The FHA structural inspection is a required underwriting document for manufactured home loans. Here's when you need it, what it contains, and how to get it into your file in five business days without stalling the close. 98% first-submission approval rate. 24-hr report delivery after field visit.
FHA requires a PE-sealed structural inspection whenever a manufactured home is being used as collateral for an FHA-insured mortgage. It's not optional — HUD 4000.1 II.D.4 mandates it for all manufactured homes, period.
Any FHA-insured purchase of a HUD-code manufactured home (built after June 15, 1976) requires a PE-sealed structural report addressing all six HUD 4000.1 II.D.4.b requirements.
Rate-and-term and cash-out refinances on manufactured homes require a current PE structural report. If the previous inspection was more than 12 months old, a new one is typically required by underwriting.
FHA will not insure a manufactured home on a non-permanent foundation. The PE structural report must certify that the foundation meets PFGMH § 3 — permanent piers, frost-depth footings, anchoring, and no tow equipment.
Every report is structured identically: four sections, PE seal on the last page. Underwriters know where to find what they need on the first scan. That predictability is why 98% of our files clear on first submission. Report detail
Property address, FHA case number, borrower name, lender, target close date, HUD data plate verification block. One page; populates the underwriter's file index.
Six findings in the order HUD 4000.1 II.D.4.b requires. Each cites the handbook reference, states the determination (Compliant / Conditional / Non-compliant), and provides the supporting observation.
Photo documentation referenced by finding number. An underwriter reading Finding 04 flips directly to Photo Set 04. Indexed, not chronological — 20 to 40 field photos typical.
PE-sealed determination of FHA structural compliance. Engineer name, license number, expiration date, contact information, $2M E&O carrier name. One page; closes the document.
Order early — as soon as you have the property address and FHA case number. The inspection slots naturally between application and underwriting submission. Full pipeline detail
Three minutes to submit. Quote back same business day. No portal login required for first files.
For batch files (5+), CSV upload is available on the submit form. One quote covering the batch, returned same business day.
The four questions that come up most often on first files. Full FAQ
Not if you order it early. Standard turnaround is 5 business days from intake to PE-sealed PDF. Order as soon as you have the property address and FHA case number — before the appraisal comes back. Files ordered at intake slot naturally into the underwriting timeline without adding days to close.
Typically the borrower, as a buyer closing cost. The fee is a legitimate FHA closing cost line item. Some sellers pay it as a concession on deals where the inspection is a condition of the contract. We invoice the party you designate — borrower, seller, or title escrow.
Yes. Our P.E. takes underwriter calls on their own sealed reports. Standard response time is same business day; most calls resolve in under 15 minutes. Direct line: (573) 275-7647. No call center, no relay — the engineer who signed the file picks up.
We document the deficiencies in writing with photos and HUD 4000.1 references. Most deficiencies are remediable — undersized pier footings can be re-poured, missing skirting added, drainage regraded. About 8% of 2025 foundations needed remediation before certifying; all certified after corrections. Pre-1976 homes typically cannot remediate to FHA compliance — we flag this on Day 1 of intake so you're not waiting five days for news that kills the file.
Drop the property address, FHA case number, and target close. Acknowledgment within an hour. Written quote returned same business day. Sealed PDF in your underwriting file in five business days.