Number of home sections
A double-wide or multi-section home generally requires more documentation of supports, connections and visible foundation conditions than a single-section home.
Manufactured Home Structural Inspection Cost in Utah: Engineer Report Requirements
Utah Cost & Lender-Requirements Guide
Manufactured Home Structural Inspection Cost in Utah
Most Utah lender foundation reports cost about $400–$750, depending on the number of home sections, location, access and whether repairs require a return visit. This guide explains what is included, what FHA, VA, USDA and HUD terms mean, and which costs appear when a foundation needs correction.
View the Inspection Service Request a Property Quote$400–$600Single-section planning range
$500–$750Multi-section planning range
5–10 DaysCommon report delivery
Utah-Licensed PESite-specific stamped report
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Manufactured Home Foundation Inspections › Structural Inspection Cost
Updated July 2026 · Informational child article of the FHA Foundation Inspection service pillar
A lender may call the assignment a “structural inspection,” “HUD engineering report,” “engineer’s letter,” “mobile home engineer inspection” or “FHA foundation certification.” In most loan files, those phrases refer to a focused engineering review of the manufactured home’s permanent foundation—not a general structural inspection of the entire residence.
What this child article covers
This page explains cost, report requirements and repair scenarios. It is designed for borrowers, real estate agents, lenders and homeowners who are still trying to understand the fee and documentation.
The Manufactured Home Foundation Inspection service pillar owns statewide scheduling, quote requests and the actual inspection service. Use that page once you are ready to order.
What should you budget?
Single-section home: $400–$600. Multi-section or double-wide: $500–$750. Modular-home engineer letter: $450–$700. Reinspection: $200–$400. Rural or remote travel commonly adds $100–$300. The written proposal controls the final fee.
$400–$600Single-section
$500–$750Multi-section
$200–$400Reinspection
+$100–$300Common remote travel
Manufactured Home Structural Inspection Pricing
| Assignment | Typical Ludlow scope | Planning range |
|---|---|---|
| Single-section manufactured home | One-section home, foundation access, field documentation, engineering review and stamped PDF report | $400–$600 |
| Multi-section / double-wide | Multiple sections, support and connection observations, foundation review and stamped report | $500–$750 |
| Modular-home engineer letter | Site-specific foundation or lender-condition review for a modular home | $450–$700 |
| Reinspection after repairs | Return field visit, correction verification and updated engineer report | $200–$400 |
| Rural / remote travel | Added mobilization outside the normal central-Utah service radius | Often +$100–$300 |
| Unusual or expanded structural scope | Engineering beyond the standard foundation-compliance assignment | Quoted separately |
“Starting at $400” does not mean every property is $400.
The home configuration, driving distance, safe access, lender wording, prior alterations and need for a second site visit all affect the finished fee.
What Changes the Inspection Cost?
Property location
Travel from central Utah affects mobilization. Rural, mountain and southern Utah properties may add travel cost or be grouped with nearby inspections.
Foundation access
Locked skirting, small openings, standing water, unsafe wiring, animals or blocked crawl spaces can require a return visit.
Lender language
A standard PFGMH foundation certification is different from an expanded request covering additions, modifications or broader structural concerns.
Alterations and additions
Porches, garages, decks, additions or modified support systems may create extra documentation or require separate engineering.
Repairs and reinspection
If the first inspection identifies deficiencies, the correction visit and updated report are normally a separate fee.
What Is Usually Included in the Fee?
| Included item | What it means |
|---|---|
| Scope and lender-condition review | The engineer reviews the transaction request and confirms whether the standard foundation assignment fits. |
| Site visit | The visible foundation, support, anchorage and related site conditions are documented. |
| Photographs and field notes | Observed conditions are recorded for engineering review and the loan-file report. |
| Professional Engineer review | A Utah-licensed PE evaluates the findings against the defined report criteria. |
| Signed and stamped PDF | The completed site-specific engineer report is delivered electronically. |
| Basic lender clarification | Reasonable questions about the issued report can be addressed within the original scope. |
Costs generally not included
- Foundation repairs or contractor labor
- Opening or rebuilding inaccessible skirting
- Private utility locating or excavation
- Broader home inspection of plumbing, electrical, roof or HVAC
- Design of a new foundation or major retrofit
- Reinspection after corrections unless stated in the proposal
- Special calculations for additions or altered structural systems
HUD, FHA, VA and USDA: What Is the Difference?
| Term | What it refers to | Why it matters to the report |
|---|---|---|
| HUD | The federal agency responsible for manufactured-housing standards and the Permanent Foundations Guide for Manufactured Housing. | HUD supplies the technical foundation framework; HUD is not the lender. |
| FHA | A HUD mortgage-insurance program. | FHA foundation compliance documentation must be site-specific and completed by a state-licensed engineer or architect. |
| VA | A home-loan guaranty program for eligible veterans and service members. | VA lenders often request a similar permanent-foundation engineer report, but the written lender condition should control the scope. |
| USDA | Rural housing financing programs with manufactured-home property requirements. | USDA eligibility and documentation vary by program and transaction; a noncompliant foundation may need retrofit before the loan can proceed. |
| Conventional | Financing not insured or guaranteed by FHA, VA or USDA. | The underwriter may still require an engineer letter, but company standards vary. |
HUD-7584 and PFGMH are often used as shorthand.
HUD’s official technical document is the Permanent Foundations Guide for Manufactured Housing, Handbook 4930.3G. Lenders and industry providers may refer to the requirement using different names.
What Should the Engineer Report Contain?
Property identification
- Property address
- Inspection date
- Client or lender information when supplied
- Home sections and available identifiers
Observed conditions
- Foundation and support type
- Visible anchorage
- Perimeter enclosure and access
- Drainage, moisture and visible distress
Engineering conclusion
- Applicable technical reference
- Site-specific compliance conclusion
- Deficiencies or required corrections
- Limitations of the inspection
Professional certification
- Professional name
- Utah license information
- Signature and seal
- Dated PDF report
A generic template letter is not enough for FHA foundation compliance.
HUD states that the certification must be site-specific and contain the licensed professional’s signature, seal and state license information.
Illustrative Utah Cost Scenarios
These examples show how the components can combine. They are planning illustrations, not fixed quotes.
Single-section home with clear access
Standard lender foundation request, central Utah location, accessible crawl space and no correction visit.
$400–$600Typical planning total
Rural double-wide with added travel
Multi-section inspection plus remote mobilization. The exact total depends on distance and whether inspections can be grouped.
$600–$1,050Illustrative range
Initial inspection plus reinspection
The first report identifies anchorage or support corrections. A contractor performs the work and the engineer returns.
$600–$1,150Before repair cost
Expanded structural request
The lender also asks about additions, altered framing or a nonstandard foundation system outside the standard report.
Custom quoteAdditional engineering
What Causes a Failed First Inspection?
Missing or loose anchorage
Straps, anchors or connections may be absent, deteriorated, loose or not configured as required.
Improvised support
Loose blocks, shifted piers, damaged members or unsupported areas can interrupt the intended load path.
Water and drainage problems
Standing water, negative grading or chronic moisture can affect support soils and foundation materials.
Inaccessible conditions
The engineer cannot certify areas that cannot be safely observed. Access problems may delay the report rather than create a structural failure.
Unreviewed additions
Porches, rooms, garages or decks may impose loads or connections that require separate documentation.
Visible deterioration or movement
Corrosion, displaced supports, settlement or damaged components may require repair and verification.
A deficiency report is a repair roadmap, not necessarily the end of the loan.
The engineer identifies the observed condition. A qualified contractor completes the required work. The engineer then verifies the correction and updates the report when the conditions are acceptable.
Remediation and Reinspection Costs
The engineer’s reinspection fee is only one part of a failed-inspection budget. Contractor pricing depends on the actual repair, materials, access and local labor.
| Cost layer | Who provides it | Planning treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Initial engineer inspection | Ludlow Engineering | $400–$750 for many standard manufactured-home assignments |
| Repair design, if required | Engineer | Separate proposal when the correction needs engineered details |
| Foundation or anchorage repair | Qualified contractor | Contractor quote based on the identified condition |
| Access correction | Owner or contractor | Remove obstructions, standing water or unsafe conditions |
| Engineer reinspection | Ludlow Engineering | Commonly $200–$400 |
| Updated stamped report | Ludlow Engineering | Included or defined in the reinspection proposal |
USDA’s current loan-origination FAQ notes that an existing manufactured-home foundation may be retrofitted to meet program guidelines, but the loan guarantee cannot be issued until the retrofit is complete and the home meets eligibility criteria.
How Long Does the Inspection and Report Take?
1
Send property and lender information
Provide the address, home sections, loan type, contact details and exact lender condition.
Quote stage
2
Receive the written proposal
The scope, fee, travel and expected scheduling are defined before authorization.
Often same day
3
Schedule the site visit
Access is coordinated with the owner, agent, borrower or occupant.
Often 3–7 days
4
Complete field documentation
The visible support, anchorage, enclosure, drainage and relevant identifiers are recorded.
Site visit
5
Engineer review and report
The Utah-licensed PE reviews the findings and delivers the signed and stamped PDF.
5–10 business days
Repairs, weather, remote travel, unsafe access or missing lender information can extend the transaction schedule. Confirm rush availability before relying on a compressed closing date.
How to Avoid Extra Cost and Delay
Send the lender wording
Forward the exact email or underwriter condition so the engineer can confirm the correct report scope before traveling.
Identify the home correctly
Provide the number of sections, approximate year, HUD labels or data-plate information when available.
Open the foundation area
Unlock access, remove stored items and address animals, standing water or unsafe electrical hazards.
Share prior documentation
Send previous engineer reports, foundation plans, repair invoices and permits that may clarify the installation.
Disclose additions
Tell the engineer about attached garages, rooms, decks or structural changes before the quote is issued.
Do not schedule the inspection last
Order early enough to allow for repairs and reinspection rather than assuming the first visit will immediately clear underwriting.
What This Inspection Does Not Cover
The standard lender foundation report is not a complete home-condition report. It does not replace:
- A general home inspection
- An appraisal
- A title search
- A boundary or land survey
- A pest inspection
- A roof, plumbing, electrical or HVAC inspection
- A contractor’s repair estimate
- Design of a new foundation unless separately contracted
Broader site grading, drainage or utility concerns may require separate civil engineering services.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a mobile home structural engineer cost near me?
In Utah, Ludlow Engineering’s standard manufactured-home foundation report typically ranges from $400–$600 for a single-section home and $500–$750 for a multi-section home. Location, access and scope determine the final proposal.
Is this a structural inspection of the whole home?
No. In lender terminology, “structural inspection” commonly refers to the manufactured-home permanent-foundation report. The normal assignment focuses on supports, anchorage and related visible foundation conditions.
What is a HUD engineering report?
It is a common phrase for a site-specific report from a licensed engineer addressing the manufactured home’s permanent foundation. HUD’s technical reference is the Permanent Foundations Guide for Manufactured Housing, Handbook 4930.3G.
Will the same report work for FHA, VA and USDA?
The underlying foundation review may be similar, but the lender’s written condition controls. Send the exact request before ordering so the report can address the transaction.
Can a regular home inspector sign the certification?
For FHA foundation compliance, HUD requires a professional engineer or registered architect licensed in the state where the home is located.
How long is an older engineer report valid?
HUD guidance indicates that an existing FHA foundation certification may be acceptable for a future FHA loan when there have been no alterations or observable damage. The new lender still decides whether the prior report satisfies its file requirements.
What happens if the home has no HUD tags?
HUD labels help identify manufactured-home sections, but missing labels are a separate documentation issue from the foundation condition. Inform the lender and engineer early so the correct identification process can be addressed.
Where do I order the inspection?
Use the Manufactured Home Foundation Inspection service page to review the ordering information and request a property-specific quote.
Primary references
- HUD: Permanent Foundations Guide for Manufactured Housing, Handbook 4930.3G
- HUD: Manufactured Homes — Foundation Compliance
- HUD: Manufactured Housing Certification Labels
- USDA Rural Development: Single Family Housing Loan Origination FAQ
- Ludlow Engineering: Manufactured Home Foundation Inspection service and current pricing
Ready to Order the Engineer Report?
This article explains the cost. The service pillar explains how to schedule the inspection, what to send and how Ludlow Engineering delivers the site-specific stamped report.
Go to the Foundation Inspection Service Request a Property Quote