Moving a Mobile Home Part II

My last post talked about moving a mobile home from one location to another. But, what happens when the home has been finally set up in the park?

Once the mobile home has been set up in the park, usually it will undergo an inspection process via your local manufactured housing authority. This inspection is just to make sure the home has been properly moved, set up and installed at the new location. Remember, find out the process and what information is needed before the move. Usually, they require a form to be filed by the mover detailing the move and the new location. Check with your local manufactured housing authority for more details.

After this inspection process, you're ready to do the hookups (i.e. electrical, plumbing, and a/c). Remember, you should have already selected the contractors you will be working with beforehand. So, what order should you do the hookups in? Well, it really depends on your area. Its best to ask the contractors how its usually handled as their work will also require an inspection by your city. Usually, the department that handles inspections for the city is the permit department. The contractors you use will need to get permits issued by the city in order to do the work. Once their work has been done, it will undergo an inspection process.

The electrical must be done before the a/c (aka "mechanical") as the a/c will need power in order to work and undergo inspection. As for the plumbing, it can be done either before or after electrical. Both electrical and plumbing are important in getting hooked up asap. Some people have tried to market their mobile homes before getting the hookups done. I would not do this - most people want to try out the electricity and the plumbing before they make a commitment.

Once all the hookups have been made and inspection has passed, the next step is to go ahead and set up accounts for the utilities. Again, some people have marketed without having electricity or water on but it will set you back. If everything in the house is working, you'll be able to find more people interested and find someone quicker. Just my experience.

Besides the hookups, the next thing important things is curb appeal. Many people start on their houses from the inside and then work on the outside. Problem is not much curb appeal. Make sure the outside of the house looks presentable. If the siding needs to be replaced or painted, get it done. If the house needs skirting, get it done. Usually, when moving home you will need skirting in the new location.

Now, this brings us to the next question. How much work is needed? Well, it really depends on the person. In my experience, I don't like homes that need too much work - that's just me. By "too much work," I mean homes that have major problems - structural and mechanical issues. I don't mind doing some floor work or maybe having to patch up a roof. Anything, that involves the structural and/or mechanical integrity of a house is just too big of a job for me. Again, it really depends on the person and exactly how much work they want to tackle.

All in all, moving a mobile home can seem like a big feat. Like all things, the first time is always the toughest. After that, it becomes just like clockwork.