Frequently Asked Questions and Helpful tips

Getting Started

At Prospect Builders, we prioritize quality craftsmanship, transparent communication, and customer satisfaction. Whether you have questions about our building process, project timelines, or material choices, we’re here to help. Browse our FAQs to find answers to common inquiries, or reach out to our team for personalized support.

Frequently Asked Questions | Fire And Smoke Damage Tips | Water Damage Tips | Mold & Mildew

Frequently Asked Questions

Call us toll free at 1-800-486-4976 and speak with our office coordinator to set up an appointment.

We will need your general contact information, family size, and a telephone number where you can be readily reached.

We will need your insurance adjuster’s name and telephone number. We will also need your claim number as soon as it becomes available.

Prospect Builders deals directly with your insurance company so that you don’t have to.

There is a damage security deposit for temporary housing (mobile homes), due the day of delivery. Security deposits are held until the rental unit is finalized and is paid in full. To ensure the full return of your deposit, the unit must be cleaned and have no damage.

Once we assign a field representative to your case, he will inspect your site and the conditions of the roads leading up to your property in order for us to determine if a mobile home can be set up on your property. While on site, we will also take the measurements, insurance information and personal information that we need to expedite delivery.

Absolutely. Please call our office at (413) 525-3270 to arrange an appointment.

Our field representative will meet with your town’s building inspector/department and acquire all of the permits required. We will then file the permits with the town. In the event that your town has limited hours, you may be required to file permits.

We will coordinate the set up of water, electricity, and telephone service and cable access. However, as the homeowner, you will need to contact your local telephone and cable companies for installations and hookups.

Your existing services will be used. However, if your electrical panel is inoperable due to damage, a temporary service pole would be required. The ease or difficulty of this procedure will be determined by circumstances depending on your Power Company, State or Town regulations.

Any contractor that has proper licensing and credentials can be used. However, it may be more advantageous for us to use our own contractors simply because we are confident in their abilities and that their experience is a known quantity. Using our contractors may also save you time in expediting services to your property because we already have their licenses and insurances on record at our offices.

Delivery dates depend on individual situations on a case-to-case basis. Although our aim is to deliver your mobile home as quickly as possible, delivery is dependent upon conditions which we may not be able to control such as: the weather, site preparation, the granting of town permits and timely authorization from your insurance company.

Yes. You will be required to sign a contract with us on the day of delivery and to give us a check for the damage security deposit.

Once all permits are granted and your connecting services are completed, you can move in. In the majority of cases, hookups and connections are completed the day after delivery. Please note, homes that require temporary service poles generally take longer.

All units use electric heat.

A charge to accommodate your pet is billed to your insurance company.

If needed or required, Prospect Builders will provide you with a list of items that you may need to complete before delivery. Otherwise, preparation on your part may not be required.

Snow removal is your responsibility as part of the delivery and removal process. If necessary, we will provide instructions for you to prepare the site.

When we deliver or remove a unit, we will do our absolute best not to damage your lawn and landscaping.

You will be provided with a Welcome Packet that lists the general items that you will need during your stay. Also, the Welcome Packet will contain a consent form for cable installation, telephone installation, and other helpful hints.

Our staff is on call 24/7 at 1-800-486-4976.

Prospect Builders will insure the unit. However, we highly recommend that you insure personal contents.

Kitchens have a full size stove and refrigerator. Bedrooms and living rooms are fully furnished. Air conditioning is an option. We can also provide you with a clothes washing machine and dryer.

Costs will vary depending on such variables as your location, ease of access to your property and the size of the unit you request.

As soon as you think that you will no longer need the unit, simply call our office (1-800-486-4976) to schedule a removal date. If the unit will need to be removed by a specific date, please let us know as soon as possible and we will do everything we can to accommodate your request.

Fire & Smoke Damage Tips

While it’s not likely that you will require all the procedures on the list below, it’s always good to know what you should and should not do in an emergency situation. The following tips were compiled by members of the National Institute of Fire Restoration and are based on their wide experience in the fire and smoke damage field. Examine your particular situation and use the steps that apply.

Learn more about our services:

DO The Following...

  • Clean and protect chrome trim on kitchen appliances and bathroom faucets, tub fittings and towel bars with a light coating of petroleum jelly or other oil.
  • Blow off or brush-vacuum loose smoke particles from upholstery, drapes, carpets.
  • Open windows for ventilation.
  • Change furnace filter if blower is operating.
  • Empty freezer/refrigerator completely if electricity is off and prop doors open with a rolled towel or newspaper.
  • Pour antifreeze in toilet bowls, sinks and tubs to prevent freezing if heat is off in winter.
  • Wash plants on both sides of leaves with water (water softener helps).
  • Call plumber to drain heating system if heat is off in winter.
  • Remove pets (especially birds) to a clean environment.

DO NOT do the following...

  • Wipe or attempt to wash walls, ceilings or other absorbent surfaces.
  • Use upholstered furniture that was involved in the fire, if it can be avoided.
  • Use exposed food items, canned goods which have been subjected to excessive heat.
  • Use TVs, stereos, computers or electrical appliances cleaned and/or checked.
  • Send smoked garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set it smoke and odors.

Water Damage Tips

Water is an essential part of many cleaning processes. But under same circumstances it can be damaging as well. The harmful effects of water are sharply reduced by prompt and wise action. Some procedures are obvious; others require foresight and experience. From their wide background in water damage repair and cleaning, members of the National Institute of Fire Restoration have compiled this list of tips which may be taken when age occurs.

Learn more about our services:

DO The Following...

  • Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting.
  • Wipe water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and
  • tabletop items.
  • Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying (check for possible bleeding).
  • Place aluminum foil, china saucers or wood blacks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
  • Turn on air conditioning for maximum drying in summer; open windows to speed drying in winter.
  • Remove Oriental or other colored rugs from wet wall-to-wall carpeting.
  • Open drawers and cabinet doors for complete drying (do not force).
  • Transfer valuable oil paintings and art objects to a safe place.
  • Blot wet carpeting with clean white towels.
  • Open suitcases and luggage to dry, in sunlight if possible.
  • Punch small holes in sagging ceilings to relieve trapped water (don’t forget to place pans underneath).

DO NOT do the following...

  • Leave wet fabrics in place, dry as soon as possible and hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.
  • Leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpeting, floors or surfaces.
  • Use your household vacuum to remove water.
  • Use TVs, stereos, computers or other electrical appliances while standing on wet carpeting (ESPECIALLY NOT ON WET CONCRETE FLOORS).
  • Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water.

Mold & Mildew Tips

The key to mold control is moisture control. It is important to dry water damaged areas and items within the first 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth. If mold is a problem in your home.

DO The Following...

  • Once you become aware of mold or mildew, act AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
  • Clean up the mold and get rid of excess water or moisture
  • Fix leaky plumbing
  • Clear clogged roof gutters
  • Wash mold off with detergent and water and dry completely
  • Dehumidify: reduce indoor humidity to 30% – 60%
  • Keep air conditioner drip pans clean
  • In affected areas, increase ventilation using fans
  • If you can smell mold but can’t see it, follow your nose. In some cases, mold may be growing in hidden areas such as the backside of walls, the top of ceiling tiles, or underneath carpets.

Helpful Sites and Sources