Mobile Home Addition Do or Don't

We have a 14x56 1995 two bedroom one bathromm mobile home that we are thining about adding an addtion onto. We want to build on an addition that we can do the exterior first and then slowly work on the inside as money allows. We want the addition to be the length of the trailer. We pretty much know what we want the addition to contain as far as rooms and such but is this even a good idea? What are some of the does and don'ts about this and how do we even go about getting started. Help we have a growing family and need help fast. Also, can you help me figure out how much it will cost to do the exterior so we can slowly work on the interior.

 

Hi shudderbugdaze,

there are several pros and cons in the decision , but the first issue I'd consider is regarding the foundations & soil --> depending of the characteristics, this can be a very expensive item. Not only for the price of the foundations, but the fact that you must tie the new foundations with the old ones
The second item is the roof, same situation of the foundations.
Of course, the great advantage is the fact that you can spend the $$$ following your own schedule
This is what I'd do--> In the web, there are several home design programs, and most of them have free demo versions. You can do a sketch and get a material list. If you bring that list to HD, Lowes, etc you will get a good idea of the prices
You can get a good idea of the prices in this site
http://www.building-cost.net/
Check their free options

Of course, first of all, check the conditions with your Building Department

 

Is your mobile home on a foundation or on blocks?

Are you in a mobile home community or out by yourself on say some rural plot of land? If you were in a community, I'd see if it's allowed and others have done this, and stop in and talk to them, since they would have had to deal with questions you have.

As far as figuring exterior cost, you have to make a line drawing (like a blueprint) and then figure out how many posts, beams, joists, flooring, plates, studs, wrap, insulation, doors, windows, trim, rafters, shingles, drip edge, soffit and fascia, gutters?, nails/screws/caulk, etc., - and add it all up, plus throw in maybe 10% contingency for stuff you forgot.

I made a full length mobile home addition once (mobile home on blocks) in a rural community. One of my biggest concerns was with movement between the two and tying in the roof. This was before they had rubber roofing, which would have been nice, as if there was any movement where the two joined it would 'give' (within reason)in a similar way (without tearing/leaking) that furnace plenums are often designed with that flexible expansion seam, that can move, between the furnace and the plenum.