbeatable cost savings, manufactured homes are built to meet and exceed the strict strength and stability standards that keep your family safe. 

Sources:

1. 6 Busted Myths About Manufactured Homes
2. Mobile Home Lifespan

The process of buying a manufactured home is full of big decisions. After you’ve made the first big decision to buy a manufactured home, your next choice is whether to buy a new manufactured home versus a pre-owned manufactured home. There are many benefits of buying a brand new manufactured home that should be considered, from customized features to increased safety standards to lower monthly bills. 

The advantages of a new home are difficult to ignore, but they do come at a price. Here we will highlight the pros and cons of buying a new manufactured home and break down some of the important considerations when buying a newer home.

Some of the biggest benefits of a new manufactured home are:

Less Energy Consumption, Lower Monthly Bills

Many newer homes are made with energy-efficient features such as double-paned windowed, which have now become the standard for windows among newly constructed manufactured homes. An even more efficient option is to get Low-E windows which reduce the amount of UV light and heat entering the home and can certainly be worth the upgrade cost. New homes also often have options for energy-efficient appliances with heating and cooling systems, kitchen appliances and water systems all designed specifically to keep energy use (and costs) low. Energy Star appliances, for example, are a gold star in the industry, guaranteed to be 10% more efficient than minimum HUD code standards. Eco-friendly features on new homes like Low-E windows and insulated skirting or siding not only reduce your environmental impact, they also lower your monthly utility bills and keep your home more comfortable year-round. 

Quality Appliances, Fewer Repairs 

Purchasing a new home means getting fresh-off-the-factory appliances and finishings. Having new, high-quality appliances in your manufactured home means you are much less likely to have any issues or require any repairs for quite some time. On the other hand, an older pre-owned home is more likely to need frequent repairs and maintenance in order to keep up clean, safe and comfortable living standards. When your appliances and furnishings haven’t been worn and overused, you can focus on living your life instead of constantly worrying about fixing broken items in your manufactured home. 

Customized Features, Modern Amenities

One of the most common reasons people buy a new manufactured home is so they can have the opportunity to select their own ideal features and take advantage of customizations. When you buy there are typically more options to choose from in terms of floor plans, exterior look, and extra amenities. Even if you’re not working  By working directly with a manufacturer, new homes tend to offer more modern features, everything from walk-in closets to convenient mud rooms to upgraded showerheads. When searching for your ideal home, you can find a customized mobile home that fits your lifestyle and personality at a small fraction of the cost to find the same with a site-built home. And – unlike with renting – there’s no permission needed to paint rooms, add new flooring, or continue adding your style to the home however you see fit. 

Updated Construction, Higher Safety Standards

The construction process for building manufactured homes has become increasingly more efficient with technological advancements since the early “mobile homes” of the 1970s. The newer the home, the more likely it was constructed using the state-of-the-art machinery and expert craftsmanship that make up today’s modern manufactured homes. The standards for manufactured home construction increased greatly after 1976, when HUD codes of compliance were implemented, but every year new additions and updates are made to both construction and testing standards. Buying new means that the home is guaranteed to have gone through the most up-to-date, meticulous construction processes, followed by rigorous wind and weather testing. This ensures the home you are buying is safe, comfortable and ready for anything. The older and more worn a pre-owned home is, there is a higher likelihood that there may be safety risks from lower quality materials or poorly maintained construction. 

High Value for Cost, Great for First Timers

On average, prefabricated housing costs around $70,600 without land which is about $216,214 less than purchasing the average site-built home*.¹ This makes manufactured homes a great option for first-time home buyers or anyone who wants to have a more affordable home-ownership lifestyle. The cost per square foot of buying a manufactured home averages about $40 to $80 per square foot, compared with the average $154 per square foot for site-constructed homes, which means you are getting much more space for every dollar you spend when you invest in buying a manufactured home. Manufactured Homes also depreciate more quickly than site-built homes, so if you are purchasing a pre-owned home it will likely already have lost much of its value compared to a new home. Buying a new manufactured home is a great way to build some equity and establish a good credit history.

Active Warranties, Better Protection

Buying a new home gives you the opportunity to benefit from warranties that may be included for the home, appliances, and other items. Manufactured homes often have separate warranties for manufacturers, retailers, installers and appliances, so make sure your home owners manual and documents include all of this info. Many brand new homes have at least a one-year warranty that covers certain structural defects or safety issues, but it’s important to document and understand all of the warranties your home entails. It’s also essential to note and remember anything that can void or nullify your warranties. For example, sometimes improper site preparation and even inadequate maintenance can void a warranty.

Community Lifestyle, Prime Park Options

When you buy a new manufactured home, you get to choose from many park communities to find your ideal neighborhood. There are plenty of options and lots of variety in these communities, but many of them are welcoming and willing to show you the spaces or homes they have available. When you aren’t worried about affordability or limiting yourself with rental options, you can focus on selecting a park with the ideal amenities for your lifestyle. Some of the modern amenities offered by quality manufactured home communities include pools, playgrounds and social activities. Many also offer professional maintenance and landscaping services which help your new home stay in great condition!

** Home Buying Pro Tip: Consider Buying in a Community

If you buy a home within a community park, you’ll have no issues regardless of the age of the home. Professional maintenance and management can keep manufactured homes in great condition meaning the home can stay clean, comfortable and efficient for decades.

What Are the Drawbacks?

As mentioned before, the wonderful benefits of buying a new manufactured home do come at a price. New homes are more expensive than pre-owned homes and the costs are higher up front than renting a home. It can also be trickier to finance a manufactured home than a traditional home, but there are plenty of financing options to explore that make buying a manufactured home possible for homebuyers of all ages. The costs are certainly higher for a brand manufactured home, but the benefits of buying new are also certainly worth the price.

Sources:

1. Buying New or Pre-Owned Manufactured Homes
2. New vs. Used Mobile Homes
3. Manufactured Home Prices