Mobile Inspection

Manufactured Home Inspection, Mobile Home Inspection

Mobile (Manufactured) Home Inspection

What is a mobile home vs. a manufactured home? What is a modular home? What are the differences, if any?

Mobile Home – The term mobile home was used for factory-built homes prior to June 15, 1976. Up to this time, voluntary construction standards were in effect and varied from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Manufactured Home – Built entirely in the factory under federal code administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which went into effect June 15, 1976. In some states they are regulated by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). It covers single or multi-section homes and includes transport to the site and installation. Regulations include: design & construction, strength & durability, transportability, fire resistance, energy efficiency & quality.

In summary, the term "Mobile Home" has been replaced with the term "Manufactured Home."

HTI will inspect your mobile/manufactured home in accordance with HUD guidelines. Not all home inspectors are qualified or trained to inspect the unique systems of a mobile/manufactured home. Order your inspection from High Tech Inspections today!

Modular Home – Similar to a manufactured home in that sectional units of the home are constructed in the factory however with a modular home the sections are then transported to the site and installed/assembled (like a standard site-built home). Modular homes are built to state, local, or regional code where the home will be located.

What are the differences between a State Inspection vs. Inspection by Certified Mobile Home Inspectors?

A state inspector is usually going to spend approximately 30 minutes on the site and will inspect for compliance with their state’s Health and Safety Code dealing only with that portion of the home built and supported by the chassis.

A ITA-trained mobile home inspector will probably spend two or more hours on the site. The inspector will be looking for the durability and serviceability of the home in addition to common health, safety and structural factors.

For new or recently moved mobile (manufactured) homes, make sure you have the following items completed BEFORE you call your HTI inspector:

Inspection 1

1. Septic tank installed and plumbing complete.
2. DO NOT underpin until your local county Building Inspector has inspected and approved piers and tie downs. You may underpin behind any decks and/or landings ONLY.
3. Piers (blocking) and tie downs complete. Have manufacturer’s instructions in a waterproof bag on the power pole.
4. All electrical work complete.
5. 9-1-1 House numbers must be installed.
6. Obtain a mobile home permit and have the Mobile Home Decal installed where visible from the outside and facing the street, which you live.
7. All entrances complete. (3X3 minimum landing, steps, handrails, etc.)
8. All above ground water lines must be insulated.

Inspection 2

1. Call for second inspection once the underpinning for the mobile home is complete.

When all of the above items are complete and approved, the building codes department will fax the power company to have your meter set.

Note: Actual requirements will vary from county to county. Contact your local county building codes department for more information and guidance. For your convenience, HTI has included links to some of the most popular building code departments in the Upstate.

Pickens County SC Building Codes Administration

Greenville County SC Codes Enforcement

Spartanburg County SC Building and Fire Codes

Anderson County SC Building Codes