Watch out for the Mod’s- Manufactured Homes Repairs what you should know!

Watch out for the Mod’s- Manufactured Homes Repairs what you should know!

Manufactured homes are a bit of a different beast than your conventional site built home. I do quite a few home inspections of manufactured homes as well as manufactured home foundation certification inspections which may be required by the lending institution based on the loan type.

A manufactured home is constructed entirely in a controlled factory environment, built to the federal “Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards” (better known as theHUD Code).

Starting in 1976, the HUD Code established a more stringent series of construction and safety standards that ensure that modern manufactured homes are superior to older "mobile homes" (the term used for factory-built homes produced prior to the introduction of the HUD Code).

So with a manufactured home having to be transported to the site many areas of the home will be built with lighter materials that are specifically engineered for this type of construction.

What many homeowners or contractors do not know, and really need to, is that any modification as well as some replacement items will need to have a permit from Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). L&I will oversee any modifications and permitting as it pertains to a manufactured home.

So if you plan to do work on the home is a very good idea to contact L&I and see if you will need a permit. Here are some common things that actually need a permit that you may not think of; reroofing, adding sheetrock to walls or ceilings, new or replacement of Heat Pump/AC or furnace, replacement of siding, repair or replace floor decking/joists, and replacement of water heater (this list is not all inclusive).

The lack of proper permits, inspections, and approval could affect the safety of your home, your ability to obtain home financing, and your ability to obtain insurance or collect on insurance claims. Even if thetitle has been eliminated on your manufactured/mobile home, alterations still require a permit, inspection, and approval by the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).

(A manufactured home title is usually requested to be eliminated by a financial institution for lending purposes. Once the title is eliminated, it is viewed the same as a stick built house. This removes the personal property status for titling and tax collection purposes.)

Links-

http://www.lni.wa.gov/ipub/622-049-000.pdf

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=296-150M-0410

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