The Manufactured Housing Forums

We have purchased 36 acres in SW GA and there is an older 1983 DW MH, with an attached carport and small porch, on the property. We are exploring all options at this time...renovating the MH or having it moved out and buying a new one. We plan to retire to this location, so we will have to live with our decision. Buying a new MH would be the easiest solution, but I don't like the vinyl covered wallboard look and I don't like the 7.5 ft. outside wall ceiling height. We are trying to gather info on totally renovating, removing the existing roof and raising the exterior wall heights, new trusses, an addition, gutting out the whole interior, re-framing interior walls, drywall, new wiring, plumbing and new AC and duct work. Basically a new home on a MH frame. We would do all the work ourselves, with the exception of installing the trusses and decking the roof. We could build a stick built home, but property taxes are a big issue on a retirement income. What are some of the structural problems that we may run into that we haven't considered? We will have extra roof support from an added full lengt porch on the front and a full length addition on the rear of the home.

I would think you could run into huge problems with as renovation of this magnitude...Palm Harbor and Fleetwood built in GA now all have 8' side walls..Palm Harbor is standard with 1/2 inch taped and textured walls in the whole home In GA they nolonger offeer any wall paer in any part of the home...


Fleetwood in GA does have full 8' sidewalls with a 8' flat cieling only....The wall paper is standard but taped and textured can be built into the home if the local dealer textures and paints the home..some will offer this as an option...I would shop around for these and any others out there who suit your needs and wants...A GA built Fleetwood with tape and textured walls painted will run about $43/sq foot...A basic Palm Harbor built in Lagrasnge, GA will run about $50/sq. ft.Good Luck with you desision...

I have a Doublewide manufactured around 1969. It was evidently originally a construction offce, turned into a home. Anyway, it's been redone inside, drywall, hardwood floors. Only the layout and roof pitch would indicate it was a doublewide. I want to add on by going up. I know that none of my addition can be supported by the exsisting structure. The thought is to dig footers around the home, go straight up with brick, then a barn or steep sloped roof. The second floor woudld be totally supported by the outside walls and floor joices. We would probably go out a little farther in the back to allow for a staircase. Any idea where I could find plans for should I just find an architect? I've seen it done before so I know it's possible. Just wanted to know if you have any suggestions or experience with this?

Thanks,
Debbie

It is absolutely something that has been done before. Back in the 70s thru the 90's we used to use manufactured homes as a "core" and build under around and above them. But the building codes in most locations has been changed over the years and there are very few places in the country where you can get permits for this type construction today.

Talk to a few local engineering firms and your local permitting office to see just how far they will let you go.

My wife and I own but do not currently live in a mobile home. My mother bought the MH in 1978 and prior to her passing the MH ownership was was transferred to me.
Currently it is a one-wide, Brunswick, 973 Sq Ft build in 1976. There are 50 other one-wides in the park and we have one of the few lots which could comfortably fit a two-wide. We are torn between wanting to totally replace the one with an updated two-wide or attempt to add a room or two to an 32 year old mh.
We also have concerns for spending too much money on an upgrade to property on leased land since after all the work we envision doing may not help the valuation of our property in the long run.
Any direction would be appreciated.
Norm

Of course your first step would be to talk to the park management...There might well be a rule about additions.. Most parks would require prior approval and maybe higher rent....You are right to be concerned about spending money on a permanent addition in a rental park..Remeber your term of residence is only guaranteed to the end of the lease..Sounds like you are in an older community.. Sometimes they change hands and rent rises or worse yet they sell the land and all have to move out..Most states have rules about how quickly they can do that but it does happen...The value of your home in this park is directly related to the other homes in the park..By far the easiest route would be buying a new home..

Thank you for your comments. I have discussed matters with the park manager and received an ok to do whatever I want. However, the park has been under new ownership for the past 4 years or so and I consider the owner to be somewhat of a neophyte. The park is comprised mostly of seniors.
I was thinking of trying to negotiate an extended protected lease for about 15 or 20 years, if something like that even exists. Currently, its a month to month situation which has been going on for 32 years. At 74, who knows how long I have and sure would like to enjoy the relaxed type of life offered by the park and sell the 8 room house we currently reside in.