Frequently Asked Questions
 
Answers

What is the difference between "Manufactured" and "Modular" homes?

There has been an enormous amount of confusion over the years about what these terms actually mean!

To the lending community, a Manufactured Home was built at a plant (factory) and shipped to the site, while a Modular Home was placed on a permanent foundation approved by local codes and FHA.

To the insurance industry, there is a very distinct difference. It is so confusing that two agents in the exact same office have had different interpretations as to what a Manufactured Home is.

To one agent, a Manufactured Home (H.U.D.) that is placed on a permanent and approved foundation is considered a Modular Home and would qualify for the premiums that are less that half those for the same home placed in a Mobile Home Park.

The other Agent, that sits right next to him, might require the home to be built to U.B.C./I.R.C. Codes to qualify for Home Owners Insurance instead of Mobile Home Insurance

Today, most manufacturers build to both H.U.D. and U.B.C / I.R.C. Codes. They aren't exactly mobile homes anymore.

 

What is the difference between a H.U.D., and a U.B.C. Home?

H.U.D. - Housing and Urban Development
U.B.C. - Uniform Building Code
I.R.C. - International Residential Code

H.U.D. Homes have a silver and red tag (about 2" x 4") at the end of the home and also have a steel frame as an integral part of the floor system

U.B.C. Homes must have a perimeter wall foundation and a steel frame is used for transport only to the site.

I.R.C. is the same as U.B.C. plus some additional requirements such as the requirement for gutters to be installed, etc.

Both code books are inches thick but many differences are noted below:

HUD Specifications
VS.
UBC Specifications

  1. 2" x 6" #3 Floor Joists Or Better
  2. 2" x 6" Single Perimeter Rim Joist
  3. R-22 Floor Insulation
  4. Standard Overhang
  5. 30# Roof Load (HUD Rafter)
  6. Double Flat 2 x 6 Window & Door Headers
  7. 24" On Center Marriage Wall
  8. 2" x 4" Interior Wall Studs 24" On Center
  9. R-26 or R-30 Roof Insulation
  10. Standard Plumbing Auto Vents
  11. Standard Through The Roof Plumbing Vents
  12. Standard 1 1/2" P-Traps & Waste Pipe Sizes
  13. No Water Shut Offs Required @ Plumbing Fixtures
  14. No Frost Free Exterior Faucet
  15. No Anti Scald Valves On Tubs and Showers
  16. Main Water Shut Off Not Required
  17. Standard Washer Drain & Vent
  18. Smoke Detectors In All Bedrooms & Living Areas Are Protected From Kitchen
  19. Up To 15 Electrical Receptacles Per Circuit
  20. Receptacles Near Sink Above Countertops Are GFI Protected
  21. Electrical Receptacles 12" From Edge Of Countertops And Spaced 72" Apart
  22. 100 Amp Electrical Service
  23. Sealed Combustion Gas Water Heater w/Fresh Air Intake From Outside Home
 
  1. Web Truss System Or 2 x 10 Floor Joist
  2. 2" x 10" Double Perimiter Rim Joist
  3. R-11 Floor Insulation Perimter Only
  4. 16" Overhang (28 Wides Only)
  5. 40# Roof Load w/5.12 Roof Pitch (Heavier UBC Rafter)
  6. Triple Vertical 2" x 6" Windows and Door Headers w/Jack Studs
  7. 16" On Center Marriage Wall
  8. 2" x 4" Interior Wall Studs 16" On Center
  9. R-38 Roof Insulation
  10. 2" x 3" Roof Venting (No Auto Vents)
  11. Through The Roof Plumbing Vents With 3" Diameter Vents
  12. 2" P-Traps & Waste Pipes For Tubs & Showers
  13. Water Shut Offs At All Plumbing Fixtures
  14. Exterior Frost Free Faucet
  15. Anti Scald Valves On All Tubs & Showers
  16. 3/4" Main Water Shut Off
  17. UBC 2" Washer Drain And Vent
  18. UBC Smoke Detector Inside Each Bedroom And Outside Each Bedroom Area
  19. No More Than 10 Electrical Receptacles Per Circuit
  20. All Receptacles Above Countertops are GFI Protected
  21. Electrical Receptacles 12" From Edge Of Countertops And Spaced 24" Apart
  22. 200 Amp Electrical Service
  23. Residential Gas Water Heater
  24. FHS Approved Carpet
  25. Perimeter Heat Registers
  26. Large Dormer
 

What is IRC?

IRC stands for International Residence Code. It has recently required manufacturers to make some changes to their U.B.C. Homes.

International Residence Code 2015

REQUIRED ITEMS

  1. Load bearing walls (Sidewall and Marriage wall) will have double 2x top plate and one 2x bottom plate.
  2. Window and door headers on exterior walls will have 2 x 6 placed vertically with blocking to match wall stud width.
  3. Windows and doors on exterior walls will be framed with jack studs.
  4. Attic access is required and must be 22" x 30" minimum with 30" unobstructed head room.
  5. Electrical boxes with wing wall attachment and switches and receptacle with screw style wire connections are required.
  6. All romex wire will be secured with non-metallic staples.
  7. All tubs will have overflows.
  8. Exterior receptacles will have a bubble cover that will close with a cord plugged in.
  9. Electrical junction boxes with plain covers will be installed at front and rear of each home. With a fuse box on the kitchen side 4 boxes are required and if the kitchen is on the opposite side as the fuse box six boxes are required.
  10. Use full slot (3/4") 120-volt breakers and 2 slot (1-1/2") 220-volt breakers. No double slot breakers allowed.
  11. 200 amp long panel box (BRK4040B200PKW) will be used.
  12. Kitchen counter top receptacles will be GFI protected and on alternating circuits.
 

Can we make changes to floor plans?

It's quite common for walls to be moved, added, or removed completely. An island that you like in one floor plan might be able to be put in a kitchen of another floorplan. Redman Homes / Champion / Commodore is very accommodating for our customers They will even build your plan that you have designed to their high standards and specifications. Substantial changes to an existing floor plan will take approximately 2 to 6 weeks for Engineering to provide the new floor plan. A complete redraw has engineering fees betweem $700 - $4,000.

 

Can you help us find land?

We try to keep current at our office in Cheyenne, a current list of subdivisions and land where Manufactured Homes can be placed in South-East Wyoming and Northern Colorado. Zillow and other sites, a local realtor is your best bet.

 

Will my Manufactured or Modular home depreciate?

Homes set in a Mobile Home Park will normally depreciate the first few years and then will maintain their value if taken care of.

If that same home were is put on a foundation, it will appreciate in value from the moment you sign your Purchase Agreement. Land/Home properties will go up or down depending on other real-estate values in a particular area. Again, if you take care of your home, it will be one of the best investments you will ever make.

 

How long after we order our home can we move in?

Today, your tape and textured home will usually be ready in 4 to 6 weeks from the time your foundation is ready. (Assuming utilities are not a problem.)

 

What are the standard features?

EXTERIOR KITCHEN UTILITY
 
  • 16" overhangs on 32' wides
  • Large Dormer
  • Vinyl siding w/ 7/16" Therobrace
  • Vinyl shutter ( front & hitch end)
  • 40 lb roofload
  • Shingled Roof
  • Low-E vinyl windows
  • Hardi board fascia & vinyl soffit
  • Steel Front Door
  • Steel Rear Door
  • Porch light ( front & rear)
  • 5/12 Hinged Rafter
  • 90" sidewalls
  • 2x6 stud grade exterior walls
  • R-38 Roof Insulation
  • R-19 Wall Insulation
  • R-11 Perimeter Floor Insulation
  • 2x10 Floor Joists
  • 2x4 Interior Walls (16" o/c)
  • Choice of several cabinets
  • Drawer over door cabinet design
  • High pressure laminates 
  • Laminate Edging & Backsplash
  • 16.9 cu. Ft. refrigerator
  • 30" standard gas range
  • 30" power vent over range w/light
  • Deep stainless steel sink
  • Light over sink with separate switch
  • Deluxe cabinet pulls
  • Lined base & overhead cabinets
  • Center shelves in base cabinets
  • Metal roller drawer side guides
  • GFCI recepts within 6' of kitchen sink
  • Lazy susan in base cabinet (per print)
  • Black gas piping with valve for furnance and ranges
  • 200 amp electrical panel box (40/40 box)
  • Auto ignition gas furnace
  • Plumb for washer
  • Wire and vent for dryer
  • 40 gallon electric water heater
  • Perimeter heat w/wall registers
  • All copper wiring - fully grounded
  • POS air system
  • Class "A" lined furnace & water  heater closets
  • Engineered HVAC system
  • Water shut offs T/O
  • Main water shutoff
    Water heater & furnace doors (per print)
  • IRC Plumbing
  • Battery backed-up Smoke Detectors
  • Frost Free Faucet (1)
  • Exterior Receptacles (F&R)

 

INTERIOR BATHROOM MISCELLANEOUS
 
  • Egress windows in all bedrooms
  • Linoleum entryway
  • Tape & Textured Drywall
  • Oak Window Sills
  • Stomped ceiling
  • Vaulted ceilings throughout
  • 16 oz carpet w/ 1/2" rebond pad
  • Drapery package
  • Mini-blinds throughout
  • Ceiling lights all bedrooms
  • Switched lights in walk-in closets
  • Glass light globes
  • Chandelier in Dining Room (per print)
  • 80" Interior Doors
  • Mortised hinges on interior doors
  • Finished & trimmed closets
  • Wire vented shelving in closets  and pantries
  • Porcelain commodes
  • High pressure laminates in all baths
  • Laminate Edging & Backsplash 
  • GFCI receptacles in all baths
  • Linoleum in all baths
  • Deluxe cabinet pulls
  • Metal roller drawer side guides
  • Vent fans in baths
  • Light over mirror/mirror over vanity
  • Towel bars & tissue holders
  • Tub rod with valance
  • Garden or 60" tub per print
  • 36" showers (per print)
  • Smoke detectors in sleeping  areas
  •  Wind Zone I
  • Thermal Zone III
 
Revised 3-30-2020
K:Sales/Redman/Product Standards 5-29-2019


*Sommerset standards features vary slightly from above. HUD are also different.*