Mobile home skirting installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What mobile home skirting installation is

Mobile home skirting installation fits panels around the base of a manufactured home to close the gap underneath. The panels keep wind, animals and debris out, and the vents and access panels are sized to keep the space under the home ventilated and reachable. People call when the gap is open, when the old skirting has rotted or blown off, or when pipes under the home need protection from cold.

Signs you need it

  • Open gaps under the home where wind moves through, leaves and debris collect, or animals have nested
  • Skirting panels that are cracked, bent, rotted or missing in sections
  • Pipes and the water supply line exposed under the home during cold weather
  • A damp or musty smell from the crawl space or underside of the home after rain
  • No access panel to reach the water shutoff, the utility connections or the crawl space

What the pro does

  • Measure the perimeter and the height of the gap, then check the frame, the belly board and any rot at the bottom edge of the home
  • Set a base rail or treated bottom board on level ground or a footing, so the panels have a stable starting line
  • Fit the skirting panels to the perimeter with the seams lapped and fastened at the spacing the material calls for
  • Cut and install vents at the spacing and size needed for airflow under the home, and screen them to keep animals out
  • Install access panels at the water shutoff, utility connections and any crawl space opening, then check that each one opens and closes freely

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Perimeter length and the height of the gap that the panels must cover
  • Skirting material, such as vinyl, metal, wood or a rigid composite, each with different fastening and labor needs
  • Number of vents, access panels and corners that need custom cuts
  • Ground condition, slope and any leveling of the base rail that is needed
  • Removal and disposal of old skirting, and any rot repair found along the bottom of the home
  • Pipe or utility work needed to reach the access points
  • Permit or inspection requirements where they apply

What a written quote should spell out

  • Skirting material, panel profile, color and thickness, with the manufacturer named
  • Perimeter length and the height of the panels, with the count of vents and access panels
  • Vent size, count, location and the screening used on each vent
  • Access panel count and location, including the water shutoff and utility connections
  • Base rail or bottom board material and how it is set on the ground
  • Removal and haul-away of old skirting and cleanup of debris around the home

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How do you set the base rail on the ground, and what do you do if the ground slopes?
  • How many vents will you install, and how are they sized for airflow under my home?
  • Where will the access panels go, and can I reach the water shutoff and the utility connections through them?
  • What material are you using, and how does it hold up to wind and cold where I live?
  • Will you check the bottom edge of the home for rot before the skirting goes on?
  • How are the panels fastened, and how do you allow them to move with temperature changes?
  • Who is on the crew, and do they have experience with manufactured homes?

Red flags

  • Skirting that seals the home completely with no vents, which can trap moisture underneath
  • No access panel for the water shutoff or the utility connections
  • Panels set directly on bare soil with no base rail or bottom board
  • Fastening that bends or cracks the panels because they are driven too tight
  • Covering over rotted bottom edges or a sagging belly board without any repair

What you can do yourself

You can safely walk around the home to check the skirting, clear debris and leaves from the gap, and measure the perimeter and gap height for a quote. Do not crawl under the home to inspect pipes or the belly board without a plan for access and safety. Call a pro for rotted bottom edges, sagging floors, or skirting that needs new vents and access panels.

Licenses and permits

Mobile home skirting installation is commonly done by general contractors or home improvement companies, and rules vary by place. Check with your state and local licensing agency, and check the local building office for any permit that applies to the work.

Mobile home skirting installation questions

Why does skirting need vents?

Vents let air move under the home, which helps keep the floor and the pipes drier. A fully sealed skirting can trap moisture. The vents should be sized and screened by the installer.

Will skirting stop pipes from freezing?

It can help, but it is not a guarantee. Insulation and the pipe layout matter too. Ask the pro how the pipes are protected and where the access panels are for any heat or insulation work.

Can I use vinyl skirting in any climate?

Vinyl is a common choice, but it can crack in very cold weather and fade in strong sun. Ask the installer how the material handles your climate and how the panels are fastened to allow movement.

Do I need an access panel?

You should have one. A panel at the water shutoff, the utility connections and any crawl space opening saves tearing the skirting apart for a repair. Some places also require access openings, so ask the installer and check with your local building office.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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