It can be confusing to tell the difference between a manufactured home, mobile home, and/or modular home. They can be very similar in appearance, and on top of that, many people use the terms interchangeably. So let's try to clear it all up and get a better definition.

What are Manufactured Homes?

A manufactured home is any factory-built home in the United States that is built conforming to HUD Title 6 construction standards (commonly known as "the HUD-code"). The HUD-code was implemented and took effect starting June 15, 1976. A HUD-coded home will display documentation called the HUD Certification Label and the Data Plate. The red HUD Certification Label (sometimes called the "HUD Label") can be located on the tail end of each transportable section of the home. The Data Plate will be located inside of the home. A manufactured home is also built on a permanent chassis to ensure transportability. However, typically a manufactured home is not moved from its initial installed site. The home can then be placed on HUD permanent foundation. This is what an professional engineer (like us at Foundation Certifications) inspects and certifies when we visit your home-site.

What are Mobile Homes?

A mobile home is similar to a manufactured home, in that it is a factory-built home. However, it differs in that it is: 1) built before June 15, 1976, and 2) not built to any uniform construction code, including HUD, since the HUD code didn't come out until June 15, 1976.

What are Modular Homes?

A modular home is any factory-built home that is constructed to a local (City or County), or state building code. In most cases, a state will have adopted one of the uniform construction codes (i.e. UBC, IRC, etc.). Modular homes will not have the red HUD Certification Label, but will have a different label (often called a "UBC Label", or similar) attached to the home stating the code it complies with. A modular home can be built as an "on-frame" or "off-frame" modular. On-frame will be built on a permanent chassis, whereas, the off-frame modular will be built with removal of the chassis frame in mind. An off-frame modular will usually require additional cranes to assist with home placement. Modular homes are, usually, only attached to private land, and not typically installed in manufactured (mobile) home parks.

Site Preparation
& Home Installation
5 Part Video Series
with George Porter

Ed Harrison, PE is a licensed professional engineer in a multitude of states across the country and is the owner of Foundation Certifications. He works with mortgage lenders, loan officers, real estate agents, and private parties across the United States with their manufactured home foundations and loans. He is an expert in the field of FHA/HUD/VA compliant manufactured home foundations. His engineering firm provides not only certifications for HUD compliant manufactured home foundations, but they are also a full service civil and structural engineering design firm. To learn more about Ed Harrison and his company, go to www.FoundationCertifications.com or www.HarrisonEngr.com.

Post and Read Comments about Foundations and the Difference Between Modular Homes, Manufactured Homes, Or Mobile Homes

FREQUENTLY ASKED MH INSURANCE QUESTIONS       MH PARK OWNERS INSURANCE QUOTE t is easier to shop here for manufactured home insurance than any place in the world. Let us do all the leg work for you! We will apply your application to the standards and requirements of a variety of different MH insurance programs. You select the best time of day to be be contacted. A live Manufactured Housing Insurance Specialists will: Offer you a customized benefits and premium comparison Quote you the best possible rate and coverage Gladly address your personal questions or insurance concerns. Easy Payment Plans The best policy for the price is only the beginning . We also offer a variety of payment plans. You select the one that works best with your budget. Many people naturally, but mistakenly turn to an insurance office where they have purchased auto or business coverage. Manufactured home insurance is different than any other type of insurance. It is important that your insurance company specializes in manufactured home insurance. If you have a claim, you want people who understand how a home is manufactured and the best way to repair or replace it. It's always easier dealing with people who know their business. Submit The application on the right side of this page NOW! It is free. You have nothing to lose and the benefit of our nationwide contacts and experience to gain. Free MH Insurance Quote Name: E-Mail Address: Fax Number: Day Phone: Evenings Phone: Date of Birth: (Example 05.12.55) Best Time to Call: Select AM Late AM PM Late PM Usage Select Owner Occupied Owner Seasonal Rented to Relative Rented to Non-Relative Street Address: City: County: State: Select AK AL AR AZ CA CO CT DC DE FL GA HI IA ID IL IN KS KY LA MA MD ME MI MN MO MS MT NC ND NE NH NJ NM NV NY OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VA VT WA WI WV WY Zip: Manufacturer: Year of Manufacture: Size of Home: Length  (ft) X Width (ft) Current Leinholder Distance to Fire Dept: Miles Distance to Coast: Less Then 15 Miles More Then 15 Miles Skirted: Yes    No Tied Down: Yes    No Is the Home Occupied: Yes    No Do You Own the Land: Yes    No Is the Home on Wheels or a Permanent Foundation: Wheels    Foundation Type Siding: Select Vinyl Wood Metal Is The Home Located In ...? City Limits ?: Yes    No Land Lease Park ?: Yes    No Flood Area ?: Yes    No Mortgage Information Select Only One Owned Free & Clear Loan on Home Only Loan on Land Only Loan on Home & Land Coverage Desired Dwelling Amount: Additional Coverage You May Need: Questions and Comments Frequently Asked MH Insurance Questions     MH Park Owners Insurance

SELL YOUR HOME HERE   LIST YOUR HOME FOR SALE ONLY $39.95 until Sold   FREE LISTINGS FOR BUSINESS PARTICIPANTS   MH FOR SALE LISTING FEATURES One Time Fee only $39.95 Lists Your Home Until Sold! Thousands see your ad daily FULL-PAGE Sale Description. Auto-interface Yahoo Maps   Your listings available 24/7 Online Changes FREE Print-Friendly SALE SHEET Easily upload, up to 5 photos NO Sales Commissions   4 WAYS TO LIST YOUR HOME                                     $39.95 One Time Fee Lists Your Home Until Sold   How Much Can Your Afford to Spend On Your Next Home? -- MH Loan Pre-Approval -Do you know exactly how much mortgage money can you qualify for? Exactly how much can you spend when you go shopping for your next home? Get exact amounts... for loan offers, that might take weeks of struggle to find via traditional loan applications... enjoy the advantage of shopping like a cash buyer and negotiating the best price for you next home....

What Does The Buyer Of Your Home Want? -- By Len Bonifield - The decision has been made. You are going to sell your manufactured home. Whether you use a realtor or attempt to sell it yourself you need to begin to think the way a potential buyer would think. Don’t get too caught up in thinking what you like and what you want in a home. The only thing that matters is what the potential buyer...   Grissim Ratings Guide to Manufactured Homes -- Every Builders Construction Ratings -The 2007 Edition of The Grissim Ratings Guide to Manufactured Homes has just been published, containing authoritative, essential up-to-date information on all 83 builders of manufactured homes, including at-a-glance listings providing key information to help home... Peace of Mind - Refinance Now! -- Now is the best time. - If your payments are becoming to high refinance as soon as you can. Refinance at today's fixed rate. You could save thousands over the term of your mortgage. The Manufactured Housing Global Network offers a convenient way to comparison shop for a re-finance loan in a secure, pressure-free environment... Sr. MH Owners Combat the Increasing Cost of Living -- Guaranteed by the FHA - Here is a great solution for Seniors who own manufactured/mobile homes and land but are having financial difficulty, looking for way ... to have some additional resources to enjoy retirement...no income, medical, or credit requirements...guarantees that the owner now retains the home for life.   MANUFACTURED HOUSING  REPO LIQUIDATION IN PROGRESS   Florida Buyers Market Offers Great Opportunities & Sunny Winters -- Snowbird Specials Act NOW! - Now is a great time to shop for a home in the Sunshine State. Home prices are lower than last year and the weather is almost perfect. Put the cold and snow out of your mind...Search Florida Homes For Sale...In Love With Florida And Community Living... Carefree, Affordable Lifestyle... Picture Yourself Living in a Fla Orange Grove... Mobile Homes USA of Florida... Florida Mobile Home Park Rent Surv... Your Manufactured Home Arrives at Your Site ....What next? -- Understanding brings peace of mind - Preview what will take place..understand the entire process...make sure the site preparation is done properly... simple method for inspecting your home you will not overlook any aspect of home construction...ensure everything has been inspected and properly install...How to be sure your home is level..how inspect for a tight seal between sections..foundation must be set on a properly prepared surf...     Mfd Housing PARTS STORE Replacement Parts & Supplies SHOP NOW! Manufactured Housing Shopper Education Starts Here -- Be an informed consumer - Consumers Guide for Todays Manufactured Home Shopper. Buying a home may be the most expensive purchase you will ever make...take advantage of these great free resources..get the latest MH news...Expert answers to your questions about manufactured housing...resource in the world for locating companies that participate in, or offer services to, the manufactured housing industry....   Manufactured Housing Weekly Newsletter -- FREE SUBSCRIPTION - Join thousands of homeowners and industry participants who get the latest MH news, books, free offers, industry commentary and web site updates delivered free and direct by e-mail ... Do You Want A Good Job in Manufactured Housing? -- Put yourself in front of the pack! - We see hundreds of resumes a month. There are reportedly 12 million resumes floating around on the Internet. The competition for the better jobs is tough. How do you make it through the maze to get recognition and the interview opportunity rather than have your resume end up on the H/R Director's stack of "things to do someday"?