The Manual for Manufactured/Mobile Home Repair and Upgrade

I saw this online as a downloadable for phone or tablet, for 3$ less. I’ll wait to get a tablet for easier viewing, but just purchased hard copy.This is an indispensable book to have if you own a mobile home. Few contractors or repairman want to work on them because of the tedious work involved. Like model building, more intricate painstaking measures are necessary. It’s a frame of four walls sitting on a plateform any miscalculation can lead to disaster.Mr. Bower took the time to compile as much information, he probably came across in his time as a contractor and put it in one manual. Some reviewers stated “dated”, and “cheaply made”.That information can be found on google. Yes, but I can’t keep referring to internet searches while in middle of project. Internet and diy clips from YouTube are fine to watch for pointers, but not practical when one is holding up a panel or in a crawl space. And I haven’t seen any other published material containing as comprehensive material for as less. Through research I found there are only 4 similar publications, This one being named as 2nd best. The first being way too pricey and reviews state not as comprehensive. Like a full automobile repair manual including specs and designs a manual should come with home when purchased, maybe even a law making the seller have such a manual on hand for buyer -included in price of home.(so tack the price into the list price. Lol)Few contractors, None in my area, want to even work on mobile homes. This book is a great start for any one attempting a “headache” of a repair.I already have replaced some pipes and about to undertake replacing flooring, from the insulation to the subfloor and main floor. With no previous knowledge of any of those, I’ll find this book most useful. I’m expecting this book to be a valuable go-to guide for my diy repairs.Update: I just received my copy.B&W pics of various home improvement/repair jobs you may come across in easy to understand, presentation.I bought this mostly because I’m about to lay a new underbelly, subfloor and floor and could find no other helpful published source. This manual gives me an idea of what this diy will entail.

This is the first manufactured home repair manual I have bought. Although not completely complete it does supply enough information and insight to let you decide if you want to tackle the repair yourself or hire someone. Moderate step by step details with B/W photos. Probably 175+ pages broken up into 20 chapters. Seems to cover most major things I can think of - squeaky floors to recovering the roof. Also what to do and not do/use advice on repairs/materials. Well worth the $$$ to me. My copy is a 2002 spiral bound issue which makes for easier reading as it lays flat.

This is an excellent resource for the mobile home owner. I purchased in 2013 when our home received water damage from a split washing machine hose. It provided all the information needed to allow us to complete all the repairs including replacing subfloors and underbelly. I have utilized it many times since then to keepOur home in good repair and to make updates. Definitely a must have for any mobile home owner.

The "manual" is pretty much just a bunch of photo-copied pages put together in a logical order and put together with a plastic ring binder machine. I think at $30, it's overpriced (like other reviewers have posted) but, I wanted to learn more about my Manufactured home without having to spend hours on the internet. So, when considering that "time is money" it's better to have the book in my hand than to be looking everything up all the time.

Great to help with repairs those of us in manufactured homes need to,know how to fix.

For the price of $35, I would expect better quality. Other than the cover, none of the pictures are in color. All the pictures are small, dark, and low resolution, so it’s hard to see details in them. The info is pretty basic. If you don’t know much about home maintenance and repair, the info is useful. But there’s nothing here I’ve seen so far that I can’t find for free with a quick internet search. And the pictures I get online are much better.

This manual coupled with another one titled Your Mobile Home: Energy and Repair Guide for Manufactured Housing, 5th Edition provide a very complete guide for any Do It Yourself person, and even many professionals could improve their weak areas.I knew I was taking over an abandoned home manufactured in 1981 and it was in sad shape, but with much potential. I got the "...Repair and Upgrade" book to see how to best tackle things like rebuilding the entire floor and how the walls are built and such. I also got the "...Energy and Repair..." book as an after thought but I am so glad I did.This book taught me how to pretty much rebuild the entire manufactured home, whereas the "...Energy..." book taught me how to do it smart to save a big pile of money over the years I will have to pay utility bills.When I actually start using the Repair and Upgrade book for the actual rebuilding process, I will be looking to incorporate the great energy(money) saving ideas in this one as I go. I will replace ceiling tile and flooring so using the blown in insulation won't even require me to cut then patch holes to save myself big bucks each year. I suspect the energy savings will pay for the extra remodel costs with in 2-4 years. Although the pictures are older, lower quality and black and white they get the point across.Together they are a tremendous pair of books that compliment each other.Note that a third book that often sells with these two, much cheaper was mostly useless so I won't name it.

This is an excellent book for repairs of most problem areas of a mobile home. It is extremely detailed in explanations and has pictures and/or drawings showing procedures for each task.It is inclusive, from floors to ceiling repairs, and everything in between. It covers exterior problems as well as interior ones - and takes you through the procedures step by step. An excellent book for even beginner DIY.