ALTA Survey Coordination

Posts Tagged ‘Manufactured Home’

FHA Foundation Certification – Utah

Ludlow Engineering performs FHA inspections on modular homes throughout the State of Utah.

Call today for your estimate.

HUD-FHA-VA Loan Requirements For Manufactured Homes – Permanent Foundations and Gaining Compliance

How can I gain compliance with the HUD/FHA requirements for my manufactured home permanent foundation?

According to federal regulations, in order to meet the requirements for a manufactured home permanent foundation you must comply with the Permanent Foundations Guide for Manufactured Housing, (HUD-7584), dated September 1996.

ALL foundation certifications for manufactured homes require an inspection to determine compliance.

At a minimum, there are several compliance issues that must be met; these are:

A permanent skirting around the perimeter.
Permanent piers to support the structure.
Anchorage to resist loads caused by wind and earthquake forces.
And others…

A professional engineer in the state where the house is located must certify that the foundation is in compliance, or non-compliant. Each M.H. is site specific, and loan specific; so there is not cookbook scenario. Each M.H. must be evaluated separately.

So, you probably say, “Why is a professional licensed engineer required for a foundation certification?”. I’m glad you asked.

Foundation systems are a complex engineering design process. In order to safeguard, life, health and property, to promote the public welfare, and to establish and maintain a high standard of integrity and practice, a professional licensed engineer is required.

An experienced engineer that is familiar with the manufactured home industry can evaluate the M.H. and determine whether the foundation is in compliance to HUD standards. However, every engineer does not necessarily have the experience to properly evaluate the site and determine its standing with HUD. It takes a knowledge of the HUD code book (which most engineers are not even aware of) and a keen knowledge of the manufactured housing building industry.

A particular manufactured (mobile) home could be in compliance as-is. However, you can’t necessarily make that determination until an on-site inspection is completed. It is a wise to remember that before you start trying to retrofit an existing M.H. to bring it up to HUD’s Permanent Foundation Standards, you need to hire an experienced Engineer familiar with M.H. foundation certifications from day one. It can save a lot of time, and money.

Dr. David Blumenthal, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, Department of Health and Human Services
Video Rating: 3 / 5

We strive to work closely with the real estate and mortgage companies throughout Utah.  There are often many items which need to be done before a house closes with title.  Here at Ludlow Engineering we can serve our clients with most of them.

• Land Title Survey – A Land title survey surveys the property to ensure the home and other valuables have been placed correctly within the property lines.
• Boundary Surveys – Similar to a Land Title, but more simple.
• ALTA Land Survey – The Cadillac of surveys.  Topography, utilities, neighbor names, access, title search are all elements of an ALTA survey.  This survey is certainly recommended for all business and commercial sites and large home sites.
• Foundation Inspections for Manufactured homes. If you are selling or buying a manufactured home, most mortgage companies require a foundation inspection of those properties.  We can perform those inspections and have it turned back into the mortgage company within 76 hours from a signed contract.
• House structural review and report.  If you are building a home, we can structurally engineer your home for you.  Working together with your architect or draftsman, we can accomplish the  coordination of getting your plans prepared for city or county submittal.

Call Now to learn about the other services we perform here at Ludlow Engineering.  Our phone number is 435-623-0897.

Located in Central Utah we are able to access most the the State of Utah for Foundation inspections.  We inspect the foundations of manufactured homes and give our professional opinion of the existing structure.

This process is estimated between $250-$450, depending upon the size and location of the home.   We are that confident in our work and turn around time to accomplish this last minute requirement for house funding.

Call Now at 435.623.0897 for us to inspect your home today.  Again Call 435.623.0897

Sample of Wording found in Engineering Report

for Manufactured Home Foundations.

November 5, 2009

Dear

It is understood and agreed that this inspection & evaluation by Ludlow Engineering is of readily accessible areas of the building and is limited to visual observation and apparent conditions existing at the time of the inspection.  This report is not intended and should not be considered as a certification and/or guarantee of the work performed.

Based on your request, this inspection was made on November 5, 2009 to check the integrity and status of the structural foundation system.

The manufactured home was rectangular in shape, measuring approximately 27’-0” x 41’-10”.  It is supported along its entire perimeter by an 8” concrete foundation wall.  Looking through the crawl space, the home was supported at the underside by (4) steel I-beams running the length of the building.  Steel Jacks support the I-beams at approximately 5 feet o.c.

During our observation, steel hold-down straps were inspected and appear to have been installed according to minimum standard requirements.  Said Straps are tied to the I-beams and a concrete block.  The footings that supported the jacks appeared to be adequate in size.

During the inspection, it was noted that a covered patio was installed.  The covered patio was constructed with a post and beam system.  The roof has been attached to the existing home.  The covered patio is approximately 8’-5”x 36’-10”.  The tributary width that is supported by the home is 4’-3”.  The rest of the load is transferred to the ground by columns and placed on a footing system under the concrete patio.  I inspected the inside of the home and did not view any stress on the home due to the additional load.  It appears the home is stable.  It is our opinion, that the cover patio has not affected the structural stability of the home.

The residence’s foundation system appears to be in satisfactory condition with no sign of stress and meets minimum building standard requirements, including Permanent Foundations Guide for Manufactured Housing published in September 1996 and Mona City building requirements.

If we can be of any further assistance, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,

LUDLOW ENGINEERING

Ludlow Engineering provides a quick and easy process for manufactured foundations inspections, that are often required by FHA at the time of purchase or at the time of sale.

• Affordable Inspections Along the Wasatch Front
• Quick Fast Turn Around for Required Reports
• Efficient and Trustworthy
• Respectful of Property and People’s Time For Entry

Call Now For Your Manufactured Foundation Inspection.  435-623-0897.

Utah Inspections on Permanent Foundations Guide for Manufactured Housing are done by Ludlow Engineering and Land Surveying.

Located in Central Utah we are able to access most the the State of Utah for Foundation inspections.  We inspect the foundations of manufactured homes and give our professional opinion of the existing structure.

This process is estimated between $250-$450, depending upon the size and location of the home.  Our real sales point is this – Our firm guarantees that all of our observations and reports will be delivered within 48 hours or our clients receive a 20% discount.  We are that confident in our work and turn around time to accomplish this last minute requirement for house funding.

Call Now at 435.623.0897 for us to inspect your home today.  Again Call 435.623.0897

Sample of Wording found in Engineering Report

November 5, 2009

Dear

It is understood and agreed that this inspection & evaluation by Ludlow Engineering is of readily accessible areas of the building and is limited to visual observation and apparent conditions existing at the time of the inspection.  This report is not intended and should not be considered as a certification and/or guarantee of the work performed.

Based on your request, this inspection was made on November 5, 2009 to check the integrity and status of the structural foundation system.

The manufactured home was rectangular in shape, measuring approximately 27’-0” x 41’-10”.  It is supported along its entire perimeter by an 8” concrete foundation wall.  Looking through the crawl space, the home was supported at the underside by (4) steel I-beams running the length of the building.  Steel Jacks support the I-beams at approximately 5 feet o.c.

During our observation, steel hold-down straps were inspected and appear to have been installed according to minimum standard requirements.  Said Straps are tied to the I-beams and a concrete block.  The footings that supported the jacks appeared to be adequate in size.

During the inspection, it was noted that a covered patio was installed.  The covered patio was constructed with a post and beam system.  The roof has been attached to the existing home.  The covered patio is approximately 8’-5”x 36’-10”.  The tributary width that is supported by the home is 4’-3”.  The rest of the load is transferred to the ground by columns and placed on a footing system under the concrete patio.  I inspected the inside of the home and did not view any stress on the home due to the additional load.  It appears the home is stable.  It is our opinion, that the cover patio has not affected the structural stability of the home.

The residence’s foundation system appears to be in satisfactory condition with no sign of stress and meets minimum building standard requirements, including Permanent Foundations Guide for Manufactured Housing published in September 1996 and Mona City building requirements.

If we can be of any further assistance, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,

LUDLOW ENGINEERING