Mobile Home Question

FiddleKat · #1 09/20/11, 05:42 PM

I had posted another thread about DH and I looking at a used mobile home in a HOA subdividsion some time back.
We went back to look a second time and discoverd the manufactures label in the closet said 12/17/98. The seller told us it was a 2002. also told us the hvac was not original, but it sure looked original to us. Also noticed a few water stains on the roof. So we decided to back off from it since we noticed more things "not right" about it.

we have gone to Clayton and Norris dealers in our area to price brand new double wides. We thought this might be a better solution, and figured we could trade our current double wide in for a new and much bigger home.

Now, here's a few questions:

We are replacing our mobile. My neighbor says we do not have to get a building permit, nor have to contact the utilities to disconnect and reconnect. We are in East Tennessee.
Neighbor also said we don't have to put footers underneath.

Our current mobile is 24 x 60 (about 1440 sq ft). The new mobile is 32 x 64 (about 1920 sq ft).

Since this is the first time we've ever traded in a mobile home for a new one, what is the process?

One salesman told us it would just take a weekend. the other salesman at the second dealer said it could take up to two weeks, especially if we have footers put in. And they said we still have to file a building permit and contact utilities like electric.

I am thinking if you are bringing in a new house, you would. But as I have said, this is new to us and don't know.

thanks for the input!!

Danaus29 · #2 09/20/11, 06:38 PM

Don't believe your neighbor. Check for yourself.

FiddleKat · #3 09/20/11, 06:41 PM

I gut feeling is saying we would have to do those things. But its always good to ask. Thanks!

Harry Chickpea · #4 09/20/11, 06:59 PM

If you are going doublewide, the importance of proper footers goes up. You don't want one side shifting in relation to the other. You would be well advised to look at other repos and other dealers. You should be able to shave a few thousand if you spend a few hundred and some time. In Alabama, strapping is required. To me, it makes sense.

If you have a trailer pole for power, anything you do on your side of the main breaker is none of the power company business. Permits usually vary by county.

If you have time, take a trip down to Ft Payne and the dealership there. See some heavyweights.

FiddleKat · #5 09/20/11, 07:14 PM

we currently have a double wide and there are footers, at least that is what I thought they are called.
Yes, we have a pole.

FiddleKat · #6 09/21/11, 07:52 AM

problem solved....called the electric company myself this morning, and they said yes, we need to have them come out and inspect it. My neigbhor was wrong.

mountainwmn · #7 09/21/11, 09:04 AM

Just wanted to say that Clayton has a bad reputation and a lot of complaints. One of them is taking a lot longer to set up than they promise you. I was approved through their lender and decided to just fix up the one I got instead.

Mel- · #8 09/22/11, 12:59 AM

I bought and installed a new double wide about 25 years ago. had to get footers (was given diagram by company. didn't have to have footers inspected. you probably can just have added extra ones the wider dw will need).

had to get building permit but it didn't have to be inspected at all. the office said it was because the dw had to be inspected at the factory so they didn't need to inspect it. just had to pay for the permit ($25 at the time).

had to get elec co out to hook up electricity to it but that was all. no inspection needed again because all elec co did was hook up to elec box on house.

was incredibly easy. this was on unimproved land. getting the septic and driveway permits were much harder than actually getting the house in !

BarbadosSheep · #9 09/22/11, 07:17 AM

My son's double wide is a Clayton and is a piece of junk. They have had nothing but problems from the beginning. The roof (shingles) was not installed right, resulting in leaks. The ridge vent does not vent because of the way the roof is constructed so the second set of shingles is now beginning to buckle. There are stains on the ceiling from the ridge vent leaking water in. The pipes leak. There is always water in the HVAC ducts. You can actually see puddles in there. The drain lines were not installed properly (not enough venting) and now they are smelling septic odors at times. All the faucets have been replaced. The list goes on and on and on. and this home is only 4 years old.