What is the Difference Between a Manufactured Home,
Modular Home, and a Mobile Home?

Mobile Home and Manufactured Home are the same thing. Manufactured home is just the new terminology to refer to the properties. No matter how the property is referred to, the key characteristics of a Manufactured Home are: a central beam running the length of the structure, built off site and towed to the property, at some point having a chassis or wheels attached to the home, assembled from 1 to 4 pieces, and bearing a HUD plate declaring the details of the home. Because they are on a chassis and built off site,
Manufactured homes are considered personal property, not real property and face different rules, requirements, and regulations than a standard stick-built home. Modular Homes are considered real property even though they are built off site just like a Manufactured home. The key differences are Modular homes normally come in more than 4 parts, often room by room, and are never attached to a chassis. Modular homes are assembled like a kit and can look indistinguishable from a standard stick-built home. With few exceptions, a Modular home will be treated the same as any stick built single family home.

Is it true that a Home Inspector can do the Structural Engineers
Report?

No. A certified structural engineer must complete the report.

How do you order a Structural Engineering Report?

You must find a local Structural Engineer on your own and order the report. There is not a central database right now for contact information, so the best resource are local real estate offices or UHM branches in the area.

What is the definition of an add-on?

An add-on is any change, no matter how small, to the structure of the Manufactured Home. This can be steps, a porch, an awning, a garage, an addition, or even a foundation. Any add-on must have a Structural
Engineering Report showing it is to code and does not impact the viability of the structure. Any neighboring structures or features that are not touching or attached to the Manufactured home are exempt from the need of a Report.

Does a porch or steps count as an add-on?

So long as the porch or steps were added after the home was built, they will be considered an add-on and need a Structural Engineering Report to validate.

How do you solve attachment issues with a Manufactured
Home?

Tie-downs can be used as additional attachment points on Manufactured homes, but they will need a Structural Engineering Report to validate.

Does a brand-new Manufactured Home need and Structural
Engineering Report?

Yes. There are separate reports for new properties and existing ones that have had add-ons.