I can hardly believe it’s been two years since we moved into our Quality Homes manufactured home! In some ways, it feels like we just arrived. In others, it’s like we’ve always been here – like the forest wrapped itself around us and said, “You’re home now.”
In this post, I’ll share our honest take on life in a modular home: what we love, how the build has held up, what we’ve done since moving in, and what we’ve got planned next. If you’re curious about manufactured homes, rural living, or just enjoy a good renovation story, grab a coffee and settle in!
Why a Two-Year Review?
You might be wondering – why wait until the two-year mark to share this? Most folks post updates after one year. Well, I wanted to let the shine wear off a bit. Year one still feels like the honeymoon phase; everything’s new and exciting. But by year two, real life sets in. You get to know the quirks, the pros, the cons … and the things that could drive you nuts if left unresolved. So now, it feels like the right time to share the full story.
The House: The Woodstock Model, Our Way
Let’s get right to the good stuff – the house itself.
Our Favourite Features
Every single customization we made to the Woodstock model has proven to be worth it. If you’re considering a modular build, here’s something important to remember: you’re not locked into the showroom version. You can personalize the floor plan, move walls, shift windows, and adapt the space to fit your lifestyle – and you should!
The structure is manufactured, but the home is yours to shape. This line made me curious so I sent off a quick email to Quality Homes to see just how many people make modifications to the builder-offered models. Here’s what I’ve learned: In terms of customization & modifications, Quality Homes typically see:
- 1/3 of customers purchase the standard design
- 1/3 customize the standardized design
- 1/3 of customers build a fully custom design.
However, in the last couple of years, the fully custom route has lessened quite a bit. “We’re glad to see customers liking our designs and only needing to modify a little to suit their needs & wants, or perhaps adapt to their lot & specifications.”
Build Quality & Aftercare
Are we happy with the quality of our Quality Homes build?
Yes—without hesitation. Well, almost.
Let me explain.
The Not-So-Perfect Bits
- Siding Issues: We had a few spots buckle and one that moved in the wind loud enough to hear inside. The likely culprit? A combo of winter installation and an external crew (not Quality Homes). The upside? Quality Homes’ repair team came in fast and went above and beyond – fixing what we flagged and proactively hunting for other issues. That alone built a lot of trust.
- Minor Settling: Built directly on bedrock, we had very little settling. A few hairline cracks around doorframes showed up after the first year – standard stuff. Again, Quality Homes was quick to respond and repair.
- Attached Garage Oddity: The garage foundation was set for 2×6 walls, but 2×4 lumber was used. It threw things slightly off-square, which messed with some trim alignment and reduced how much we could insulate. It bugs me (maybe only me!), but after exploring solutions, we decided to leave it as-is. Aesthetic fixes would’ve caused bigger problems than they solved.
Final Verdict
No build is perfect. But compared to horror stories I’ve heard from site-built homes? We feel like we hit the jackpot – from our first meeting to today. I think the real test is: Would we build a manufactured home, specifically a Quality Home again? We were just talking about that on a walk the other day … You betcha we would! We don’t plan on needing to but I don’t think we’d even bother to look anywhere else if we had to.
Pro Tip for Any New Build
Here’s one thing I wish everyone knew before starting a build:
Something will go wrong.
It’s just the nature of the beast. What matters is how you handle it.
Be vocal, ask questions, advocate for yourself. But also – keep a cool head. Some things are fixable. Some aren’t worth losing sleep over. A good working relationship with your builder goes a long way, and so does a little grace.
What We’ve Done So Far
Two years in, we’ve definitely put our stamp on the place – inside and out.
Inside the House
Backsplash Installed: We couldn’t decide on a backsplash during design day, so we picked out tile ourselves and installed it… on Christmas Day, ten months after move-in. Some things just take time.
Crawlspace Access Upgrade: Brian built a genius ladder with alternating treads, hydraulic hinges for easy opening, and a grab bar for safety. I can fly down there now!
Painting Party: Last winter we tackled the greatroom, foyer, and hall. This year it’s the bathrooms and bedrooms. We kept it neutral and nature-inspired, simple and soothing.
Still to Come:
- Window valances to hide the blinds
- A storage bench in the foyer – we thought we’d DIY, but now I wish we’d just added it to the original build. Oh well!
- ENJOY IT! … even more.
Outside Projects
The Garage (Detached)
Biggest outdoor project? The detached garage, built last spring by local contractor Brock Liverance (highly recommend him if you’re in Grey-Bruce!).
We took over from there, doing:
- Insulation
- Electrical
- TRUSCOR wall and ceiling installation
TRUSCOR Tip:
Long panels are fine on walls, a nightmare for ceilings. Even with help, the overhead work was grueling. We’re switching to shorter panels for the attached garage. Lesson learned.
Gardens & Landscaping
We took a hands-off approach to the native plantings, letting them settle. Our focus was the veggie beds.
- Built a retaining wall across the back with pressure-treated 4x4s to level the space
- Transplanted evergreens for shade and aesthetics
- Added two raised beds (now four total!) and frames for poly/frost/shade cloth
Oh—and Brian nailed the lawn! It’s thick, lush, and thriving. If you want his system, let me know and I’ll convince him to spill the beans.
As for me, I fought the coltsfoot. I think the vinegar spray is coming out this year…
What’s Next?
This season we’ll be:
- Finishing the attached garage (insulation + TRUSCOR)
- Doing a few tweaks to the native garden areas and hopefully getting some more shrubs and small trees planted
- Improving our veggie production (here’s hoping!)
Reinstating a Cottage Rule: No Projects in Summer
Most importantly, we’re bringing back an old favourite rule:
No major projects from June to September.
We moved here to enjoy the outdoors – not just work in it. With full-time jobs and limited downtime, we’re prioritizing rest, biking, hiking, and all the reasons we fell in love with this place in the first place. The work can wait – a little while.
Final Thoughts
Living in a manufactured home, nestled in the forest, has been everything we hoped – and more. Sure, there’ve been bumps. But the peace, the space, the sense of “rightness” we feel here? Totally worth it.
If you’re considering a modular build or a lifestyle shift like this, I hope our journey gives you some insight. And if you’ve got questions or want tips on specific parts of the build, shoot me a message – I love talking about this stuff!
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