Providing Mobile Manufactured Certifications

Foundation

Certifications

We are a private civil engineering firm located in Northern California. Our team performs site inspections and prepares certifications and other documentation necessary to meet compliance with HUD/FHA, VA, and conventional financing requirements for manufactured home loans and sales.

The Certification

A foundation certification requires that a licensed civil engineer inspect and certify that a mobile or manufactured home is compliant with HUD/FHA, VA, and Conventional lending requirements and standards.

The Process

Our staff will research and gather all necessary and supporting documentation regarding the home and parties to the transaction while our inspectors and engineers handle all aspects of the site inspection and preparation of the certification report.

Civil Engineering & Consulting

De Leon Engineering has been providing mobile and manufactured home foundation certifications since 1998. We cover 8 northern California counties and have assisted thousands of clients with getting loans closed.

Q: What Is a Foundation Certification?

A: A foundation certification indicates that a registered civil engineer has inspected and certified that the foundation system of a manufactured home meets the criteria of the HUD Permanent Foundations Guide for Manufactured Housing, dated September 1996.

Q: What Does It Mean When It Says?

Engineer’s Certification
Certificate of Compliance
Engineer’s Report

A: They all refer to the request for a civil engineer to certify that the foundation system of a mobile or manufactured home meets with the HUD Permanent Foundations Guide for Manufactured Housing, dated September 1996.

Q: What If I Am Not In Compliance?

A: If the home does not initially meet certain HUD/FHA guidelines, we may be able to provide resources or references to assist in bringing the home into compliance and then ultimately produce the necessary certification.

Q: What Are Your Service Areas?

A: De Leon Engineering provides mobile and manufactured home certifications in Northern California in the following Counties:

Lake
Mendocino
Napa
Sonoma

We may be able to assist with references in more distant counties or provide services in those areas at an additional cost. Please contact our firm for a quote.

Solano
Colusa
Glenn
Yolo

Q: I have a 433(A) document; why isn’t that enough?

A: The 433 does not address compliance with guidelines issued by FHA/HUD as may be required by the mortgage lender.

When a manufactured home is installed on a foundation system, the local building department will issue a permit for the homes installation and perform periodic inspections of the installation process. Upon a satisfactory final inspection, the building department will record a document referred to as HCD FORM 433(A), which includes a Certificate of Occupancy. This document provides NOTICE OF MANUFACTURED HOME, MOBILE HOME OR COMMERCIAL MODULAR-INSTALLATION ON A FOUNDATION SYSTEM, and references the homeowner, property address, a local agency, issuing permit, permit number, unit description and date of manufacture, assessor’s parcel number, and date of recordation.

All of this information applies only to compliance with the local building agency for the county in which the home is installed.

Q: Why is the lender requiring this?

A: The Lender is the true owner of a home with a mortgage until that mortgage is paid off. For that reason, the Lender needs to ensure that what they are loaning on is structurally sound, safe, and compliant with State and Federal standards and local building codes. This compliance not only minimizes the risk on the lender’s investment but also protects the health and safety of the occupant(s) of the home.

Testimonials

I was referred to De Leon Engineering by a co-worker. All it took was one experience for them to gain all my future business. I have used them multiple times, and Melody is absolutely wonderful! She’s knowledgeable, extremely responsive, and always willing to go the extra mile for her clients. My reports always show up meticulously done and super fast! I would happily recommend De Leon Engineering to anyone.

Jennifer S, Loan Officer

I have worked with De Leon Engineering for over 13 years. As manufactured homes utilizing FHA financing require an engineer to certify foundations, De Leon Engineering has always come through meeting deadlines, a fair price, excellent service, and knowledgeable staff. I would not hesitate to recommend De Leon Engineering for engineering services.

James R.Loan Broker

Melody at De Leon Engineering provides prompt and professional, complete and accurate services; pricing appropriate. We refer all engineering questions and possible clientele to her office, knowing the job will be done right.

Richard H. Sr. Loan Consultant

Everyone at De Leon Engineering is wonderful! Since 2002 they have provided me with reports and information for my mortgage origination business. They always go out of their way to deliver on time or early and always with a smile! They have taken the time to educate me in their field so that I am able to be better at my job as a loan officer. I really appreciate having such a professional, extremely knowledgeable company to work with!

Jacie C. Mortgage Broker

Over the past 10 years, I have lived in Lake County and worked as a Real Estate Mortgage Lender. Manufactured Homes are common here, and a working knowledge of what is required by the various loan programs such as VA, FHA, and Reverse Mtg. loans, for manufactured homes is a must. One of the documents required is an Engineer’s Foundation report. Because of their experience, knowledge, reliability, quick turn around times, and last but not least, overall satisfactory customer service, I use De Leon Engineering for this task. They are simply great to work with.

Susan K, Lender

When we were working on refinancing our home, we needed an engineering firm for our home inspection. I’m so glad we used De Leon Engineering as they were thorough, fast, informative, and very friendly. It was a pleasure having them inspect our home, and their fees were very reasonable.

J & S Jones

I have used De Leon Engineering for my foundation certifications for the last 10 or more years, and they always do an excellent job. Their turn-around times are fast, and their fees are competitive. I am very happy with their service.

Ruth H. Loan Broker

A heartfelt thank you to De Leon Engineering. Nearing a contractual deadline at the end of a grueling escrow, we were asked for an engineer’s inspection! We discovered De Leon Engineering, who reviewed the site, consulted with us regarding recommendations for meeting compliance, and submitted the required documentation all within a week’s time, allowing us to move forward. De Leon engineering techs are knowledgeable, skilled, articulate, and professional. They truly have compassion for their clients, and without their services, we would not be in our new home today.