How do I hire a reliable mobile home repair contractor?
When looking for a contractor to perform repairs on your mobile home, complete the following steps:
Verify their license and insurance: If your area requires pros to be licensed, make sure they carry the appropriate license for contracting, plumbing, electrical work, and more. Requirements depend on your local area, so be sure to do your research. Mobile home repair services should also carry insurance to protect themselves and you against damage or accidents.
Get several estimates: Estimates should include a comprehensive list of parts and materials required, labor hours to complete the job, and the overall cost for everything.
Read their reviews: Good reviews should speak highly of timely responses when emergency repairs are needed and indicate quality work. Beware of service providers that have received complaints about shoddy craftsmanship.
Look at their portfolios: Mobile home repairs often require a broad skillset. Portfolios should showcase the fact that these professionals can handle repairing mobile home siding and roofing, plumbing, electrical, interior walls, floors, and more.
Find out if they have warranties: New fixtures like windows, doors, cabinetry, appliances, and more typically come with manufacturer warranties. Additionally, mobile home repair services often offer a guarantee on their workmanship. Make sure you ask for warranty information and read the fine print.
Ask important questions: For example, find out if they have a lot of experience with mobile homes of your particular make and model. Also, check on timeframes. Many mobile home repairs — like leaking roofs, foundation issues, damaged skirting, or freezing plumbing — should be fixed without delay before more serious damage occurs.
For more tips, visit Thumbtack’s Smart Hiring page.
How much do mobile home repairs cost?
The cost to repair your mobile home will depend on the issue and repair type. Here’s a look at the national average cost to hire different types of repair professionals, according to Thumbtack’s data:
Plumbers: $81 to $148 per hour*
Electricians: $75 to $175 per hour*
Handyman: $60 to $120 per hour*
There are several factors that might impact the cost of repair services, including:
What needs to be repaired: Simple fixes, like a dripping faucet or replacement insulation beneath the home, may be relatively inexpensive. But larger repairs, like a new roof or siding, will usually cost more.
Material choices: High-end materials, like wood floors or granite countertops, often cost more than carpet and laminate counters.
Specialty sizing: Some mobile homes have windows and doors in non-standard sizes. It may cost more to replace these because the pro might need to special order new windows and doors.
Age of the home: Older mobile homes typically require much more extensive repairs than modern ones.
You might be able to save money on your project with these tips:
Be diligent with maintenance: Mobile homes can break down. Conduct regular maintenance to fix small problems before they turn into large issues.
Conduct regular inspections: Thoroughly inspect the home at the start of each season so you can catch problems and fix them quickly. Pay special attention to roofing, siding, and skirting.
Invest in durable skirting: Damaged mobile home skirting can lead to many costly problems, like cold winds beneath the home that freeze plumbing, pests and animals taking up residence beneath the home, and so on. Durable, well-maintained skirting can help keep the home's underside safer.
*Data on file at Thumbtack. For a personalized cost estimate, request a quote from a professional.
What are common mobile home issues?
Common issues that often require the services of a mobile home repair contractor include:
Wear and tear on the exterior: Age and weather can lead to roofing damage and leaks, making this one of the most commonly requested repairs. Similarly, as skirting ages and takes damage from the elements, it may also need repairs to safeguard the underside of the mobile home. Over time, mobile home siding can also degrade or be damaged by high winds and hail, which may require repairs.
Interior repairs: Leaking roofs or siding can lead to water damage inside the home. Additionally, wear and tear on flooring, walls, and fixtures often need to be repaired to keep the home in good condition.
Foundation and crawlspace issues: Foundations can shift, settle, or degrade with time, often requiring repairs. The crawlspace beneath the mobile home typically features plumbing and insulation, both of which can be damaged if the home's skirting fails.
What types of repairs can contractors perform on mobile homes?
Mobile home repair pros typically offer the following:
Foundation and structural repairs: Mobile home repair pros should be able to fix foundation problems or make repairs to the home's structure.
Roofing, siding, and skirting repairs: Roofing, siding, and skirting are all vital for protecting a mobile home's structure, and mobile home repair services should be able to make repairs in these areas.
Electrical and plumbing repairs: Professionals should also be able to make repairs to the home's systems, including the electrical and plumbing systems.
Interior repairs: Mobile home repair pros will be able to fix walls, floors and ceilings throughout the home's interior.
Windows and doors: These professionals will also be able to repair or replace windows and doors.
What are the benefits of hiring a mobile home repair contractor?
Some of the biggest benefits of hiring a pro for mobile home repairs include the following:
Tools: Most professionals have access to ladders and scaffolding for roofing and siding repairs plus specialty tools for plumbing, foundation work and other tasks.
Materials: Mobile homes often require specialty materials or fixtures for roofing, siding, windows, and doors. Professionals tend to have greater access to the right materials for your home's make and model.
Professional quality: Professionals can do professional-grade work, which may help extend your home's lifespan and maintain its value.
Warranties and guarantees: Many pros can install windows, doors, and other fixtures that are backed by manufacturer warranties. Many also provide a guarantee on their workmanship, which can help protect you should a repair fail. However, this depends on the warranty’s conditions, so be sure to read the fine print.
Expertise: Mobile homes may be compact, but they are complex building systems. Most professional mobile home repair services have the expertise to make repairs without compromising the home's overall integrity.