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Manufactured homes (trailer home) - kalama boy - 12-10-2009
Aloha everyone. Are trailer homes allowed in hawaii? This seems like a no-brainer when compared to the high cost of housing and building in our state. I lived in a double wide when I was a child and it was actually very nice, and inexpensive. Drive it up on your slab, tie it down and hook it up.
RE: Manufactured homes (trailer home) - MarkP - 12-10-2009
I can't say for sure but I believe that they are illegal, otherwise there would already be lots of them. Given some of the shacks that people live in I can't say whether it would be a step up or not.
RE: Manufactured homes (trailer home) - Bob Orts - 12-10-2009
Yes/No
You can not install a trailer, mobile or manufactured home in Hawaii, unless:
1. It's inspected during construction to the same building codes and standards as any other home by Hawaii County building inspectors and meets all Hawaii codes.
or,
2. It's inspected during construction to the same building codes and standards as any other home by an official government building inspector of another state authorized to act oh behalf of Hawaii County and meets all Hawaii codes.
or,
3. It is a HUD Code labeled structure that meets HUD codes and specification for Hawaii zone.
HUD's specifications for Hawaii are some of the strictest and unless you’re getting the home manufactured in the hurricane belt or Alaska, none of the others would qualify. Add the shipping to Hawaii, transporting overland on both ends, and permits for that transporting and it probably would end up costing more than a locally built home.
There are no manufactured home builders in Hawaii.
I researched this there was no real cost savings when all cost were added up.
RE: Manufactured homes (trailer home) - EightFingers - 12-11-2009
Not all manufactured homes are "trailers" or "mobile homes". (I do know the OP asked about trailers but you mentioned manufactured homes in your reply)
Some manufactured houses are prefab and/or modular.
Are these also illegal in Hawaii?
RE: Manufactured homes (trailer home) - leilaniguy - 12-11-2009
Somebody has recently moved a mobile home to a lot on 130 between Makuu and Paradise makai side & are building a lanai across the front. Whether it's legal or not I dunno.
RE: Manufactured homes (trailer home) - Bob Orts - 12-11-2009
"Mobile homes" has two meanings, the first is common meaning for those rectangular things most people consider mobile homes transported by wheels. The other meaning is the legal definition under HUD Code for units manufactured prior to enacting the HUD Code, or not manufactured to HUD Code. Manufactured, modular and mobile are all interchangeable. People use whatever they want for whatever meaning they want. Prefab generally refers under federal regulation to pieces of a whole home and not the whole home. A prefab may be constructed in stages (walls, floors, roof, bath modules, etc) assembled into a finished home. Some times people will mix prefab and modular meanings. Modular generally means transported on a removable chassis or trailer versus having the chassis as part of the framing (like what we think of for mobile homes).
Under Hawaii law, all these types of non-site built homes are called "factory built'. Under Hawaii law, all factory build will need to be inspected just like a regular home. It can be by Hawaii inspectors, or if being built outside Hawaii County, by some authorized inspector. (* Important note. there are many prefab items that have been approved for use. Take SIP's. Inspectors can't see into each to inspect but if they are already approved as a unit, they can be used. I'll let Rob clarify this)
However, if it is a HUD Code structure (call it mobile, manufactured, modular, or whatever) so long as its ID plate certification conforms to HUD requirements for Hawaii, local building codes don't apply. HUD Code is a specific federal regulation that overrides local regulation. This only applies to the physical structure bearing the ID plate, not the foundation it sits on, electrical & plumbing hookup to the structure, any modifications after certification at the factory, or any other site requirements. That’s still under local building codes
Although you may have a HUD Code home, that does not mean its HUD Code approved for Hawaii. You may see three similar looking homes side by side at the factory, but inside the frame may be three completely different types of framing, plumbing, insulation, etc., based on what region it will finally be installed.
This whole thing is confusing to most and it took much researching and talking to people in the industry to finally get my brain wrapped around all the laws, regulations, definitions, etc.
RE: Manufactured homes (trailer home) - kalama boy - 12-11-2009
Thank you all for your respones and advice to my question.
Mahalo for all of the research Bob, I appreciate it.
I kind of thought they might no be legal, otherwise I think we would see alot of them in use throughout the state.
Aloha!
RE: Manufactured homes (trailer home) - David M - 12-11-2009
Unless the manufacturing has changed I sure wouldn't expect long life from all that chipboard.
David
Ninole Resident
RE: Manufactured homes (trailer home) - Bob Orts - 12-12-2009
quote:It has come a loooong way.
Originally posted by David M
Unless the manufacturing has changed I sure wouldn't expect long life from all that chipboard.
You can still buy the typical single/double wide units commonly though of as mobile homes. You can also get them in 4 - 8 units resembling mini mansions in just about any style. They come with attached garages, all wood kitchens, fancy tile floors and gold plated bathrooms if you want. HUD sets specific standards for each region as far as the physical structure is concern, and minimum standards for interiors, but what you want and what material, well the sky’s the limit.
For Hawaii, the cost of building a unit to HUDS Hawaii standards, shipping and all the other requirements and cost, probably makes it on par with a stick built. The only real savings is time.
RE: Manufactured homes (trailer home) - David M - 12-12-2009
Good to know
David
Ninole Resident