Post
by David Oxhandler » Sun Mar 03, 2002 8:00 pm
The cost of delivery, site prep, set up and hook up varies from state to state, even from county to county. The modern manufactured home has become a very complex product. The days of buyers setting up their own are fading very fast. In many states only a licensed contractor may undertake any part of the installation process.
I am a licensed Florida MH Dealer. Six or seven years ago a typical double wide set up, within 50 miles of our sales center, was costing us as little as a thousand dollars for delivery and blocking and anchoring to the State Code. Today this same project will cost local dealers a MINIMUM of four to five thousand. Part of the reason for the increase is changes in the State Code.
In the "old days" we were permitted to set the homes on piers that were as far as ten feet apart with tie-down anchors located on every 8 foot of perimeter. Today most county or city permits call for the piers and the anchors to be located as close as three feet from each other.
Requiring three times as many blocks and anchors has not only raised the price of the material, labor costs have rushed upward just by the sheer volume required. Additionally, here in Florida, we can now only used "Approved" anchors. Every anchor must have a stamp embossed showing it is approved. Somehow the act of stamping the anchors has as much as doubled the price per anchor !!
20 years ago dealers hired "set up guys" who were often the same people delivering the home. We gave them our jacks and four foot levels and trained them to literally bounce the two half's of the doublewide together. We showed them how to roughly level the home... Slap a slice of siding on each end... Seam the carpets with a staple gun... Cap the roof with a roll of flashing type material.... and head back to the sales lot to set up a second home in the afternoon.
Today contractor's costs have zoomed!...In many parts of the country you must take classes to sit for the installers test. Then you must be licensed, bonded, carry workman's comp, and liability insurance. The modern manufactured home is a much more complex product. With sheet rocked walls, and quiet a bit more weight the sections have to be rolled together. This requires a serious investment in rolling equipment. In some parts of the country a crain is required. The staple gun is still in the tool box but so are dozens of items for dry wall, carpet, electric, plumbing, and other finish work.
The most effective way ever to learn about the step by step process involved in properly installing a manufactured home is a new five-part video series with George Porter, the industry's most respected installation specialist.
Mr. Porter leads you through a two hour viewing experience that will prepare you for the numerous operations and complexities involved in the installation of the modern manufactured home.
Video #1 - Site Preparation & Foundations
This 30-minute video takes you through the basics of soil types for preparing your site with adequate drainage. You will also learn how to determine size of footings needed to hold the weight of your home.
If you want to enjoy your home for years to come the foundation must be set on a properly prepared surface. With this video you will know exactly what will be required when it comes to preparing the ground for your homes installation.
Video #2 - Home Installation
In this video you will preview what will take place once your home has been delivered to your site. You will see how a home is rolled onto a concrete foundation and installed properly. You will learn how to be sure your home is level and how inspect for a tight seal at the marriage lines between sections.
Video #3 - Exterior Trim-Out
This lesson demonstrates the correct method for finishing exterior end-walls with vinyl siding. Also featured is the best method for connecting the electrical and water between the homes sections. Other topics covered are: installing the drainage system gas connections air conditioning installation This video will provide everything you need to know about the finish operations on, under and around the outside of your home.
Video #4 - Interior Trim-Out
Learn how to interconnect the "marriage line" between your homes sections. See the best way to trim out the and interior walls. You'll learn the basics from methods for taping and texturing sheet rock walls. to how they will install interior doors and moldings. Correct carpet fitting cutting and seaming are discussed. along with installing ceiling fans and much much more.
Video #5 - Final Inspection
This walk-through will show you how to inspect your home and what to look for. This is an important step making sure everything has been done properly. In this video you will learn how to do a thorough inspection from top to bottom. Areas covered are: siding, windows, marriage line, kitchen cabinets, interior doors, gas connections, appliances and much more. This video is an invaluable tool for making sure your home has been set-up properly. If there is a problem or something needs to be repaired this is the time to point it out and write it down. By understanding the walk-through process and following a simple method for inspecting your home you will not overlook any aspect of home construction. This will ensure everything has been inspected and properly installed before you move into your new home.
After viewing all five videos you will have what it takes to tackle your site preparation with confidence and peace of mind. Even if you're not planning on doing the work yourself, this information will help you understand the entire process. This will give you an edge when choosing sub-contractors and help you make sure the site preparation is done properly.
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For a limited time, we will include, at no additional cost, Randy Eaton's "Site-Preparation Manual". This great guide has pictures and diagrams of the most popular foundations used today.
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