How Well Are Mobile Homes Constructed?

The term mobile home typically refers to homes that are built in one of two ways: either as a manufactured house, where all the components are bought pre-built and you simply have to put them together or as a modular home, which is designed to be taken apart and reassembled at a later time.

With the first type, there are usually few parts that can easily be replaced if broken, but they may cost more than a normal house due to the expensive materials used to ensure it will last. With the second style, you can take what’s called a “semi-modular home” and rebuild it into anything you want!

This article will talk about how well mobile homes withstand weather conditions, how durable they are, and whether or not they are safe depending on their build quality.

What are the regulations?

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) publishes an online tool to determine if your mobile home is built according to code. This information can be found at their website here.

The FHWA has also put together some tips for buying a mobile home, but again this must be done before you move in! They recommend doing research in advance to make sure it’s well-built and that there aren’t too many issues with it.

Who builds them?

The average mobile home is built by factory-sponsored builders that work through manufacturers, but not every mobile home comes from a large company with big budgets. Many small business owners build their own homes or hire contractors to do it for them.

There are several reasons why some people choose to build their own homes instead of buying one that has been pre-built. A few examples include:

They prefer working in design styles that use natural materials such as wood and steel.

They want to pick their own interior colors and layouts.

They enjoy doing practical repairs themselves and they learn how to do so while remodeling their own home.

Some people simply like creating things and building something new takes lots of effort and time!

These personal touches can be cost effective if you know what tricks companies use to keep prices down. For example, most factories have standardized components which help save money due to reduced shipping costs. Standardized parts make producing your own mobile home much more affordable.

However, even though these standard pieces are expensive, you will probably find them for a good price online or at local furniture stores. Some salespeople may even give you a discount because of this.

Are they safe?

Recent tragic mobile home accidents have stirred up fear about these beautiful homes. Some people assume that if a mobile home is not built to exact specifications, then it cannot be as sturdy or strong as a traditional house.

This assumption is wrong!

Mobile homes are just as safe (or even safer) than conventional houses. They are manufactured using the same basic materials and principles of building engineering.

So how do we know this? Because national safety organizations like the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) test and certify mobile homes for safety.

These highly reputable companies make sure that every part of the home meets their safety standards.

Are they sound?

Most mobile homes are built with thick walls to help them stay stable, solid floors that keep the home from tipping over, and strong roofs that prevent it from collapsing or leaking.

However, not all manufactured homes have very sturdy structures! In fact, some are totally flimsy and may collapse easily under even small amounts of stress. This is particularly true if you look at older models.

Thickness of wall materials can vary greatly depending on what kind of flooring the manufacturer chooses to use. Some will go thicker for added stability, but most do not. It is important to be aware of this when buying a new home so you know what to expect.

A few things should also be noted- plastic lumber is usually thinner than wooden boards, and painted steel sections are sometimes less durable than unpainted ones.

What should I look for?

The best way to identify if a mobile home is built well is by looking at it, studying it, and asking questions!

It’s very difficult to tell whether or not a mobile home has been constructed with quality materials and processes unless you have an honest eye test. There are some things that can be determined just from looking at a mobile home, but most qualities depend on talking to people who know the builder.

Sadly, there are many bad builders out there so don’t assume anything about a new mobile home purchase. More than likely, it was built in a factory using poor practices and then put together by someone less experienced so chances are it won’t last.

Also, beware of salespeople that seem too good to be true when it comes to telling you all the great features of their mobile homes. They may even try to upsell you as much as possible before giving you their top price. It’s always better to go into a buying situation fully prepared and knowing your limitations.

Don’t let fear hold you back from exploring different models and brands though, because you will lose money if you buy something that doesn’t work for you! Just make sure you do your research and keep an open mind.

How do I pick a builder?

As mentioned before, buying a mobile home is a significant investment so you will want to make sure that you are investing in a well-built home. Unfortunately, there is no national certification for building quality of mobile homes!

That means that it can be difficult to know what qualities are important when looking at a new home. You will need to look up reviews online and talk to people who have lived in mobile homes from the same manufacturer to get an idea of how good or bad their construction is.

Some things to consider include if the flooring looks sturdy and durable, whether or not there were signs of water damage after the house was built, and if the windows and doors seem solid and tight. Make sure to check out both the interior and exterior of the home as well.

Can I move it myself?

The first thing most people notice about mobile homes is how tall they are, but what many don’t realize is just how heavy they are! This is due in part to all of the extra features that come with them.

A lot of manufacturers include lots of cupboards and drawers in the home as well as refrigerators and microwaves. All of these add weight to the vehicle.

In fact, a one-bedroom model can weigh up to 16,000 pounds! That’s almost half a million dollars worth of furniture and appliances attached to you car!

The average person doesn’t handle a ton of weight so try thinking ahead before you start moving. You may want to do some research online or talk to your local RV dealer about tips for maneuvering a mobile home.

How much are they?

The price of most mobile homes is determined by how well built the home is and what features it has. These two factors determine how popular or unpopular the home will be depending on your budget!

Mobile homes that have less quality control tend to cost around 10,000 dollars more than higher quality ones. This can easily add up quickly if you are buying a lot of them.

It’s important to know what qualities make a good mobile home so you don’t waste your money purchasing something that isn’t very sturdy. Check out our article here for more tips on the different types of mobile homes!

Another thing to look into is whether or not the manufacturer is accredited with either the American Association of Homebuilders (AAHB) or the European Federation of Building Trades Companies (FEBTC). If these organizations give their stamp of approval, then there is a better chance that the product will last.