Natasha Dubash is a writer for the Daily Dot and she authored the report cited below under the headline: ‘I have never heard a positive review of Clayton homes’: Man buys brand-new home. 6 months later, he discovered shocking damage. Per their website: “The internet is the story of the 21st century.” “The Daily Dot has steadily grown in size…” “According to April 2016 comScore data, traffic has increased 50 percent year-over-year and shows a higher composition of 18- to 34-year-olds than a number of millennial-focused publications, including BuzzFeed, Mic, Thought Catalog, and Vice.” The left-leaning New York Times is cited as saying: “The Daily Dot did the Internet a favor.” Wired said: “The Daily Dot surfaces stories that no one else is talking about.” Their site’s about us page also stated: “We believe new media should not leave classic journalism behind. Our skilled team of journalists, enterprising e-sleuths, and hard-nosed editors take an immersive approach to reporting, investing in the communities and progressive issues we cover. We publish must-read news that captures the highs, lows, and weirdness of life online—beyond what’s trending.” According to SimilarWeb, in January 2025 the DailyDot had 18.77 million visits. Compare that to what SimilarWeb said the Manufactured Housing Institute had in traffic for January 2025: a mere 8,610 visits averaged less than a minute (56 seconds) and a paltry 1.29 page views average per visit (11,075 total page views for 1.2025). So, for the Daily Dot to spotlight a problem with Clayton Homes from the viewpoint of Clayton’s own customers is no small matter.
Note that citing the Daily Dot under fair use guidelines in Part I, or sharing insights about their traffic, are not meant as an endorsement. They are simply facts and evidence that frames the topic that Natasha Dubash reported on in Part I below.
Part I – Per the Daily Dot’s Natasha Dubash on 2.14.2024 was the following from this link here with the link headline “Homeowner Warns Against Clayton Homes.”
A man claims that he discovered shocking damage in his brand-new Clayton home a mere six months after he purchased it.
What is a Clayton home?
Clayton is a company that makes prefabricated homes. These homes, also known as “off-site built homes,” are constructed at the company’s building facilities. When they are almost finished, the homes are moved to the home site where the build is completed.
Prefabricated homes like this are often more affordable than traditionally built homes. They also allow buyers to customize the design to match their style and budget. In addition, Clayton claims that its homes are built to run more efficiently and can save homeowners money on energy costs over time.
However, one recent customer is warning other buyers not to purchase a home from this company. The man explains why in a TikTok video that he uploaded to his partner Jessica’s account (@thebates1).
Why is he issuing a warning?
“DO NOT BUY FROM CLAYTON HOMES!!!” he unequivocally states in the caption of the video.
“See this right here? Black mold,” he says in the clip as he points the floor.
“That started happening six months after we moved in. Called their free warranty company, and guess what? They won’t do anything. Told us there was nothing wrong with the houses,” he says. “Now I have water damage all over my walls, my back door’s rotted out, I have a hole in my floor, and black mold.”
The man says that due to the mold, his family can’t safely stay in the house. He adds that Clayton has done nothing to rectify the situation, which forced him to go through his insurance company.
Clayton homes have a growing reputation
This TikToker is not the first Clayton homeowner to air his grievances about the poor workmanship of his new home. The Daily Dot has previously reported on another Clayton customer who said that her home was coming apart less than a decade after being built.
Citing shoddy workmanship on her cabinetry (that she paid extra for), and a porch that had to be redone, homeowner Kel also advised others to keep away from Clayton homes. Kel even went as far as to say buyers would be better off building a home with “sticks and mud.”
Viewers call out Clayton homes as well
The video on Jessica’s account received over 1.4 million views. Numerous viewers stated that they were far from surprised at the TikToker’s complaints.
“I have never heard a positive review of Clayton homes,” said one viewer. This comment was echoed by several others who also claimed that they had “never” come across a favorable review about the company.
Many viewers provided their own terrible experiences with Clayton’s pre-fab homes.
“I had to put a new roof on after 3 years. I said I had a 3 year house cause roof leaked, heat/air unit broke down, dishwasher tore up. water damage all along my walls. doors hung uneven, black mold,” one person claimed.
“Same with our Clayton home nothing but water damage,” said another.
“2 months ago I replaced 23 sheets of subfloor in a 1 year old Clayton home. [There] was no signs of leaks but a lot of mold,” a third said.
@thebates1 DO NOT BUY FROM CLAYTON HOMES!!! #fyp #fyppp #claytonhomes #claytonhomesofvaldosta #blackmold
The TikToker provides an update
In a separate video, the man provides some more background. He claims that he had the entire home custom-built and his family had been living there for two-and-a-half years. But the problems started almost as soon as they moved in.
In a third follow-up, the man says that thanks to the traction his initial post received, a Clayton representative had finally reached out. He does not disclose the details of the possible resolution but assures viewers that he will keep them updated.
The Daily Dot reached out to the TikTok creator via TikTok direct message and to Clayton Built Homes via Instagram direct message.
Natasha Dubash is a freelance writer and editor based in Los Angeles. She loves reporting on entertainment, television, and pop culture.
Part II – Additional Information with More MHProNews Analysis and Commentary
1) A follow up video by the man who posted the video said the following.
@thebates1 update!!! #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp #fyp #tiktok #claytonhomes
2) The Natasha Dubash and presumably her editor(2) at the Daily Dot apparently did not see fit to mention who the owner of Destiny Homes is: Cavco Industries. That said, it should be kept in mind that Clayton Homes retail centers can and do sell products produced by other manufacturers. According to left-leaning Google’s Gemini is the following.
Cavco Industries owns Destiny Homes. Cavco is a company that designs and builds manufactured homes, modular homes, and other structures.
How did Cavco acquire Destiny Homes?
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In 2019, Cavco Industries acquired Destiny Industries LLC, a manufacturer of modular homes based in Moultrie, Georgia.
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Cavco continued production at the Moultrie location and retained many Destiny employees.
…Other brands owned by Cavco Industries:
Fleetwood Homes, Chariot Eagle, Colony Factory Crafted Homes, Commodore Homes, Fairmont Homes, Friendship Homes, and Manorwood Homes.
Yes, Clayton Homes sells Destiny Homes in some locations, including Homosassa, Florida.
If a warranty issue arises on a Clayton Homes sold home that was built by Destiny Homes, the retailer (Clayton Homes) is primarily responsible for handling the warranty claim and facilitating repairs with the manufacturer (Destiny Homes), meaning they will be the point of contact for the homeowner to file a claim and will coordinate with Destiny Homes to get the issue resolved according to the terms of the manufacturer’s warranty; however, the specifics of the responsibility may depend on the details of the sales agreement and the state laws regarding manufactured home warranties.
Beverly😘
I bought a brand new, right off the lot clayton mobile home in 2013 and it was HORRIBLE! 100% do not recommend!
bama04chevy
Clayton homes in our area is like 20 to 40 grand more than any other manufacturer so they’re a no go for us anyway.
Mansa
Within the first month or so of living in my Clayton most of the tracks for the drawers had all broken and numerous door handles and cabinet handles falling off🙃
Bye bye guys…
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By L.A. “Tony” Kovach – for MHProNews.com.
Tony earned a journalism scholarship and earned numerous awards in history and in manufactured housing.
For example, he earned the prestigious Lottinville Award in history from the University of Oklahoma, where he studied history and business management. He’s a managing member and co-founder of LifeStyle Factory Homes, LLC, the parent company to MHProNews, and MHLivingNews.com.
This article reflects the LLC’s and/or the writer’s position and may or may not reflect the views of sponsors or supporters.
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