Ludlow Engineering and Land Survey

Modular Homes and Manufactured Home Foundation Inspections

Often times these two words are used together and even meaning the same thing.  However in actuality these two words are very different.  Let us explain:

A Modular Home is made on sight, but contains pre-fab components, such as walls, etc.  A manufactured home is completely made off-site and is inspected by a series of inspections identified by HUD.  Once the building meets inspection qualifications, then the home is brought in and is put upon a foundation.  The example above is a manufactured home in a sales lot and is ready to be delivered to the new location.

A Mobile Home Inspection – 5 Ways How It Differs From A Regular Home Inspection

When it comes to mobile homes, the inspection process is a bit different. They are built much differently than you typical home and specific details must be inspected and addressed that aren’t reviewed in a normal home. Here is a quick list of how mobile homes differ from standard homes, and why they require a different home inspection.

Mobile Home vs. Normal Home

Mobile Homes (Manufactured homes as they are now called) are not built the same as a site built home. They have a number of items that make them significantly different.

1) METAL LEGS: Mobile homes rest on metal legs that over time can rust, shift or become loose from the homes main support beams resulting in many problems. Your traditional home is on a solid foundation that doesn’t rust. However, based on seismic activity, the foundation of a normal home can shift.

2) ALUMINUM WIRING: Many mobile homes have aluminum wiring. If it does then it needs to be inspected and maintained. Your traditional house has wiring that’s typically copper based. However this can vary and in some cases does require an inspection.

3) WATER LINES: The water lines and connections many times are not welded and can become loose and start small leaks that result in expensive repairs. Cracks in pipes in your traditional house can also cause such damage, however because pipes are fitted together differently with other homes, such issues tend not to occur as frequently as in a manufactured home.

4) WALLS AND CEILINGS: As might be expected, walls and ceilings may not be insulated properly resulting in excessive use of your heater and or air conditioning system and this means spending extra money. The walls of mobile homes tend to be thinner than your traditional home. With a non-mobile home, insulation in walls must meet a different level of inspection.

5) WINDS: A big issue with mobile homes that a more traditional house does face is wind. Wind can cause damage to a mobile home easier than a non-mobile home. That’s because the foundation isn’t as secure (if it was, it wouldn’t be considered “mobile”). The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has set in place special windzones in various parts of the county. These zones establish the severity of high winds in the area that could affect the stability and integrity of a manufacture, mobile home. For example, Florida has various windzones with levels such as windzone 2 and windzone 3 (South Florida is windzone 3, the strongest windzone).

These are 5 specific issues that a mobile has that traditional homes don’t. But regardless of whether you own a mobile or traditional home, an inspection is necessary if you want to ensure the integrity of your house or a home you’re about to purchase. Over time we accumulate items and may improperly store them in places that can create unseen issues with your home. Everyday new items come onto the market to help make our homes safer to live in. However if you don’t know that your home has issues and problems, then you don’t know your home needs these items until it’s too late. For these reasons you can see why it is important to have your home inspected on a regular basis.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ed_Harrison

How Modular Homes and Manufactured Homes Differ

Facts About Modular, Manufactured & Site Built Homes

When you are buying a home, you might hear the terms modular homes, manufactured homes and site built homes. It’s important to understand how they all differ, no matter whether you are purchasing an existing house or plan to build on land that is subject to restrictions. The differences can affect a home’s price and its resale value, and even dictate whether or not it can be built on your land.

What Are Site Built Homes?

• They are constructed entirely at the building site.
• They conform to all state, local or regional codes where the house is located.
• Often called ‘stick-built’ houses.
• A well-built, cared for site-built home generally increases in value over time, although its location plays a key role in value.

What Are Modular Homes?

• Modular homes are built in sections at a factory.
• Modular homes are built to conform to all state, local or regional building codes at their destinations.
• Sections are transported to the building site on truck beds, then joined together by local contractors.
• Local building inspectors check to make sure a modular home’s structure meets requirements and that all finish work is done properly.
• Modular homes are sometimes less expensive per square foot than site built houses.
• A well-built modular home should have the same longevity as its site-built counterpart, increasing in value over time.Read More Facts About Modular homes

What Are Manufactured Homes?

• Formerly referred to as mobile homes or trailers, but with many more style options than in the past.
• Manufactured houses are built in a factory.
• They conform to a Federal building code, called the HUD code, rather than to building codes at their destinations.
• Manufactured homes are built on a non-removable steel chassis.
• Sections are transported to the building site on their own wheels.
• Multi-part manufactured units are joined at their destination.
• Segments are not always placed on a permanent foundation, making them more difficult to re-finance.
• Building inspectors check the work done locally (electric hook up, etc.) but are not required to approve the structure.
• Manufactured housing is generally less expensive than site built and modular homes.
• Manufactured homes sometimes decrease in value over time.Read More Facts About Manufactured homes

What Do the Differences Mean to You?

Restrictive Covenants and Deed Restrictions

• Communities generally have no restrictions against traditional, site built homes. Many housing developments do set minimum size requirements and stipulate you must build a house that conforms to published [link url=http://homebuying.about.com/cs/deedrestrictions/a/restrictions.htm]restrictive covenants[/lik] or be approved by an architectural review committee.
• Most developments allow modular homes. Some do not, but in those cases the restrictions seem to have been imposed because of an ongoing confusion about the differences between modular homes and manufactured homes.
• Restrictive covenants and deed restrictions often exclude manufactured homes.

Investigate the deed restrictions thoroughly before purchasing land for any type of ne