Modular Homes in NEPA? (Scranton, Moosic: appointed, real estate, mortgage)

[I LOVE PA!]

Originally Posted by poconosmama

When we built with simplex we got prices from two of their authorized builders. First one said $165k and the second said $113k for the SAME HOUSE. Location of the builder(next to the lake or 15 miles away) made a huge difference. Just like car sales, have to be so careful!

Wow! That is also good to know, can you PM me with the builder? I'm going to be doing this again soon! (If my house ever sells!)

[Bagldot]

We're in the same boat as you - never having done this before and looking for information. One good source with lots of advice is a book I found:
"The Modular Home" by Andrew Gianino. It talks about how to work with the manufacturers and the different contractors, and what to think about if you're going to be your own contractor. Haven't read through the whole thing yet, but so far I especially liked the chapter that talks about what items you should include during construction that will save you money, and what items you can put off until later. I saw it online, but purchased it through the local Barnes and Noble store. Hope it helps and good luck!

[61scout80]

have you looked into sun modular in taylor? Sun Building Systems : Manufacturer of Single and Multi-Family Modular Homes Serving the Northeast United States

[Charles S]

To I Love PA,
Thanks for the reply and the explanation. Would you use Shorten again? Any problems and if so were they resolved? Evidently you can use whom you like with Shorten so did your excavator work with them as far as the foundation layout? I also notice that you said it took only 2 weeks for your house to be built. Thta is really quick. Is that because you went with one of their stock designs or did you customize and they are just very quick? Sorry for all the questions.

[Charles S]

To poconosmama,
I'm assuming that the contracter pricing was IN ADDITION to the Simplex charge for the house. (This really sounds stupid, but I can't help askng)

[I LOVE PA!]

Originally Posted by Charles S

To I Love PA,
Thanks for the reply and the explanation. Would you use Shorten again? Any problems and if so were they resolved? Evidently you can use whom you like with Shorten so did your excavator work with them as far as the foundation layout? I also notice that you said it took only 2 weeks for your house to be built. Thta is really quick. Is that because you went with one of their stock designs or did you customize and they are just very quick? Sorry for all the questions.

charles, Shorten...I did have problems with them, but nothing that wasn't resolved. Mostly one hand not talking to the other kind of stuff. I also heard that their service manager who was in charge at the time I bought my home was demoted for not returning phone calls and doing his job, so I'm sure things have improved.
Yes, I would do it again with them, they are the only ones I nkow of that will let you be your own sub-contractor. The excavator I used was in the Hamlin area, he did not really have to work with them because they knew exactly what was needed to be done. They were great to work with. Yes, it was only 2 weeks, I don't know if this was the norm, but I didn't have a stick home, I had made some major changes to my floor plan, which they did exactly as I wanted.
I'd be happy to answer any other questions.

[builderforthepeople]

Hi,
Just passing on info fyi about manufactured homes - they do not have to be built to the same standards as a stick built home. "Manufactured/Industrialized Housing (Mobile Homes and Modulars) have been completely exempted from the PA UCC code compliance particularly when they come directly from the factory." The code applies to site preperation, foundation construction, utilities connection, installation. Also applies to construction, alteration or repair to the industrialized housing after installation, if resold or if relocated. The code does not apply at factory! When building stick-built, the code applies for every single step of construction.

good luck!

[poconosmama]

No, when you get the price from the simplex builder, its for everything, turnkey pricing.

[xinajean]

Originally Posted by Bagldot

My husband and I are looking into modular homes in NEPA and have narrowed our choices down to 3 companies: Signature Homes built in Moosic, Simplex Homes built in Scranton, and Pleasant Valley Homes built in Pine Grove, PA. We've visited Signature and Simplex, and will be visiting Pleasant Valley next Saturday.

My question: Does anyone own one of these homes, or know anyone who does? If so, do you have any insight to share - and do you have any recommendations as to contractors/dealers? Would love to hear some first hand accounts or info.

Thanks in advance for any information.

You might want to try Simplex Industries on Route 6 in Dickson City. They were featured on Bob Villa's Home Again and look like a good company. Whatever you do, stay away from Shorten Homes. We just had one built by them and sorry we did. Can't get anyone to come back and finish the house. No one returns phone calls ~ very bad customer service. Could have had a stick built home done in less time. Started house in July. The house is on our foundation since September. It's December already and can't get anyone from there to come back to finish it. I don't expect to move in for another few months the way they're going. Wish my fiance and I would have looked into more companies. Thought Shorten was a trusted name. They were in business for 30 years (don't know how they managed to stay in business that long) and were one of Poconos Choice (don't know how they managed that either).

Good luck with your search and be very careful.

[xinajean]

Originally Posted by I LOVE PA!

Charles,
I put up a modular about 3 years ago. We basically were our own subcontractors. Didn't relize that until we were really into the process, but I was glad I did it this way as you really do save so much money, and it is not that hard.
We hired a contractor, who excavated, cleared the property, put in the pad for the crane, installed my windows in my foundation. We had to figure out on our own where to put the windows and the garage door, taking into consideration where the beams in the basement were. It really wasn't that hard and the contractor helped and was knowledgeable in what we needed.
The house was delivered, crane and set-up were arranged by Shorten, who we purchased the home from. Set-up is included in the price, basically it is delivery of the home. There is a cost for the crane.
We got a plumber and an electrician to do the hook-ups.
We hired a man to install the garage door.
My husband sheetrocked the garage with fire-proof sheetrock. (we have our garage in our basement) and built a wall separating the garage from the main house. Lots of labor, but not hard to do. He installed a door in that wall.
We insulated the ceiling in the basement. Again, just lots of labor, no rocket-science here.
We did have our contractor dig holes and make piers for the deck, too many rocks here!
My husband built our decks himself.
After the set-up, the contractor came back to level the property and put in a generous gravel driveway and pour the concrete in the basement. He put any big boulders right where we wanted them. We lined our driveway with the larger rocks, planted grass and we had a lawn in a month or so.
There were a lot of phone calls involved, but I beleive it was worth it.
As far as using your own contractor with Simplex, give them a call and see what is involved in getting him authorized.
We also choose a modular because of the speed factor. I would do it again. In the developemnt I live, I see too many houses being built and know they don't work on some for weeks at a time, and some take as long as a yr. to build. It took 2 weeks for our house to be delivered after ordering, and probably another month before we moved in. This was due to the fact that most work was done on weekends. We also painted the entire house prior to moving in. It just comes with a primer, that could pass for white paint, but it is easier to paint when it is vacant.
I'd be happy to answer any of your questions.

You were one of the few lucky ones with Shorten. It took you 2 weeks for you. It took 2 MONTHS for us (ordered beginning of July, had it put on foundation middle of September). It's December and we're still waiting for them to come finish it. Very poor service. Everytime we call, we get different answers. They tell us parts are in, waiting for them to deliver and set them up. No one comes, call again and told parts aren't in. Don't know how they managed to stay in business for as long as they did. Ready to file a complaint with Better Business Bureau.