Why ‘Factory-Built’ is a Good Thing

We spend a lot of time in this blog separating fact from fiction in the manufactured home industry. We do this because we want customers and potential customers to have as much accurate information as possible, should they wish to consider a manufactured home purchase.

At Ma Williams we could not be prouder of the quality of our homes. It’s why we are always pleased to explain that ‘manufactured’ no longer means ‘mobile home,’ and that ‘factory-built’ should not be viewed as a disadvantage.

When you stop and think, it’s perplexing as to why some people still view homes built in a factory as inferior to those built on a site. These same people drive a car built in a factory, work on a computer built in a factory and wear clothing assembled in a factory. So what is so strange about a home built in a factory, where the components and assembly processes are all subject to federal standards established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development?

Of course most site-built homes are fine. But talk to enough homeowners and you’ll hear about problems with the roof, problems with plumbing, problems with plaster, drafts through the windows and other issues. Traditional construction is hardly a guarantee against trouble.

There are construction codes in place for both stick-built homes and factory homes. For the latter, The Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000 (MHIA 2000) further enhanced and modernized the standards and requirements of manufactured home building and installation.  It established new standards based on current technology, while also simplifying processes to make construction faster and greener.

The efficiencies that result from these practices are then passed on to homeowners in the form of reduced prices. In fact, the U.S. Census Bureau reports that manufactured homes are typically about half the cost of a similar size and featured site-built house.

Still have questions? Talk to a Ma Williams representative. We’ve been in this business for almost 50 years. We would be honored if you would consider buying your next home from us.

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