You've Moved Into Your First Manufactured Home, Now What?

If you've just received the keys to your first manufactured home, congratulations! Moving in is exciting, and there's a lot to look forward to. While you prepare to unpack boxes, arrange furniture and make the home your own, it can be helpful to walk through each room, locate major systems and understand what makes the home uniquely yours.

In this guide, we’ll discuss some things in and around your home you should familiarize yourself with. Think of it as an orientation, not a checklist with deadlines.

Understanding Your Home’s Systems

Learning about your home early can make future maintenance, service and upgrades much easier. Start by locating your home’s systems:

• HVAC: Locate the thermostat, outdoor heat pump and the indoor air handler. (If you're in a southern state like Florida, you might have a packaged outdoor unit where the heat pump and AC are together.) Find the furnace filter locations and note the filter sizes and how often the manufacturer recommends replacing them. Order replacements and have them ready before you need to replace them. Keep in mind that HVAC systems for manufactured homes may differ from site-built systems.
• Water heater: Find out whether your water heater uses gas, electricity or propane. Make sure you know whether the design is tankless or a heat pump, and if (and how often) you need to drain it to prevent sediment buildup.
• Electrical panel: Look for the main disconnect and familiarize yourself with the breakers to rooms and systems.
• Water shut-off valves: Find the main water valve to the home. Locate valves for the toilets, water heater, sinks, washing machine and refrigerator ice maker. Consider labeling them — if you ever notice a leak, this will make it easier to shut off the proper valve quickly.

Gather and store any manuals and warranty documents for these systems in a safe place. You may need to reference them later for servicing or repairs.

The Exterior: What’s Around Your Home

Walk around the exterior of your home and assess the general condition. Outside components to check include the:

• Skirting: The skirting around your home doesn’t just improve its curb appeal. It also helps protect the underside from weather and pests. Note the location of any access panels that allow you to get to your crawlspace, if needed. If you're in a preowned home, look for signs of cracking, fading or warping.
• Entry steps: Make sure your steps are level and don’t move when you walk on them. Especially in preowned homes, look for loose boards or protruding nails or screws that could cause injury. For new homes, you may still have temporary steps that were placed at your lot in order to gain a certificate of occupancy. These steps can be stable and work just fine - but beware they aren't built to last. If you have temporary steps, consider upgrading to fiberglass, wood, or concrete steps when you can.
• Railings: Ensure the railings are properly secured and free of any rusted metal or splintering wood (this is unlikely in new homes, but keep an eye out if you're in a preowned home).
• Roofline: Locate any plumbing vents, skylights, chimneys and other roof components. If you're in a preowned home, look for loose shingles or metal panels from the ground.
• Under-home access points:

Only check these if they are clearly visible and safe to access. Make sure they can be easily opened and closed and that animals and other pests can’t get in.

Many exterior components are sized specifically for manufactured homes. If replacements are needed, a dedicated manufactured-home product supplier can help you get the right fit and finish.

Doors, Windows and the Details That Matter

Open and close every door in your home and check the locks. Leveling issues can cause doors to stick or not latch all the way. Also, notice how windows seal and latch. Windows that don’t close properly could increase your energy costs, so it's important to have them fixed as soon as you're able to. Remember: replacement doors and windows typically need to be obtained from a manufactured-home product supplier since they require specific sizes that aren’t found at home improvement stores.

Because manufactured homes are factory-built, they may retain moisture since everything is tightly sealed before delivery. That moisture can lead to mold and odors if it’s not addressed. If you need to reduce the moisture content, a dehumidifier can help you reach an optimal level.

Your Paperwork and What It Covers

Gather important documents and store them in a safe place where you can easily access them. Also, consider scanning and saving electronic copies to have backups. You may need to reference:

• Title or ownership documents
• Loan documents
• Insurance information
• Appliance warranties
• Manufacturer and retailer warranty information, if applicable

If you're in a new home and you have an issue with something down the line, warranty responsibility may differ depending on the system. For example, if your refrigerator doesn’t cool properly due to a failed compressor, an appliance warranty may cover the repair. But if a power surge damages your refrigerator, your homeowner's insurance may cover the repair or replacement.

Get to know important neighborhood contacts so you will know who to call when you need help. After moving in, meet the community manager or maintenance person to understand their processes. In some cases, your community manager might not be on site. Some serve multiple communities, so you'll need to call them instead.

A Note on Making It Yours

Manufactured homes are built in factories to high standards, but they are often more customizable than you might expect. There are many ways you can change or upgrade your home so it better reflects your style and preferences. Just a few options include:

• Skirting styles
• Exterior doors
• Windows
• Steps and railing
• Porches and decks
• Exterior lighting and landscaping

Unless you live in a manufactured home community with specific guidelines, your home doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s. You can customize it so it’s truly yours and make it feel like a home you're proud to live in.

Staying Connected to Your Home Over Time

A walkthrough can help you get to know your new home better, but it can be a good habit to continue. Consider walking through your home quarterly when the seasons change. This can help you spot issues that may need your attention, like loose skirting, clogged gutters or water collecting near or beneath your home.

It’s also a good idea to identify a manufactured home parts supplier early, so you know where to turn when something needs to be repaired or replaced. Be sure to read online reviews to find reliable contractors with satisfied customers.

Your Manufactured Home, Your Foundation

As a new homeowner, getting familiar with your home’s systems, components and unique characteristics is one of the most valuable things you can do. It isn’t about expecting that something will go wrong. It’s about building confidence so you can feel comfortable in your home.

A partner like Style Crest can make all the difference when you’re looking to customize or repair your manufactured home. For ongoing guidance and replacement products that fit your home correctly, explore our manufactured home solutions.