who do you call?

[brattsgirl]

I bought a very nice double wide in 9/07 and have put a lot of $$ and work into it to make it nicer, and some things just need repair. I am at a loss as to who to call that is familiar with mobile homes for things like replacing heat tape and insulation, a couple of cracked windows and a few other odds and ends.

I'm one of those independent women who would prefer to do it myself but I'm afraid that isn't going to happen as I am permanently disabled with a very serious back injury. The back of my home sits atop a very step hill and because of that I seldom if ever go back there and that is where I need to be able to go to access the water cut off (which I would do in an emergency) and access the pipes that I'm sure by now need the heat tape and insulation replaced. Just to stand on that angle causes excrutiating pain for me. I've asked the few neighbors I know who they call and well of course they do their own. None of them are interested in making a little extra money to do mine as they hate doing it.

As for the windows they are single pain aluminum frame with inside storm windows. I'm afraid I'd break the windows just trying to get them out which I'm sure I have to do to have the glass replaced.

I've looked high and low for "mobile home repairs" etc. and no luck. Somethings could be taken care of by general tradesmen like plumbing and electricity, but as you know some things are specific to mobile homes. I'm really at a loss. I'd like the heat tape to get replaced this spring/summer as I have no clue when it was installed, how long should it last, and is it even working. I had a Lobster hot water recirculator installed and it does help with getting hot water quicker but I'm not sure it's really going to help with the pipes not freezing.

I'm starting to think this whole mobile home thing is more than this lady with a bad back and limited income can handle. It was supposed to be easier on me moving here.

Any words of wisdom or advice are greatly appreciated.
Jen

[David Oxhandler]

Start with the park manager. He should know someone that works on manufactured homes. It sounds like the problems you need help with are not manufactured home specific and that a good competent handyman could take care of the problems you listed.

It's relatively easy to install heat tape. If your pipes are already wrapped in heat tape, get that handyman to check the heat tape to make sure it isn't worn or frayed. Heat tapes are used in many different applications across the north and it is a good idea to check it every year. It is a simple operation. Learn what to expect by reading How to select and install a heat tape

Your storm windows can also be removed by just about any one who is handy. There is nothing manufactured home specific about the window operations.

Don’t get discouraged. It sounds like your back problems would probably stop you from doing much work on any home. You made a good decision when you chose a manufactured home. All structures require repairs and maintenance. Take care of the basic maintenance and it will take care of you.

[brattsgirl]

Thanks Dave but I'm afraid I started with the park manager whose husband takes care of her stuff. I read the link you sent already.

Maybe I'll check out Cragslist for a handyman. I hired one recently for some things inside the house and he not only did a great job but really gave me a break on the price. But he's a big guy with not so great back as well and he said he would do the heat tape but he would be all scrunched up doing it and I can't blame him for not wanting to do it. I'm only 5' tall and I would be scrunched doing it, plus I'm really not all that crazy about being under the house, call it paranoia or claustrophobia or whatever LOL. Who else besides a mobile home owner would need heat tape?

I wasn't going to remove the storm windows as they are fine, or am I supposed to? I did take all the screens off before winter set in and am about to hose them down and put back in which was real easy, but I have three outside windows with the cracks that I want to get replaced first. I wonder if I can get the windows out if I could take them to Home Depot as I saw that they have glass for windows and a cutting station.

There is a mobile home supply store about a mile from here but I wouldn't hire them. The store really only sells and orders stuff for mobile homes. But one of the guys apparently does side work on mobile homes. He's one of the guys that came and looked at my trench problem and quoted me $800 worth of skirting and $50 hour labor and every time I called to see when he could do the work he'd schedule a day and then not show up. He did this 3 times finally I just cancelled it. You may recall the owner of the park ended up having his workers doing the french drains and used the existing skirting and extra pieces under the house that only needed to be cleaned and it cost me nothing.

The strange thing is there must be at least 20 mobile home parks within a 10 mile radius of mine.

You are such a doll to be here when we need you. I appreciate it too.

[MobileHomeInspectors.com]

Do an internet search for mobile home contrators (your city).
I agree that most of your issues sound like a good general handy man could fix.
$50 per hour is not a bad price for someone who shows up on time, has more than 10 years experience in mobile homes, and does the work in a timley manner. I charge $50-$60 per hour myself, and have over 34 years in mobile homes.

Having said that there are bad contractors and there are good handy men. Again one with at least 10 years experience is a good idea especially with the installation of windows and electrical items that need to be right the first time. Even though some handy men charge less per hour they often take more hours to do the job.

Try an internet search using mobile home contractors your city.

I would think that with 10 parks in your area there is someone doing good work.

Good Luck
Greg Filian
MHI

[brattsgirl]

Greg,
Thanks for your response. I tried the internet search for Mobile home contractors etc., and I swear there is no such thing around here. I ask my neighbors who they use and it's usually a male adult in the house. So I went to Service Magic. I've used them before I bought this house and was always please with the people I got. Always experienced, registered to do business, have insurance etc. And Service Magic stands behind their referrals and follows up whether you hired them or not. Anyway the heat tape/insulation one had them a little stumped with my onlin request, but within minutes she called me for clarification of what heat tape was. I got 3 referrals within minutes. The first response was shortly after that via email from the manager telling me to expect a call from a specific person shortly. He called about an hour later and we discussed exactly what I was looking for and he understood me exactly and came out the next day to look at it to give me a quote. He showed up promptly the next day and we went around the back and under the deck so he could access what he needed to. Another really big guy, but he didn't complain. He took a good look at it and said that he didn't think I needed a new heat tape because the type of insulation that was used and the really good job done previously, plus there is the skirting and a shed to block any wind etc. He asked if he could go further and check out the rest of the insulation etc. (I thought okay here he goes cha ching). Well he came back out about 10 minutes later and said that was the best insulation job he's ever seen on a mobile home ever, that he expected it to be falling out. He said I was good to go for years and if there was a problem to let him know, but he could not foresee it. There was no charge for the look see but I left them a very good reference anyway, as there is a lot to be said for honesty and integrity and wrote a personal note to his boss too.

Service Magic hooked me up with a window guy too (30 years experience and real down to earth fella). They are original to the house and wanted to find out if he could get less beeding to save me money as apparently they come standard and run about $90 and he couldn't justify it. I told him I'd research the manufacturer and email him what I could find. They are Philips Industries windows and thankfully they are still in business so I called them and spoke to the sweetest girl who emailed me instructions for removal etc., and a list of distributors for us to contact for purchasing. She was in the main office and handled only warranty work, but she really helped me out a lot. So the windows should be done soon.

I didn't mean to go on so much. I'll be so happy when everything is done around here. Just got the hot tub up and running yesterday too ! Don't know for how long though, if I see a big spike in my electric, I'm getting rid of it.

Take care,
Jen