More than 21 million people (nearly 8 percent of the population) live in manufactured/mobile homes in the United States. In fact, one out every six new housing starts in the country are manufactured homes. Every week we inspect several mobile homes, especially in the rural areas outlying Gainesville and the Nature Coast.

Part of our home inspection is identical to evaluating a site-built home; such as checking the electric panel and wiring, a/c system, plumbing piping, roof, switches and faucets, and so forth. But we also look at some additional items:

We find the manufacturer’s info sticker, usually located in the master bedroom closet or inside the door of a kitchen cabinet, to confirm that the home was designed to meet the wind loads and roof loads specified by HUD for this area.

1. We check for missing or loose trim, skirting (with proper ventilation) or siding panels.
2. We evaluate any site-built additions. Since a mobile home is designed only to support its own weight, any additions should be freestanding and not bearing on the walls of the mobile home, and should be property flashed at areas of contact.
3. The frame of a mobile home is interconnected large I-beams. We verify that they are not bent or heavily rusted. 
4. We check the foundation piers, to confirm that they are not damaged or leaning, they are in bearing contact with the mobile home frame, that the holes in the pier blocks are facing upward, and the pier caps are not rotted or cracked, and any leveling shims are secure. 
5. Examine the vapor barrier under floor framing for tears, deterioration, sagging.
6. Confirm that there is perimeter blocking under any large wall openings, such as a sliding glass door.
7. Determine the type and spacing of the anchor straps, and how they are attached to the frame, to confirm that they meet the standards in place at the time the home was installed.
8. Look for any loose or corroded anchors or straps.

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Here’s links to a collection of our blog posts about MOBILE/MANUFACTURED HOMES:

• Where can I file a complaint if I have problems with my new or used manufactured/mobile home in Florida?

• What are the most common defects in mobile/manufactured home foundation piers?

• How do I determine the age of a very old mobile home?

• What is a "HUD label verification letter" for a mobile/manufactured home?  

• When did a ground cover vapor barrier (plastic sheet) become required under a mobile/manufactured home? 

• Is it safe to go under a mobile home? 

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Want to learn more about inspecting
manufactured/mobile homes? 
Get our  Handbook for 
Manufactured Home Inspectors 
at amazon.com for $19.95

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• Are older mobile homes unsafe? 

• What do I need to know about buying a foreclosed mobile home? 

• Does it make sense to buy an older mobile home and remodel it? 

• Where do I find the vehicle identification number (VIN) on a mobile home? 

• How do I find out how old a mobile home is and who manufactured it?

• What is the right price for a used mobile home?

• How energy efficient is a mobile home?

• When were the first double-wide mobile homes manufactured?

• How can I tell if a mobile home is well constructed?

• How can I tell the difference between a manufactured home and a modular home?

       Visit our MOBILE/MANUFACTURED HOMES  page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.