What is a Manufactured Home?

Is it manufactured, modular or mobile?

Manufactured homes are constructed to comply with the National Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards (The HUD Code), a uniform building standard administered and enforced by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Federal standards regulate the home’s design and construction, strength and durability, transportability, fire resistance, energy efficiency and quality control. The HUD Code also sets tough performance standards for heating, plumbing, air conditioning, thermal and electrical systems. In New Jersey HUD also administrates the installation program for manufactured homes. The industry has adopted the term “manufactured home” for all homes built to the HUD code adopted in 1976.

Modular homes are also factory-built. The components are designed, engineered and assembled in a factory, then come together at the building site where the home is completed by a licensed builder. Modular homes do not fall under the HUD Code, rather they are required to meet codes regulated by state and local agencies, the same way in which site-built homes are regulated.

“Mobile home” is the outdated name for manufactured housing.