What You Need To Know About Raising A Manufactured Home

Today we’re going to look at some basic things you need to know if you’re thinking about raising a manufactured home.

What you need to know about raising a manufactured home

So we’ve put together several must-know points that will help you gain a better idea of what you’re getting yourself into.

Why raising a manufactured home is appealing

In raising a manufactured home, you’ll find that it’s done for different reasons depending on the needs or desires of the homeowner.

Some raise their homes to evade flood damage. By raising their home, they’re elevating it far above the dangers and harm that would befall the homes at ground level in the case of a flood.

Others raise their home just enough to relevel it. Area of the home may have settled into the ground, sagging the house. If left undealt with, this settling can cause further damage to the manufactured home.

In addition to the above reasons, homeowners may simply wish for more crawl space for maintenance underneath their home. Or perhaps the space they desire is much bigger than that. Many manufactured homeowners have built basements underneath. Others just like having a parking and storage underneath the house.

What is piling and what does it do about raising a manufactured home?

Listed as an acceptable form of a permanent foundation by HUD, a pile is a long post that is strong enough to support your manufactured home.

There are two situations where pile foundations are employed. First, a pile foundation is used when there is weak soil where the mobile home will rest. Piles are used to reach down to where a strong rock is found under the earth. So, the bulk of the pile is actually underneath the ground in this situation. Unless the homeowner would also like the pile to raise the home further above the ground level than it would normally be.

Second, pile foundations are a must for dealing with a heavy load such as a mobile home elevated high off the ground.

Can I do it myself? Or must I hire a professional?

Yes and no.

We’d argue that this depends on how high you want to raise your manufactured home.

If you’re simply raising a manufactured home as part of the process of leveling it, then you could do it yourself. However, if you’re raising a manufactured home several feet up into the air so you can build a basement, think again. You’ll want to bring in the professionals due to the need for professional equipment. This professional equipment will be able to bear the weight of your manufactured home as it is lifted up. Not to mention, it can be a dangerous engineering project.

Costs of raising a manufactured home

Another factor you’ll want to keep in mind is the costs involved in raising a manufactured home. The cost of bringing in professionals is much more accommodating than running out and buying a crane to lift your house. But what exactly can you expect in terms of money?

If you’re merely looking to relevel your home, then prices begin around $500. But if you’re looking to raise your manufactured home significantly, the costs will vary. This is according to numerous factors we’ll discuss below.

So that being said, the cost can range anywhere between $30,000 to $100,000.

Shop around, ask for quotes

And the above is exactly why you’ll want to ask around for quotes. Due to the different factors involved such as how high you want to be elevated, it’s going to be hard to get an idea of what you should expect to pay for your situation.

But you can get an average on what prices are good in your area by taking the time to call up different companies that raise manufactured homes. You can do a price comparison in this manner.

This may require additional alterations to your home

Unfortunately, as stated above, the actual raising of a manufactured home isn’t the only cost to consider. Such an action will affect more than the height between the ground and the home. Your home’s utilities may need some work if cables and pipes are no longer reaching between the home and the ground. Electrical, plumbing, gas, cable, phone, and your air conditioning system may need some extending. Check with your local and state government to see if permits are required for your house raising project.

You will benefit from this

In a way, raising a manufactured home is an uplifting process more ways than one. If your home beholds a scenic view, you’ll enjoy a good vantage point to soak it all in. If you often go under your home for maintenance work, your back will appreciate the home has better crawl space.

For a deeper look at mobile homes on stilts and who’s doing it, we have just what you’re looking for.