Following is an answer to a question regarding New Image Homes, a Champion entity and it seems appropriate to post it here as well as in the comments section.
T.L.
I
have never dealt with New Image Homes.What I do know is that one of Champion’s favorite ways of capturing
market share is to buy up the existing competition.Apparently, Champion purchased Castle Housing
in Knox in 2005, renamed it New Image Homes and dedicated it to modular home
production.
That
said, before I would purchase any Champion product, I would visit the plant
responsible for building the modular home you are interested in buying. I would verify first hand that only modular
homes are being built on the production line and how many days are required to
complete your particular model. If in fact the plant only builds modular homes, make sure that Champion
is using the name brand products that are so frequently mentioned in the
brochures and not substituting lesser quality products during the building
phase.
Ask
the representative you are dealing with for referrals.Get phone numbers and addresses, take the
time to talk with the previous buyers and don’t hesitate to ask specific
questions about their experience with New Image Homes. Ask when they purchased their home, was it before or after the take over by Champion. Be sure and ask what happens when there is a
problem, who responds and how quickly they respond?
More
than likely, since it has only been a couple of years since the Champion take
over, the previous building process has not changed much and the squeeze to
maximize the bottom line has not affected quality, but you never know unless you ask.
Champion
is such a massive enterprise that most likely, somewhere under the Champion
banner, there is someone in the BBB.
Hope
this helps.Just remember you can never
do too much research or ask too many questions when it comes to dealing with
Champion and their vast empire.Keep in
mind that all of the entities, at least 33 manufacturing plants, are controlled
by Champion Enterprises and it’s the bottom line that counts.
T.L. please keep us informed on your progress and what you are able to find out.
4/15/2007 6:07 PM
Tom Lux wrote:
Mike, thank you very much for your speedy answer that is very helpful.Is there a modular builder in eastern PA.that you could recommend? Thanks again. T.L. Reply to this
There
are at least four alternatives to New Image Homes, aka Champion, that are worth
consideration.
All four
are in PA.One, Simplex Industries, was
featured on Home Again with Bob Vila.The
show featured an inside look at the factory during the fabrication of the home
and then on the site as the modules were set in place.From all outward appearances this would be a
good place to start your research. http://www.simplexhomes.com
Simplex Industries
Keyser Valley Industrial Park
One Simplex Drive
Scranton, PA. 18504
Toll Free 1-(800)-233-4233
Local (570) 346-5113
Fax: (570) 346-3732
E-mail: sales@simplexhomes.com
Another good choice would be Excel Homes.In 2005 Excel shipped 1118 units, making them
the 6th largest modular home builder.http://www.excelhomes.com/
Sales Department
Excel Homes
RR#2, Box 683
Liverpool, PA 17045
(800) 521-8599 ext. 2286
(717) 444-3395 info@excelhomes.com
Still another alternative to Champion would be Penn Lyon
Homes, also in PA.http://www.pennlyon.com/
Penn Lyon
Homes Corporation • 195 Airport Road, P.O. Box 27 • Selinsgrove, PA 17870
Phone: 1-800-788-4754 • Fax: 570-374-6053
And last, but certainly not least, would be Ritz-Craft.Ranking number 5 in 2005, with 1132 units
shipped. Ritz-Craft features
customization and several product choices, coupled with superior quality and
craftsmanship.www.ritz-craft.com/
Tom, if you spend some time visiting and researching these
four, there is no doubt you can find a superior modular home and not have any
of the problems associated with a Champion Genesis Modular home.
4/24/2007 3:00 PMmarty wrote:
Dear Mike, I am looking for a modular home builder that can do 5 custom homes. The buliders you listed are back east and the shipping would not be cost effectve. I am building in Ventura Ca and have the homes already designed I have been calling around and can't find a custom builder please advise thanks marty laceandlumber.net Reply to this
4/25/2007 11:06 AM
Mike wrote:
Marty,
If you have not already done so, y
ou might consider contacting the following designers and open a dialog with them regarding building your homes.
8/29/2007 8:03 PM
Deva wrote:
I'm sorry about your misfortune with Champion. I want to also warn people about OAK CREEK HOMES. I bought a modular home from them in New Mexico and in a nutshell the workmanship was VERY shoddy.
I had an extensive list of things which needed to be done/repaired at the walk in-- They fixed some of the things after a 3 month wait and lots of pushing to get them to do it,
but many of the major issues are still not fixed after 7 months including an air conditioner and heating unit that has never worked right to the extent that it has completely quit running and sparks and makes loud rasping noises , blows very unevenly after it was supposedly fixed.
Nails are poking through everywhere-- through cupboards, up through the floor (No going barefoot) and have poked through the lenolium creating tears in the the kitchen floor. They will eveidentally not fix it. There are many other problems as well. Once they have all the money, they don't care about their customers anymore. Reply to this
3/24/2010 6:59 AM
jake lewis wrote:
i am looking for " mike " who is responding to most everyone's statements concerning champion. will mike please contact me : jake , jhl@cableone.net , thanks, jake Reply to this
