Free Standing Addition?

[Matt]

What is the definition of a freestanding addition. We had an 1000+ sq ft. addition built next to our MFG home that is butted up against it. It is sealed by chaulk on the outside and drywall in the inside. It is not attached by wood at all. Does this then make it a freestanding addtion?
Reason I am asking is because I want to get a new MFG home and butt it up against the addition, and want to know about the potential resale issues.

[Tom]

I suppose the term freestanding would apply. My question to you is, why butt it so close if there is no entry way from the home(Im assuming this)? You have to remember, that even though its not attached, both buildings are still shifting and moving, so its possible to have some problems from being so close together. Tom

[Matt]

It does have a doorway to get access from the home to the addition. In other wards, The back door, like the utility room door, would be the access point into the addition.

[Tom]

If you have not modified the MH, then I dont see how it would effect resale. That is if the system you have in place makes it easy to detach. The proper way to approach this would be to put both the MH and the addition on slabs. This would eliminate any possible shifting problem from having them so close together. Im surprised you have not had leak problems as they usually do if they are not. Tom

[Matt]

The present MFG home is on blocks inground and the addition is on a regular concrete foundation. The thing is super easy to seperate if needed.

Glad to hear this. This is good news.
Thank you

[Matt]

I also forgot to mention, I live in the desert so I get less then 4 inches of rain a year.

[Mark]

If the addition receives any services from the home, then it is considered attached by most codes. Water, electric, sewage, ductwork, etc..

That's not to say you couldn't detached those services, put the new home next to it and reattach them, but the local inspector might have something to say about it.

[Nick2]

Manufactured homes are constructed to carry their own weight or you may say built to the minimum. The home will not properly perform when addtional weight is applied to it. Floors are constructed to carry 40 psf, which will support, the dead load of the materials in the home and the roof load. Once you add an addition to the home, which is tied into the home, you can possibly get some deflection in the floor due to an overload of the support system.

Additions need to be independently supported.