Mobile homes have become the order of the day, today, due to their low price, ease of installation, and ease of access. Yet, when it comes to home remodeling, many people are not sure whether they can modify their homes to suit them as they desire. To answer the question above, “Can you remodel a manufactured home?” The short answer is yes, it is possible to remodel a manufactured home, although this job comes with numerous precautions and considerations that must be taken into account in detail. This article will explore the various stages of mobile home remodeling: permits, design, and professional help.
Official Papers and Laws
Before starting your manufactured home remodeling project, you should know that there are legal guidelines you have to follow. Manufactured homes generally have a different construction and design from other homes, and therefore, they can be constructed without conforming to the local building codes. That is because they are built to Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards, also known as the HUD Code.
One should be able to confirm whether the manufactured home you have meets the local building requirements or not. If it does, you will need to apply for a permit for any construction you want to undertake. If it does not, then you may be forced to upgrade some of the areas within the home to meet the existing code.
For any construction work, it is advisable to first consult the building code officer for permits. This will help you to keep your project legal, meeting all the set codes of the law as you work on it.
Design Considerations
Anyone who intends to carry out some remodeling in their manufactured home has to understand that the manufacturing of such homes is different from the construction of site-built homes. Manufactured homes are built on the assembly line approach, so the size options are less diverse than those of site-built homes.
However, you can still customize and redesign your manufactured home by considering the following tips:
1. Focus on the Flow: Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems are installed in specific locations due to the nature of manufactured homes being single-section structures as opposed to site-built homes. Some things to think about to construct the interior space to feel like a flow can include rearranging the layout to accommodate furniture and appliances.
2. Get Creative with Layouts: To maximize what you have within a manufactured home, use multi-tasking furniture and clever storage solutions. Remodeling your kitchen or bathroom also increases the openness and space of the room.
3. Increase Natural Light: In many cases, a manufactured home seems cramped because it has a small exterior space; therefore, getting as much natural light as possible seems necessary. Some of the few recommended changes that may help to achieve a brighter space include replacing small windows with big ones or even having sliding doors or skylights.
4. Enhance Outdoor Living Space: Manufactured homes often have a small amount of outdoor area, which is why improving the exterior living space will do you a lot of good. There should be an addition of a small deck, patio, or garden to make the outside experience a lovely one.
Hiring Professionals
It is a critical requirement that only professionals who understand the reconstruction of manufactured homes be allowed to conduct the remodeling. Because of this, it’s important to employ the services of seasoned specialists who are familiar with the concepts of manufactured home renovations.
1. General Contractor: A general contractor can provide direction on how the work should be done and ensure that the job is done properly and to specifications as well as schedule. They can also manage other workers, including those in the plumbing, electrical, and carpentry lines of work.
2. Designers or Architects: If you’ll be more extensively involved in the redesign or planning of your remodeling project, a designer or architect who has worked with manufactured (mobile) homes is an option. They are able to advise you on different layout possibilities and suitable materials concerning special characteristics of your house.
3. Home Inspectors: When you are planning to remodel your manufactured home, it would good to look for a home inspector to check your house first before embarking on remodeling it. They can be used to detect problems and recommend work that needs to be done in order to avert problems in a remodeling project.
Budgeting
In remodelling any manufactured home, it would be prudent to set your budget and proportion your earnings for various areas of improvement, and include government approvals, architectural drawings, construction workforce, materials for construction, and any unforeseeable expenses. But you should know that redoing a manufactured home can cost between $50,000 and $100,000 or more, depending on what exactly is done and what material will be used for it.
To save on costs, consider the following:
1. DIY Certain Tasks: If you have some experience in home improvement, you may take on certain responsibilities yourself, for instance, you might paint or install lighting or tile.
2. Shop for Deals: Always seek offers and promotions on products from builders’ merchants and electrical and furniture stores. Bargains are always given out during holidays or special occasions or when the product is in large quantities.
3. Choose Budget-Friendly Materials: Despite needing to purchase good quality products to build a durable structure required for a lasting remodeling job, you can still find affordable products that will suit your needs.