Mobile Home Warranty | What To Look For And How To Handle Problems

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To be sure, the second law of thermodynamics (often summarized as “systems tend to move from order to disorder”) will fall upon any and every home. It does not matter if you’ve pulled out all the stops in your custom options for that perfect dream home. Your home will need repair as with anything else. But it sure is a let-down when something breaks prematurely and unexpectedly. And what’s a new homeowner to do when the factory-installed plumbing springs a leak for no reason?

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This is where your mobile home warranty comes in to save the day

As per HUD requirements, your home should come from the manufacturer with a manual containing details regarding your home. Operation, maintenance, and repair information will be included along with recommended instructions for your manufactured home’s installation and other things such as connecting to utilities.

It comes as no surprise that most manufacturers stand behind their product and provide a warranty. By and large most warranties will cover the following, according to HUD.gov,

“… the performance of the structure and factory-installed plumbing, heating, and electrical systems during a specified warranty period. Some factory-installed appliances and certain building components are also covered by their own warranties.”

Therefore, it’s important to make sure you ask about the manufacturer’s manual and warranty before you commit to buying a new manufactured home. You want to get a good understanding of who is behind the warranty and other details, such as who would come to your home and manage the repair. Find out what’s covered. Obviously, your warranty will not cover damages incurred from abuse or neglect on the homeowner’s part.

At the end of the day, a warranty will give the new homeowner peace of mind. Knowing help is just a phone call away if something goes wrong or your heating installation was a dud can be reassuring. It tells you that the manufacturer will stand by his promise of quality.

A few things you should know about your mobile home warranty

So now that we’ve explained the importance of warranties, we wanted to share some things that may prove helpful. If you’re a new homeowner dealing with a mobile home warranty, we think you’ll be glad you took the time to read this.

Fill out the warranty forms

woman completing form

Some manufacturers may send you a manufactured home warranty package after you’ve closed on your home. For your warranty to be effective, that first critical step would be filling out the necessary paperwork. Mail it and wait for confirmation. Doing this as soon as possible is recommended.

When your pipe is (hopefully not) busted, you’re not going to be in the mood to sift through more paperwork than needed. Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.

Appliances

Interestingly, your appliances might be covered by the one year home warranty that typically comes with a home. But it’s recommended that you save time but cutting out the middleman. Call the appliance manufacturer rather than the mobile home manufacturer. The appliance manufacturer should be able and ready to help you. Your information should be in their system!

Written description of your manufactured home’s problems

If you have an issue with your mobile home, take the time to write out a description of your problem. You want a paper trail of the warranty process, and words get jumbled up via phone. So it’s ideal that you choose email or postal mail to communicate through. If you’re dealing with the company in person, just bring a printed copy of your problem’s description.

Service sign

If the mobile home warranty won’t cover it

Finally, if you find that your mobile home manufacturer tells you they simply don’t cover your problem, you may try something else. Find out the name of the materials or appliances manufacturer and contact them directly. They may or may not be able to help after assessing the problem. Either way, it does not hurt to try working with them.

Find out specifics

Keep in mind that this article is a mere general overview of the mobile home warranty topic. Every manufacturer may have different nuanced approaches for deciding how or whether a repair need is legitimate. They may have different ways of dealing with their homeowners and may differ on who and when someone is sent to your home.

Taking the care and time to do your own research will help you better understand and communicate with your mobile home manufacturer. But at least you have a general idea of what to expect and you’re better equipped to ask the right questions.

Use, don’t abuse your warranty

And that goes without saying – a warranty is not an excuse to neglect your home. If you do your part, you can give your mobile home a long and useful lifespan. Make the most of your investment and put some pride into your home’s care.

About Dan Paton

Dan Paton has been working full-time in this field for over a decade. Both him and his partner, Dan Leighton, formed EZ Homes back in 2006 and have seen explosive growth ever since. Dan works heavily in the administrative role within the organization. He is a jack of all trades type of guy. Dan and his wife have 4 children.





Written by Dan Paton

Dan Paton has been working full-time in this field for over a decade. Both him and his partner, Dan Leighton, formed EZ Homes back in 2006 and have seen explosive growth ever since. Dan works heavily in the administrative role within the organization. He is a jack of all trades type of guy. Dan and his wife have 4 children.

February 21, 2018

 

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