5 Key Considerations When Completing An Old Mobile Home Remodel

Without a doubt, an old mobile home remodel can be done as long as it is still a stable structure. You just need to keep a few considerations in mind to make sure it’s worth your time and that it’s done properly.

Ask yourself beforehand …

In general, mobile home owners buy second-hand or older mobile homes because of the more affordable or cheaper prices. There are times when mobile homes are sold at a cheaper price due to the condition of the home itself. Maybe it wasn’t well-kept from the previous owner. Perhaps there is basic wear and tear.

Before you start any kind of remodel, you need to take stock. Make a list of all the renovations the home needs. After that, come up with a solid budget. If needed, get some advice from professionals or DIYers of mobile homes who have experience completing an old mobile home remodel. Lastly, get some help from friends or family; extra hands are always good. Once you have these in place, be sure to consider the five following things that could impact your remodel.

5 key considerations for an old mobile home remodel

1- Examine the quality of your mobile home

You must consider the quality of your mobile home before starting any remodel. If you had to bargain for the price, chances are, the lifespan may be shorter than you expect. Not only would this mean your remodel doesn’t last very long, it may also mean inferior materials stop your project before you even get started.

If you didn’t have your home inspected when you bought it (though that is highly advised), make sure you get one before you start a remodel. Some mobile homes begin to deteriorate within an average of a decade. As mentioned before, additional damage may have been caused by the previous homeowner choosing to overlook major problem(s). An inspection may reveal problems you didn’t even know existed.

As a side note, the quality and longevity of a mobile home all depend on its price when it was first constructed. If a mobile home was constructed to meet minimal HUD standards, then it would be considered a “budget mobile home”. A premium mobile home would obviously have better quality materials with durability and strength, meeting the HUD standards at a much higher level.

2- Count the costs

Typically, DIYers take over remodeling as much as they are able to do. The rule that seems to be common sense to them would be, “if I can do it, then why not?”

This may be a true statement in many situations of DIY crafts or projects. However, depending on the type of remodel you’re planning, you may need to hire specialized individuals (electricians, contractors, etc.). If you need to call in the experts, be sure to factor their cost into your budget. And be prepared to scale back your remodel to the changes you can afford. Though not ideal, you may even have to consider selling your current mobile home and investing in another.

Remodeling will definitely be an expense that may cause a tight budget for you for awhile. But it will also cost you time. Weekends and vacations will most likely be spent remodeling. You don’t want to start the job and then give up halfway through. Think thrice is our advice.

3- Resale

Sure, you may have been able to purchase a fixer-upper double-wide mobile home at a low price. A definite cost was also set aside for the fixing and the materials needed. Sweat labor, from you and your own team, if you had a team, was also considered. All three combined can create a double-wide mobile home that matches your comfort and style.

But that doesn’t guarantee that it will be a good investment in terms of resale.

Of course, there are people, or rather, professionals, who are able to resell a renovated mobile home. They “flip” homes for a profit. But their ability to do this comes from years of experience, resource connections, and a close eye on market demands.

Ask yourself if adding long-term value to your home is part of the reason for your remodel. When you sell it, do you hope to find it’s worth more than what you paid for it? If so, you’ll not only want to make sure your remodel is HUD-compliant, you’ll also want to check with experts on mobile home value. Keep in mind that regardless of improvements, mobile homes typically depreciate with age.

4- Does the current floor plan work for you?

Since we’re talking about old mobile home remodeling, the existing floor plan should be followed as close as possible. As has been noted, the quality of your mobile home must be highly considered. If it has exceeded 10 years of age, it wouldn’t be wise to remodel by moving a bathroom or kitchen.

Think again if you’re planning on remodeling any area of your mobile home that has things such as plumbing and wiring involved. It could end up blowing your budget and causing more work than expected.

5- Be well informed if your old mobile home is in a park

Whenever you’re living on property that doesn’t belong to you, there are rules and restrictions by which you must abide. Remodeling your old mobile home in a park can result in a horrible and unwanted mess if you’re not aware of what you can or cannot do.

Some mobile home parks do not allow any site-built additions. Others may have certain times reserved specifically for construction work. There are those that have size restrictions and design standards.

It would be quite awful to spend so much time in planning, preparing, and taking care of heavy expenses only to find out after about the park’s restrictions about renovating on their property.

Get your remodeling cap on!

All in all, we hope these five key considerations for old mobile home remodeling helps create a basic guideline to follow. Remember that the changes do not have to be extremely drastic. However, it is ultimately your home and shelter.

If you eventually decide that you’d like to sell your mobile home or perhaps figure out its value, feel free to check us out. We’d be glad to help!