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MANUFACTURED HOUSING
The term manufactured home was adopted in 1980 by the the United States Congress to describe a type of house that is constructed in a factory to comply with a building code developed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. In the past, manufactured homes were called mobile homes, a term that many people still use. However, mobile is no longer an accurate name because fewer than five percent of such homes are ever moved off the owner's original site.
WARRANTIES & OTHER PROTECTIONS FOR THE HOME PURCHASER
Federal standards and written warranties protect buyers of manufactured homes. Every manufactured home now offered for sale has a small red and silver seal that certifies that the home has been inspected during construction and meets federal home construction and safety standards. These standards were developed to assure a suitable level of performance in every manufactured home constructed in the U.S. Such standards, together with the manufacturers' warranties, serve to protect you -- the home buyer.
FEDERAL CONSTRUCTION AND SAFETY STANDARDS
Since mid-1976, all manufactured homes have been constructed to meet the federal building standards adopted and administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This national code is called the National Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards. The code regulates manufactured home design and construction, strength and durability, fire resistance, and energy efficiency. It also prescribes the performance standards for the heating, plumbing, air conditioning, thermal, and electrical systems. The National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act also requires that you receive a home owner's manual when you buy your home. This manual will explain, among other things, what to do if something goes wrong with your home. Some of the important subjects covered in the home owner's manual include general maintenance, safety (including a fire safety checklist), and state agencies involved in enforcing the federal manufactured home standards.
THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY
Warranties vary among different manufacturers. Ask to see the warranties on the manufactured homes that interest you and compare them before you buy. All retailers are required to have copies of the manufacturers' warranties that are offered on the homes they sell, and they will make them available to you if you ask to see them. By reading the warranty before you buy your home, you can make sure the home you buy is covered by the kind of warranty protection you want.
When you buy your manufactured home, you will receive the manufacturer's written warranty from your retailer. The manufacturer's written warranty usually covers substantial defects in workmanship in the structure; factory-installed plumbing, heating, and electrical systems and factory-installed appliances (these also may be covered by appliance warranties). It is important to understand that the manufacturer's warranty will not provide coverage for problems resulting from lack of proper installation or maintenance, accidents, owner's negligence or unauthorized repairs. Therefore, to make sure that your home's warranty will be honored carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions for installing, maintaining, and repairing your home. In many cases, the retailer will perform service under the manufacturer's warranty. However, it is the manufacturer who has the final responsibility. Be aware that if the retailer must order parts from the manufacturer to make a warranty repair, shipping and delivery of those parts may affect the amount of time it takes to get service. Before you buy your manufactured home, ask to see the written warranties offered on the homes the retailer sells. Manufacturers warranties cover many, but not all, types of potential problems.
The answers to the following questions should help you get the kind of warranty protection you want:
- What warranties come with the manufactured home? You may get warranties from the home manufacturer, the retailer, the transporter, the installer, and the appliance manufacturers.
Ask to see all warranties in writing. Make sure you understand who offers the warranty, who performs the service, and what is and is not covered before selecting and buying your manufactured home. In addition to any written warranty offered by the manufacturer, you may have certain "implied warranties" when you buy a manufactured home. An implied warranty is an unspoken, unwritten promise that a product is fit to be sold and used for its intended purposes--for example, that a manufactured home is fit to be sold and lived in. These implied warranties protect you even if no written warranty is offered by the manufacturer or retailer. Most states allow sales that exclude implied warranties ("as is" sales). However, some states do not permit a seller to exclude or limit implied warranties. Contact your state or local consumer protection office to ask about implied warranty protections in your state. When buying a manufactured house, especially a used one, make sure you know whether it is being sold "as is" -- with no implied or written warranty.
THE RETAILER'S WARRANTY
A retailer may offer a written warranty on a home. Written warranties are not alike. But, typically, the retailer's warranty will tell you the terms of the warranty, what you must do to keep the warranty in effect, what you can reasonably expect from the retailer, and that the home has been installed according to manufacturer specifications and local regulations. The warranty also will guarantee that the home has a HUD inspection seal and that optional appliances and equipment have been properly installed. Remember, ask to see the retailer's warranty before buying to check on what it does and does not cover. You should know that a retailer's warranty will not provide coverage for problems that arise from owner's negligence,failure to provide proper notice for service, and unauthorized repairs.
APPLIANCE WARRANTIES
The appliances in your home also will be covered by warranties. In many cases, these warranties, along with use and care manuals, are provided by the individual appliance manufacturers. In addition, some states require that the home manufacturer's warranty cover the appliances that come with your home. Read the appliance warranties and note the duration and terms. In addition, check instructions in the warranty about how to get service. In most cases, the quickest service can be obtained from the appliance manufacturer's authorized service centers. Check the use and care information on the appliance warranties for a list of such service centers or service agents. However, if warranty service is not available from the appliance manufacturer or its servicer, contact your retailer for assistance. The home manufacturer's warranty, if any, may provide warranty service for your problem. The retailer may offer a written warranty, but not everything will be covered.
PLACEMENT & SELECTION OF YOUR MANUFACTURED HOME
Manufactured homes offer a wide variety of styles and prices. There is a manufactured home to fit almost every pocketbook. Some models are designed for those whose budget limits them to a lower-cost home. Other models have such higher-priced features as cathedral ceilings, formal dining rooms, and woodburning fireplaces. The home can be a single-section unit or a larger multi-section unit. Multi-section homes come from the factory in two or more parts that are joined at the site. A single-section home comes from the factory as one complete unit. With more than 150 companies building manufactured homes in more than 400 factories, and with manufactured home sales centers located throughout the United States, you have an opportunity to choose from a wide variety of home styles.
PLACING YOUR MANUFACTURED HOME
Before you select and buy your home, you should decide where it will be located. There are three basic options you can consider. First, you could plan to place your manufactured home on land you own or intend to buy. If you choose this option, you must consider zoning laws, restrictive covenants, and hookup regulations. Such restrictions may prevent you from placing a manufactured home on a particular piece of land. Second, you could plan to place your manufactured home on a leased homesite in a manufactured housing development, in which case the company managing the development will normally take care of these considerations. Third, you could decide to buy a home already on a homesite in a planned community. Then, of course, you would not be faced with the typical placement concerns.
INSPECTION OF YOUR NEW MANUFACTURED HOME
When you take possession of your new home, the first thing to do is to check it over thoroughly. It is important to discover problems early and report them to the retailer or the installer within the warranty's time limits.
INSTALLATION INSPECTION
First, check to see that your home was installed properly. If you are present during installation, ask the installation crew manager to walk through your home with you to assist in identifying problems and to answer your questions. Open and close all interior and exterior doors. If a door does not open and close smoothly, it may indicate a need for a minor hinge adjustment, but it also may be a sign that the home is not level. Immediately call this to the attention of the person responsible for installation. Also, examine the entire house. Look at the walls, the floors, and the ceilings. Be certain that all faucets and appliances work.
GENERAL INSPECTION
You will want to make your inspection of the home in an organized way. A good strategy is to inspect the outside of your home first and then check the interior, carefully going through each room. Many manufacturers provide a checklist in the owner's manual of items you should inspect. You should fill out the checklist and return it to the manufacturer as soon as possible. As you make your inspection, jot down on paper every item you think requires service. When you are finished, make copies of the list -- one for you, one for your retailer, and an extra copy for the manufacturer. It is also a good idea to put the date of your inspection on the list. Carefully inspect your home for any problems as soon as it is installed; make sure that it is level-check doors, windows, and drawers. *Remember that installation is the key to durability and proper functioning of your home.
TOTAL CARE PROPERTY INSPECTION
871 Richmond Road
Lyndhurst, OH 44124
(216) 544-9322
Cleveland, Ohio
Home, Commercial and Mold Inspections
