Second-opinion service
Your dealer quoted $25K–$35K for installation alone?
Same work. Same code. Same permits. We do it for $9K–$15K.
Mobile home dealers in Florida often quote $25,000 to $35,000 for installation and setup as a single bundled line. That number is 2 to 3 times what a licensed independent installer charges for the identical work. The dealer counts on you not knowing you can shop it.
Florida Statute 320.8249 gives you the right to choose any licensed Florida mobile home installer. The dealer cannot refuse to sell you the home for using someone else. Get a free second opinion below.
Get my free second opinion →Why Trinity
- ✓Independent — not affiliated with any dealer
- ✓Florida licensed installer per FS 320.8249
- ✓FAC 15C-1.0102 anchoring spec on every job
- ✓247 setups in Pasco, Hernando, Hillsborough this year
- ✓Same permit submission, same county inspections
- ✓Bilingual English and Spanish
Line-by-line: dealer vs Trinity
Typical Florida double-wide install on a prepared lot. Your numbers will vary slightly by distance, county, and any extras.
| Line item | Dealer typical | Trinity typical | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport delivery | Included in home price | $1,500–$3,500 | — |
| Setup labor | $8,000–$12,000 | $2,500–$4,000 | $5,500–$8,000 |
| Blocking + piers | $4,000–$6,000 | $1,800–$2,500 | $2,200–$3,500 |
| Anchoring + tie-downs | $5,000–$7,000 | $2,200–$2,800 | $2,800–$4,200 |
| Skirting (vinyl) | $4,500–$6,500 | $1,800–$2,800 | $2,700–$3,700 |
| County permits + fees | $3,500–$5,000 | $1,500–$2,500 | $2,000–$2,500 |
| Coordination + admin | $1,500–$3,000 | Included | $1,500–$3,000 |
| Total typical | $26,500–$39,500 | $11,300–$18,100 | $15,200–$21,400 |
The legal unlock most buyers don't know
Florida Statute 320.8249 governs mobile home installation in Florida. It requires that installation be performed by a licensed Florida mobile home installer. It does NOT require that installer be selected by the dealer.
This means: when you buy a new mobile home from a dealer, you can sign for the home only and contract a separate licensed installer for everything else. The dealer may push back hard — installation is a significant portion of their margin — but they cannot legally refuse the sale or void your warranty for this reason.
What stays with the dealer: the home itself, the manufacturer's warranty, the title transfer, and any factory-installed options. What you can shop separately: transport, setup, anchoring, skirting, permits, inspections, and connection trades (electric, plumbing, HVAC).
How the second-opinion process works
Send us your dealer quote
Photo or screenshot of the dealer's installation/setup quote line by line. We accept anything legible. WhatsApp works fastest.
Same-day breakdown by Trinity
We compare line by line against current Florida installer rates and your lot's specifics (ZIP, county, distance). You get a written estimate within hours during business hours.
Decide
If our number works, you sign with us directly for installation. If you stick with the dealer, no obligation. Either way you walk away knowing the real number.
Real example (anonymized)
Customer in Spring Hill bought a double-wide from a large Florida dealer in early 2026. Dealer's setup-only quote: $31,200. Customer found our site searching for an independent installer.
We provided a written estimate at $12,800 for the identical scope: transport, setup, anchoring, skirting, permits, and final CO coordination. Same FAC 15C anchoring spec, same county inspections, same end result. The dealer pushed back when the customer wanted to separate the install — but FS 320.8249 was the answer. The dealer sold the home.
Customer saved $18,400.
Frequently asked questions
- Can the dealer refuse to sell me the home if I use my own installer?
- No. Florida Statute 320.8249 lets you choose any licensed mobile home installer. The dealer cannot tie the home sale to their installation service. They may push back because it cuts their margin, but they cannot legally refuse the sale or void the manufacturer's warranty for choosing your own installer.
- What happens to the manufacturer's warranty?
- The manufacturer's warranty on the home itself stays in effect regardless of who installs it, as long as the installer is licensed in Florida and follows the manufacturer's installation manual. Installation-related warranty work (anchoring, blocking, skirting) is then the responsibility of the installer you chose. Trinity warrants our own installation work directly.
- Will Trinity coordinate with the dealer?
- Yes. We coordinate delivery scheduling, transport pickup from the dealer lot, and any documentation the dealer needs (MSO copies, HUD label photos, contractor license proof). Most dealers we have worked with are professional once the legal right is established.
- When in the dealer process should I call Trinity?
- Before you sign anything that bundles installation with the home purchase. Ideally after you have selected the home model and have a sales quote in hand, but before you sign a final contract or pay any setup-related deposit. Earlier is always better. Even if you have already signed, we may be able to help if installation work has not started.
- Is the savings real or are you cutting corners?
- The savings are real. Trinity uses the same FAC 15C-1.0102 anchoring spec, the same FL DOH 64E-6 septic separations, the same county building department, the same manufacturer's installation manual. The pricing gap is a margin gap, not a quality gap. Dealers mark up installation because the bundled sale lets them. Independent installers compete on labor + materials at market rate.
- Do you work with all Florida mobile home brands?
- Yes — Clayton, Live Oak, Champion, Jacobsen, Palm Harbor, Skyline, Cavco, all major manufacturers. The installation spec is driven by the manufacturer's manual + Florida code, both of which are publicly available. We install whatever HUD-code home you buy from any licensed Florida dealer.
Send us your dealer quote
Photo of the quote + your ZIP code is all we need. Written second opinion same day during business hours. No obligation, no spam.