In a new manufactured home community with vacant homesites, most often prospective Homeowners begin the construction process by selecting the ideal homesite for the placement of their dream home. Once the site location has been chosen, it is easier to define the parameters for the maximum home and accessory structure dimensions.

The Homeowner selects the floorplan, orders, and purchases the home through a licensed manufactured home dealership. Depending upon the manufacturer, the Homeowner may expect their home to be delivered to their site, from the factory, within 4 to 6 weeks from the order date. The home order from the dealership usually includes transporting the home to the site, setup and closeup (interior drywall work), and a one-year warranty workmanship service period. Manufacturers provide various warranties on the home ranging from 1 to 7 years.

After careful consideration of the Homeowner's "needs and desires", the licensed contractor is able to design and layout on paper the home, garage/carport, concrete work, and awning accessory structures - providing the Homeowner a visual graphic. From this point, the contractor is able to prepare a bid detailing the exact scope and cost of the construction project. Once the Homeowner approves the bid, a legal contract is signed by both parties to commit to the project. Construction permits are then filed with the local jurisdiction; the site is excavated, rocked, and strip footings are poured for the foundation of the home.

When the home arrives on site, setup (the marriage of the various sections of the home) is completed by a licensed manufactured home dwelling installer; this process typically takes up to one-week. Utility connections of the sanitary sewer, water service, electric service (if the electric meter was ordered on the home), natural gas, and telephone and cable television lines are installed to the underside of the home.

A series of state mandated inspections then take place, including sanitary sewer, water service, underground electric, electric service, and manufactured home "setup complete." Upon successful completion of these inspections, the skirting is set in place by a licensed skirting installer, the storm drainlines are added, and both are inspected by the local jurisdiction. Topsoil is placed around the skirting and homesite. Finally, the home has reached the point where the construction crew will create significant improvements on a daily basis.

Once the home has been set, the construction crew moves on-site and begins to set forms and pour the foundation/floor for the site-built garage or carport. While the concrete cures, additional forming is built for patios, entryways, sidewalks, and the driveway. Often, the finishing stages, or "close-up," of the home is ongoing during this period including drywall crack repaired, rough cleaning, interior painting, carpet/tile/hardwood installation, and final cleaning. Generally, electricity is needed for this state of work.

Once the forming is complete, all flatwork is poured and the construction of the garage or carport, covered patios, and decking begins. Approximately 6 weeks after the home arrives at the site, the construction process reaches its final, "punch-list," stage, including cleanup, painting, landscaping, final building inspections and a walk-through by the contractor and Homeowner.

In all cases, the home and improvements belong to the Homeowner. It is important for the contractor to always remember that fact and provide the Homeowner with what they want. Anything is possible, it is just a matter of how much money the Homeowner chooses to spend.