Recommended procedures to break-apart or demolish & remove abandoned or end-of-life mobile homes, Double-Wides, Mobile Homes, Trailers or Manufactured Housing.

This article series provides mobile home inspection, troubleshooting & repair procedures, defect lists, & references to standards. We explain where to look for costly or dangerous problems on mobile homes, trailers, or double-wides.

Guide to Demolition & Removal of a Manufatured Home, Mobile Home or Trailer

Approximately 8.7 million mobile homes were scattered throughout the United States as of 2007. These units represent 6.8 percent of the total housing stock of the nation.

The prevalence of these structures historically has been due to their relative affordability, quick construction, and use as temporary housing. However, the life expectancy of these structures can be significantly shorter than a traditional site-built home.

Prior to adoption of nationwide construction regulations in 1974, the quality of these structures varied widely. Older mobile homes (those built in the 1950s to early 1970s) could have life expectancies as short as ten years.

In contrast, modern manufactured homes have life expectancies of over fifty years.

Of these 8.7 million mobile homes, 332,000 were classified as vacant in 2007.5 U.S. Census data shows that mobile home construction peaked in the early 1970s (just prior to enactment of nationwide regulations designed to combat past manufacturing quality concerns).

As a result, many of these 332,000 vacant mobile homes were likely built before enactment of the nationwide construction standards. They are reaching the end of their useful lifespans. (US EPA 2011)

Question: What are the code requirements of a double-wide mobile home, to be considered 'demolished?'

2020/04/28 Stormi said:

What are the code requirements of a double-wide mobile home, to be considered 'demolished?'

Moderator reply: procedure for demolishing a mobile home

Stormi

I have not found building codes that define a "demolished" mobile home.

However there are codes and standards and guidelines that define "a mobile home" as "rubbish" for purposes of demolition and removal, and there are descriptions of a proper removal or demolishing of an abandoned mobile home.

In my opinion, meeting local requirements for demolition and removal of a home would be equivalent to meeting the definition of "demolished" mobile home.

I cite these below.

When a mobile home is no longer serviceable, and/ or when its repair cost exceeds its value or the value of a repalacement home, or when the mobile home has been abandoned, then it is indeed time for it to be demolished and removed from the premises.

What is the Cost of Demolishing or Removing a Mobile Home?

The cost to demolish and remove an abandoned or end-of-life mobile home depend on the size of the home and its location, but generally range between $2500. and $6000.

Steps in Demolishing & Removing a Mobile Home / Manufactured Home

A practical definition of "demolished" mobile home would include the following steps:

1. Inspect themobile home and site to identify all tasks that will be needed such as providing access, renting dumpsters, roping off unsafe septic tanks.
   
   Watch out: before beginning to strip a mobile home's interior or break up the mobile home structure, the home and site need to be inspected for the presence of hazarous materials that may require special removal and disposal procedures, such as lead paint, asbestos, and in some cases formaldehyde-offgassing materials.
2. Obtain Demolition & Removal Permit:
   
   Watch out: depending on where you live, regardless of whether the mobile home demolition is performed by a professional mobile home demolition contractor or by the homeowner, you may need to obtain a demolition permit from your local building department.
   
   You may also be required to show that you are the owner of record of the mobile home or of the site or land on which it has been abandoned.
   
   Some states & provinces permit the demolition and removal of a mobile home without permit if the work is done at the original mobile home site, removing the home as "rubbish" (Michigan) while other governments require obtaining a permit, proof of ownership, and other information before the mobile home or trailer demolition can begi (Florida).
   
   Tip: Collect your documents of ownership and take photos of the abandoned mobile home or trailer or manufactured home to bring with you to your local building authority when seeking a permit to demolish and remove an abandoned trailer home.
   
   If needed, your local building authority may also be able to provide an affadavit form that allows you to certify that you are the home or property owner entitled to demolish and remove the home. You may have to fill out the form and simply have it notarized.
3. Turn off & seal all utility connections
   
   (electrical, plumbing, telephone, cable TV, etc) have been removed and have been safely stubbed-off or sealed
   
   so that there are not sanitary, electrical, or other hazards at the home site.
4. Remove mobile home contents:
   
   The mobile home has been emptied of all contents; items not to be salvaged may be placed into construction debris dumpsters,
   
   but if there were hazardous materials such as paints & chemicals those need to be taken to a disposal site that accepts them.
5. Strip the mobile home interior:
   
   The mobile home interior surfaces: ceilings, walls, carpets, flooring, insulation have been removed
6. Break up the mobile home structure:
   
   The mobile home structure (roof, walls, flooring, support piers) broken-up.
   
   Typically this major step in demolishing a mobile home is done using a backhoe or excavator that has a special attachment, a "crusher" claw.
   
   To cut up the steel beams that comprise the mobile home's frame, most-often an oxy-acetylene torch is used.
   
   Really? If the mobile home or trailer is sufficiently intact so as not to fall apart during movement, depending on the location of the home, it may be easier and more-economical to have the home hauled away to a licensed mobile home crushing company or site.
7. Debris Removal:
   
   all debris has been removed from the site, delivered to an acceptable waste hauler or waste disposal site.
   
   Really? According to a study by the Vermont DNR, up to 37 percent of a mobile home may be recyclable. So before piling everything into dumpsters for removal as "rubbish" or construction waste, check with your local department of environment about components of the to-be-demolished mobile home to see what can and should be recycled.
   
   Examples might include aluminum siding and window frames, copper piping, and possibly a steel chassis or frame.
   
8. Site Preparation:
   
   That means that the home site is left clean and clear of any debris or rubble.
   
   If the mobile home was originally set on a concrete slab, and if the slab is un-damaged, in most situations it's proper to leave that slab in place to permit installation of a new mobile home on the site.

Rules & Requirements for Relocating or Moving a Mobile Home

If your plan is to move a mobile home or house trailer rather than to remove, abandon, or demolish it, then the situation is very different from the steps listed just above.

First, check with your state or province to find the licensing and transporation requirements that you'll have to follow.

In most jurisdictions you'll be required to use a licensed mobile home or manufactured home mover.

You may need to remove or secure loose items in the home before it can be moved, and of course the receiving mobile home site will have to be ready, accessible, and prepared for hook-up to utilities.

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Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

2023/05/10 - What laws do I have to follow to move a mobile home in South Carolina?

Louveria Cunningham asked:

What are the necessary sc codes that are required prior to moving a mobile home?

Moderator reply: South Carolina Regulations for Moving a Mobile Home or Trailer Home

@Louveria Cunningham,

Thanks, that's a helpful question on moving a mobile home.

Like most states, South Carolina requires that you use a licensed, bonded mobile home moving company or contractor. The cost varies but may be between $5. and $15 per mile of distance the home has to travel to its new location.

Just below we'll quote the actual South Carolina law (or "code") for this question:

Title 31 - Housing and Redevelopment CHAPTER 17 Mobile Homes and House Trailers ARTICLE 3 Licensing of Mobile Homes

SECTION 31-17-360. Moving permit; certificate concerning taxes; notice to electric supplier.

If the mobile home is to be relocated, the owner, rental agent, or person in possession, prior to relocation, shall obtain a moving permit from the licensing agent. Before issuing a moving permit, the licensing agent shall require a certificate from the county treasurer that there are no unpaid taxes due on the mobile home and either a copy of the certificate of title to the mobile home, or a copy of the application for a certificate of title submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

If the mobile home is to be removed beyond the boundaries of the county, any taxes that have been assessed for that calendar year must be paid in full, and if taxes have not yet been assessed for the calendar year in which the move is being made, the assessor shall provide the county auditor with an assessment and the auditor shall apply the previous year's millage.

The county treasurer shall collect the taxes before issuing the requisite certificate to the licensing agent, and upon payment of any taxes, give the permit applicant a receipt showing that all taxes have been paid.

The licensing agent shall promptly notify the present electric supplier that a permit has been issued. The permit required by this section is not required of mobile home dealers when they are moving a mobile home from their sales lot to a customer's lot, but the mobile home dealer is not relieved from obtaining any permit required from the Department of Transportation for the relocation.

SECTION 31-17-370. Permit shall accompany mobile home during move; regulations; responsibility for displaying permit.

The moving permit shall accompany the mobile home while it is being moved.

The moving permit shall be designed and displayed in accordance with regulations to be issued by the South Carolina Department of Revenue, which shall adopt such regulations as may be necessary to insure uniform licensing and moving permit procedures.

It shall be the responsibility of the mobile home transporter that the required moving permit is properly displayed and accompanies the mobile home while it is being moved.

SECTION 31-17-380. Submission of moving permit to licensing agent of new county; issuance of new license; transmission of papers to new county.

If the relocation is from one county to another, the owner, rental agent, or person in possession of the mobile home, within fifteen days after his mobile home is relocated, shall submit the moving permit to the licensing agent of the county in which the mobile home is relocated and obtain a new license pursuant to Section 31-17-320.

The licensing agent issuing the moving permit shall promptly furnish the licensing agent of the county to which the mobile home is being transported with a copy of the certified license application or permit, a copy of the paid tax receipt from the county from which the home is being moved, and either a copy of the certificate of title or a copy of the completed application for a certificate of title submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

SECTION 31-17-390. Copies of applications and permits to be given to county assessor and county auditor.

A copy of all license applications and moving permits must be furnished to the county assessor and the county auditor within ten days of date of issuance.

SECTION 31-17-400. Penalty.

Any person violating any of the provisions of this article, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not more than two hundred dollars.

- Source: South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 31 - Housing and Redevelopment, CHAPTER 17, Mobile Homes and House Trailers, ARTICLE 3: Licensing of Mobile Homes [PDF] -

Copy here at South Carolina MOBILE HOME LAW TITLE 31 [PDF]

Regulations, Codes, Laws for Mobile Home Demolition or Salvage

• EPA ABANDONED MOBILE HOMES TOOL KIT - BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES [PDF] (2011) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2 290 Broadway, 22nd floor New York, NY 10007-1866 retrieved 2020/05/02, original source: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2017-06/documents/best_practices.pdf
  
  Excerpts:
  
  Mobile Homes (or Manufactured Homes as they are commonly referred to today)1 have been a consistent feature of many American communities since the 1940s when they were first widely used to provide affordable housing for migrating workers and returning World War II veterans.
  
  These types of homes have historically been viewed as an attractive option to traditional site-built housing due to their affordability and mobility.
  
  Historically, these homes have lacked the durability of site-built housing and as a result, they tended to have a shorter life span.
  
  At the end of their useful life they are often abandoned rather than properly disposed because of the high costs of transport and disposal.
  
  When abandoned they fall into disrepair and can have negative impacts on the local community. These can include:
  
  - devaluing surrounding property values; •becoming an attractive location for illegal dumping;
  
  - attracting illegal scavenging of component items (including copper wiring as well as other recyclable metals and materials);
  
  - becoming attractive locations for individuals who might use the structures for illegal purposes such as methamphetamine laboratories or other criminal activities; and
  
  - attracting children to an unsafe play area.
  
  These activities can present health concerns for individuals who visit them because the abandoned structures are often in a state of disrepair, with hidden dangers including structural flaws, water and mold damage, disease carrying rodents, as well as hazardous materials including, but not limited to, lead, asbestos, and mercury.
  
• FL CHECKLIST: DEMOLITION / REMOVAL of MOBILE HOME [PDF] Marion County Florida, Department of Building Safety, 2710 E. Silver Springs Blvd.Ocala, FL 34470Phone: 352-438-2400 retrieved 2020/05/02, original source: http://www.marioncountyfl.org/home/showdocument?id=1184
• MI ABANDONED MOBILE HOME SALVAGE or DISPOSAL [PDF] (2012) Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), retrieved 2020/05/02, original source: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/deq-owmrp-policy-115-23_408158_7.pdf
  
  Excerpts:
  Upon condemnation or abandonment at the site of generation, a mobile home that is no longer livable meets the definition of "rubbish" in Part 115 and becomes a solid waste.
  
  No permits or licenses are required under Part 115 to salvage mobile homes at the site of generation.
  
  Upon leaving the site of generation, a mobile home that is no longer livable, or waste resulting from the demolition of a mobile home must be transported to a disposal area which complies with Part 115, such as a processing plant, transfer facility, or licensed landfill, ...
• NC North Carolina REGULATIONS for MANUFACTURED HOMES [PDF] (2019) North Carolina Manufactured H ousing Board & North Carolina Department of Insurance, retrieved 2023/05/10, original source: ncosfm.gov/state-nc-regs-mfg-homes-2019-ed-041619-final-signed-codepdf-0/open
• SC DERELICT MOBILE HOMES ACT [PDF] (2007) South Carolina General Assembly, retrieved 2020/05/02, original source: scstatehouse.gov/sess117_2007-2008/bills/3456.htm
• SC South Carolina MOBILE HOME LAW TITLE 31 [PDF] includes requirements for moving or demolishing a mobile home or trailer home or House Trailers, retrieved 2023/05/10 original source: scstatehouse.gov/code/t31c017.php

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Continue reading at MOBILE HOME CODES, STANDARDS & MANUALS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see MOBILE / MANUFACTURED HOME LABEL FAQs - questions & answers originally posted to this article

Or see these

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• MOBILE HOME STRUCTURAL DEFECTS
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MOBILE HOME DEMOLITION / REMOVAL / RELOCATION at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

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