What is a foundation certification? If you own, are buying, selling, refinancing, or financing a manufactured home, you may be asked to provide a foundation certification. But what exactly is a foundation certification, and why is it important?
A foundation certification is an engineering document issued by a qualified professional engineer stating whether a manufactured home foundation meets applicable requirements. For manufactured homes involved in FHA/HUD financing, the certification addresses compliance with the applicable HUD foundation requirements.
At Hayman Engineering Inc., manufactured housing is not a side business—it is our area of expertise. Hayman provides engineering certifications and residential engineering services for manufactured housing, working with homeowners, mortgage lenders, real estate professionals, contractors, and field technicians.
Why is a Foundation Certification Needed?
A manufactured home’s foundation provides the structural support needed to keep the home securely anchored at its site. The foundation system must be appropriate for the manufactured home, the site, and applicable requirements.
For certain mortgage transactions, a lender may require an engineering certification confirming that the manufactured home’s foundation meets applicable requirements. FHA/HUD foundation requirements are addressed through the Permanent Foundations Guide for Manufactured Housing (PFGMH), HUD 4930.3G.
Read the Permanent Foundations Guide for Manufactured Housing on HUD.gov.
HUD currently lists HUD 4930.3G as the Permanent Foundations Guide for Manufactured Housing, including chapters covering site acceptability, design loads, foundation requirements, foundation design, and final review.
For FHA-related foundation compliance, HUD guidance states that the applicable foundation requirements are those in effect at the time of certification and that the certification is completed by a licensed professional engineer or registered architect who is licensed or registered in the state where the manufactured home is located.
Because requirements can vary by loan program, lender, property, and location, homeowners and real estate professionals should confirm the specific documentation required for their transaction with the lender.
What Does a Foundation Certification Tell You?
A foundation certification is more than a statement that a manufactured home has a foundation.
The certification is based on an engineering evaluation of the manufactured home’s foundation system and relevant site information. The engineer evaluates the information collected during the inspection and determines whether the foundation meets the applicable requirements.
In essence, a foundation certification evaluates whether a manufactured home meets HUD regulations. The certification can be prepared for both existing manufactured homes and newly installed manufactured homes.
For FHA/HUD-related projects, the certification is also site-specific. HUD guidance identifies the certification as an engineering document that must be prepared by an appropriately licensed professional engineer or registered architect.
At its core, the foundation inspection provides the information needed for the engineer to prepare the foundation certification.
Is a Foundation Certification the Same as a Home Inspection?
No. A foundation certification and a general home inspection serve different purposes.
A general home inspection evaluates observable conditions throughout a home and can identify a variety of maintenance, safety, and property-condition concerns.
A manufactured home foundation inspection focuses specifically on the foundation system and the information needed for an engineer to evaluate compliance with applicable requirements.
Hayman Engineering works with a network of field technicians who perform foundation inspections and collect information for the engineering review. The professional engineer then evaluates that information and prepares the applicable certification.
A foundation certification should not be considered a substitute for a complete home inspection. Depending on the transaction, both services may be appropriate.
Who May Need a Manufactured Home Foundation Certification?
A foundation certification may be requested during a manufactured home purchase, sale, refinance, or mortgage transaction. Whether one is required depends on the circumstances of the transaction, including the loan program and lender requirements.
- Homebuyers. If you are purchasing a manufactured home, your mortgage lender may request a foundation certification as part of the loan approval process. Determining whether the certification will be required early in the transaction can help avoid unnecessary delays.
- Homeowners Refinancing. A lender may request an engineering foundation certification when a manufactured home is being refinanced. Hayman Engineering provides foundation certification services for existing manufactured homes as well as newly installed homes.
- Sellers and Real Estate Professionals. A foundation certification can become an important part of a manufactured home transaction when the buyer’s lender requires documentation of foundation compliance. Real estate professionals can help keep transactions moving by identifying potential certification requirements early and coordinating with the lender, homeowner, and appropriate engineering provider. Hayman Engineering specifically provides engineering services for real estate professionals who need foundation certification for a lender.
- Mortgage Lenders and Loan Officers. For mortgage professionals, a foundation certification may be one of the engineering documents required for a manufactured home loan.
Hayman Engineering is dedicated to providing engineering services to the mortgage banking industry and offers foundation certification ordering options for lenders and other customers.
What Happens During a Manufactured Home Foundation Inspection?
The process generally begins with an inspection of the manufactured home and its foundation system.
Hayman Engineering, Inc. works with field technicians who collect information about the home, foundation, and site. That information is then provided for professional engineering review.
The engineer evaluates the inspection information against the applicable requirements before determining whether the foundation can be certified.
This combination of field inspection and professional engineering review is an important part of the certification process. Our field technician network helps provide inspection services in locations throughout its coverage area, while Hayman Engineering’s professional team provides the engineering evaluation and certification.
What If the Manufactured Home Foundation Does Not Comply?
A foundation inspection does not automatically result in a compliant certification.
If the inspection identifies conditions that prevent the foundation from meeting applicable requirements, corrective work may be necessary before compliance can be established.
Hayman Engineering, Inc. offers re-inspection services to verify whether defects identified in a non-compliant foundation certification have been corrected.
The specific corrective work will depend on the conditions identified during the engineering evaluation. Homeowners should work with an appropriately qualified contractor or other professional to address any required repairs.
Once the necessary work has been completed, a re-inspection may be performed when appropriate to determine whether the previously identified deficiencies have been corrected.
How Long Does a Foundation Certification Take?
Turnaround time depends on scheduling, location, inspection availability, and the circumstances of the project.
Hayman Engineering currently states that its typical turnaround time is 7 business days, with expedited service potentially available for an additional fee.
If a foundation certification is needed for a real estate or mortgage transaction, it is a good idea to determine the requirement as early as possible. Waiting until shortly before a scheduled closing can create unnecessary scheduling pressure if an inspection or corrective work is required.
Does Every Manufactured Home Need a Foundation Certification?
No. A foundation certification is not automatically required for every manufactured home.
Whether a certification is required depends on factors such as the financing program, lender requirements, property, location, and circumstances of the transaction.
For FHA-insured financing, HUD’s manufactured housing requirements address permanent foundations and engineer certification of foundation compliance.
If you are unsure whether a foundation certification is required, start by asking your mortgage lender or loan officer. If the lender has requested an engineering foundation certification, Hayman Engineering can help explain the ordering and inspection process.
What Is a Permanent Foundation for a Manufactured Home?
The term permanent foundation frequently comes up when discussing manufactured home financing and foundation certifications.
HUD’s Permanent Foundations Guide for Manufactured Housing provides technical guidance concerning permanent foundations, including site acceptability, design loads, foundation requirements, foundation design, and final review.
A permanent foundation is more than simply a visible slab, pier, block, or other support component. The foundation system must be evaluated in relation to the manufactured home, site conditions, support, anchorage, and applicable requirements.
That is one reason an engineering evaluation is so important. Foundation compliance cannot necessarily be determined by looking at one component of a manufactured home foundation in isolation.
How Do You Get a Foundation Certification?
The process generally follows several steps.
- First, determine whether a certification is required. If the certification is being requested for a mortgage transaction, ask your lender which loan program and certification requirements apply.
- Next, order the appropriate foundation certification service. Hayman Engineering provides online ordering for foundation certifications and related services.
- A field inspection is scheduled. A Hayman Engineering field technician or an appropriate inspection resource collects the information required for the engineering evaluation.
- The engineer reviews the inspection information. Hayman Engineering evaluates the information against the applicable requirements.
- The certification is issued. If the foundation meets the applicable requirements, the engineering certification is provided. If deficiencies are identified, the applicable documentation will identify the conditions that need to be addressed.
Need a Foundation Certification for a Manufactured Home?
Hayman Engineering specializes in the engineering needs of the manufactured housing industry.
We offer foundation certifications and related residential engineering services for mortgage lenders, loan officers, real estate professionals, homeowners, contractors, and field technicians. And we provide FHA/HUD foundation certifications in states where it is licensed and maintains a network of field technicians to support foundation inspections.
Whether you are purchasing a manufactured home, refinancing an existing home, preparing for a real estate transaction, or responding to a lender’s request for foundation documentation, understanding the foundation certification process can help keep your project moving forward.
If your lender has requested a manufactured home foundation certification, Hayman Engineering, Inc. can help you determine the appropriate service and guide you through the inspection and certification process.
Order a Foundation Certification or contact Hayman Engineering to discuss your project and determine the next steps.