Installation Process
There is a lot to think about and consider when buying and placing a manufactured home on land! We wanted to help our customers understand our recommended process for those placing a home on land where no utilizes are present. Of course, the information will also help even if you have existing utilities on site. We truly hope this information helps you and your family.
In short summary we recommend the following be installed, in this order: dirt work, runners, home delivered and set, power to home, AC installed, water installed and live, septic system installed with all drops connected, driveway rock spread, winterize your water line under the home, metal skirting installed and last would-be porches built on site, if applicable.
In more detail…
Do your site preparation and home pad first, followed by concrete footers / runners. Once your dirt work is done, it’s always a good idea to go ahead and seed or spread hay around your home site to prevent erosion.
Once these are done, call your power company and request an appointment with their Engineer so you can show them where the home will go or where your electrician will be installing your electric pedestal. The power company should then tell you your options and cost estimates, if over their allotted credit.
Once the home arrives and is set, get your electrician to connect power from the electric pedestal or power pole to your home and install your AC disconnect and/or whip. Once complete, then call the power company and tell them you are ready for the power meter. Note – some power companies will not release your job until you have 2 of the 3 on site. Home, septic, runners and/or well.
Once you have power to the home and your AC disconnect installed with whip, you’ll call your salesperson for AC installation request. Be sure and have the AC installed, before you install or request skirting.
Next step is getting the water on into the home. Remember, always fill your hot water tank first before turning on your hot water tank breakers AND always check for leaks or loose connections before your leave after turning the water one. If not living on site, always a good idea to shut the water off when not present just in case there is a leak.
Once you have the water on site, it’s time for the septic installer. Please know, in our experience, not all septic installers will connect the sewer drops under the home. Yes, each factory can be a little different and some can drop several drains under the home which need to be tied together. We can always provide you with a “drop sheet” showing where your sewer pipes need to be connected. Please ask your septic installer if they will connect your sewer drops, if not, you should find someone who can connect these for you. Generally, most septic installers will want live water on site to fill the septic tank up. If not, a big rain can cause the septic tank to float or rise out of the ground.
Note – generally, we start the completion of the inside of your home once you have power and water.
Once your septic is ready to go, technically, if we’ve completed the inside “trim out”, your home is ready to live in. Be sure and winterize your water line under your home using heat tape and insulation. There should be a 110v plug close to where your water line drops out underneath your home just for this purpose.
After you’ve winterized your water line, had any TV or Internet lines ran under the home, it’s time to call your sales person and request skirting. We asked our customers to measure each corner of the home from the top of the ground to the bottom of the home and give us those measurements. This helps our installers show up with enough skirting material to complete the job.
Once skirting is installed it’s time for any large decks or landscaping projects!
We hope this helps spur your thoughts and identifies questions you may have for our team. Not every situation or home site is the same and there will never be a dumb question with us! We also enjoy helping so call us anytime if we can help clarify this information or answer questions specific to your situation.
