How to renovate my mobile home

Deborah Mccue
by Deborah Mccue
I live in an old mobile home. I worked as a Hospice nurse for 23 years and was happily married to my husband for 30 years. He left me 3 years ago and has been remarried. That is why I have to live in my mobile home. I live on disability now. So, I am trying to fix it up. My air conditioner cost me 350.00 a month for a single-sided. I can't live like this. So I need to find a new central air conditioner. I need to fix my shed in the back yard so I am trying to get wood because the door is falling off. My trailer has floors that are rotting, I need to put new flooring in. My windows all need insulation to keep the cool air in. They are all in bad shape. I need tools to fix everything. My bathroom floors need new laminate. My property is my own. I have slot of weeds and need to fix up my front and back yard. I have no edger, no flowers, no privacy fence. I am trying to put up a nice privacy fence in my back yard and around my car port. So as a single mom who lives in a 55 and over mobile home park in Boynton, beach. I am trying to have a home I can be proud of and have guests over. I know this sounds like slot and it is but since my mom passed away last August, I am alone but I have faith that there is a purpose for me. I also am trying to organize my close as my dresser drawers are broken and clothes are on my floor. I have no bedroom door and my son recently moved in with me he sleeps on my couch in the living room. Any way. I hope I have answered your question.
Thank you for all the great articles and the people who write them. Thank you for Hometalk
Deborah Mccue

  12 answers
  • Kra5366225 Kra5366225 on Jun 15, 2018

    Deborah, as a single disabled person you have a situation that is nearly insurmountable without some assistance. Your son - is he contributing financially and does he have the ability to work on some of these projects? You might instead consider selling and look into subsidized housing where the amount of rent is based on your income. Sometimes it is a waste of time and money to put good money into a losing proposition. Maintaining a home in good condition is difficult single-handedly and with so many projects it is overwhelming. Best wishes.

    • Carol Sybrowsky Carol Sybrowsky on Jun 18, 2018

      I have to agree with Kra. Just because your mother left you this land and trailer doesn't mean you have to keep it. Sounds like there is a lot of old, broken down furniture as well. The land may have some value but a mobile home is considered to be a vehicle. Like a car or truck, your mobile home will lose value over time. I know you are feeling vurnable and frightened right now, but it's time to take a deep breath and make decisions based on rationality not emotion.

  • Deborah Mccue Deborah Mccue on Jun 15, 2018

    Thank you so much. To answer your question. My mom left me the mobile home and the lot in her Will. So I do own it clear. That is why I need to fix it up. My son can't work as he helps me. So if you have any ideas let me know. I am very resourceful just need help. I want to help others, and plan on doing coaching in home improvements for women in situations like myself. Empowerment and faith are very important as well as women helping other women to transform lives.

    Thanks

    Debbie Mccue


  • 17335038 17335038 on Jun 15, 2018

    Perhaps you could contact a nearby church or parish community outreach centre. Often the pastor and staff do have the resources, while not always $, the resources in kind people who have time and know-how to help others in their moment of need.

  • Donna Lauer Hunt Donna Lauer Hunt on Jun 16, 2018

    The first thing you have to do is fix the rotting floor. You should hire someone to do that so it’s done right. Then get some press on tiles at Home Depot. They are easy to cut—you should be able to handle this yourself. Then take one project at a time. Measure your doors and keep your eyes out for used ones. Do you have any internet sites like Freecycle? Look on line- people are always looking to get rid of stuff like you need. Take it one project at a time so you don’t get overwhelmed! Good luck!

  • Liv Liv on Jun 16, 2018

    It sounds like you are going through a lot. For affordable storage solutions I would go to your local dollar tree. They have tons of storage bins. I looked on Craigslist and found a place offering a wood door for free. You could contact the person who put the offer up and see it if is still available. https://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/zip/d/free-plywood-and-wood-door/6613351865.html

  • Nancy Nichols Smith Nancy Nichols Smith on Jun 16, 2018

    Just because the drawers are broken on a dresser does not mean it can't hold your clothes. Use the drawer sides and back to make shelves inside where the drawers were and the drawer front can be cut in half, add hinges to each side and make it a cabinet instead of a dresser.


    As to new doors, if you remove the center and just leave the frame of the door, you can use the tension rods for small windows and a piece of fabric hemmed to create a rod pocket at the top and bottom to make a very fashionable new door.


    Just a couple of quick projects to help you get started...

  • Ellis Ellis on Jun 18, 2018

    I'm sorry you're going through this. Just so you know, divorced wives who have been married for more than 10 years, as you were, are entitled to claim spousal benefits on their divorced husband's social security. They are also entitled to that divorced husband's survivor benefit, should he predecease you, even if he was remarried.

  • Carol Sybrowsky Carol Sybrowsky on Jun 18, 2018

    If your trailer is old, you probably need new windows. However, in the meantime, insulating leaky windows is a pretty easy fix. You should caulk all around them. If you do not already have awnings over your windows, at least get them on the west side of your house because afternoon sun is the hottest. You mentioned landscaping. If you have the space, plant fast growing trees that lose their leaves in the winter. This will give you shade in the summer yet allow the sun to help heat your house in the winter. Again, start with the west side of your house.

  • Deborah Mccue Deborah Mccue on Jun 18, 2018

    Thanks so much. I have already done that. I ended up in a bad situation because of divorce after 35 years. I am a person who turns lemons into lemonade. Example. My first child Dianna died of a brain tumor at the age of 6 yrs old. She was the most wonderful beautiful little girl, she had faith that most older people never attain. I didn't even have my G. E. D. Because of her lose I did go back to school and eventually became a registered nurse. I thank you all for your advice, I thought this was a great site to talk about making projects out of recycled things to save money and make our homes the best they can be. I will continue to do that. Faith can move mountains. Encouragement brings courage to those who need it.

    Thank you Carol, I will get the caulk and caulk the windows with my son. I have learned slot being on my own. I have learned how to do maintenance on my car to save money. Fix electrical problems on my home eat.



  • Catherine Juhlin Catherine Juhlin on Jun 20, 2018

    Habitat for humanity restore is also a good place to look for items, they have everything from small hardware to doors, tile, light fixtures. Some new some used.

  • Ret Grant Ret Grant on Jun 21, 2018

    If your husband or father was a Veteran or a Masonic Lodge member you might check with the VFW and or a Masonic Lodge near you to see if they can offer any assistance. If they were connected to any other group or church check with them. Some areas also have "Christmas in July" or other events to help low income people in their areas. The help could be financial or manpower.

  • Dianacirce70 Dianacirce70 on Jun 21, 2018

    Where I live is a program called Community Action. They help low income families, disabled people and elderly with weatherization. Maybe call Department of Health and Human services in your area and see if they can recommend any services like that. They will help with things like windows, doors, furnace, if medically necessary the air unit. I don't know that they will do flooring, but if you maybe check with the Lutheran and Catholic churchst they generally have something going where they volunteer to help with project for people that need assistance with things like this.