Customer Reviews

Manufactured Houses

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i bought this book because i'm interested in getting a modular home. the author did an outstanding job of describing the different types of manufactured housing and how to differentiate between them, with the plus and minuses of each choice.

there were also a number of general tips on how to tell a good floor plan, signs of good construction, etc. these were good enough, even though some were just common sense.

what i _didn't_ find much of, though, was specific help on getting a good deal on a modular home. i was hoping for more shopping tips--e.g. expect this from the dealer, if you see that, beware, you should get this or that, here's what you need to do, etc.

if this is what you're looking for, you'll probably be disappointed.

i did learn things from the book, and it was a reasonable investment. just be aware of the info you're looking to get from it. if you're trying to decide about options or get advice about floor plans, etc., it's a great choice. if you, like me, have decided what you want and are just looking for the best way to get it, it's not the best choice.

for those who have not a clue about any area of prefabricated housing types and techniques, this would be an ok choice. for the rest of us, however, it is full of too much "fluff" and unsubstantiated opinion to be of much use. his use of the title "manufactured" houses, which is a term that is only (in the most strict "correct" sense) to be used to describe mobile homes constructed after related legislation of the 1980s, displays the first example of this ignorance. he also does not cite any references, despite using figures in the text that should require that approach. a lot of the information is also now out of date. use it as a starting point, but not much more. i would suggest you read allan wallis' "wheel estate" for information on manufactured house form and history, and colin davies' "the prefabricated home" for much of the other prefabricated home types instead. neither of those can provide a full knowledge of the subject matter in and of themselves, but currently they provide the best sources for beginning a study of prefabricated home types.

Very good information but we were looking for information on "mobile home/ trailer" house manufactured homes. This is more on modular homes.