PM BLOG

Insulated or non-insulated Vinyl Skirting Panel for your Mobile Home - What is the right choice?

Wed, 24 May 2023 14:02:36 GMT

Vinyl mobile home skirting is a valuable investment. You have two types of skirting to choose from, insulated or non-insulated. Each type offers valuable benefits and will serve you well when it comes to keeping unwanted pests from trying to take shelter under your home. There is more to vinyl mobile home skirting than simply keeping the area under your home secure. Understanding what each type of vinyl skirting offers will help you make the right choice.

Both Types of Vinyl Mobile Home Skirting Offer Advantages

Both types of vinyl skirting offer similar advantages. It's well-known they are effective in keeping pests and debris from finding their way under your home. They also prevent the elements, especially driving wind and rain, from causing damage to the mechanical components of your home. Both types of vinyl skirting come in various colors and textures to enhance your home's curb appeal. Making sure your home always looks its best is a priority.

Non-Insulated Vinyl Skirting Panels

Non-insulated vinyl skirting panels are lightweight and incredibly durable. They are less likely to require ventilation panels and will allow air to circulate more freely underneath your home. Moisture is less likely to become trapped or lead to mold or mildew growth. Using non-insulated vinyl skirting allows you the option of insulating your home the way you prefer.

Insulated Vinyl Skirting Panels

Insulated vinyl skirting panels will make your home more energy efficient. To ensure proper airflow throughout the underside of your home, you will need to ensure proper ventilation is available. Automatic vents can be installed that will open and close on their own to ensure there is enough airflow to keep moisture to a minimum. When choosing insulated vinyl skirting, make sure you have the right R-value for your area.

Which Type Should You Choose?

If you are looking for maximum energy efficiency, insulated vinyl skirting should be your first choice. It will provide protection from the elements and wildlife you want, as well as prevent warm/cold air loss. Both insulated and non-insulated vinyl skirting beautify your home. In most cases, it comes down to personal choice and price. Once you know your budget, the choice will be easier to make.

Talk to the Professionals

Before you make your final decision when it comes to choosing insulated or non-insulated mobile home vinyl skirting, talk to the professionals. Make a list of questions that you want them to answer and schedule a consultation. They can answer all your questions and give you the information that will help you make the best choice for your needs. Being fully informed allows you to buy the right panels for your home without going over your budget or spending more money than you need.

The decision to buy insulated or non-insulated vinyl mobile home skirting is often a personal one. Protecting and beautifying your home are key points that need to be considered, but you will also have other things to think about when making the decision. Talk to the professionals and get the information you need before making your decision. You will know you have made the right choice and will be comfortable with the results.

The Benefits of Rapid Wall and Rustique Ribb Vinyl Skirting Panels for Your Mobile Home

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 13:12:34 GMT

Your mobile home requires maintenance just like any other home. You have many options when it's time to upgrade your vinyl skirting. Rapid Wall and Rustique Ribb are popular choices. Both types of skirting are durable and long-lasting! They will enhance the look of your home and protect the underside from the elements. You can choose various colors to make your mobile home stand out!

Quality Mobile Home Vinyl Skirting:

Quality mobile home vinyl skirting offers several benefits, including protecting the underside of your trailer from the elements and preventing heat loss during the winter. Quality mobile home vinyl skirting also improves your mobile home's curb appeal. You can find a variety of styles and colors to accent your mobile home's existing exterior. Buying from a reputable brand will ensure quality products and a reliable guarantee.

The Benefits of Rapid Wall Vinyl Skirting:

Rapid Wall mobile home skirting by Rustique is insulated and maintenance-free. The R-9 Styrofoam backing ensures that your skirting will prevent heat loss and unwanted animals from making their home under your trailer when appropriately installed. Rapid Wall skirting has a 25-year warranty and is designed to withstand high winds. It is easy to install, has available access points, and comes in several colors (gray, white, almond, and clay).

The Benefits of Rustique Ribb Vinyl Skirting:

Rustique Ribb mobile home vinyl skirting offers many of the same benefits as Rapid Wall skirting. Rustique Ribb is not insulated, however. It is incredibly durable and able to withstand high winds. It has an embossed stucco appearance that resists damage caused by weed eaters and other lawn equipment. Ribb vinyl skirting is easy to maintain and even easier to clean. It can be installed quickly and comes in four classic colors. The recessed vents give it a crisp, clean appearance. Rustique Ribb is versatile and fits well with many different exterior styles.

Choosing the Right Style and Color:

The exterior of your manufactured home will determine the size and style of skirting you choose to install. With the Rustique Ribb and Rapid Wall mobile home vinyl skirting options, you can match almost any exterior when it comes to color and texture. With the right style and color of mobile home skirting, you can improve your home's curb appeal and, at the same time, secure the underside of your home. In addition, it prevents damage from the elements and unwanted animals that may try to find shelter underneath your home.

Quality mobile home skirting is an excellent investment to improve the look of your home. When installed properly, it will secure your home's underside and save you money on utility bills by preventing heat loss in the winter. With so many colors, you can beautify your home and protect it simultaneously. Check out Rustique Ribb and Rapid Wall vinyl skirting options when upgrading or replacing your old skirting. Both have benefits and guarantees you can trust!

The Importance of Maintaining Your Mobile Home's Skirting Panels and Rails for its Longevity and Resale Value

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 12:37:53 GMT

If you own a mobile home, you want to ensure your skirting looks nice when installed. Vinyl skirting panels and rails for mobile homes offer many benefits that will make your new home look sharp and increase your mobile home's longevity. When properly installed, it will become part of your home and provide vital protection that your home needs against various threats.

Protects Your Mobile Home's Underside from the Elements:

Underneath your mobile home, plumbing and other essential components can be unprotected. Installing mobile home skirting protects the underside of your trailer from the elements. Wind and rain can send debris under your mobile home, which can build up or even damage pipes, wires, or any other parts you have exposed. Skirting closes off the underside of your mobile home so that high winds and driving rain won't cause any lasting damage.

Keeps Unwanted Pests Away:

If you don't have mobile home skirting in place, animals may try to find shelter underneath your home. The quality vinyl skirting you have installed closes all the gaps and prevents unwanted pests and wild animals from having a warm place to live.

Insulates Against the Cold:

Skirting for mobile homes is made so that wind, rain, and snow cannot reach under your trailer. While you will protect your exposed water and sewer lines with heat tape to prevent frozen pipes, installing quality mobile home skirting panels and well-maintained rails will keep the temperature under your trailer from dropping too low. Also, consider adding insulated skirting to prevent heat loss during the cold winter, saving you money on your heat bill and how long your heat trace will have to work, saving you money there as well.

Enhances Curb Appeal:

Mobile home vinyl skirting comes in many colors and textures. Choose skirting that complements your home's exterior. If you install skirting correctly, it will enhance your mobile home's curb appeal. The better your house looks from the road, the higher it will be valued if you ever consider selling your property. Vinyl skirting that is cracked or broken will make a quality home look worn and uncared for. Replacing your vinyl skirting panels and ensuring your rails are in good condition are worth the investment and will pay for themselves in many ways.

Quality Rail Installation:

The rails you use to secure your skirting are as important as the panels. Quality rails will keep the vinyl panels secure and prevent them from being damaged or broken. In addition, the more robust and durable your rails are, the longer your vinyl skirting will last. Most rail systems are easy to install and will last several years with proper maintenance.

Proper Maintenance:

If you have installed quality vinyl mobile home skirting, it will last many years if properly maintained. Check your skirting every few months or after intense storms to ensure it is firmly secured. Remove any debris that may have found its way next to your skirting. When you find damage to your skirting, it is best to replace it immediately. Also, adjust your skirting height to give you your maximum expansion for home or ground movement.

In Canada, vinyl mobile home skirting and quality rails are essential to maintaining your Modular home. Its benefits will keep your home secure and protected from the elements and give you peace of mind during winter. Vinyl skirting is available in many colors, profiles, and various textures! So give your mobile home the facelift it deserves with new vinyl skirting!

Getting Approved for a Mobile Home Loan: What Documentation Do You Need?

Wed, 20 Oct 2021 11:59:25 GMT

Whether you're ready to begin mobile home shopping or you've already chosen the perfect mobile home for your needs, you will still need to get approved for that mobile home loan. No matter how qualified you are, this isn't as simple as just showing up to the lender's office. You must come prepared with the paperwork required for mobile home loans. Here is what you need:

Proof of income

Lenders want to verify that their customers can pay their mobile home loans on time. What you need to bring will depend on your current job situation.

For those who receive a paycheck:

If you are employed by a company, then you should bring copies of your W-2s for (at least) the past two years.

For independent income earners:

If you own a business or are an independent contractor, then you must bring your tax returns for the past two years. For business owners, also bring profit and loss forms over the past two years, because the bank will want to see how stable your company is.

A list of everything valuable that you own

Valuable assets that you could either sell or give to the lender in the event that you cannot pay your mobile home mortgage will increase your likelihood of being approved by a great deal. Be sure to bring documentation proving ownership of cars, houses, valuable artwork, etc.

A list of your current debts

Details about auto loans, credit card debt, personal loans, etc. should all be brought when you apply for a mobile home loan. This is necessary, because the lender wants to make sure that you have enough money left over after you have paid your current debts to pay your mobile home mortgage.

Details about your rental history

How you have paid your rent in the past will tell the lender a great deal about how they expect you to pay your mobile home mortgage. As such, they will require documentation showing details about your rental history over the past couple of years. This includes any late payments, bounced checks and evictions that may have occurred.

Proof that you are who you say you are

Identity theft is rampant these days. To reduce the risk of any fraudulent mobile home loans, lenders will require adequate identification. While many of the documents listed above will assist with your proof of identity, you will also need—at the very least—a government issued photo ID such as a passport or a state ID card. A reputable lender will not even pull up your credit report without some form of valid identification.

Streamline your mobile home loan process by bringing the right documentation when you apply

If you do not bring all of the documents that you need when applying for a mobile home loan, then the process will take a whole lot longer. Make your mobile home loan application process quick and easy by bringing everything that you need to get approved the first time around.

Gas or Electric? Do I have a choice of heating systems for my pre-manufactured Home?

Wed, 30 Dec 2015 22:09:35 GMT

In the majority of pre manufactured homes, heating systems are separated into two primary parts: the furnace that heats the air and the air ducts that transfer this heated air from the furnace to the various rooms in the home. When it comes to the choice on how this furnace gets powered, you can choose the type and install either a gas or electric-fueled system. However, before you install any HVAC components, it's important to familiarize yourself with the unique design elements of pre manufactured homes that may influence your decision:

Architectural Elements of Manufactured Homes

A pre manufactured home is called such due to it being previously built at the design and manufacturer's facility before being transported to its desired homeowner's building site. Due its compact design, air ducts tend to be smaller and feature tighter corners than in non-manufactured homes. This causes the forced air being blown from the furnace to flow less freely in a manufactured home, meaning that homeowners need to get a specific fan blower that will fit their needs and architectural dynamics.

Popular Furnace Brands for Pre Manufactured Homes

Many of the popular brands that manufacture furnaces for more conventionally built homes also produce models specific for the unique needs of manufactured homes.

Architectural Elements of Manufactured Homes

Popular Furnace Brands for Pre Manufactured Homes

Many of the popular brands that manufacture furnaces for more conventionally built homes also produce models specific for the unique needs of manufactured homes. Some of these bigger, more trusted brand names include:

Bryant
Coleman
Nordyne
Evcon
Miller
and more

Correctly Sizing the Furnace

Calculating and getting the right size furnace is much more important than deciding whether you should choose a gas or electric heating system. Begin by calculating the total square footage of your pre manufactured home. If you're not sure you've measured right, consult the manufacturer's specifications available for your specific model year and type. In general, most pre manufactured homes will range from 900 to 3600 square feet, with some of the newer models being even bigger.

After you're positive on your home's size, measure the size of the planned furnace location. Most homes will already have a small closet established for this, but sizes may differ. You'll want to ensure that the unit you're considering will have adequate clearance and ventilation.

Now it's finally time to make the hard decision on the type of furnace you want. Again, while there are slight differences between the heating capabilities of electric and gas furnaces and a debate of which type is more efficient, the choice is yours. We, however, generally recommend staying with the type of heating system that was already installed in the pre manufactured home. Or, if you are the first owner of the home, contact the designer to see which type they recommend for the home's construct. Staying true to the designer or previous occupant's idea will often make installation much easier.

The final step before purchase is to calculate the required BTUs needed to heat your home. This varies according to climate, ex. in warmer clients it's generally 25 to 30 BTUs per square foot. Multiply this number by your square footage to get the furnace size needed.

Can I set up a Mobile Home Once the Ground has Frozen?

Thu, 24 Dec 2015 23:04:51 GMT

If you are thinking about the future, you want to build equity, and you also know it's time to find a place for your own, then you certainly want to look into purchasing a mobile home. The trick is to simply make sure you do it when it makes the most sense overall.

Building In Winter Can Be Tough (Literally)

Depending on what part of the country you are located in, any sort of winter contracting work can be tough. When it comes to the elements of the cold and possibly even the snow, work is harder to do. Not only are your tools and materials exposed to the cold and the ice, but you may be as well! Winter work can still be done, however, you just need to work smart and have the right tools on your side.

From the Ground Up, Or Even Deeper?

If you are placing a foundation into the frozen ground of winter, then the mobile home set up might be tough. Even with the right construction equipment you are literally going into ice cold dirt. Running electrical and water or sewer lines will be even more difficult as well. It is important to consider the placement of the foundation before you build for these vary reasons, otherwise the ability to move the earth and level everything off becomes significantly more difficult.

Logistical Nightmares in The Winter

If you happen to live in the frozen and cold part of the world, you already have a tough job to do. What happens, however, if you are trying to get a mobile home set up on a nice plot of land that is just a bit out of the way? You will absolutely enjoy your privacy when the project is finished, but what about the logistics before it's completed? If you are still in the building and construction phase of your mobile home set up then you might not even have a driveway path, let alone a paved area. How are you going to be able to get materials to your future home site if there's a foot or two of snow on the ground?

Time to Build

If you are building in the middle of winter it may also take more time to build. Supplies and contractors can be scarce over the winter season, so you have to account for still paying rent and keeping your current place of residence while also building your new one from the ground up.

It absolutely makes sense that can have a place for yourself where you don't need to worry about landlords or neighbors. Plus, if you are going to pay all that money each and every month, why are you putting it into someone else's pockets instead of growing your own equity? The key is you want to be sure you can get your mobile home set up during the right season. After all, setting up a mobile home in the winter is not impossible , but with some expert advice and planning you will avoid any problems that could be associated with winter installation.

Waterpipe Freeze Protection in prebuilt homes.

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 12:30:14 GMT

Winter can be tough on pre built homes, and when the temperatures start to swing from above freezing to below, it puts a great deal of stress on your home’s exterior and interior.

If your power should unexpectedly go out, and you don’t have a backup source of heat, your pipes could freeze quickly and burst. The best way to avoid this is by having a backup generator. If you don’t’ have a backup power supply, you can prevent damage to your property by taking a few precautionary steps.

Before the Weather Turns Cold

Outdoors you should make sure that your sprinkler system and pool are prepped by draining the supply lines and covering the pool. Drain, remove, and store all of your hoses safely in a shed or your garage.

Turn off the water supply to all exterior hose spigots and drain any remaining water. If you cannot do this, cover all of the spigots with insulated faucet covers.

Architectural Elements of Manufactured Homes Any exposed pipes outside or under your pre built home in the crawl space need to be insulated with heat tape. Any walls in your living space that have pipes running through them also need to be properly insulated to prevent the pipes from freezing when it is extremely cold.

During a Cold Snap

If you’re made aware ahead of time that a cold snap is coming, there are precautionary steps you can take to keep your plumbing safe in the event that you lose power and heat. Do the following as soon as possible to avoid problems.

Prevent loss of heat by keeping any access points in your home closed. All doors, windows, and crawlspace accesses should be stay shut. Keeping heat trapped in pre built homes will ensure that it takes longer for the temperature in the house to drop below freezing.

Keep your kitchen and bathroom doors and cabinets open so that as much heat as possible can reach the walls where the pipes are located.

Allow water to trickle from the faucets in your home. If you can keep water pressure and keep water moving through your plumbing system, it’s less likely to freeze.

If you are able to keep your heating system working, do your best to keep the temperature in your home above 55 degrees F for as long as you can. This will help you ensure that you’ve got enough heat to penetrate the walls and fight the persistent cold.

Hopefully once the cold spell passes, you’ll find that your plumbing made it through without incident. If so, you can turn off the trickling faucets and close all of your cabinet doors.

If any of your pipes are frozen, thaw them gently with a hair dryer or small heater. Call a plumber to replace and cracked pipes as soon as you find them.

Winter can take its toll on pre built homes, but with the right preparations, your home can make it through the winter unscathed.

New Home for Christmas? How fast can I get mobile, manufactured homes?

Thu, 19 Nov 2015 12:41:36 GMT

For many, the perfect holiday season includes waking up on Christmas morning and opening presents in front of the tree and beside the fireplace. It's a part of our nostalgia and sentimentality.

Doing all of that in your own home could make the dream complete. The great news is that mobile manufactured homes are available today and can be installed on the site of your choosing relatively quickly. Compared to building a home, purchasing mobile manufactured homes can be done much more quickly and still customized to fit your needs.

How long the process will take depends on a number of factors.

Does the dealer have the home you need in stock?
What is your process for financing the purchase?
Where is the home going to be located?

A mobile home dealer will have models available for purchase if they fit your needs. Even so, you can do a number of things that will make the process go smoothly.

Choosing the home for you

Several factors go into planning for what you need. It might be that you can walk onto the lot and find exactly what you're looking for. If not, you might need a custom build. Answering these questions will help you find the home right for you.

How much space do you need?
How many bedrooms and bathrooms will you need?
Do you have layout preferences like an isolated master bedroom?
What is the weather like where you'll be installing the home?
Do you have any special needs like handicap accessibility?

It's possible you could walk on to a dealer's lot and find everything you're looking for. If not, some customization is possible. Your mobile manufactured homes dealer will have a number of floorplans for you to consider. It is helpful to know what you need before you get to the lot.

Finding the right financing

It's possible that you're planning on purchasing the home outright, or you might be financing it through a bank. Once you know the size of the home you're looking for, you'll have a better idea of how you plan to finance the purchase. If you are financing it through a financial institution, you can get preapproved for the purchase amount which will make closing the purchase go much faster.

Preparing for set up

Canada has a number of regulations related to the pad sites for mobile homes. They're not particularly difficult to comply with, but they do take some time and construction. Once you've found the home that fits your needs, an installer can get to work constructing the pad. You have a number of options about the style of foundation. A professional installer will make sure everything is done quickly and right.

What could be better than family open their gifts this Christmas in their own home. Mobile manufactured homes make that dream a possibility. Contact us today so we can help make your dream come true and spend the Holiday Season in your now home.

What Options are Available When Considering a Mobile Home?

Thu, 29 Oct 2015 11:51:48 GMT

If you’re looking for the freedom and flexibility of a mobile home, but aren’t sure there’s a ‘perfect fit’ out there for you and your family, don’t despair. Mobile homes’ floor plans are as varied as those of traditional fixed homes—sometimes more than you might imagine, given the flexibilities of prefabbed housing. Today, we’re going to talk about mobile homes floor plans, the terminology used for different types of homes, and other options you can consider when looking for your perfect mobile home.

Choosing the home for you

Understanding the Basics

When people talk about mobile homes, they usually refer to them as ‘single-wide’, ‘double-wide’, or ‘multi-sectional’. These terms refer to how many prefabricated sections are assembled to produce a complete whole. More isn’t always better, but it’s certain that you’ll see more luxurious, varied options as you go up in sections.

Single-wide. The classic single-wide, infamous in many ways—when you think of a dingy mobile home, you’re probably thinking of an older model single-wide. Today’s single-wides rarely come in under 14 feet wide, and some stretch as long as 80 feet long. Transportation considerations limit the maximum size of a single-wide, but you can still end up with a luxurious 1200 square feet of living space if you like.
Double-wide. While this is technically a ‘multi-sectional’ mobile home, you’ll rarely see the term applied to homes utilizing two sections. Like the single-wide, length is only limited by what’s convenient to transport. At the double-wide size, you can expect to see more luxurious options popping up with greater frequency. If you like, you can obtain double-wide configurations that most will have trouble distinguishing from a typical home.
Multi-sectional. Once you begin looking at mobile homes assembled from three or more sections, you enter the realm of truly impressive prefabrication. These large houses can have five or more bedrooms, a host of bathrooms, Jacuzzis, walk-in closets, vaulted ceilings. They bear little in common with the image of a mobile home most hold in their head, while still ultimately being easier to transport than any fixed-foundation home could ever hope to be.

Mobile Homes Floor Plans

Of course, at any given size of mobile home, you have a huge number of floor plans you might consider. Single-wides have the most limitations, in that certain arrangements would run into issues of convenience, but even then you can find variations ranging from studio-style open spaces to 2-bedroom 2.5 bath homes suitable for a small family. As you move up to multi-sectional homes, your options expand exponentially. Ultimately, you’ll need to go over the unique options offered by your dealer to see what’s available to you.

Final Thoughts

Being prefabricated doesn’t mean mobile homes’ floor plans are limited. Consider your needs and wants, and look for a home with the size and layout you desire—chances are, there’s a mobile home with the features you desire waiting for you. Mobility requires some degree of compromise, but not nearly as much as you expect.

Mobile Home Ownership: What Kind of Insurance do I Need?

Fri, 25 Sep 2015 12:06:24 GMT

Mobile home ownership is one of the most cost-effective, fast, and flexible housing options for millions of people around the world. While mobile homes can vary in size, features, and in several other aspects, they all have one thing in common: mobile home ownership requires mobile home insurance. Continue reading to learn more about the type of insurance you will need.

What Type of Insurance Do I Need for Mobile Home Ownership?

In general, there are two different types of mobile home insurance:

Manufactured or Mobile Home Insurance

Manufactured or mobile homes are created entirely in a factory. These homes are also attached on a permanent steel chassis. After the homes are manufactured, they are then towed to the site. Homes classified as manufactured or mobile are not attached to a permanent foundation.

Modular Home Insurance

Insurance for these types of homes are designed for pre-fabricated homes that are moved and constructed at the site in pieces. Modular homes are typically assembled to a permanent foundation.

What Type of Insurance Do I need for a Mobile Home?

If you have a manufactured or mobile home, you will need a special mobile home/manufactured home insurance policy. On the other hand, if you have a modular home, you can get a standard homeowner's policy. If you do not know whether your home is classified as a mobile home or modular home, contact an insurance agent or check your home's information tag.

What Does Mobile Home Insurance Cover?

Manufactured/mobile home insurance protects you in the event your personal possessions or home is destroyed or damaged by:

Vandalism
Burglary
Fire
Wind, Tornadoes, Snow, Rain, etc.

This type of insurance also protects the owner if someone is injured on the property through liability coverage. In any case, the typical manufactured or mobile home insurance policy will include coverage for:

Personal possession protection that covers you from the loss or damage of your personal belongings.
Structure protection that pays to fix or replace any damages cased to the structure of your mobile home.
Liability protection that covers the medical expenses for people that are injured in your home.
Expenses incurred from temporary housing in the event the mobile home is unlivable and must be repaired or replaced.

In the end, mobile home ownership is the premier choice for a growing number of consumers because of the efficiency and cost-effective nature of these structures. While mobile homes vary in size and several other aspects, one thing is consistent: you must have mobile/manufactured home insurance. To learn more about planning for mobile home ownership, contact Prairie Mobile Homes.

Picking the Right Mobile Homes Plans for Your New Home

Tue, 22 Sep 2015 12:50:24 GMT

Picking the right mobile home for your needs is about more than just overall square footage. You need to consider the floor plan for a mobile home as well, because this will determine what it will be like to live there. A well-designed floor plan will not only look great, but it will also maximize the usability of the square footage in your mobile home. For example, with the right mobile homes plans, a 1,000 sq foot mobile home can feel more spacious than an 1,100 sq foot mobile home. That being said, here are the factors that you need to consider when deciding which mobile homes plans will work best for you:

The number of bedrooms you need

This is one of the most critical factors to consider when picking potential mobile home floor plans. If a plan doesn't have enough bedrooms, then it simply won't work for you and your family.

On the other hand, too many bedrooms may be a drawback for a mobile home floor plan . This is because it will take away from the openness of other rooms. For example, adding an unnecessary extra bedroom next to yours could end up cutting the size of the master bedroom in half.

The number of bathrooms you need

Whether you'd like a guest bathroom or an extra bathroom to make your family's daily routine more efficient, you need to include your desired number of bathrooms in your mobile homes plans. Also keep in mind bathroom location. If, for example, you would like an on-suite bathroom attached to your master bedroom, then you must ensure that the floor plan includes this.

As with bedrooms, it is best to not get any more bathrooms than you need, because this will take away from useful square footage.

The desired size of your living spaces

If you simply have to have a spacious living room for relaxing and entertaining, then you must keep this in mind for your floor plan. Instead of looking at the overall square footage for this, consider the specific dimensions of your living space.

Also keep in mind the layout of your living space, as this will affect how you are able to use your living space's square footage.

Your desired kitchen size

The same rule for living spaces applies for your mobile home's kitchen. Avoid a cramped kitchen by considering this in your floor plan .

If, however, you do not plan on using your kitchen for cooking very often, it would be a good idea to seek out floor plans that minimize the amount of space that the kitchen takes up; this way, that square footage can be put to use in another room within your mobile home.

Make sure that your next mobile home is truly your home

You shouldn't have to settle for your mobile home. This is where you will be living, and it should feel like home every single time you step through the door, so make sure your floor plan works.

What is the Availability of Mobile Homes?

Fri, 28 Aug 2015 13:26:57 GMT

Buying a mobile home is not like going to the nearest convenience store to pick up some eggs. Despite their inherent mobility, mobile homes are full-sized buildings, and require some pre-planning before you go out and buy one. You already know this; that is why you ask yourself, "What is the availability of mobile homes for sale near me?" Here is how you can answer this question at any time:

See what mobile homes are available right now

The answer to the question, "What is the availability of mobile homes for sale near me?" is right now. Many of the top mobile home manufacturers keep mobile homes in stock so that customers can obtain their brand new mobile home ASAP. Before you get started, however, you need to take the following factors into consideration:

Determine what you need in a mobile home

There are mobile homes that you can purchase and tow away today , but it is possible that none of them suit your unique mobile-home needs. As such, you need to figure out and list everything that you need in your mobile home before you look at what is available. The factors that you consider should include the following:

Square footage
Layout
Interior accessories
Trim
Energy efficiency
Number of beds
Number of baths

If you have any other specific needs for you mobile home, be sure to add it to your must-have list.

Find out how close the nearest mobile home dealers are

If the perfect mobile home for you is available for purchase today, you still need to make sure that you can buy it. Even if you have enough cash on hand to buy your desired mobile home outright, you still need to be able to get to it. As such, you need to make sure that you know where the nearest dealer is beforehand.

What if the mobile home for me is not available today?

If the mobile home of your dreams is not available today, you need not worry. You can still purchase it, but there are more factors involved with determining its availability. Here is what you need to consider:

Determine whether or not a manufacturer creates mobile homes rated for your climate

Winters in Canada get frigid. If your mobile home isn't rated to withstand these weather conditions, then you are likely to face serious problems during the winter, including an ineffective home heating and broken water pipes. As such, it is imperative that you make sure that your mobile home manufacturer constructs mobile homes with the north in mind.

Ask the manufacturer about build times

The best way to get clear insight about how long you will have to wait for your custom mobile home is to ask the manufacturer about estimated build times.

Now you are better equipped to do your mobile home shopping

Now that you can answer the question, "What is the availability of mobile homes for sale near me?" you can make better mobile home shopping choices.

How do I Prepare a Pad (Gravel or Concrete) for a Manufactured Home?

Thu, 27 Aug 2015 20:00:39 GMT

Mobile home set-up in Canada is regulated by the installer's required adherence to MH (mobile homes) Series of Standards CAN/CSA-Z240, with CSA (Canadian Standards Association) Z240.10.1-08, titled Site Preparation, Foundation, and Anchorage of Manufactured Homes, the current authority. This 48-page Standard was last published in 2008 and most recently reaffirmed in 2013. Installations must also adhere to all applicable sections of the National Building Code.

Site Preparation

Section 9.12 of the Standard deals specifically with site preparation for mobile home set-up, including excavation and required clearances. Under site prep, three requirements are outlined:

The entire area beneath where a mobile home is placed must be devoid of all organic material and topsoil.
The excavated area beneath a mobile home placement must be graded, either from the center out or from side to side, and then covered with a suitable inorganic granular substance such as gravel. This granular fill must extend to a height exceeding the height level of the finished grade surrounding it.
A 6-mil thick CGSB-approved poly ground cover must be applied to the area underneath the mobile home and extend a distance of six inches past the prepped area perimeter line.

Foundation Requirements

The section dealing with foundations states that they will be designed to conform to CSA-Z240.10. Section 4., with three additional requirements, where applicable:

Foundation units must be located as per manufacturers' written instructions when the unit is supported by longitudinal-running floor beams.
When perimeter walls are used for the foundation, it must conform to requirements in Canada's National Building Code.
Reinforced concrete-slab foundations and pile foundations must be designed by someone competently trained in such design work and must be determined by current soil conditions.

Footings

There are three requirements for footings used in mobile home set-up:

When pier foundations are being used for support, the footings on which the piers sit must be designed to bear all loads, live and dead, without an excessive degree of soil settlement or any footing failure.
Non-reinforced concrete footings placed beneath piers must be a minimum of four-inches thick and may not extend beyond the piers by a distance more than their thickness.
When piers rest on wood footings, these footings must be pressure treated and a minimum of 3.5-inches thick.

Pile and Pier Foundations

The section on piles and piers used in MH set-up includes five points:

When measured at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the MH, a pier may not extend above the footing on which it sits by a distance of more than its horizontal width measurement.
Some form of lateral restraint must be placed at the top of each pier, exterior to the longitudinal beams, to prevent lateral slippage of these beams.
Concrete block piers require a minimum of 8" concrete masonry blocks, with the hollow cores set vertically.
Wood crib piers require support by wooden or concrete footings. Wood piers shall include at least 6" of pressure treated wood.
Piles of reinforced concrete must be at least 8" in diameter.

If you want to know more about setting up your mobile home please download our guide.

What do I Need to Know About Hook Up and Set-up for a Mobile Home?

Thu, 27 Aug 2015 19:58:01 GMT

Mobile home ownership is popular here in Manitoba, whether as a buyer you're just starting out with your first home purchase or, as a long-time homeowner, you're scaling down to something smaller and easier to manage during retirement. Some buy a mobile home as an ideal second residence, maybe setting one up on their vacation property. Others may want a mobile home to situate on their existing home property, perhaps for use by a parent or grown child.

Whatever your reason for buying, it's a good idea to know a bit about transporting, setting and hooking up a mobile home, even if you plan on having someone else do those jobs. If you're buying from a dealership, they'll often include the setup/hookup as part of a package. Even if you're buying a used mobile from a private party, you should seriously consider having a professional mobile home transport firm do the move and setup. Setting up a mobile home is no easy task. It can be difficult and dangerous, especially if you've not done it before.

Some Things You Should Know

Whether you'll be setting up a mobile home as a DIY project or letting someone else do it, you should know some of the important basics to ensure that the right things are getting done. Obtaining permits, for example, is something that will most certainly be required. Travel permits for getting the mobile to your desired location will usually be secured by a professional transport company, but you should ask to make sure. You may also need a permit allowing you to set up a mobile home in certain locations. You'll have to personally check on this, probably at your local building department.

You also need to make sure the site is properly prepared and that the necessary utilities have been prearranged , including:

Water
Gas
Electric
Sewage

Remember that whomever will be doing the hookups for utilities must be properly licensed for this work. Different jurisdictions have different requirements for the construction of mobile home foundations. This is another reason for hiring a professional setup contractor experienced at handling these different details.

Proper Site Prep Is Essential

Along with leveling your site, it must also be cleared of rocks, trees and brush. The soil must be compacted to prevent shifting in the foundation and graded properly to allow for water runoff. Before any of this can occur, however, you must determine that the site is accessible by the trailer transport truck. Narrow roads or bridges that will barely accommodate a car aren't going to allow for the passage of a truck delivering a mobile home.

When it comes to setting up a mobile home, a proper foundation is critical. Since different locations may require different foundation types, hiring a professional installer who's knowledgeable about local laws and codes is a smart way to go. Even if you're buying used and transport/setup isn't included, it's still worth contracting with professionals for the transport, setup and hookup of your mobile.