Adding an additional layer of bureaucracy and more paperwork -yep. Changing the way you’ve been installing your homes – maybe. Enforcement of the installation regulations that have been on the books since 2000 – for sure.
Manufactured Homes have always needed to be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions, using the manufacturer’s engineering data and taking into local conditions into account to ensure proper performance for the homeowner.
So what has changed?
- All brand new ‘first-set’ homes must be installed by a HUD (and Illinois) licensed installer
- 100% inspection and certification of the finished installation for all new homes
This spring, IMHA hosted two HUD installation education classes running 90 installers through the program. Many more have been taking the educational class online. So finding a properly licensed and insured installer should not be that difficult. Many installers have already submitted their paperwork and are waiting for the issuance of their license, which takes about 4 – 6 weeks we are told.
Most home manufacturers have already designed alternative foundation systems which they can provide for installing their homes, such as slabs, runners, frost protected designs, etc. Ask for one that meets your needs. If one is not available from your manufacturer, any Illinois licensed architect or engineer can design one for you.
In order to demystify the process IMHA offers the following brief checklist for helping you comply with the requirements for installing new manufactured homes in Illinois.
- Determine suitability of the site
- Check with local building and health departments and secure all necessary permits
- Engage a HUD (and Illinois) licensed installer
- Test and verify soil bearing capacity and frost depth
- Prepare the site
- Design and install foundations that meet the manufacturer’s performance criteria
- Deliver and install the home per the manufacturer’s instructions
- Complete and submit HUD Form 309 ‘Installation Certification and Verification Report’
- Issue the Illinois Certificate of Installation and affix an Illinois seal to the home
All HUD information can be found at http://www.manufacturedhousinginstallation.com/
All Illinois regulations for installation of new, or used, manufactured homes and applications for seals can be found at http://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/environmental-health-protection/manufactured-modular-homes-mobile-structures
