Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers

Move or install mobile homes or prefabricated buildings.

The occupation "Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers" has an automation risk of 10.6%, which is closely aligned with its base risk of 10.7%. This comparatively low automation risk is reflective of the hands-on, variable nature of the tasks involved in this occupation. Unlike jobs that are highly repetitive or predictable, much of the work performed by mobile home installers involves interacting with unique and often unpredictable environments—ranging from different lot layouts to varying climate conditions. The physical movement and setup of large structures, along with the necessity for real-time problem solving, make it difficult for automation technologies to fully replicate the proficiency of experienced human workers. As such, many aspects of this job are not well suited to current robotic or AI-driven automation systems. Among the top three most automatable tasks in this occupation are procedures that are generally repetitive and moderately structured. These include sealing the open sides of modular units for shipment—using polyethylene sheets, nails, and hammers—moving and setting up mobile homes or prefabricated buildings at various sites, and the inspection, examination, and testing of operation of parts or systems to evaluate if repairs are necessary. These tasks often follow clear protocols and are somewhat predictable, making them viable targets for semi-automated solutions or robotic assistants. However, even within these tasks, there is a persistent need for human oversight due to the variability between sites and the critical nature of quality assurance. Conversely, the three most automation-resistant tasks are those requiring substantial manual dexterity, adaptive problem-solving, or skilled adjustments. For instance, refinishing wood surfaces using tools like power sanders, brushes, and spray equipment demands artistic judgment and careful technique. Similarly, connecting electrical systems to outside power sources and testing appliances require specialized knowledge and safety expertise that is difficult to automate safely. Finally, manually adjusting and trimming doors, windows, and drawers to ensure proper fit involves physical skill and real-time adjustment using hand tools. These resistant tasks rely heavily on bottleneck skills such as Originality, which is scored at 3.1% and 2.9% for various sub-tasks, highlighting the important role of creative decision-making and hands-on adaptability—areas in which machines currently lag far behind skilled human installers.