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Fixing a mobile home: what it costs, and who can help pay

Tick what needs work. See a Bay Area cost range, which jobs need an HCD permit, and the repair programs you may qualify for.

What needs fixing?
Home size
Finish level
Owner 62+ or disabled?
$/yr
County

Estimated total cost
$0
Range: $0 · Bay Area estimate
Programs you may qualify for
0

Jobs that need a permit
0

HCD or your city, before work starts

Repair help programs, checked against your numbers

Habitat home repair orientation (how to apply)

Who issues the permit?

In most parks it's HCD (state). A city or county can take over park enforcement with HCD's approval. Look up your park in the HCD park search to see its enforcement agency, or call HCD Codes & Standards, 800-952-8356. Work on the home itself (water heater, furnace, re-roof, panel, plumbing) gets a permit before work starts, even like-for-like.

Ask Ken Watch 15-sec video

Email this repair plan to yourself

Ken will reply with which program to call first and what papers to have ready. No spam.

Or text: 408-666-2825

Next steps

  1. Apply first, fix later. Habitat sends staff to look at the home and sets the scope of work. Have ready: photo ID, HCD title, space lease, homeowner's insurance, income papers for every adult.
  2. Get 2 bids from contractors who do mobile homes (C-47 license for installation and leveling work). Ask each one: "Who pulls the permit, you or me?"
  3. Tell the park manager before work that changes the outside (skirting, steps, deck, roof). Park rules can set colors and materials.
  4. Selling soon? Fix the safety items first and keep permits and receipts. Buyers and lenders ask. See T169 and T168.

Many people get this wrong: "a water heater swap doesn't need a permit." In a mobile home it does, even like-for-like. HCD wants the permit, the manufacturer's specs and, for gas, the piping calcs. California also requires the tank to be strapped for earthquakes. Skip it and the buyer's inspector will flag it when you sell.