Foundation
The foundation must be prepared according to the home’s specifications and all applicable codes. For more about this, see Preparing the Site for a Manufactured Home.

Leveling
Your factory-built home must be leveled in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation guidelines. If it isn’t, the house’s weight may be unevenly distributed, which can cause walls and floors to buckle. If the floors are not level, windows and doors usually don’t work properly, and a variety of other problems can occur.

Before the installer leaves the site, give your home a full walk-through and look for any signs of it being out of level. (Simply placing a child’s marble on the kitchen floor can be very revealing.) Be aware that the foundation can often settle over time, so it’s good to have an agreement that will call for subsequent inspections 60 to 90 days after installation.

Securing to the Foundation
To help reduce the potential damage from high winds and earthquakes, your home must be anchored to the ground or independent concrete footers. This process must comply with the manufacturer’s guidelines and/or local codes. This is not a do-it-yourself project.

Finishing
Following installation, finishing work such as securing an enclosure around the crawlspace may still need to be done. If you have a multi-section home, other finishing work may include installing molding, joining carpeting, and completing roofing and siding.

Connecting Utilities
The installation process should include making connections to sewer, gas, electrical, and water lines. If the connections aren’t included in the installation price, you’ll have to contract them each individually. Your retailer can help you set up these arrangements, or you can contact your local authorities for more information.

Before Moving In...
Perform an organized inspection. Start with the exterior and move inward, carefully checking each room. Many manufacturers supply a checklist and owner’s manual that you can fill out, date, include additional items that need servicing, and return to the manufacturer. Keep some copies for yourself; a delay could jeopardize your warranty.