While your manufactured home is being built at the factory, there is still some site preparation needed in order to receive your home. This includes excavation work for foundations and a septic tank (if needed), land grading for uneven terrains and preparation of utility lines for connection. This may also involve building out any accessories like porches and decks that did not come with the manufactured home.
If you’re currently shopping for a manufactured home, read this with “How are Manufactured Homes Delivered?” to grasp the whole picture of the move.
Often home centers will provide handling services for site preparation, on-site construction crew and installation of your home into your site. They could also handle the transportation crew you’ll be using, which needs to be planned to the last street and turn.(1)
If not, have a home consultant from a home center to help you organize all these logistics, as they may have encountered the specific requirements for your site like zoning. Perhaps they have contacts they can connect you with and assist you with the documentation you need:
- Septic permits
- Electric permits
- Heating and Air Conditioning Permits (HVAC)
- Any other local building permits your city, county or manufactured home community requires (2)
They’ll help make sure the construction crew is finished with their on-site preparation that is timed to receive your manufactured home for installation. Few of the land preparation tasks to be accomplished before delivery are: (1)
- Digging of wells and foundation
- Clearing out the driveway for delivery
- Building the septic tank system (if no public sewer on your site)
- Construct the building foundations
- Set up your utilities: HVAC, water and electricity lines
- Build out any decks, porches, etc.
- Leveling area of land to at least 25’ length for truck maneuvering on site (especially if there are steep drops on site) (3)
Note that the labor and equipment for this kind of work usually entails additional fees to be paid by the homeowner. (3)
Preferably one local contractor is in charge of the overall move, up until assembly to avoid miscommunication. They will be tasked to oversee the home movers, utility contractors and all land preparation to ensure the home’s quality will not be compromised after installation. (2)
The homebuyer’s responsibility is to place corner markers or stakes for the exact location of home placement and to make sure all the building professionals are there. This is considering the proper setbacks by zoning have been taken into account with your home consultant and is needed for the builders’ to have a point of reference for excavation works like the foundation.
The corner stakes are crucial as to not waste any time or money in the site work. (3)
Only after all installation and inspection by local authorities will you receive your occupancy permit, making it safe and ready to live in your home!
References:
- Y, K. (2019, April 22). Manufactured home delivery. Clayton Studio. Retrieved May 2022, from https://www.claytonhomes.com/studio/manufactured-home-delivery-and-site-preparation/
- Jaco Sales LCC. (2021, June 5). Understanding the manufactured home delivery process. Jaco Sales, LLC. has the best manufactured home value in Alabama. Retrieved May 2022, from https://www.jacomobilehomes.com/understanding-the-manufactured-home-delivery-process
- Black’s Home Sales. (2018, April 18). Manufactured Home Delivery and assembly –. Blacks Home Sales. Retrieved May 2022, from https://www.blackshomesales.com/blog/manufactured-home-delivery-and-assembly/
