Manufactured homes (trailer home)

[Blakeyboy1]

I read somewhere that the main issues were costs associated with shipping them to the islands and they simply cannot withstand the climate. Not sure if this is true but I did look into manufacturers and could not find anyone that would ship to the islands.

-Blake
http://www.theboysgreatescape.blogspot.com/

[Bob Orts]

The structure itself is built to a standard that seems to merge California, Florida, and Alaska into one. Probably stuff like wind, earthquakes, and transport. The only thing that I was confused about is the termite protection.

Just about any exterior, roofing, doors, windows, etc are available. Interior quality is the whole boat-load of options you pick from.

Your right, transportation was the issue. Pasha is the ocean transporter and I think their limit is 14 wide, 60 long, and 16 high with 20 ton limit. But you need to negotiate the Hawaii roads and see what is the max size and weight you can transport and maneuver from dock to property. Afterwards you have to find a mainland factory willing to meet Hawaii standards and have the features you want. Very difficult. They also will make you responsible for all transportation beyond San Diego and the button upping of the unit(s) on site.

I did some cost comparison and when everything was taken into consideration, the savings wasn't there on the low or mid range units. If you went with a multi unit 2,000 sq foot plus unit with lots of custom feature and higher end appliances and fixtures, the cost per square foot (with transportation and all non-site fees) was very favorable over stick built.

But, overall, I don’t think it’s a real option until they either get a factory in Hawaii, or design homes better suited for Hawaii’s infrastructure.

[wyatt]

We used to sell RV park models 400 Sq' Mobile home classified as RV.
The problem is as Bob stated. The Hawaii code is different. For instance
the use of Hi-bor lumber. Buying two types of lumber would be an inventory/storage problem We had problems getting Mob manufacturers to build park models as their production line is geared to build larger and alike floor plans. In short any variation that slows the line is not accepted easily. We just got news recently that Fleetwood one of the largest mobile home and RV manufacturers is out of business and Silvercrest another large High end Mob manufacturer is expect to shut down within months.

"Yearn to understand first and to be understood second."
-- Beca Lewis Allen

[Hawaiibound]

quote:

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Originally posted by leilaniguy

Somebody has recently moved a mobile home to a lot on 130 between Makuu and Paradise makai side & are building a lanai across the front. Whether it's legal or not I dunno.

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Not sure if it's legal either, but I see it still there with a big sign saying it's for sale by owner.

[tada]

when/if I build my shipping container house I'd like to include HMS/scotsman office trailer or pods for bathroom facility since I'm concerned with "breathability" issues with regular boxes.

Other people want to make friends- I just want to make money.
James Cramer

[Bob Orts]

Makes sure the units are Hawaii Modular or Hawaii standards built and not one brought over from the mainland. The standard mainland ones can only be used for temporary buildings and not part of a permanent permitted structure. The HMS or Hawaii standards would have been inspected to Honolulu County standards and are accepted for Hawaii County. If you do use one of the mainland units not to Hawaii standards, they will treat it like any new construction and it’s subject to all the regular new construction inspections.

Think of it like manufactured homes. If it's built to HUD Code for Hawaii, you just set it in place, if it’s not built to HUD Codes for Hawaii it's new construction. This is what it was almost 2 years ago, so you may want to verify this with the County.

[tada]

Thanks! I did enquire at HMS several years ago and the salesman did caution about deteriorated condition which makes the "chipboard" claim pretty credible. Still must be a lot more homey than container though.

Other people want to make friends- I just want to make money.
James Cramer

[wvanbusk]

FYI
Maui contractor for homes shipped from the mainland:
http://fabmachomes.com/
http://www.facebook.com/fabmachomes
101 S Puunene Ave, Kahului, HI 96732
(808) 871-5444
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KLlodYNFvs