Moving a manufactured home in Missouri

Who licenses installers in Missouri

The PSC's site preparation sheet quotes Chapter 700 RSMo, which bars installing manufactured homes as a business without a license.

Installer licensing and decal rules are in 20 CSR 4240-125.

Sources: Agency; Chapter 700 RSMo; Installer rules

Installer license

Anyone who installs new manufactured homes in Missouri needs a PSC license.

Applicants first take an approved Missouri Installer Training Class (offered through the Missouri Manufactured Housing Association) and pass the exam.

Applicants must show $300,000 of general liability insurance plus workers compensation or an exemption.

The license fee is $150, and licenses run July 1 to June 30.

Renewals require an 8-hour continuing education certificate every third year.

A limited use installer registration lasts 180 days, can be renewed once, and requires a supervising licensed installer.

Sources: Who needs a license; Continuing education

Permits to move the home

MoDOT's motor carrier FAQ lists $15.00 for a legal weight single trip oversize permit. The FAQ gives general oversize rules and does not list separate manufactured home rules.

Loads over 12 feet 6 inches up to 14 feet need a front escort on two-lane highways and a rear escort on divided and undivided highways.

Loads over 14 and up to 16 feet need front and rear escorts on two-lane and undivided highways.

Missouri's house mover rules do not cover manufactured homes, which MoDOT says are not houses under state law.

Source: Single trip permit fee

Title and taxes before the move

If a home was recorded as affixed to land, the owner files a severance with the Department of Revenue to get a title back before it can be treated as personal property again.

The PSC does not handle title issues and refers them to the Missouri Department of Revenue.

Sources: Severance before moving off a foundation; Title questions

Installation standards

PSC site guidelines call for foundations, footings and runners poured below frost grade.

Anchors must be state approved, and longitudinal anchoring is required in Missouri.

Tie-down straps go in at a 40 to 50 degree angle.

Each new installation gets a PSC decal on the exterior, with a sign-off portion next to the data plate listing each installer's license number.

The PSC enforces set-up rules on new homes, with a two-year statute of limitations on set-up complaints.

Sources: Footings below frost; Installation decal; Two-year set-up limit

Checking a license

The PSC posts a PDF list of active installers with registration numbers and addresses (dated 9-17-26 when checked), linked from its Installer Information page.

Source: Active installers list

Complaints and recovery

Owners of new homes with setup problems can file an Inspection Request / Consumer Complaint form for a free PSC inspection.

The Consumer Recovery Fund can pay unsatisfied claims up to $5,000 for single section and $7,500 for multi-section homes, after legal remedies are exhausted.

A claim based on an installer's actions requires that the installer was licensed with the PSC at the time.

Sources: Free inspection request; Recovery Fund limits