Clayton Homes

Almost a year ago, I purchased property that included a 2018 single wide Clayton Home. I was hesitant to purchase a mobile home but figured it was fairly new so maybe it would be okay. We had the house inspected prior to purchase and that turned out to be a complete waste of time as very little was revealed and we would instead learn of the actual damage over the coming days and weeks.

We knew the A/C was leaking but assumed it was due to the negligence of the prior owner as there was also some other superficial damage as well from animals. However, we quickly learned that EVERY window, every door, every vent, and even light fixtures leaked incessantly EVERY time it rained. Walls were filled with mold and decay, floors were buckling and rotting, ALL off the plumbing was leaking throughout the house creating not only water damage, but mold as well. Pipes under the house were leaking as well, allowing sewage to collect under the bathrooms.

We contacted Clayton Homes and were told that there was a warranty on the home at time of purchase (in 2018) but this warranty was non transferable. We shared our concerns about the issues and asked for help in finding resolution and Clayton Homes was completely uninterested in any of the issues, ALL of which seemed to be manufacturing issues and NOT consumer error or neglect.

We could actually see daylight through our light fixtures and upon further investigation discovered there was not a single drop of caulking ANYWHERE on the structure making it impossible for each opening NOT to leak.

The edge of the roof, was too short for the structure, forcing water back under the shingles and down behind windows and walls every time it rains.

We looked into gutters and were told the roof would need to be replaced and redone in order for them to work. The cost? Almost the value of the house itself.

We tore out and replaced walls, flooring, and plumbing. We replaced ALL the appliances. We rebuilt walls around the water heater and A/C in hopes of creating better ventilation for the A/C and eliminating those issues. We caulked around every opening we could find on the roof and walls. We updated as much of the bathrooms as we could but ran into challenges due to the limitations of what you can actually PUT in mobile homes (size, thickness, etc), as nothing in a mobile home is “standard”.

We’ve spent tens of thousands of dollars in the past year on a home that is valued at less than $25,000 (per the insurance company), and almost a year later, most of our improvements are again soaking wet and covered in mildew… making our efforts a complete waste of time and money. The windows are again leaking profusely and we are at our wits end.

Our original plan was to trade THIS home for a much larger, newer home after purchase. We spent weeks looking at larger, more desirable manufactured homes.

At the end of the day, however, given the challenges of THIS home, we opted NEVER to own a mobile again as we are certain they are all made with the same shoddy workmanship. With the company not caring at all about customer satisfaction, what would compel us to purchase again?

We are considering ALL options at this point, including legal action, as we are certain there are many more customers who are as frustrated and disappointed as we are. This is unacceptable! Aside from the lack of ethical standards, I am perplexed that Clayton Homes is allowed to continue doing business in such an appalling way. Is it because most people who live in mobile homes are lower income or status so they can get away with it? It appears there is plenty to be found online about customer dissatisfaction and the lack of company concern for such a fact. It also appears there have been previous investigations about unethical and immoral behavior time and again.

I also understand that, oftentimes, RV and mobile home companies don’t care about their customers because when one company folds due to poor credibility and shoddy practices, they simply bankrupt THAT company and open another one with another name making it near impossible to hold them accountable.

Despite my experiences thus far and my assumption that Clayton Homes will continue not to care about their shortfalls or the long line of dissatisfied customers, prior to moving forward, I want to offer one final opportunity to right a serious wrong. For this reason, I am reaching out hoping for resolution.

Thank you for your time. Pictures and video are available upon request.