Hi all! So a few weeks ago, I wrote and told you, on a whim, about our “new” 40 year old mobile home, and I have to tell you, I’ve been blown away by your positive response! So I’m going to try to keep you updated, even though a DIY project – especially of this magnitude – is way out of my depth. Hope you enjoy!
Have you ever taken on a project, and then immediately turned around and thought “how in the world am I ever going to have time for this?!”
That’s been me for the past two or three weeks since we got our mobile home out to the farm.
We’ve made plans to go out, and then cancelled them over and over again. Though to be fair, most of the time those plans fell through because we’re so ridiculously wimpy when it comes to cold weather.
But I’m getting ahead of myself.
First, we had to move the mobile home.
Here’s me, walking around before we moved it, ranting about there being both a shower stall and a bathtub, wasting space in such a small house. You can here the sound of Gabe welding on a trailer hitch in the background, and my kids being a little crazy.
Initially, we were given a week to get the trailer hauled off. It seemed like plenty of time, but then… it rained.
No problem, that would only make us two days late… except that the truck we had contracted tried to haul another home before the ground dried out adequately and, you guessed, got stuck.
In the end, it took us over two weeks to get that trailer out to the farm! But the property owners were gracious, and we did get it.
There were two spots on the farm where we wanted to put the trailer – or more accurately, one location I wanted to put it, and one where Gabe wanted it.
After walking around and sizing things up, I conceded that Gabriel’s idea was better for the simple reasons that it was closer to existing electricity, and the place where I wanted to put it, though beautiful with a view of the large pond, would be really difficult to get the trailer into because of the rolling hill, which would catch the ends of the trailer, without significant bulldozing.
As it was, they had to do some extra bulldozing while the mobile home blocked the road on the way in anyway. Oops..
But get it in we did, and we invested the money in having the transport company professionally set and tie down the trailer as well to save our backs (okay let’s be honest, to save Gabe’s back).
So fast forward a couple weeks, and I’ve made exactly two trips out the new place – one to size things up and try to figure out where to start, and the second to start dismantling the master bedroom.
Gabe has done a bit better than me. He’s managed to get the rood sealed so that we can replace the nasty, rotten ceiling panels with something sturdier, and hopefully prettier.
Y’all, I’m the least qualified person to take on this kind of job. Yikes!
But you know what’s awesome? The kids. Garrett got in there and helped, but for real, and in his own mind, and didn’t quit until we were done.
I’m not sure how much he’ll love the rebuilding part, but the demolition phase is right up his alley. I love it!
Update! This is basically part two of our mobile home renovation series, if you would like to read part three, go here.
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Richard Moilanen says
In a way I envy you and your family. Every day in life is a learning experience so embrace it !
Remember that you can’t change yesterday, you plan for today and enjoy it !
Here is a quote I keep above my desk :
” One man alone ain’t got, no matter how alone, ain’t got no bloody chance”. – Earnest Hemingway
Kelly says
I love that you’ve taken this on! Don’t worry, overwhelming fades to new normal once you adjust. Good luck!
Elise says
Thanks Kelly!
Kathy Skinner says
I had fond memories reading your post about your new home. In 1995 we bought a 1976 single-wide mobile home to set up on our 20 acres. We replaced carpet, countertops, sinks, painted paneled walls and moved in. Over the next few years we added extra insulation, new windows, built a roof over the top plus a deck and dining room then put vinyl siding on the whole thing. We did this all to stay out of debt. Now fast forward 20+ years and we are still living in the same mobile home…choosing to spend our money for other things than a new house. Last year we hired someone to paint the house interior and someone else to put new flooring in the kitchen and dining room.
I applaud you for your decision to stay out of debt and think that perhaps you, like me, will love your home after you decorate it in your style and make it “yours”. Just think of the possibilities!
Elise says
Thanks for sharing your story! So cool that you’ve made your mobile home last for so many years. 🙂
cindy webster says
Hubby and I lived in a mobile home all our married life. Contrary to what ppl think, there is much less upkeep than living in a house. Strangely. I mean, I have seen so many ppl repairing so much more to houses. And I hope to one day live in a Tiny House. Love those!
cindy webster says
u have any pics of the finished home?
Chris Gallagher says
Congratulations on your new home! I’m also the proud owner of a mobile home that’s almost 50 years old. Lots of work had already been done to it (addition, porch, updated wiring) but I made a lot of cosmetic changes-laminate flooring instead of that gross carpeting, painting walls and new bathroom fixtures…there’s nothing like making a second hand place your own and despite the challenges you may run into, it will all be worthwhile when you’re done.
Brenda Scott says
Do you have another update on how your mobile home project is coming along? 🙂
Elise says
I keep putting it off, so I have more progress to show, but hopefully, I’ll have another update to share this weekend. 🙂
Laura Mitchell says
We are currently considering buying an old mobile home on 5 acres. I loved to read your articles about your experience!
Kristen says
You may not consider how beautiful this older mobile home Is, but the beauty that having your OWN home without a mortgage is one that is tremendous. What a beautiful thing to live through with your kiddos, all the while they won’t be exposed to the negative sides of the modern mortgage stresses most people foist upon their kids
Dave, says
Brilliant work,
and great reading as I am trying to update my mobile home,over here in Ireland they are called Static caravans or some sites call them Park homes,also we do use the name Mobile home depending on standards in size and insulation
and only half the size off American trailers (mobile homes).how ever My mobile home I will call it, is 18 years old a single wide 12ft,am revamping it to bring it up to the 2020 standard looks and living, your story is inspiring and and makes brilliant reading, it sounds amazing, more so you have the perfect place for siteing your mobile home. Here in Ireland we have pay ground rent and rates for having and to live in the mobile home which can be anything from £2000 a year plus insurance and electricity and gas around £3000 total yearly, not sure but I guess it would be, around $4700,yearly fees to live in a park home community, ( mobile home) its brilliant you both have the land and excitement in your new adventure your Mobile home is going to be credit to you both and will look stunning best wishes to you both. From Dave hein Ireland,
Sal lorio says
Love the story looking for a used single wide trailer myself can’t wait to see yours finished