5 Steps for Mobile Home Additions: Expand Your Space Easily

Adding space to a mobile home is easy with these 5 steps: deck or porch, sunroom, patio cover, storage room, garage.

how to add an addition to a mobile home

Just because you live in a mobile home doesn’t mean you can’t make the same roomy and modern additions as a site-built home.

We will look at how to add an addition to a mobile home without breaking the bank.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

Can you add an addition to a mobile home?

Absolutely – a mobile home is as customizable as you want it to be. 

Hey hey – real quick! Don’t forget to subscribe to get our best content 🙂

Your imagination is your only limit when it comes to the perfect mobile home addition.

How do you add a room to a mobile home?

You may want to add a room to your manufactured home for a variety of reasons.

  • space
  • aesthetics
  • decrease expenses
  • add value to the mobile home

Deck

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
12/10/2024 04:27 am GMT

You don’t want to skip the outer appearance when you’re looking to do some upgrades to your mobile home.

A deck adds a living area that friends and families can enjoy year-round.

Benefits

  • Decks come in all sizes and styles.
  • Super affordable mobile home add-on.
  • You don’t have to tear anything down (or match the foundation type) to build it.
  • Add instant value to a mobile home.

Sunroom

A sunroom makes for a beautiful mobile home addition if you want something a bit more closed in than a deck or porch.

A sunroom has a ceiling and walls but also has windows and skylights to give the perception that you’re outside without being subjected to the weather.

Patio Cover

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
12/10/2024 04:59 am GMT

While not quite a deck, a patio cover made from quality materials still adds value to a manufactured home.

You do need to check and make sure that support posts are firm. 

Benefits

  • A covered patio proves a cool chill-out space.
  • Adding a patio cover sometimes adds more value than the additional costs.
  • It doesn’t require a huge building project.

Can you add an extension to a mobile home?

Of course, you can extend your mobile home. Families grow, circumstances change, and a single-wide is no longer enough to meet all of your needs.

Most of the time, mobile home additions and upgrades are more affordable than reselling and buying a double or triple-wide – just check with your park if you rent a lot.

Storage Room

It’s too easy to run out of room, and off-site storage has gotten insanely expensive.

Adding a storage room is a simple way to give yourself more space without building a whole new room and destroying the budget.

  • under-bed storage
  • install hooks
  • storage shed
  • shelves
  • storage ottomans
  • quality cabinet space

Garage

Garages are a multi-purpose mobile home add-on. 

You can park your vehicle under the safety of the cover and add an additional storage place at the same time.

Guest Room

A lot of the single-wide models only have one bedroom. But, even with two, you might still need extra space for visitors and relatives.

The biggest drawback of adding a guest room is that it’s expensive and time-consuming.

Benefits

  • Adding a guest room provides everyone with more privacy.
  • It provides additional comfort and space without investing in a double or triple-wide mobile home.

Windows

It doesn’t seem like a huge deal, but having the right energy efficiency can create space without spending big money.

When you replace old windows, it’s an instant aesthetic upgrade.

Energy-efficient windows block heat in the summer and trap heat in the frigid winter. That means you’ll see an instant change in your electricity bill.

Extra Bathroom

If there’s a queue to use the bathroom, you should consider it one of the first additions.

Adding an extra bathroom isn’t a cheap or quick upgrade, even if you’re only building a half bathroom.

But, it’s well worth it for a growing family or for those that have regular houseguests.

Can you add an addition to a mobile home?

The sky’s the limit when you want to make an addition to your manufactured home.

You can add everything from a simple porch to an entirely new bathroom.

How do you add an extra bedroom to a mobile home?

We’ll give you the basic steps to add an extra bedroom to a mobile home. 

Step 1

You have some initial decisions to make.

  • What do you want in the room? What’s its goal?
  • What color are you going with for your mobile home addition? (the fun part!)
  • What materials do you plan to use?
  • Do you have to install heat and air?
  • What about electrical outlets?
  • Don’t forget the windows.

Step 2

You’re looking for someone who has experience with building add-ons for manufactured homes. 

It’s going to require a little research, including whether or not they provide free quotes.

Step 3

Take a ton of pictures to provide for the builder if they aren’t coming to the site. 

You must communicate every aspect of the addition (consider legal issues like watching for the data plate, etc). And there’s never a dumb question. You’re the one paying for the service.

Step 4

Maybe after consulting a professional or two, you’ve decided you have the tools and skills to build the addition yourself.

You likely need to get some outside help installing heat and air and the possible plumbing.

Step 5

Don’t forget the roof (if it requires it). It’s one of the more accessible aspects of mobile home upgrades if you install it correctly.

Step 6 

Watch your add-on room come to life. You finally get to lay the floor or carpet and paint your walls.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you add space to a mobile home?

Expanding the square footage of a mobile home can be a labor-intensive process, but it often significantly enhances the value of the property. Additionally, you have the option to include a living room addition, an additional bathroom, or any other customized features you may require within the home.

How do you maximize space in a single wide mobile home?

To maximize space in a single-wide mobile home, one can employ various strategies such as utilizing bookcases, racks, and shelves to efficiently utilize vertical space. Underbed storage can also be utilized, along with multi-purpose furniture that serves multiple functions. Small item storage and strategic furniture placement can further optimize space. It is important to avoid hoarding to maintain an organized and spacious living environment.

What adds the most value to a mobile home?

The most valuable addition to a mobile home is upgrading the appliances. Enhancing the energy efficiency of the home, applying fresh paint, improving curb appeal, making small upgrades, relocating the home, considering comparable properties, and establishing a budget are all important steps to increase its value.

How to upgrade mobile home walls?

To upgrade mobile home walls, one of the simplest and most cost-effective methods is to paint them. By opting for a single color instead of an outdated pattern, you can quickly refresh a room’s appearance. Painting becomes even easier if you choose to leave the battens, or strips, that cover the seams untouched and simply paint over them.

How can I increase the value of my double wide mobile home?

To increase the value of your double-wide mobile home, you can consider upgrading the windows, installing smart home features, improving energy efficiency, replacing the skirting, giving it a fresh coat of paint, and cleaning the carport.

Is insulated skirting worth it?

Insulated skirting is worth it as it helps complete the home’s energy envelope, minimizes the risk of frozen pipes and heat loss from the floor, and acts as a windbreak.

Can you put drywall in a mobile home?

Yes, it is possible to install drywall in a mobile home. Mobile homes have wooden studs in their walls and are typically covered with 1/4-inch paneling. The spacing of the wall studs is designed to support 4-by-8 panels, so installing mobile home drywall, which comes in 8ft by 4ft sheets, should not pose any issues.

What are mobile home interior walls made of?

Mobile home interior walls are typically made of vinyl-on-gypsum (VOG) wall panels, which differ from traditional drywall. Instead of using tape to conceal the seams, as is done with drywall, batten strips are used to cover the joints during the assembly process.

Can you put shiplap over mobile home walls?

Shiplap can be installed over mobile home walls, adding a touch of rustic farmhouse charm that many people adore. The process involves attaching shiplap boards to the walls and then painting them before adding any trim. This straightforward project can easily transform the walls of a mobile home or any other type of home.

What makes a mobile home different?

A mobile home is distinguished by the date it was built, while a manufactured home is categorized based on the date of construction. As per HUD, any factory-built home constructed before June 15, 1976 is considered a mobile home, whereas those built after that date are referred to as manufactured homes.

Can you put stucco on a manufactured home?

You can put stucco on a manufactured home, but it is important to ensure that the existing siding is in good condition without any dry rot or large holes. If the siding on your mobile home is uneven, such as lap siding, it is generally recommended to remove it before applying the stucco.

Do you need a permit for a deck next to your house?

You need a building permit to construct a deck next to your house because most decks attach to a home and exceed certain size and height limits.

How to add a porch to a mobile home?

The process of adding a porch to a mobile home involves constructing a separate unit with its own footers, as it cannot be directly attached to the home’s structure. This allows the porch to move independently from the mobile home. To gain a deeper understanding of building additions for mobile homes, you can find more information here.

Can you put cement board siding on a manufactured home?

Yes, it is possible to install cement board siding on a manufactured home, considering factors such as your location, climate, and budget. Other suitable materials for the siding of a manufactured home include vinyl, fiber cement, concrete, or engineered wood.

Similar Posts