View Full Version : Mobile Home, Trailers - Planning on Remodel in order to Resell
prefabhomes
Dec 3, 2016, 04:56 AM
Hi new to the community. Been planning for a while to get a crew together to remodel and flip old trailer/mobile homes.
Apart from everyone on the crew being licensed for their specific role is there any other licenses or permits I need to apply for?
All the insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
joypulv
Dec 3, 2016, 05:22 AM
Licenses go by state. The ones for GCs and carpenters are the ones that vary. Electricians and plumbers are pretty standard, but also apply to that one state only. Just google your state licensing division.
Permits are local to the town or county. You may have to get several, such as building plus zoning. Often the offices are right next to each other. It would be rare for a remodel to have to go through zoning, but it can happen, if they are trying to phase out mobile homes or something.
I live in a tiny rural town, and a permit for a garage including I think 4 agencies, such as river watershed, etc. Not even near a river, LOL.
If it's a trailer park, you also have to go through them, because they often own the land.
When you say 'get a crew together,' beware hiring actual employees. Being an employer is a lot of paperwork and payroll taxes (federal and state EIN), liability insurance, WC, and so on.
Even if you hire subs, if they don't have insurance, you can get in big trouble. Some people will pay WC for those subs. You need liability insurance regardless.
Basically there are totally legal ways to do this, and totally illegal, and variations in between. Many like you would probably fall in between, and just hope for the best. If nothing goes wrong, you might get away with it.
You need to learn how to do bookkeeping and taxes unless you farm that out too.
And don't forget to factor in the sales tax and revenue tax when you sell....
Be careful about watching too many flip shows on TV.
prefabhomes
Dec 3, 2016, 07:07 AM
Thanks for answering.
I'll be more specific. Looking at purchasing old Shipping containers remodel them into homes and sell just the container fully built as a home but with the design layout requested by the customer and then have it shipped to them.
All installation, transport would have to be done by the customer all I am doing is supplying them with their new home.
Please let me know, thanks!
tickle
Dec 3, 2016, 08:14 AM
Thanks for being 'more specific' buying old shipping containers, not a new concept, and remodeling to certain plans is by far a deviation from your original post of remodel and flip old trailer/mobile homes.
We put a lot of thought into our replies, and you could have saved Joy a lot of time probably researching her answer to your original post.
joypulv
Dec 3, 2016, 03:03 PM
SIGH... yes, thanks tickle, I wish I had known. But I didn't do any research. I worked for contractors most of my life.
I don't believe your change of question. You said 'remodel and flip old trailer/mobile homes.' NO WAY is that 'Oh sorry, I meant something else.'
BYE!!!
prefabhomes
Dec 3, 2016, 06:12 PM
It is still my original question. I am planning on remodeling shipping containers and old trailers I never said anything about selling them attached to a lot or in a park. That is why I re-phrased my questions since you assumed I was watching some infomercial about buying hold and flipping which is not the case and I never said anything about doing that.I was wondering if I need a dealers license and any other licenses to remodel and then ship nationwide not in a park or on a piece of land.
Alty
Dec 3, 2016, 07:14 PM
Licensing is still by state or province or whatever, so you'll have to do the research that applies to where you live in order to sell these "homes" and you'll need to know what licensing is required in the countries you plan to sell these homes in.
A dealers license, that depends on where you live. Other licenses also depend on where you live, and you'll also have to be aware of the licensing needed and required of the people you're shipping these homes to because any problems they have after purchasing a home sold by you, may come back to bite you in the butt because your licensing may not meet the standards of where you're shipping to.
In other words, it's going to take a lot of research, more than anyone would be willing to do for free, especially when we don't even know where to start because we have no idea where you live and the licensing you require in the place you live, and I'm assuming that you plan to ship wherever a customer asks you to, which will mean you need to follow the licensing of the country your homes are shipped to, and not only where you live, all of which is also unknown. If that makes sense.
Long story short, this isn't something anyone can help you with, at least not with the limited info you're providing.
prefabhomes
Dec 3, 2016, 07:22 PM
Thank you! :) sounds easier to start by state then expand if there is a demand locally or relocate or adapt work under the county or state laws of "in demand" markets.
I'm in real estate and these prefabs have always been an interest of mines I appreciate the help!
Alty
Dec 4, 2016, 03:05 PM
Thank you! :) sounds easier to start by state then expand if there is a demand locally or relocate or adapt work under the county or state laws of "in demand" markets.
I'm in real estate and these prefabs have always been an interest of mines I appreciate the help!
I agree, starting where you live and then expanding if there is a demand, would definitely be the way to go.
There is a huge interest in these little homes right now, because they're affordable, yet comfortable to live in.
I've been interested in these homes for a long time now. Not really viable for me because of the size of my family, the number of pets we have, and the fact that it's cold for over 6 months of the year and all our living during those months is done inside. Great for warmer climates where you can add outdoor living to the small indoor space.
Good luck with your endeavor