Southern Structures was started by Hugh A. Stump Jr. as a specialized contracting firm in 1961.They began as a contracting company building room additions and small projects. In the early 60's Mr. Stump realized that modular construction could be accomplished faster, with consistent quality, and less complications than site built construction. After purchasing buildings from other manufacturers for about a decade, In 1978 SSI opened its own manufacturing plant in Ocala, Florida. Over the next 25 years Southern Structures produced several hundred residential and multi-family complexes as well as over a thousand commercial modulars for use as classrooms, daycares, medical offices, stores and many others. In 1995, SSI moved from its original 20,000 sq. ft. plant to a much larger 10 acre facility with over 62,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing and storage space.
Modular Home Book Resources Popular Buying Guides for Modular Homebuyers
When trying to select a modular home the first place to start is at the factory level. Knowing which factories deliver to your area is the first step in understanding your options. The second and most important step is determining how the factories compare to each other in the areas of: Quality Construction, Design/Style, Appraised Value and Price.
The manufactured housing industry has made some serious improvements in recent years regarding quality construction and residential appeal. With modern day technology and assembly line techniques, the industry is overcoming the misconception that manufactured homes are poorly built and don’t measure up to stick-built homes.
Knowing your financing options is the first step to securing a good deal. We have spoken with hundreds of modular home lenders and Mr. Eaton the author has gone through the process himself. Learn from his insight and you can avoid some common mistakes people make when financing their home.
On average 80% of homebuyers pay too much for their modular home. Not surprising with all the choices one must make from negotiating with your builder to purchasing property and site-improvements. This resource will reveal important negotiating secrets and dealer profit margins that will give you an edge when negotiating with your builder.
Most modular home builders have display models for potential home buyers to walk through. These models are professionally decorated to impress buyers with elaborate decorations, elegant furniture and dazzling floorplans. Aesthetics are important but would you purchase a modular home based on looks and compromise structural integrity? Don’t be fooled by appearances and miss what really matters; “Quality Construction.”
Factory Built Homes The term manufactured means many things to many people. It can describe homes built on site using panels, walls prefabricated and shipped directly from the factory to the job site. The phrase can also be used for the modular housing industry built as whole sections or modular units in a plant and then attached on a permanent foundation with the use of a crane. Finally, it can describe HUD code homes, also known as manufactured homes or sometimes referred to as mobile homes.
Modular Homes are Superior Advocates of pre fab homes have long maintained that the building system produces structures that are far stronger than conventional site built homes. For example, the modual sections are well built to withstand the stresses of highway travel, containing up to 30 percent more building materials than a comparable site built home.
Modular Homes Florida If you’ are planning on placing your home on a basement you will need to order your manufactured home basement ready” or “foundation ready”. Basements can be complicated, talk with the engineers at the manufacturer and work closely with them. A general contractor who has had experience installing basements under manufactured homes is a must. Your sales center should have names of qualified contractors in your area. Every basement is different and will usually require an engineer drawing.
