Manufactured Homes
By Jim Palmer Jr.

Manufactured homes have been around for many years and even though the quality has improved significantly, still get a bad rap sometimes. Since they are moved to the property with wheels attached, they had been labeled “mobile homes” for many years. There have been some famous redneck jokes that exploit this fact. Even though such jokes are entertaining, such teasing may unfairly characterize owners of such properties and unfairly stigmatize such housing.

While it is a true that stick framed homes generally hold their value better than a manufactured home, many properties that are manufactured homes are extremely high quality and offer wonderful floor plans and amenities. Since a manufactured home offers relatively inexpensive and quick setup, this has been an economically viable choice that has allowed many folks the enjoyment of a rural location. Since manufactured homes do not fit under the Uniform Building Code, the Department of Labor and Industries has been tasked with the stewardship for policing and permitting any alterations or additions to manufactured homes, though most owners and contractors don’t understand how to comply with that permitting requirement.

I recently sold a manufactured home that was a superior quality home in every way, but the massive covered rear patio and impressive covered front patio did not pass the engineer’s structural inspection (required by most lenders) simply because of a couple of missing structural components that were easily remedied. It was also discovered that there had been no L&I permits for those additions, even though the additions had been completed by a licensed contractor. The owner was very conscientious, but he just wasn’t aware of permitting requirements for these add-on’s and that it would have to pass an engineer’s examination to be deemed structurally sound.

When purchasing a manufactured home, a buyer should understand that any alterations done prior to or during their ownership, could have legal ramifications for them, unless such inspections have been done. Since most people do not find out about this requirement until the 11th hour during a sales transaction, the corrective action required can be irritating and costly, especially when major deficiencies are discovered. If you own a manufactured home or are planning to in the near future, remember this tidbit of information so that you can have peace of mind knowing that your remodel contractor has complied with local and state permitting requirements.