Manufactured Home Foundation Inspections
All foundation systems, new and existing, must meet the guidelines published in the Permanent Foundation Guide for Manufactured Housing (HUD-7584), dated September 1996. A certification attesting to compliance with this handbook must be obtained from a licensed professional engineer.
It means that the foundation must meet the criteria as set forth in HUD manual Permanent Foundations Guide for Manufactured Housing, September 1996. This manual requires a site specific design for every manufactured home. Dead loads, snow loads, wind loads and seismic loads must all be taken into account. There must be a perimeter, frost line protected strip foundation as well as frost line protected piers under the chassis.
DS Home Inspection Services provides specialized structural engineering services catering to the requirements of FHA and VA loans. It is now mandatory to obtain these certifications when buying or transferring ownership of a manufactured home or property.
WHAT ARE HUD FOUNDATION CERTIFICATIONS FOR MANUFACTURED HOMES?
Manufactured homes must comply with guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). When financing a manufactured home, lenders will usually require one or more HUD Compliance Certifications. These certifications ensure that the home complies with specific HUD guidelines.
Items requiring certification relate to the foundation, the method of securement, attached additions, and verifying the home is in its original placement location. These certifications are commonly referred to as Permanent Foundation, Additions, and First Permanent Location Certifications. They are important considerations for the safety of the home’s occupants and for the integrity of the home’s structure.
HUD PERMANENT FOUNDATION CERTIFICATION
The Permanent Foundation Inspection and Certification checks for the presence of a permanent support and tie-down system under the home. It also includes an assessment of the drainage around the foundation to help ensure the crawlspace area or basement is not in danger of flooding.
HUD ADDITIONS CERTIFICATION
The Additions Inspection and Certification checks for the presence of any additions, and the support method used for them. “Additions” are generally defined as any non-original item placed against or directly adjacent to the home. An “addition” can be a deck, a room or garage that has been added on to the home, a roof overhang, or even a storage shed pushed up against the home. HUD Guidelines state that the manufactured home should not be used as a support member for any of these additions.
HUD FIRST PERMANENT LOCATION CERTIFICATION
The First Permanent Location Inspection and Certification Inspection looks for evidence that the home is on its original foundation and in its original location. Or, in other words, attempts to verify that the manufactured home hasn’t been moved.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
First, our specially trained Certified Field Technician completes the on-site portion of the inspection. The inspector will examine and take pictures underneath and around the home. In most cases the inspector will also need access to the interior of the home. The findings are then forwarded to a state-licensed engineer who will make a determination on whether the home meets HUD’s requirements (We partner with Manufactured Home Certifications, PLLC, a professional engineering firm specializing in this field). In most cases, the engineering firm returns the results to us within 24 hours. We will then send you the completed report/certification.
DS Home Inspection Services offers HUD Compliance Certifications in Maryland and Northern Virginia. Submitted requests are typically turned around in 3-4 days. Click below to get the process started today!
Fee:
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Permanent Foundation Certification, includes 1st Permanent Location Certification - $450
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Additions/Modifications Certification, includes 1st Permanent Location Certification - $450
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Permanent Foundation, Additions/Modifications, and 1st Permanent Location Certifications - $600