Single-Section Home
Foundation access, field documentation, engineering review and a stamped PDF report for a one-section home.
Manufactured Home Structural Inspection Cost in Utah: Engineer Report Requirements
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Utah cost & lender-requirements guide
Manufactured Home Structural Inspection Cost in Utah
Most Utah lender foundation reports cost about $400–$750, depending on how many sections the home has, where it is, how easy the crawl space is to reach, and whether repairs need a return visit.
Lenders use many names for the same report.
“Structural inspection,” “HUD engineering report,” “engineer’s letter,”
“mobile home engineer inspection” and “FHA foundation certification”
usually all mean one thing: a Utah-licensed engineer’s site-specific review
of the home’s permanent foundation, not a full inspection of the house.
$400–$600
Single-section home
$500–$750
Multi-section / double-wide
5–10 days
Common report delivery
Utah PE
Signed & stamped report
The direct cost answer
How Much Does a Manufactured Home Structural Inspection Cost?
A single-section home typically runs $400–$600 and a multi-section or double-wide $500–$750. A modular-home engineer letter runs $450–$700, and a reinspection after repairs $200–$400. Rural or remote properties commonly add $100–$300 for travel. Your written proposal sets the final fee before anyone drives out.
01 · 2026 Utah planning ranges
Manufactured Home Inspection Pricing
These are Ludlow Engineering’s current planning ranges for standard lender foundation assignments. “Starting at $400” doesn’t mean every property is $400; configuration, distance, access and lender wording all affect the final fee.
Multi-Section / Double-Wide
Supports and connections across multiple sections, foundation review and a stamped report.
Modular-Home Engineer Letter
A site-specific foundation or lender-condition review for a modular home.
Reinspection After Repairs
A return visit to verify corrections, with an updated engineer report.
Rural or Remote Travel
Added mobilization outside our normal central-Utah radius. Nearby inspections can sometimes be grouped.
Expanded Structural Scope
Engineering beyond the standard foundation report, such as additions or altered framing.
Ask for a quote →
Not a whole-house inspection
The Report Focuses on the Foundation, Supports and Anchorage.
In most loan files, a “structural inspection” of a manufactured home means a focused engineering review of the permanent foundation. It doesn’t cover the roof, plumbing, electrical or HVAC, and it doesn’t replace a general home inspection or appraisal.
02 · Why two quotes can differ
What Changes the Inspection Cost?
Two homes of the same size can have different fees. These are the variables we look at before we send your written proposal.
Number of Sections
A double-wide or multi-section home takes more documentation of supports, connections and foundation conditions than a single-section home.
Property Location
Travel from central Utah affects mobilization. Rural, mountain and southern Utah properties may add travel or be grouped with nearby jobs.
Foundation Access
Locked skirting, small openings, standing water, unsafe wiring, animals or blocked crawl spaces can require a second trip.
Lender Wording
A standard permanent-foundation certification differs from a request covering additions, modifications or broader structural concerns.
Alterations & Additions
Porches, garages, decks or modified support systems may need extra documentation or separate engineering.
Repairs & Reinspection
If the first visit finds deficiencies, the correction visit and updated report are normally a separate fee.
03 · Loan programs decoded
HUD, FHA, VA and USDA: What’s the Difference?
HUD writes the technical standard: the Permanent Foundations Guide for Manufactured Housing (Handbook 4930.3G), often shortened to PFGMH or called “HUD-7584.” HUD isn’t the lender. FHA, VA, USDA and conventional lenders each decide what documentation their loan file needs.
For FHA loans, HUD requires the foundation certification to be site-specific and signed by an engineer or registered architect licensed in the state where the home sits. A generic template letter won’t pass.
How Each Program Treats the Report
HUD: sets manufactured-housing standards and the foundation guide; not the lender.
FHA: a HUD mortgage-insurance program; needs a site-specific report by a state-licensed engineer or architect.
VA: lenders often ask for a similar permanent-foundation report; the written condition controls scope.
USDA: requirements vary by program; a noncompliant foundation may need retrofit before the loan proceeds.
Conventional: the underwriter may still want an engineer letter; standards vary by company.
04 · What the fee covers
What’s Included, and What Isn’t
The standard fee covers the engineering assignment from scope review through the stamped PDF. Repairs and work outside the foundation assignment are separate.
| Included in the fee | What it means |
|---|---|
| Scope & lender-condition review | The engineer confirms the standard foundation assignment fits your lender’s request. |
| Site visit | Visible foundation, supports, anchorage and related site conditions are documented. |
| Photos & field notes | Observed conditions are recorded for engineering review and the loan file. |
| Professional Engineer review | A Utah-licensed PE evaluates the findings against the defined criteria. |
| Signed & stamped PDF | The site-specific report is delivered electronically. |
| Basic lender clarification | Reasonable questions about the issued report, within the original scope. |
Usually Not Included
Foundation repairs or contractor labor, opening inaccessible skirting, utility locating or excavation, and design of a new foundation or major retrofit.
Also Separate
A general home inspection of roof, plumbing, electrical or HVAC; reinspection after corrections unless stated; and calculations for additions or altered framing.
05 · Know what you’re paying for
What Should the Engineer Report Contain?
HUD states the FHA certification must be site-specific and include the licensed professional’s signature, seal and state license information. A complete report covers four areas.
Property identification: address, inspection date, client or lender, home sections and available identifiers.
Observed conditions: foundation and support type, visible anchorage, perimeter enclosure and access.
Site conditions: drainage, moisture and any visible distress.
Engineering conclusion: the technical reference used and a site-specific compliance finding.
Corrections: deficiencies or required repairs, plus the limits of what could be observed.
Certification: engineer’s name, Utah license information, signature, seal and date.
06 · Illustrative Utah totals
What Will You Actually Spend?
These examples show how the pieces combine. They’re planning illustrations, not fixed quotes, and repair work is priced by your contractor.
| Scenario | Planning total | What’s in it |
|---|---|---|
| Single-section, clear access | $400–$600 | Standard lender request, central Utah, accessible crawl space, no correction visit |
| Rural double-wide with travel | $600–$1,050 | Multi-section inspection plus remote mobilization; depends on distance and grouping |
| Inspection plus reinspection | $600–$1,150 | First report finds corrections, contractor repairs, engineer returns (before repair cost) |
| Expanded structural request | Custom quote | Lender also asks about additions, altered framing or a nonstandard foundation |
07 · If the first visit doesn’t pass
What Causes a Failed First Inspection?
A deficiency report is a repair roadmap, not necessarily the end of the loan. The engineer identifies the condition, a contractor fixes it, and the engineer returns to verify and update the report.
Missing or Loose Straps
Straps, anchors or connections may be absent, deteriorated, loose or not configured as required.
Improvised Piers
Loose blocks, shifted piers, damaged members or unsupported areas can interrupt the load path.
Drainage & Moisture
Standing water, negative grading or chronic moisture can affect support soils and materials.
Areas That Can’t Be Seen
The engineer can’t certify what can’t be safely observed. This delays the report rather than failing it.
Unreviewed Porches & Rooms
Attached rooms, garages or decks may add loads or connections that need separate documentation.
Corrosion or Movement
Corrosion, displaced supports, settlement or damage may require repair and verification.
| Remediation cost layer | Who provides it | Planning treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Initial engineer inspection | Ludlow Engineering | $400–$750 |
| Repair design, if required | Engineer | Separate proposal when the fix needs engineered details |
| Foundation or anchorage repair | Qualified contractor | Contractor quote based on the condition |
| Access correction | Owner or contractor | Clear obstructions, water or unsafe conditions |
| Engineer reinspection | Ludlow Engineering | $200–$400 |
Don’t schedule it last
Order Early Enough to Leave Room for Repairs.
If the first visit finds anchorage or support problems, you’ll need time for a contractor and a reinspection before closing. USDA, for example, notes that a manufactured-home foundation can be retrofitted to meet its guidelines, but the loan guarantee can’t be issued until the retrofit is complete.
08 · From quote to stamped report
How Long Do the Inspection and Report Take?
Repairs, weather, remote travel, unsafe access or missing lender information can stretch the schedule. Confirm rush availability before relying on a tight closing date.
1
Send Details
Address, home sections, loan type, contacts and the exact lender condition.
2
Written Proposal
Scope, fee, travel and scheduling defined before you authorize. Often same day.
3
Schedule the Visit
Access coordinated with the owner, agent or occupant. Often 3–7 days.
4
Field Documentation
Supports, anchorage, enclosure, drainage and identifiers are recorded.
5
Stamped Report
PE review and signed, stamped PDF, typically in 5–10 business days.
09 · Save a trip
How to Avoid Extra Cost and Delay
Most second trips are avoidable. A few minutes of preparation before the visit keeps the fee and the schedule where you expect them.
Send the Lender Wording
Forward the exact underwriter condition so the scope is right before we travel.
Describe the Home
Number of sections, approximate year, and HUD labels or data-plate details if available.
Open the Crawl Space
Unlock access and clear stored items, animals, standing water and electrical hazards.
Share Prior Reports
Earlier engineer reports, foundation plans, repair invoices, permits, and any additions.
10 · Scope limits
This Report Isn’t a Complete Home-Condition Report.
The standard lender foundation report answers one question for the loan file. Broader site grading, drainage or utility concerns may need separate civil engineering.
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 contracted separately
11 · Next steps
Ready to Order, or Need More Detail?
This guide explains the cost. The service page covers scheduling, what to send and how the stamped report is delivered.
Service page
Manufactured Home Foundation Inspections
Statewide scheduling, ordering information and the inspection service itself.
Your propertyRequest a Property Quote
Send the address, home sections, loan type and lender condition.
Beyond the foundationCivil Engineering
Grading, drainage and site design when the problem is bigger than the foundation.
12 · Direct answers
Manufactured Home Inspection Cost FAQ
Questions borrowers, agents, lenders and homeowners ask before ordering the report.
How much does a mobile home structural engineer cost in Utah?
Ludlow Engineering’s standard manufactured-home foundation report typically runs $400–$600 for a single-section home and $500–$750 for a multi-section home. Location, access and scope set the final proposal.
What is a HUD engineering report?
A common name for a site-specific report from a licensed engineer on the manufactured home’s permanent foundation. HUD’s technical reference is the Permanent Foundations Guide for Manufactured Housing, Handbook 4930.3G.
Is this a structural inspection of the whole home?
No. In lender terms, “structural inspection” usually means the permanent-foundation report, focused on supports, anchorage and visible foundation conditions.
Why would a lender require a structural engineering report?
FHA and many other lenders need proof the home sits on a permanent foundation that meets HUD’s guide before they’ll insure or fund the loan. The engineer’s stamped report is that proof.
Will the same report work for FHA, VA and USDA?
The foundation review may be similar, but each lender’s written condition controls. Send the exact request before ordering so the report addresses your transaction.
Can a regular home inspector sign the certification?
Not for FHA. HUD requires a professional engineer or registered architect licensed in the state where the home is located.
How much does a reinspection cost?
Commonly $200–$400 for the return visit and updated report. Contractor repair costs are separate and depend on the condition found.
How long does the report take?
Site visits are often scheduled within 3–7 days, and the stamped report typically follows in 5–10 business days. Repairs, travel or access problems can add time.
How long is an older engineer report valid?
HUD guidance indicates an existing FHA foundation certification may be acceptable for a future FHA loan if there have been no alterations or observable damage. The new lender still decides.
What if the home has no HUD tags?
Missing labels are a separate identification issue from the foundation condition. Tell your lender and engineer early so it can be addressed.
Utah-licensed PE · Site-specific stamped report
Get a Fixed Price for Your Property.
Send the address, number of home sections, loan type and your lender’s exact condition. We’ll confirm the scope, fee and next available visit.
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.
Who's behind this page
Licensed Utah Surveyors & Engineers Since 1975.
Ludlow Engineering has surveyed and engineered Utah property for 51 years. Every survey and plan is prepared under a licensed professional, not handed off.
J. Brett Ludlow
Professional EngineerState of Utah
Stamps our site plans, foundation designs and civil engineering.
Daryl Penrod
Professional Land SurveyorState of Utah No. 5331527
Directs our boundary, topographic, ALTA and subdivision surveys.
Travis Ludlow
Partner & Managing MemberMBA
Managing Member of Ludlow Engineers and Associates
Since 197551 years, family-run in Nephi
5,606projects tracked since 2000
1,200+survey maps filed with Utah counties
19 countiesacross Utah where we've worked
Our foundation inspection record
67 foundation inspection projects since 2000, in 7 Utah counties.
Most recent: Aug 2023.
Recent projects
- Foundation inspectionMount Pleasant, Sanpete County
Counts come from Ludlow Engineering's project records (2000–present, updated Oct 2026). Client names are never shown.