It is very easy to be misled when viewing marketing and sales literature. Particularly so when viewing a company's website. Take Champion Modular Homes for instance. If you look at the photos in the construction gallery you would see this photo and description:
Electrical
Box Nailed to Stud
Now you might think, looking at the photo and description, that this is the way Champion handles electrical outlets and switches. However, you would be wrong!! Look at the photo below and see what Champion used in place of boxes:
They used a cheap self-contained outlet that is held in place by the drywall. If the hole is too big, as is often the case, then the outlet is loose and or crooked. Inserting and removing a plug only makes it worse, the pushing and pulling results in wear and tear on the soft drywall.
All of this poor, cheap construction occured in 2006. Maybe this was the precursor of the "cost control" mentioned by Champion's chairman, president and chief executive officer in the quarterly report for the first quarter ending March 31, 2007, "In light of market conditions, we have intensified our focus on cost control...reduced our working capital investment...and curtailed capital spending." Using this 2006 built house as a benchmark, if they are intensifying cost control as stated, can you imagine how poorly built the homes coming off the line are now?
Sorry, I digressed, more on the electrical.
Another picture that you might see represents a typical wiring run through the wall:
This would be what one would expect in most modular homes, but not with Champion. The photos below show what kind of wiring to expect from Champion:
Notice how the wire is pinched between the drywall and the stud, not running on top of or through it.
Although not electrical, this might be a good time to look at the other end of the soil pipe in the picture above. The photos below show more of the fine quality construction you can expect from Champion Genesis.
Is it possible in their attempt at cost control (cost cutting) Champion Genesis has eliminated inspections or at the very least cut back on the number of inspections during the building process? Perhaps Champion Genesis just cut back on training for the people working on the line. Otherwise, how can anyone explain the overwhelming number of major mistakes in this house?
10/22/2007 1:01 AM
Gerard Homick wrote:
Yes, it looks like they couldn't find the stud to screw into (in 2 separate locations.) Is this the manufacturer that claims that they complete a modular in 40 minutes? Keep in mind that there is a assembly line of sorts, but maybe the problem is employee bonus pay, for units completed each month. It also might just be in the design layout. A sturdy piece of Masonite, or subflooring could be used behind the sheetrock opening (8" x 12" size) to relieve outlet force stress. I would even imagine that to save time, a good hot melt glue will add extra support.
I is a good thing that I don't work there. I might be able to solve most of their problems. Take away the bonus pay, and assembly line mentality. Get craftsmen and not kids out of high school.
Most people who are getting a good wage, benefits, and security, will be more focused on their work. (fewier injuries) Reply to this
