So I'm thinking of getting a mobile home in the future.

Alienigenis

Right, I am considering getting a mobile home for the following reasons;
I prefer small spaces, no neighbors above or below me, and (according to quick research), it's cheaper than renting a home or flat.
However, I have a few questions, and Google keeps referring me to British or American sites and their information isn't entirely relevant. Maybe you people could help?
Is a mobile home cheaper in the long-run, what are the pros and con's, and have you any tips or other helpful information I could use?
Thanks in advance.

Pretzill

You need a site. You need ESB and water. Then you need to purchase the mobile home (prices vary wildly) and have that moved onto the site (costs involved there too)

They can be comfortable enough places to live in but bloody cold in winter and awfully warm in a good summer. They do deteriorate over time.

damon5

Lived in one on a mobile site for 5 years plus had electricity,water and sewerage all plumbed up,cheap easy living.When I moved into it in in the winter time I would wake up to ice on the INSIDE covering the windows:eek: so installed radiators with a central heating system burning anthracit.Only thing was when there was major gales when lying in bed it would feel as though the mobile was going to take wings,a heavy rain fall amplified the noise from the roof but to me it was like heaven being as snug as a bug in a rug .

Victor

You will also need planning permission.

Suitably-insulated versions are available, although they will cost more.

Alienigenis

damon5 wrote: »

Lived in one on a mobile site for 5 years plus had electricity,water and sewerage all plumbed up,cheap easy living.When I moved into it in in the winter time I would wake up to ice on the INSIDE covering the windows:eek: so installed radiators with a central heating system burning anthracit.Only thing was when there was major gales when lying in bed it would feel as though the mobile was going to take wings,a heavy rain fall amplified the noise from the roof but to me it was like heaven being as snug as a bug in a rug .

Wow, I do love the sound of rain. Without the radiators, was it ever freezing inside or was it not really noticeable?

GardeningGirl

Hi I lived in one. I think if you are happy to prepare and maintain the structure then yes it's great!
V. Cold in winter, I definitely recommend a heating system. Fitting a stove and good quality insulation, double glazed windows, etc will vastly improve heating savings and better quality of life in the long term.
I advise having it thoroughly inspected, top and bottom
Good luck

Ursus Horribilis

Would a wooden house/log cabin be another option?

Alienigenis

Odus fell down wrote: »

Would a wooden house/log cabin be another option?

They would, but from what I've seen they can be pricey.

Gumbo

Alienigenis wrote: »

Right, I am considering getting a mobile home for the following reasons;
I prefer small spaces, no neighbors above or below me, and (according to quick research), it's cheaper than renting a home or flat.
However, I have a few questions, and Google keeps referring me to British or American sites and their information isn't entirely relevant. Maybe you people could help?
Is a mobile home cheaper in the long-run, what are the pros and con's, and have you any tips or other helpful information I could use?
Thanks in advance.

Alienigenis wrote: »

They would, but from what I've seen they can be pricey.

Where are you planning to place this mobile home / log cabin?
Will it be a permanent home or holiday home?

The_Conductor

Alienigenis wrote: »

Wow, I do love the sound of rain. Without the radiators, was it ever freezing inside or was it not really noticeable?

As a student- I lived in one for a few weeks, during the wintertime- on the Cooley Peninsula. I can honestly say it was at least as cold inside as outside- there was thick ice on the windows- and I was thrilled beyond belief when my placement ended. On the coldest nights- I used hike to the local youth hostel and stay there for the night- as much for the hot shower to thaw myself out as for any other reason.

Its not for the faint hearted in the wintertime.

Malcolm600f

Dont need planning while there is wheels on it as its still mobile.
Lived in one for 6 yrs and it was great untii there was me the missus and 2 kids then it started to get small so then just had to build ..
Could not fault a mobile to live in Mine cost 4 grand had my own place to put it with electric water and sewage already there so no issue that way..
Rent where i am 120 a week so nearly 40k over a 6 yr peroid not thrown to dead rent..
But saying all that if i did not have a site and had to get eletric sewage rent etc or pay for a mobile park it might be not really viable..

Alienigenis

kceire wrote: »

Where are you planning to place this mobile home / log cabin?
Will it be a permanent home or holiday home?

I've been looking into permanent residence, hopefully somewhere near Dublin on a rental site. I'd love to have my own land, but it can be expensive near here.

Gumbo

Alienigenis wrote: »

I've been looking into permanent residence, hopefully somewhere near Dublin on a rental site. I'd love to have my own land, but it can be expensive near here.

Then you will need planning permission and need to comply to our current building regulations.

Gumbo

Malcolm600f wrote: »

Dont need planning while there is wheels on it as its still mobile.
Lived in one for 6 yrs and it was great untii there was me the missus and 2 kids then it started to get small so then just had to build ..
Could not fault a mobile to live in Mine cost 4 grand had my own place to put it with electric water and sewage already there so no issue that way..
Rent where i am 120 a week so nearly 40k over a 6 yr peroid not thrown to dead rent..
But saying all that if i did not have a site and had to get eletric sewage rent etc or pay for a mobile park it might be not really viable..

there are some some exemptions relation to caravans etc, but there refer to storage of such, or the very brief use for camping.
To put a caravan on a plot of land, you are going to need planning permission.

mobile homes / caravans on a plot of land require planning permission.

even more so, how you deal with your effluent also requires permission.

Its not uncommon for an application for a house to also include permission sought for a mobile home during construction.

hytrogen

We used to holiday up at the boat all year round. On the site was a mobile home we would kip in during the winter months, character building I would say, but sometimes the boat was warmer, being slightly smaller inside and on the water which usually stayed a degree or two more than the air. That said neither were terribly insulated but I remember those crisp mornings yearning for a hot cuppa & then going for a sail around the lakes. Gas craic!
There was a small gas fire in the caravan we'd light most times, but usually sat out under the stars beside a log bonfire get toasty & then hit the leabas. We'd go through a gas bottle maybe in a season? (Cooked with it often too)
Tea lights were handy on the boat just to keep the chill damp out of the air. Also made a few wee kerosene burners out of beer cans for the craic and they were good air heaters too.
The boat was handy, especially during the monsoon times and we took pity/ sympathy on the land owners who's fields or holiday homes nearby were flooded during the winter..
I've moved into bigger things much further south from Letrim / Roscommon.

Eoinbmw

A modern mobile with double glazing apex roof and central heating is not exactly cheap!
30k+ would get you into a 2 bed 2014/2015 .
You need a proper concrete base with water and waste pipework and you should anchor them form the chassis!

handlemaster

how long would a mobile home last before it has to be replaced. would you not be better of buying a block house ?

arctictree

What about one of these puppies: http://www.shepherdshutsireland.com/ - No planning needed.

hytrogen

Watch George Clarkes restoration man for some inspirations.
Also a lot of new apartment blocks in the UK and around the world in built up cities are looking to the old shipping containers to convert them. Interestingly they actually work for appropriated spaces for couples, can be really ergonomic, and a lot cheaper on materials costs overall

Graces7

There has been one for rent in Donegal on daft for months; E50 a week

newacc2015

Mobile homes are pretty common in the US. They are mainly in the warmer south, but you will find them in colder NJ and Michigan too.
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-24135022

I personally wouldnt mind living in one if the rent was cheap. There is some decent quality ones, I think they have a very bad image here due to a certain minority. If there wasnt that stigma here. I say you possibly find trailer parks here, due to their low cost and the fact they are so easy to set up. Even Warren Buffet owns an interest in a trailer manufacturer.

arctictree

hytrogen wrote: »

Also a lot of new apartment blocks in the UK and around the world in built up cities are looking to the old shipping containers to convert them. Interestingly they actually work for appropriated spaces for couples, can be really ergonomic, and a lot cheaper on materials costs overall

I'd say the planners here would have a fit!

SEPT 23 1989

Do you have any funds available to purchase - you could buy an old cottage or terrace house for relatively little - less planning and sewage/esb/water issues.

They would also be less likely to blow over.

L1011

hytrogen wrote: »

Watch George Clarkes restoration man for some inspirations.
Also a lot of new apartment blocks in the UK and around the world in built up cities are looking to the old shipping containers to convert them. Interestingly they actually work for appropriated spaces for couples, can be really ergonomic, and a lot cheaper on materials costs overall

Shipping containers are a hell of a lot dearer than people seem to assume. Basically, any country that exports a lot doesn't have huge gluts of them lying around - and we export a lot.

Any scam to avoid planning has already been thought of and dealt with - leaving the wheels on just makes the entire thing unstable/dangerous and does not get around planning rules.

dremo

You can join local gym too, unlimited shower/sauna/pool etc. Good quality sleeping bag helps too, I was using in my apartment last winter, and saved on bills big time. (argos has a good range) If I where you I'd install heater some kind for emergency situations like flu or damp.

Riskymove

Malcolm600f wrote: »

Dont need planning while there is wheels on it as its still mobile.

I think that is incorrect

"A Placing a mobile home on any site for living purposes requires planning permission. However, a mobile home may be stored on a site for a period of six months provided it is not connected to any services. "

Water John

Yeah lots of ways around planning have been tried, some work.
One guy couldn't get planning on his own land, so he built an agricultural shed.
Lives in one half, horses in the other half.

arctictree

Water John wrote: »

Yeah lots of ways around planning have been tried, some work.
One guy couldn't get planning on his own land, so he built an agricultural shed.
Lives in one half, horses in the other half.

If he is living there then surely it would then be classed as a domestic residence?

Water John

Its an agricultural shed, with some windows. Not spoofing.

Markcheese

I wouldnt freak out too much about the cold... a decent stove will heat it ( with little insulation it'll lose heat quick but it should be reasonably airtight.)
They do have a bit of a reputation for being damp , probably poor ventilation...
The big deal will probably getting a site and services, its possible to use solar panels and batteries if you are happy to limit your power use...,commercial composting toilets are available (might need more electricity than solar pv can provide)
All of that could get pricey though..

Riskymove

Water John wrote: »

Its an agricultural shed, with some windows. Not spoofing.

on a site on its own?

no electricity or water or toilet?

L1011

I'm aware of a house near Maynooth (but actually in Meath) that was built as a suspiciously large and oddly shaped 'farm shed' and had change of use approved later down the line but I'm not sure if it was lived in in the intervening period. Still a plug ugly house.

Graces7

Riskymove wrote: »

on a site on its own?

no electricity or water or toilet?

Sheds can have light and water. Horses need water and feeding etc at winter night .My car is in one here; well lit and an outside tap. Easy enough to put in a toilet. ...Wonderful idea!

hytrogen

Sure it's pretty simple to setup water & electricity: get yourself a good large waterbutt & a decent solar / wind gene & your away. I've got a butt piped into my toilet at home saves me tonnes on the water charges annually!! Cost was €45 including drill bits & piping.
Of course a decent means for the effluent is essential too. We can't all be burying our poo like a cat :d

riclad

Theres a site near swords ,
you can buy a mobile home for 30-50k.
they charge service charges ,for esb,water ,
i think its about 2k per year.
theres 2-3bed units .with kitchen, bathroom shower .
built to very high specs .
basically the size of a 1bed apartment, built to very high specs .
you buy it ,but it remains on site ,
its not really mobile , like the pic in this thread.
looks like a small house.
inside i did a tour, it looks like a high spec apartment ,fit out to a very high standard ,
fitted high spec kitchen ,bathroom.
i supose you could put up a small dish to get sky tv, or freesat tv.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3402133/Now-S-downsizing-San-Francisco-couple-fed-paying-rent-buy-162-square-foot-house-inside-TRAILER-80-000-comes-kitchen-bathroom-space-guests.html

80k cost solar panel power trailer home ,
can be towed moved anytime .

Stheno

riclad wrote: »

Theres a site near swords ,
you can buy a mobile home for 30-50k.
they charge service charges ,for esb,water ,
i think its about 2k per year.
.

Are you thinking of Mantua park? If so is that not closed and being redeveloped?

I know a couple that bought 5 portocabins in England, they are English, The cabins were already insulated.
Brought them over to Cavan, and have a massive house now. Looks all the world like a bungalow from outside.
3 bedrooms, separate kitchen, dining room & massive sitting room. Utility & big bathroom.
I Couldn't believe the size of it when put together.
It's cost them less than 20k, they're talking about putting a roof on now for few more bob. Kind of a fake roof if ya like, plastic maybe? Just on the top of the flat roof.

Looks great, but they did already have a serviced site.

riclad

cant remember i was there about 3 years ago, its like 20 mins drive from coolock .

gercoral

check out log cabins! smaller ones start from 30k, larger ones 50k.

warm, cosy cheap

House barge on one of Dublin's many canals? Pot belly stove and you'll be toasty out.

damon5

Stheno wrote: »

Are you thinking of Mantua park? If so is that not closed and being redeveloped?

I think definitely not mantua park I lived down there for a good few years and there was a great community spirit.Moved out years later to upgrade to bricks and morter and around the same time or later the site went downhill,drove down into the site a few years later and it was like a ghost town.Vacant sites and a few remaining tenants holding on,felt so eerie......

Stheno

MAXFANTANA wrote: »

House barge on one of Dublin's many canals? Pot belly stove and you'll be toasty out.

There's a fair bit of charges associated with a house boat.

damon5 wrote: »

I think definitely not mantua park I lived down there for a good few years and there was a great community spirit.Moved out years later to upgrade to bricks and morter and around the same time or later the site went downhill,drove down into the site a few years later and it was like a ghost town.Vacant sites and a few remaining tenants holding on,felt so eerie......

Ah it was sold in 2011, being redeveloped now into 28 houses iirc

damon5

Stheno wrote: »

There's a fair bit of charges associated with a house boat.



Ah it was sold in 2011, being redeveloped now into 28 houses iirc

Cheers Stheno thanks for the update ...

Ursus Horribilis

I'd be wary of buying a barge/house boat if it's a canal in Dublin you have in mind. Despite how idyllic it looks when you see Dick Warner staring thoughtfully into the distance, the canals cut through some less that desirable areas. People who travel through these areas on their barges sometimes run into problems with the natives who like to throw things or steal from their boats.

Incidentally, did you say what your budget is?

zef

There were 2 mobile home parks in Swords, I was aware Mantua was sold, but there is / was a smaller one on the Rathbeale Road up near JC's shopping Centre. When I was looking to buy I considered it and viewed a few in 96- but they didn't allow children on the 2nd mobile home site.
I remember mantua park well, had a lot of friend up there years ago.

Stheno

zef wrote: »

There were 2 mobile home parks in Swords, I was aware Mantua was sold, but there is / was a smaller one on the Rathbeale Road up near JC's shopping Centre. When I was looking to buy I considered it and viewed a few in 96- but they didn't allow children on the 2nd mobile home site.
I remember mantua park well, had a lot of friend up there years ago.

Fairly sure the one on Rathbeale Road is also gone as I live along there

zef

Ah its been a while since I was in the area. Pity they are gone. I'd say many people would jump at the chance to rent one.
Just had a look and theres a very decent 35x10 one on adverts for 4k, OP- bought by a couple and used for 4 mhs while their house was being built.-http://www.adverts.ie/other-home-garden/mobile-home-35-x-10/9610075
A lot of people seem to be making enquiries about alternative living , we seem to be a society that frowns on anything other than bricks and mortar, when in reality insulated cabins, mobile homes and the like could provide cheap accom for low paid single workers, or anyone in need of a roof. I am unsure of the legalities at present, and one might have to buy a site etc.

riclad

Maybe a farmer would let you live on a site ,especially if you had a solar powered trailer .
for a small rent .

Riskymove

Graces7 wrote: »

Sheds can have light and water. Horses need water and feeding etc at winter night .My car is in one here; well lit and an outside tap. Easy enough to put in a toilet. ...Wonderful idea!

my point is that if someone is living in a building that is connected to services such as electricity and water then it requires planning permission

that is why I asked if it was on a site on its own