Leveling a Mobile Home

[Pam Carroll]

The installers called my husband today, wondering when we were going to settle up and my husband told them that he had yet to look at the trailer. The installer then told my husband that an inspector has already signed off on the installation (total lie - I checked myself). When my husband went out to look at it he found where there was a large dent on the back I-beam - they never mentioned this to me and I was there the whole time. So it looks as though we are going to have the State Inspector come out and give us his opinion. I'm certainly tired of dealing with them. Come to find out they had several judgements against them and have already lost their license once - so they are not too friendly with the Inspector. I guess this just shows it pays to do some research before hiring someone to do work for you, unfortunately I only had 30 days to have it moved.

[David Oxhandler]

Lifted from OwnerBuilder.comLocating a qualified contractor can be an arduous task but the reward for perseverance is the successful completion of a project with someone you know and trust. This list of ways to qualify a contractor is comprehensive and may seem overwhelming but it's the first step toward quality control. Check on these items before they're hired.....
License and Registration Number
Worker's Compensation Insurance
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Number of years in business
References
Financial stability
Stable crew
Credit standing with suppliers
Cost consciousness
Fair prices and payment schedule
Quality of rough work
Quality of finish work
Awareness of material waste
Market Niche: custom, spec, or service
Adequate crew for size of job
Adequate supervision for size of job
Do they begin on schedule?
Do they end on schedule?
Clean-up procedures
Success with inspections
Cooperation with other trades
Relationship between lead and crew
Relationship with client
Responsiveness to problems
Availability: Answering machine, Voice mail, Email, Beeper
Change Order practices
Promptness on callbacks
Relationship to reference
Will they sign a Lien Waiver?
Will they accept a dual-signee check?
Will the proposal be based on complete drawings and specifications?
Don't sign a blank agreement form or make any cash advance payment. Consult with a local lawyer familiar with construction contract law before finalizing your agreement.

[B. B. Rich]

I have to congratulate you, Pam. You seem to have opened the preverbial can of worms here. I believe there are more responses to your thread than any other in this forum.
However, I had been wondering about this leveling situation and when my set up crew was here, the crew chief brought ina 4' level into the house and showed me just how level they had gotten the home. I have to admit, I fell for it. i even used my own 4'er to double check.
I have been considering when we may need to relevel our home what I need to look for.
Thanks for the question.

[B. B. Rich]

and to all who responded.... }:-o

[rmurray]

I think I read you have a Palm Harbor..this would mean it WAS leveled with a water level...The crew showed you a 4 ft level inside because you must have expressed some reservation about the level of the home...He just did not want to ask you to crawl under the home...He was being polite...

[David Oxhandler]

What you need is an easy method to determine if your home is out-of-level, and if so, how much. There is a brand new product on the market called the WatrLevel. The inventor must have stayed up nights to develop this one. It provides instant readings, can be used around obstacles, and only requires one person to operate. It is the perfect tool for leveling mobile homes. Get details by clicking thru to the WatrLevel web site

[Jim]

Water always seeks its own level. That's how the perameds were built 3,000 years ago.

I'm looking for a good credible contractor to re-level my triple wide. Got any ideas?

[kevin]

Funny thing, this "leveling" of a manufactured home. When we asked the set-up contractor of our triple wide about the humps at the marriage line & cracks at the corners of walls & ceilings, if this could be from the home settling & becoming "un-level" during the first year after set-up......He simply stood up and opened and closed several doors & windows. Then said, "If the doors & windows are opening freely & not sticking, then your house is in "level". Didin't even bother with the 4 foot level "show"....lol

The home is skirted with concrete blocks all around & I have no desire to go underneath the home with either of the two water level devices mentioned here. So, I guess if I am not willing to do that, I am pretty much left to the mercy of the contactor.

[David Oxhandler]

You can hire a surveyor or anyone that knows how to use a surveyors glass to check the level of the line of the floor.

[Cheryl Riley]

I know a couple who purchased a mobile home brand new about five years ago. They paid approx. $60,000 for this home. My son happened to be in their home last summer and told me that the walls are pulling completely away from the door frames. I guess the couple are aware of this but have chosen to ignore the problem. I owned two different mobile homes some 28 years ago and had to have a contractor level one of them which sat in the same park that this couple's now sits. I knew enough to get the problem taken care of before something serious happened. This park was built on the edge of a field and does not have concrete pads for the mobile homes to rest on. They sit right on the ground. What will happen if this couple continues to let this problem go? Even if they hired someone to level it now, will the walls ever be the same again? Will they snug up to the door frames as they once did and look normal? I am afraid if they continue to let things ride and not have the home levelled, the ceiling may crack. What else could go wrong with this home by letting this go?