Mobile Home Inspection

If you are buying a used mobile home it is important to know exactly what you are getting and what problems may be present.  Even with a new home, an inspection is important. After the trim-out and set-up guys are done you will be asked to sign a legally binding completion form.  Their pay and bonus depends on your signing that document so make sure that everything is really completed to your satisfaction before you sign. 

If you are not completely familiar with how a mobile home is built, you might want to spend some time looking at before and after pictures of heavy renovation projects at MobileHomeDoctor.com.

In the south in the summer many setup crews work at night when it is cooler, and I have heard of buyers asked to inspect and signoff by flood light.  Probably not a good idea.

Inspecting

You will need a flashlight, a notebook, and maybe some knee pads.  The biggest problem with used mobile homes is water.  The water may come from roof leaks or plumbing leaks, but in any case it causes major damage.

Look for water stains along the roof lines, especially where the edges meet the walls.  Check below the windows to see if water has gotten into the walls their. 

Your feet can tell you a lot.  Make sure you step on every place where you think water might have gotten into the floor.  Around the toilet, the tub, sinks, laundry, under windows etc.  I have seen floors wrecked because windows were left open during a rain.  I have also found soft spots in the middle of the livingroom because someone watered a plant there.

Get down on your knees and shine your flashlight up under every sink/vanity.  You are looking for signs that water is leaking from the connectors. 

Turn the faucets on and off to see if they move smoothly and don't drip. 

This kind of a walk-through inspection will be sufficient to find obvious problems.  It will not find more subtile electrical and other issues.  I would use it as a guide to see if the house might be of interest.  Then, especially if there is serious money involved, you will want to hire a professional inspector.