How Much Does a Mobile Home Inspection Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $300 - $500
A mobile home inspection costs around $400 on average, and most inspections total between $300 and $500.
Understanding the inspection costs for your mobile home is important for budgeting and preparing for what to expect. The cost can range from $300 to $500. The average cost sits around $400. To get accurate pricing for your inspection, get quotes from several reputable mobile home inspectors in your area and ask about the services they include in the inspection to compare them accurately.
- Average
- $400
- Low end
- $200
- high end
- $600
Mobile Home Inspection Cost Factors
Several factors may influence the cost of your mobile home inspection, including specialized inspections, urgency of service, and the inspector's experience and qualifications. The geographical location also plays a significant role, with costs changing based on regional living expenses and demand in your area. These factors could land your mobile home inspection cost anywhere between $200 and $600.
Size and Complexity
The longer your inspection takes, the more it will cost to account for additional time and labor, which means the size and complexity of your mobile home will affect your inspection pricing.
| Mobile Home Size (sq. ft.) | Inspection Cost |
|---|---|
| 700 | $200 |
| 1,000 | $250 |
| 1,250 | $300 |
| 1,500 | $400 |
| 1,750 | $500 |
| 2,000 | $600 |
The complexity of your mobile home can also extend the inspection time and affect your total. Mobile homes with more complicated layouts, additional systems, numerous windows and doors, more complicated plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems, a full suite of appliances, and solar installed can push your total toward $600. A single-wide with a simple layout and design will often fall closer to $200.
Condition of Mobile Home
An inspection for a brand-new mobile home will likely cost less than one for an aging mobile home. New mobile homes tend to have plumbing and electrical work in pristine condition, brand-new roofs free of leaks, and windows and doors that are properly sealed.
On newer homes, an inspector will likely spend less time checking all of the components because they’re really just looking for proper installation. Inspecting an aging home requires a look to make sure everything was installed properly and that it’s still in good condition. Most mobile home inspectors will also provide notes on the remaining life span of materials and appliances, which takes some additional time to calculate for older homes.
Inspector’s Qualifications
Your price can also depend on how qualified your home inspector is. Qualification requirements will vary by state, with some demanding special certification that requires specialized training, shadowing a certified home inspector, and a certain level of education. You’ll often pay a bit less for home inspectors who don’t go above and beyond the state requirements for certification, but the results may not be as helpful or accurate.
Urgency
As is the case with most home services, the pricing for your mobile home inspection can depend on how quickly you need the results. While you’ll pay an average of around $400 for a mobile home inspection, you could pay closer to $500 or $600 if you need to rush the results. This might be a necessary added expense if you’re looking to close as quickly as possible.
Location
Your location can influence the cost of a mobile home inspection in a few ways. If you live in a more remote area, prices can be a bit higher to account for added travel time. More likely, though, you’ll pay more in areas with a higher cost of living, as the labor charges tend to scale proportionally. Cities and states with a higher cost of living will often come with higher inspection prices.
| State | Mobile Home Inspection Cost |
|---|---|
| California | $580 |
| Florida | $410 |
| Georgia | $370 |
| Illinois | $380 |
| Michigan | $370 |
| New York | $490 |
| North Carolina | $390 |
| Ohio | $380 |
| Pennsylvania | $380 |
| Texas | $370 |
Specialized Inspections
Mobile home inspections include a review of the basics, and most inspectors will look for things like water damage, foundation health, the functionality of your core home systems, insulation quality, roof age and condition, and more. However, you may need a more intensive look at a specific system or component in the mobile home if you suspect there might be an issue or if your general inspector finds a potential problem.
For example, a general home inspection might uncover an issue with your plumbing system, like low water pressure. A plumbing inspection after that may tell you exactly what the issue is, how to fix it, and even how much the fix might cost in some cases. Most home inspectors will be able to add on specialized inspections, but your total price will, of course, go up accordingly.
Labor
Mobile home inspections don’t require any materials, so all of the cost will go toward labor. That means anything that affects the inspection timeline will also affect the price. Home systems that are harder to access, have more complex layouts, and have aging systems and components that require more attention during the inspection will all cause your prices to go up.
DIY vs. Hiring a Mobile Home Inspector
DIY inspections may offer a cost-effective initial assessment of a mobile home's condition, providing you with some initial awareness of any obvious problems, like visible mold or water damage. However, conducting an inspection yourself will usually not be nearly as thorough as a professional inspection, which means you could miss some critical issues.
Professional inspections conducted by certified experts deliver in-depth, objective evaluations based on experience and knowledge that most DIYers don’t possess. You can and should do a preliminary inspection yourself, but you should never rely on the results of your own inspection. Make sure to find a qualified home inspector near you if you want to get the job done correctly.
How to Save Money on Mobile Home Inspection Costs
Mobile home inspections aren’t often prohibitively expensive, but you might still want to cut costs whenever feasible. There are a few things you can do to help keep your prices as low as possible.
Package inspections together. If you’re paying for a mobile home inspection, there’s a good chance you’ll need other inspections before buying or selling, too. Ask your inspector if they offer deals on packaged inspections. Many will offer small discounts if you guarantee them more work.
Always hire a certified professional. It might be tempting to cut costs by DIYing your inspection, but you should always hire a pro. Experts are more likely to catch hidden issues with major home systems, which could end up saving you money on costly repairs or replacements down the road.
Focus on the important components of your home. In some cases, like if you’re completing an inspection on a new mobile home, you can safely assume that the plumbing and electrical work is sound, so your inspector might charge less just to make sure everything is installed and functioning correctly as opposed to a more in-depth inspection.
Get multiple quotes. Finally, contact at least three inspectors in your area to get estimates. Compare them based on cost and what they include to find the best deal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Getting a mobile home inspection is a key part of any buying or selling process, as it evaluates the mobile home's condition and identifies potential issues before they become major problems and lead to high repair costs. A mobile home inspection also helps sellers pinpoint areas that need attention before listing the home for sale, ensuring a smooth transaction and potentially increasing the home's value.
A mobile home inspection thoroughly assesses a manufactured or mobile home's structural and functional aspects. A certified inspector examines the home's condition, including its foundation, roofing, plumbing, electrical systems, HVAC, insulation, flooring, and overall structural integrity. The goal is to identify any potential issues, safety hazards, or necessary repairs. The inspector provides a detailed report summarizing the findings, highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the home, and often includes an estimate for the remaining life span of appliances, systems, and components.
In theory, a regular home inspection and a mobile home inspection accomplish the same things. They ensure there are no issues with the foundation, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems, roof, siding, doors, windows, and more. In practice, though, the inspections can differ based on the layout, the type of foundation, and how easily accessible different parts of the home are. Mobile home inspections tend to take a bit longer because it’s more challenging to access home systems, especially if the mobile home doesn’t have an attic or crawl space.