Putting a Manufactured Home on Your Own Land

Preparing land for a manufactured home is an exciting process for any homeowner. But it can also be challenging since there is much to consider when putting a manufactured home on your own land. If the preparations are not done properly, it can lead to delays or problems that could end up costing thousands of dollars down the line.

Fortunately, Preferred Homes’ friendly and professional staff are here to help. We can walk you through how to put a manufactured home on land that you own or have on a long-term lease.

Where Can I Put a Manufactured Home?

There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing where to install a manufactured home. While many people associate manufactured homes with parks, the majority of manufactured homes are actually on private property. 

Regardless of where you decide to build your manufactured home, the Model Manufactured Home Installation Standards must be followed. These rules are enforced by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to ensure that homes are safe and can be worked on by construction crews without issues.

How Much Land Do You Need for a Manufactured Home?

The exact amount of land that you’ll need for a manufactured home will depend on the size of the home and your local ordinances. Prefabricated homes are governed by statewide standards, but your local county and municipality may have their own specific laws. As a general rule, you’ll need several feet of space around each side of your home, so it will need to be at least a quarter acre of land. 

One of the earliest steps to putting a manufactured home on your own land is to have a survey and inspection conducted. This will verify that you know exactly where your property lines are and that all the land information is up-to-date and accurate. If the previous seller neglected to tell you about some underground lines for gas or sewer, an inspection will find those issues before it is too late. An inspector will also look at potential space hazards such as low-hanging tree limbs or power lines that could be an issue during the installation process.

You should also consider your space around the home. In addition to a driveway, propane tank, well, or septic tank, you may also wish to build a garage or porch in the years to come. You may want to set aside an area to spend outside with your family, friends, or pets as well.

Can You Put a Manufactured Home on Any Land?

One of the first issues to consider when installing your manufactured home is whether the land and the building will be accessible to the laborers. Large trucks and a crane are used to place your home on its new foundation, which will require adequate space.

Another key detail is the land’s ability to properly drain water. If the property does not support adequate drainage, water can build up underneath the home, causing the foundation to shift. You may need to have a soil test performed to know the drainage capability of the ground, which is an essential factor for installing a septic tank. 

If your home is in a flood zone, there may be special considerations to building its foundation and installing it. It may need to be lifted a certain height off the ground, or placed in a spot where the water will be more likely to drain away.

How to Know if Land is Zoned for Manufactured Homes

Your local zoning information is one of the items that should come up during the inspection process. However, you can easily find out how your land is zoned before then by checking with your local city or county office. A map of how each parcel of land is zoned should be available on their website, though some smaller population areas have not yet invested in that software. In those cases, you can call your local office, and they can address any of your questions.

How to Put a Manufactured Home on Land

Early on in the process, you will need to select a contractor or set of contractors to build the base foundation for your home and perform any other work that needs to be done. Preferred Homes would be happy to help you with this process to ensure that the work is done professionally and is completed in time for the home to be installed.

Obtaining Permits

You will need to obtain several permits to prepare and install your new manufactured home. They can include building, transportation, and occupancy permits, along with additional permits if your property needs new drainage or sewer work completed.

Preferred Homes has experience installing manufactured homes in dozens of counties across western Michigan, and our staff would be happy to help you obtain the necessary permits and ensure that you are in compliance with state and local ordinances.

Land Prep for a Manufactured Home

Once you have selected the spot on your land where your new home will be installed, you will need to build a base pad or foundation for the home. These foundations are typically made from concrete, though other materials may be used depending on the location and soil. 

Stability is a crucial factor when installing a manufactured home on your property, and the type of foundation will make a difference. The four most common manufactured home foundation systems are slabs, piers, crawlspaces, and basements. Each has its unique benefits that appeal both to home builders and home buyers alike.

Around this stage in the process, you may also drill a well, build a garage, install a driveway, or place a septic or propane tank.

Manufactured Home Delivery and Setup

The big day has finally arrived, but there is still a lot of work to be done. If your home is being delivered to an urban area, there may be special considerations to ensure the route can handle the large trucks and trailers that will be transporting your home. You may need to contact your local government authorities to block off a section of the road for a short amount of time to safely allow the vehicles through the area.

Once the home is on site, our teams will take care of the installation process. It usually takes about a day to move the home onto the foundation and secure it. However, the home is not yet ready to move in. There are several more steps in the process, including the hookup of utilities, interior finishing, and a final inspection. It will be a few more weeks before the home is 100% completed and ready for its new occupants.

How Much Does it Cost to Install a Manufactured Home?

The preparation and installation costs of your home can vary widely depending on how much preparation needs to be completed, the location of the property, and the size of the home. If you need to drill a new well, install a septic tank, alter the land’s drainage system, or perform other preparation tasks, it will add to the overall cost. Permits also carry their own costs, which will vary depending on the location. The staff at Preferred Homes would be happy to talk with you more about the installation process and the potential costs involved.

Talk to the Experts at Preferred 

To learn more about how to affordably prepare your land for a manufactured home, reach out to the friendly and professional staff at Preferred Homes.