How Much Does Mobile Home Renovation Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $8,000 - $40,000
Mobile home renovation costs range from $8,000 to $40,000, with an average of $21,600.
Your mobile home renovation cost depends mainly on the scope of the project. Most budgets range anywhere from $1,000 for cosmetic updates to $80,000 to remodel the bulk of the home. However, most homeowners spend an average of $21,600 to renovate a mobile home. Explore the many factors that will impact what you pay for this home improvement project.
- Average
- $21,600
- Low end
- $1,000
- high end
- $80,000
Mobile Home Renovation Cost by Project Scope
What you're planning to renovate in your home and how much of it you're planning to do are the most significant pricing factors regarding mobile home renovations. Renovations may mean simple updating, bringing your home back to its former glory, or gutting and replacing parts of it. While mobile home renovations generally have a smaller price tag than conventional home remodeling, the costs per room or by project are often comparable.
The costs per type of room or project break down as follows:
Kitchen renovation: $14,598–$41,495
Bathroom renovation: $6,635–$17,604
Living room: $5,000–$10,000
Bedroom: $1,500–$5,500
Flooring $1,500–7,000
Exterior Remodel $1,750–$10,000
Size of Home
In 1976, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) stated that mobile homes must meet new regulatory factors. While the term mobile home is an antiquated term, manufactured homes, as they're now called, are still available in single- and double-wide options. The size of your mobile or manufactured home can affect your renovation cost.
| Mobile Home Size | Average Renovation Cost |
|---|---|
| Single Wide | $8,000–$20,000 |
| Double Wide | $11,000–$40,000 |
General Contractor Costs
Knowing who to hire for a home renovation and when can be challenging. One option is to hire a general contractor to cover the entire project. A general contractor will provide the labor and manage the various tradespeople that must come and go throughout the process. General contractors are experts at evaluating needs before the project begins and can predict unexpected renovation costs or deal with them when they arise. Expect the cost of hiring a general contractor to equal 40% to 60% of the total project cost.
Electrician Costs
Updating your mobile home’s electrical system and fixtures will add to the overall cost of your renovation. Here are some common costs of hiring an electrician for the work:
Installing an outlet: $100–$450
Adding a light fixture: $160–$1,020
Rewiring: $600–$2,590
Plumber Costs
If your mobile home renovation includes updating plumbing or plumbing fixtures, such as during a bathroom or kitchen remodel, hiring a plumber for various tasks costs between $45 and $200 per hour. Some common plumbing projects include the following:
Installing a sink: $220–$665
Replacing pipes: $370–$2,120
Rough-in plumbing for a bathroom: $3,000–$10,000
Additional Pros to Consider Hiring
In addition to the primary professionals who'll be onsite for your mobile home renovation, several others are worth considering, depending on the project scope. These include:
Interior designer cost: $8,540
Landscaping cost: $3,510
Flooring Specialist cost: $3,160
Roofing cost: $9,460
Skirting Replacement cost: $1,500–$5,000
Additional Cost Factors
While the scope of work and the cost of hiring professionals to perform the tasks are the most significant cost factors when renovating a mobile home, several other factors can affect the overall project pricing.
Demolition and Prep
In most cases, demolition and prep work must occur before the renovation work can begin. The cost of demo and prep work will average between $4 and $17 per square foot. However, your contractor's pricing estimate will likely include these costs.
Permits
Depending on the type of work you're doing, you may need a permit. Replacing floors, painting, and minor replacements likely won't require a permit. However, larger projects, such as kitchen and bath remodels, do. Your contractor will include the cost of permits in the bid and handle the included inspection requirements. Permits cost between $460 and $2,860 on average for a major remodel.
Insurance
If you're planning a large mobile home renovation, you may consider purchasing home renovation insurance for the duration of the job. Adding this protection costs an average of between $29 and $250 per month.
Financing
If you're financing your home renovation, also include the cost of financing in your budget for the work. Keep in mind that mobile or manufactured homes may require financing types different from those of conventional construction dwellings.
DIY Mobile Home Renovation vs. Hiring a Pro
One of the most important things to consider when renovating a house is how much, if any, of the work you plan on doing yourself. While most home renovations are best handled by professionals who know the ins and outs of manufactured homes and their construction, some projects, such as painting and installing finishes, are excellent DIY projects.
Because of the nature of manufactured homes, however, most homeowners opt to have a local home remodeling company handle the bulk of the work to ensure the updates meet building codes and conform to safety standards.
Mobile Home Remodel vs. Renovate
Renovating a mobile home costs much less than the cost of renovating a conventional home. However, you'll still want to decide whether renovating or remodeling is the most appropriate for your needs.
A full remodel of your mobile home will cost significantly more than performing some renovation projects to update your house. Remodeling generally includes making major structural or layout changes and can completely change the look and feel of your home.
Renovations, on the other hand, can be small or large, cost less than a full remodel, and can encompass simple updates, such as replacing countertops or floors, or look more like single or multiple-room makeovers.
Ways You Can Save Money on Mobile Home Renovation
There are a number of tips to survive a home makeover, many of which have to do with saving money during the project. While following all of the money-saving tips would be ideal, the important ones that can have a huge price impact include the following principles.
Budget your renovations based on needs and add “wants” into the project as the budget allows.
Consider using discounted materials that your contractor may have on hand and in stock instead of going for custom-ordered products.
Keep a look out for energy efficiency rebates and incentives that can take some of the sting out of replacing or upgrading HVAC components and some appliances.
Does Renovation Increase Home Value?
Numerous variables are involved in determining how much a mobile home renovation will increase the house's value. While any tasteful updates will likely increase the home's selling appeal, upgrading windows, HVAC, kitchens, and bathrooms will have the largest effect on the overall value of the home.
Depending on several factors, manufactured homes can be subject to depreciation over time. However, that's not always the case. Having a professional perform renovation work on a mobile home can slow down or even stop depreciation in some cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
The renovation projects with the highest return on investment (ROI) in mobile homes include upgrading HVAC and appliances to be more energy-efficient. Installing EnergyStar-rated components if they're not already present in the home is particularly valuable. Additionally, installing smart-home features is an inexpensive way to add home value without spending a fortune on remodeling. Painting and skirting updates are also excellent for curb appeal and perceived value.
You can increase the value of a mobile home by placing it on a foundation. Installing a permanent foundation under a mobile home can alter its classification if it meets several qualifying criteria set by HUD. Foundation options for mobile homes include a slab, pier and beam, full basement, pit, and runner foundations.