Manufactured Home Foundation Inspections in Utah
The site-specific, engineer-stamped foundation report your lender needs for an FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional manufactured-home loan. We inspect the foundation, document the conditions, and deliver a signed PDF report for the loan file — from $400.
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Updated July 2026 · Canonical service pillar for manufactured-home foundation reports
When a lender asks for an "engineer's letter," "HUD engineering report," "structural inspection," or "FHA foundation certification," what they almost always need is a site-specific report on the manufactured home's permanent foundation. Ludlow Engineering provides that inspection and stamped report throughout Utah — reviewed and signed by a Utah-licensed Professional Engineer, priced from $400, and typically delivered in 5–10 business days. Send us the lender's exact wording and the property address and we'll match the scope to your transaction. Request a fixed-fee quote →
FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional underwriters use different wording for the same report. Forward the exact loan condition or email with the property address so the certification matches the transaction the first time. Upload the lender request and property details →
What Is a Manufactured Home Foundation Inspection?
This is a focused engineering inspection of a manufactured home's foundation, support, anchorage, and site conditions — not a whole-house inspection. A general home inspector evaluates roofs, plumbing, HVAC, and appliances. This report addresses only the foundation and structural-support items the lender needs for a manufactured-home loan.
Industry and lender requests may call it "HUD-7584," "PFGMH," "permanent foundation certification," or a "manufactured home engineer report." They all point to the same underlying standard.
The governing standard
HUD's official technical reference is the Permanent Foundations Guide for Manufactured Housing, Handbook 4930.3G. HUD requires that FHA foundation compliance certification be completed by a professional engineer or registered architect licensed in the state where the home is located, and that the certification be site-specific and carry the professional's signature, seal, and license information. Source: HUD Handbook 4930.3G.
FHA, VA, USDA & Conventional Report Types
The inspection is the same; the lender's wording and loan condition differ. Send us the underwriter request and we'll certify to the correct transaction.
FHA Financing
Commonly requires documentation that the foundation complies with HUD's Permanent Foundations Guide. The underwriter sets the final loan-file requirement.
VA Financing
VA lenders frequently request an engineer-stamped permanent-foundation report. Send the lender's wording so the certification addresses the correct condition.
USDA Rural Development
Foundation reports are common on rural manufactured-home financing. Remote location and access can affect travel, scheduling, and price.
Conventional Loans
Conventional underwriters may require the same review, especially when the home is treated as real property or prior documentation is unavailable.
Refinancing
A refinance can trigger a new foundation condition even if the home has been in place for years. The lender decides whether prior certification is acceptable.
Modular Homes
Modular homes are built to state and local codes rather than the HUD code, but a lender may still request a site-specific engineer letter for the foundation.
What the Engineer Inspects
| Inspection area | What is documented | Why lenders care |
|---|---|---|
| Footings & support | Visible piers, footings, beams, support locations and general load path | Confirms an identifiable permanent support system |
| Anchorage | Visible anchors, straps, connections and lateral/uplift restraint | Addresses wind, seismic and movement resistance |
| Foundation materials | Concrete, masonry, treated wood or other durable components | Permanent foundations must use durable, site-appropriate materials |
| Perimeter enclosure | Skirting or perimeter wall condition, attachment and access openings | Documents durability, crawl-space protection and access |
| Drainage & moisture | Ponding, negative grading, water entry, vapor or ventilation concerns | Moisture affects soil, footings, framing and long-term performance |
| Home identification | Address, sections, labels or available data-plate information | Connects the report to the correct home and loan file |
| Visible distress | Settlement, displacement, deterioration, damaged or altered supports | Flags conditions that may need correction before certification |
The inspector needs safe, practical access to the crawl space, basement, or visible support system. Locked skirting, standing water, unsafe wiring, animals, or blocked openings can delay the inspection.
What's in the Engineer Report
Property & home ID
Address, inspection date, manufactured-home sections and available identifiers, and client/lender information when supplied.
Foundation documentation
Foundation and support type, anchorage observations, photographs of visible conditions, and drainage/moisture/access notes.
Engineering conclusion
Applicable PFGMH reference, site-specific findings, required corrections where applicable, and PE signature and stamp.
Delivery
PDF report by email, a copy for borrower/lender/title, a paper copy on request, and a revised certification after approved corrections.
Inspection Pricing in Utah
Pricing depends on the home, foundation, location, access, and whether corrections require a second visit. These are current planning ranges; the written proposal controls the final fee.
| Project type | Typical scope | Planning range |
|---|---|---|
| Single-section manufactured home | Site visit, documentation and stamped foundation report | $400 – $600 |
| Multi-section / double-wide | Multiple sections, supports, connections and report | $500 – $750 |
| Modular-home engineer letter | Foundation review for a lender's modular-home condition | $450 – $700 |
| Reinspection after corrections | Return visit, correction verification and updated report | $200 – $400 |
| Rural / remote travel | Travel outside the normal central-Utah service radius | + $100 – $300 |
For a full cost breakdown, read our manufactured home structural inspection cost guide, then request a property-specific proposal.
Inspection & Report Process
Send the property & lender request
Provide the address, home type, loan type, contact information, and the exact lender condition.
Receive the written proposal
We confirm the fee, travel, expected scheduling, and report scope.
Coordinate access
The owner, agent, or occupant provides access to the property and foundation area.
Complete the field inspection
The inspector documents the visible foundation, supports, anchorage, drainage, and home identifiers.
Engineer review & report
A Utah-licensed Professional Engineer reviews the findings and signs and stamps the completed report.
Corrections & reinspection if required
Deficiencies are documented so repairs can be completed and verified before final certification.
Common Conditions That Delay Certification
Missing or inadequate anchorage
Loose, missing, corroded, or improperly connected straps and anchors can prevent a compliant conclusion.
Unsupported or altered framing
Improvised blocks, damaged piers, shifted supports, or unreviewed additions can disrupt the load path.
Drainage & standing water
Negative grade, ponding, or crawl-space moisture can affect soil support and foundation materials.
Inadequate access
The engineer cannot certify conditions that cannot be safely observed. Access openings must be unlocked and usable.
Deteriorated perimeter enclosure
Damaged masonry, treated-wood backing, skirting, or ventilation may require correction or documentation.
Missing home information
Unavailable HUD labels or data-plate information may raise lender questions even when the foundation is acceptable.
The report identifies observed deficiencies. A qualified contractor completes the repairs, then Ludlow Engineering verifies the work and issues an updated report when the corrected conditions are acceptable.
How to Prepare for the Inspection
- Lender or underwriter request — shows the exact report language and program requirement.
- Property address and contact — lets travel, access, and scheduling be quoted correctly.
- Home type and number of sections — establishes scope and price.
- HUD labels or data plate (if available) — supports home identification and lender documentation.
- Prior engineer reports or foundation plans — may clarify the original installation and previous certification.
- Unlocked crawl-space or basement access — prevents a failed site visit.
- Safe, dry inspection area — standing water, animals, exposed wiring, or blocked access can stop the inspection.
Statewide Utah Coverage
Our central-Utah base in Nephi supports manufactured-home foundation inspections across the state. Travel is included in the written proposal and depends on distance, scheduling, and whether several inspections can be grouped.
We also serve northern Utah, the Wasatch Front, eastern Utah, and southern Utah on a travel-quoted basis. Rural and remote properties are quoted with access and scheduling considerations.
Request Your Foundation Report
Send the property and the lender's exact condition. We'll confirm the fixed fee, scope, and available inspection date — commonly the same day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the inspection cost?
Typical planning ranges are $400–$600 for a single-section home and $500–$750 for a multi-section home. Location, access, foundation type, and any corrections affect the final proposal.
How quickly can the report be delivered?
Most standard reports are delivered within 5–10 business days after the inspection. Scheduling the site visit and completing any required corrections can extend the overall timeline.
Will the report be accepted by my lender?
The report is site-specific and reviewed and stamped by a Utah-licensed Professional Engineer. Because lender wording varies, send the exact underwriter request before the inspection so the certification matches the condition.
What's the difference between HUD-7584 and PFGMH?
Lenders often use "HUD-7584" as shorthand for the permanent-foundation requirement. HUD's official technical guide is the Permanent Foundations Guide for Manufactured Housing, Handbook 4930.3G.
Can a home inspector sign the report?
No. For FHA purposes, the foundation compliance certification must be completed by a professional engineer or registered architect licensed in the state where the home is located.
What if the home was built before June 15, 1976?
HUD's manufactured-home construction standards apply to homes built after June 15, 1976. Older mobile homes may face financing eligibility issues independent of the foundation condition. Confirm eligibility with the lender before ordering the report.
Does the inspection include the roof, plumbing, or electrical?
No. This is a foundation and structural-support report for lender purposes. Hire a general home inspector for the condition of the rest of the home.
What if repairs are required?
The report lists observed deficiencies. After a contractor completes the work, Ludlow Engineering can perform a reinspection and issue an updated certification when appropriate.