Question 1

What's the difference between a manufactured and a modular home?

Accepted Answer

Both are built in a factory. Manufactured homes are built to the federal HUD code and ride on a permanent steel chassis. Modular homes are built to state and local building codes and are placed on a foundation like a site-built house. We can help you decide which is right for your land and goals.

Question 2

How much does a manufactured home cost compared to a site-built house?

Accepted Answer

Factory construction typically costs roughly half the price per square foot of a comparable stick-built home, because building indoors on an assembly line reduces waste, weather delays, and labor cost. We'll prepare a personalized quote with current pricing for any model.

Question 3

What's the difference between single-section and multi-section?

Accepted Answer

Single-section homes are up to about 16 feet wide and arrive as one unit. Multi-section homes are wider and arrive in two or more units that are joined together on site. You can filter by home type above.

Question 4

Do you help with financing, permits, and site work?

Accepted Answer

Yes, with one important distinction. We coordinate permitting, site preparation, delivery, and installation, and we walk through the finished home with you before move-in. On financing we are not a lender: we can explain how financing or lending options generally work for a manufactured-home project and refer you to outside lenders or brokers. See financing a manufactured-home project in California.

Question 5

How long does the process take?

Accepted Answer

It varies by model, options, and site work, but many buyers move in within a few months of ordering. We'll give you a realistic timeline when we prepare your quote.

Question 6

Are the energy-efficient homes worth it?

Accepted Answer

Our Tempo series is built to the U.S. Department of Energy's Zero Energy Ready Home standard and is solar-ready. These homes can meaningfully reduce monthly utility costs compared to standard construction.

Question 7

Can I put a manufactured home on my own land in California?

Accepted Answer

Often yes, but it depends on the parcel. Zoning, minimum lot size, setbacks, utility availability, access for delivery, and the local building department's requirements all affect whether — and how — a manufactured home can be placed on a specific property. California also treats a home installed on a permanent foundation differently from one installed on a conventional support system. We help buyers work through these questions early; requirements should be confirmed for the specific parcel with the local planning and building department. See the manufactured-home buying process.

Question 8

What site preparation is required before a manufactured home is delivered?

Accepted Answer

Site work varies by parcel and by the home. It commonly includes grading and drainage, the foundation or support system, utility connections (water, sewer or septic, electrical, and gas or propane), and an access route the delivery and installation crew can use. The applicable requirements come from the local jurisdiction and the manufacturer's installation instructions. We coordinate the permits and site work needed to receive the home. Read more about California site planning and wildfire-aware lot design.

Question 9

What permits are needed for a manufactured home in California?

Accepted Answer

Permits depend on the jurisdiction and the scope of work. A project may involve approvals for installation of the home, the foundation, grading and drainage, utilities, septic, driveway or access, and any decks, stairs, or accessory structures. Depending on where the home is placed, the California Department of Housing and Community Development or the local building department may have jurisdiction. Confirm the specific requirements for your property with the local building department and fire authority.

Question 10

Does Zone 0 apply to manufactured homes in California?

Accepted Answer

Zone 0 may apply when a manufactured home is located in a covered State Responsibility Area or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. The California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection approved final draft regulations in August 2026, but the statewide effective date depends on completion of the state administrative process. Requirements should be confirmed for the specific parcel with the relevant local building and fire authorities. Our guide explains what Zone 0 means for manufactured-home buyers.

Question 11

Can I buy a manufactured home for a mobilehome community?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many buyers purchase a new home for a space in a California mobilehome or manufactured-housing community. The community sets its own requirements for home size, exterior appearance, installation, and improvements, and those should be confirmed before ordering. Review your rental agreement and park rules, and we can help match a floor plan to the space and coordinate delivery and installation.

Question 12

What costs should I budget besides the purchase price of the home?

Accepted Answer

A manufactured-home purchase is a project, not just a product. Beyond the home, buyers commonly plan for land or space costs, site preparation and grading, the foundation or support system, utility connections, permits and fees, transportation and installation, skirting, stairs, decks or ramps, landscaping, and — in wildfire-prone areas — defensible-space work. Taxes, insurance, and any community rent are ongoing. We walk through the categories that apply to your site when we prepare your quote. See our California Manufactured Home Learning Center for total project planning.

Question 13

How do financing or lending options fit into a manufactured-home purchase?

Accepted Answer

Financing or lending options vary based on the home, the land, the scope of site work, borrower qualifications, and the lender or broker involved. Performance Realty does not originate loans. We can help you understand the broader project-planning considerations and refer you to outside lenders or brokers who work with manufactured homes. Read more about financing or lending options for manufactured homes.

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Half the cost of site-built

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