The Manufactured Housing Forums

OK, so we are trying to decide whether it would be wiser to repair our existing older mobile home and pour more money into it? OR, cut bait and replace it with a newer model if not perhaps even a "new" one?

The problem is when trying to find out SPECIFIC and CONCRETE answers from ANYONE? It's like pulling teeth and NON existant!

How can we find out WHAT the Rules, codes, and LAWS ARE for EVERYONE and not just have to rely on "how the rag hangs?" You would think when going to communicate with engineers at a town hall they would have a basic list of requirements? I thought that Exposte de facto was a basic impossibility in our US constitution when we kicked out thee British and adopted a constitution?

We keep hearing horror stories of What a who know's who corrupt set of circumstances we are up against? True? Not True? How can anyone really know without written laws and rules to be adhered to by ALL despite who you know? likes you? doesnt? Likes mobile home parks? Doesn't? Such a pile of Dog crap to wade through.

Anyone got any REAL answers? i.e. what are the restrictions to how wide or how close one mbile home can be to the adjacent mobile homes? Do fire codes dictate this? building codes? If so? Where can they be found and identified when the supposed Man behind the counter squats in some whiney position because he he "Has that POWER" and woke up with an active hemmorhoid that day?

What power do "WE" citizens have? I have always heard that "Knowledge is Power".

Any ideas? Knwoledge? ..Please help (sorry about the bit of rant, but have been going around in circles with n real answers for months and months now. Am I the only mobile home dweller who feels we are discriminated against by TOWNSHIPS which after the fact seem to think they are "Better than having Mobile home Parks"? Gee that sounds so consitutional and legal?

Biz -

Your frustration is apparent and understandable. In many parts of the country the building permit process has become so complex that even people at the building department are afraid to give straight answers.

The issue of what the rules say in black and white, is not going to be nearly as significant as how the local building officials interpret and enforce the rules. The solution is really quiet simple. Every state in the country requires manufactured home installation to be done by licensed installers. You will not be issued permits unless a licensed installer applies for them.

The licensed contractor is your key. He pulls permits and stands local inspections daily and will be best equipped to tell you not only what you can do but also what the cost will be. If you have been in your older home for some time you may be shocked to find out, that since the 90's, the cost of installation as jumped as much as 500% in some markets. This could be a significant factor in your decision.