What will be my costs? I hear this question all the time and there’s not a quick and easy answer to it. The installation of a mobile home or “mobile home setup” is known in the industry. Blocking and anchoring the mobile home that you have is called “setting” the home or “installing” the home.
But there is so much more involved and so many other expenses.
How Big Is Your Mobile Home?
Table of Contents
Firstly, mobile home setup costs will vary as to whether you have a single wide or a double-wide mobile home. The size of the home makes a difference as well. The installation of a double-wide mobile home say 32′ x 72′ will use twice the amount of materials compared to a 16′ x 72′ single wide home. The labour time and labour cost will be also at least double.
Set Up Permits Are Usually Required.
You’re going to need to have a licensed installer/contractor pull a permit in the appropriate county prior to the home being moved to your location. Generally speaking, you cannot pull your own installation permit as a “homeowner” at least in the state of Florida.
If you are installing a used mobile home then many counties will require a pre Inspection prior to issuing the main installation permit. Pre-inspection is usually done by a licensed engineer so are an additional expense.
You cannot get power or your certificate of occupancy (CO) to live in the mobile home until you get through all of your inspections.
Click Here To Read: What Will It Cost To Level My Mobile Home – Relevel Costs
On Your Own Land or In A Park?
If you are on private land and you have a septic tank then you will need to request a “pump and cert” (a tank inspection) from a local septic contractor for the environmental health side of the permit. If you have had a cert within the last year that should suffice.
Set up on private land usually requires a boundary survey/plans for the building dept. In a mobile home park the water and sewer issues a generally managed by the park and a site plan will suffice.
Site Preparation Is The Key To A Good Set.
The State of Florida will require that you have an appropriate pad for the mobile home to be placed on and the amount of dirt you need will vary depending on your property as well as the size of the mobile home. The price will vary per load based on the area you are in. It will take a tractor, bulldozer, or bobcat to spread it.
Transportation From Location To Construction Site.
Once you have a permit and you have a dirt pad built, your home is ready for transportation to the job site. Most over the road toter trucks will pull the house to your site but will not go onto the soft ground. You will need equipment to move the house section to the pad.
Your Mobile Home Setup Or Installation Is Next.
With the home on the pad, blocking and anchoring can now begin. Your contractor will either have his own setup crew or will sub out this part of the project. The dirt pad will usually be covered by a vapor barrier and the piers installed under the supporting rails.
Anchors and stabilizer systems are installed to code. Sections are joined together.
Axles, tires, and hitches are removed from the site and trash cleaned up.
Plumbing, Electric, and HVAC Installation.
You are going to need plumbing, HVAC, electrical, and interior trim contractors. These are additional expenses that come with a lot of other questions to determine those estimates. You are going to need a set of code-compliant steps by each door to the home. And last but not least you will need to have skirting installed around the mobile home.
Conclusions Mobile Home Setup For Home Owners.
So, when you ask… “How much will it cost to set my mobile home?” Please be sure that you know what is included when you get your answer. Some contractors will give you the “block and anchor price” and others will tell you about everything so make sure you familiarize yourself with the scope of work in relation to your bid.
Price for block and anchor from $2000 to $9000.
Price for a total project from $7500 to 35,000.
Must Read: Buying Used Mobile Homes – Buyer Tips.