In this day and age when nearly everyone seems to be feeling the squeeze of rising prices due to a lack of supplies from the Covid-19 pandemic Buyers and Sellers of mobile homes in the Sarasota area want to make sure their dollar is going as far as possible. The pandemic is not totally over yet and there are still a lot of uncertainties in the economy, being wise with your money is the best way to avoid a financial meltdown
One of the most common repairs we, at The Mobile Home Dealer, continue to see on mobile homes in the Sarasota area is the need for repairs done to the flooring system.
If this is your first venture into the mobile home world then you will quickly learn that mobile homes, although very similar to traditional single-family homes, do have their unique features one of which is the flooring system.
Mobile home park
A mobile home flooring system is unlike that of a condo, townhome, or single-family home in that the construction of the floor is wood-based and not concrete.
When walking into a mobile home, under the actual flooring that one sees is usually a sheet of lumber. This lumber will either be a 5X8 sheet of particle board or a 5X8 sheet of plywood.
Usually, mobile homes from the factory come with particle board sub-flooring which is a composite type material that can hold up well over the years so long as it does not get wet. If this product does get wet then it can be susceptible to breaking apart quicker than plywood does. Many times over the course of a mobile home’s life the original particle board flooring will eventually be replaced by plywood to help make the floor sturdy for years to come.
Under the plywood, most mobile homes have 2X8 support beams that are then built into the frame of the home. Under the 2X8 supports, most homes will have the plumbing, vapor barrier, and then the ground that the home sits on.
With all of this understanding, it would be reasonable to think that over time the flooring system may have to be replaced because it is a wood-based product and not a flooring system based on concrete like many single-family homes are in the Sarasota area.
Mobile homes can have, what is referred to as soft spots on the floor that develop over time.
Soft spots can occur for a variety of different reasons but most commonly it is created by the moisture that comes from either the ground or the air conditioning system that penetrates through the wood subflooring and makes it weaker over time. If one were to walk on these weak spots they will feel a little “soft” or one may see a dip in the floor where the soft spot is located at.
Many times mobile home Buyers will see or feel a soft spot and immediately think that this will turn into a large repair bill, which, in all reality, this is false.
If a soft spot occurs then the owner of the mobile home will have to decide if they are going to go in and replace all of the subflooring or only the sections that are soft. If the homeowner is looking to only replace the sections with the soft spots then all that will be needed to be done is to have the soft portion of the subflooring cut out and a new piece of subflooring installed that matches the piece that was taken out.
Most handy professionals around the Sarasota area can replace a soft spot for around $100.
If the owner of the mobile home is looking to replace the entire subfloor system then prices will skyrocket as with the cost of lumber and lack of supplies right now in the building industry nothing is coming cheap!
Bay Indies-Venice Florida
Another way to cut the flooring repair expenses is to do it yourself. We saw many homeowners who have spare time during weekends replace sections of their mobile home flooring. Although not all people can do this, mobile homeowners who have basic carpentry skills and extra time can save money on labor costs.
Although flooring repair could be cheap or expensive, there are several factors that contribute to the increase in replacement costs. Regular cleaning and checking can help prevent these soft spots in the long run.
Making sure to budget your money for repairs to your mobile home in Sarasota is key to having a safe and comfortable living space. To start, you should make a list of all the repairs that need to be done and the estimated cost. Knowing what needs to be done and what it will cost will help you plan your budget accordingly. Additionally, you should research potential repair options and find out what materials are necessary for each job. This will help you find the most cost-effective solution.
Once you have an understanding of the repairs that need to be done and the necessary materials, you should look for discounts or deals on these materials. Many stores offer discounts for bulk purchases or you may be able to find deals online. Additionally, it’s a good idea to shop around for repair services and compare prices. Once you have a clear picture of your costs, you can create a budget that you feel comfortable with.
Finally, if you need additional help with repairs, several organizations in Sarasota assist with mobile home repairs. These organizations are often able to provide free or low-cost assistance, so it’s worth looking into if you find yourself in need of assistance. With a little bit of planning and research, you should be able to successfully budget your money for mobile home repairs in Sarasota.
When looking at budgeting your money for your Sarasota mobile home do not be overly concerned about a few soft spots, sure, they may look and feel unsightly but when they are repaired by a professional they are not expensive and will add years of life to your mobile home flooring system!
The Mobile Home Dealer are licensed mobile home broker in Sarasota Florida and the surrounding areas. We provide professional buy and/or sell assistance to our clients. If you have any questions, please get in touch with us by clicking this link. You may also visit our Facebook Page and send us a message
This is Mark Kaiser with The Mobile Home Dealer and we help mobile home Buyers and Sellers get to a better place in life.
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Hello,
I read your blog about the soft spots not being expensive to fix. I have not found a contractor that is willing to fix the soft spots in my single wide. They want to replace all the floors which is a HUGE expense that I would never get back if I decided to sell.
Would you be able to recommend a contractor that can fix the soft spots in my hallway and kitchen, without replacing the entire trailer floor? I also need the Vapor barrier repaired, NOT fully replaced.
Your help would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Julie
Hi Julie: Thank you for commenting, welcome to the community! I would suggest contacting a local hanyman for the soft spot repairs as they are usually more reasonably priced and can get the work done without the usual 20% contractor mark up. Regarding contacts, we don’t have one that isn’t already book up for months on end. Your best bet very well may be to Google local handymen in your area or speak to the park manager in your park to see who they would suggest. Thanks!