The Texas workforce housing buyer’s guide

Last updated 2026-10-19 · Neutral guide; sources at the bottom

Buying workforce housing in Texas comes down to four choices: code type (HUD-code, TDLR industrialized or modular, or non-coded employee housing), unit layout (rooms, baths, kitchens), who delivers and sets it, and what happens to the units afterward. Texas sellers include factory-direct suppliers, dealers and retailers, used-unit resellers, and camp operators who lease beds.

Types of sellers in Texas

Seller type	What they do well	Watch for
Factory-direct suppliers	New units built to spec, volume orders, phasing	Build-slot lead times; what delivery and set include
Licensed retailers and dealers	HUD-code sales, local service, financing contacts	Selection limited to their brands and lot
Used-unit resellers (“hot lists”)	Fast availability, lower prices	Condition, age, and what “as is” covers
Turnkey camp operators	Beds plus meals, housekeeping, security under one contract	Multi-year minimums; nothing owned at the end
Container and modular builders	Stackable or custom builds	Code acceptance, insulation, transport size

Code types compared

	HUD-code	Industrialized / modular (TDLR)	Non-coded employee housing	Shipping container units
Built to	Federal HUD code, 24 CFR 3280	State-adopted building codes	Commercial crew-unit specs; generally treated as industrialized buildings in Texas	Varies; often modified to a building code
Texas regulator	TDHCA Manufactured Housing Division	TDLR Industrialized Housing and Buildings	Ask the seller what label applies; TDLR rules generally apply	Depends on how it is built and labeled
Foundation	Piers and tie-downs by a licensed installer	Per the approved design	Blocks, skids, or chassis	Per design
Zoning acceptance	Widely understood; some areas restrict it	Often treated like site-built	Check county and city rules	Check local rules
Financing	Chattel and home loan options	Construction or commercial loans	Equipment-style or cash	Varies
Resale market	Broad	Narrower	Workforce buyers	Narrower

Deep comparison: HUD-code vs. modular vs. non-coded.

Licensing basics

TDHCA Manufactured Housing Division licenses manufactured housing retailers, installers, and others in Texas. TDHCA
TDLR Industrialized Housing and Buildings covers modular and industrialized buildings. TDLR
TDHCA Migrant Labor Housing Facility license is needed to house 2+ families or 3+ workers for more than 3 days in covered housing; the fee is $75 with a recent TWC or DOL inspection, $250 without.

Rules change; check each agency’s current page before you buy. This guide is not legal advice.

Layouts and specs that matter

Rooms and baths: private rooms with private baths are the norm for crews now. More rooms per unit lowers cost per bed.
Kitchens: shared kitchen, kitchenettes, full suites, or none (sleepers with central dining).
Heat and air: PTAC per room; ask if they ship loose or installed.
Envelope: insulation values, roof type (metal roofs are common), windows.
Wind: the unit must match the site’s wind requirements, especially on the coast.

See what to look for in a crew unit and our standard models.

Cost per bed and buy vs. lease

Cost per bed is everything you spend to stand up the camp divided by beds. Owning usually wins on jobs over a year or repeat jobs; leasing wins on short or uncertain work. Details: cost per bed · buy vs. lease vs. hotel calculator.

Delivery, set, and site prep: who does what

Task	Usually the seller	Usually your contractors
Unit build or sourcing	✓
Transport and oversize permits	✓ (confirm)
Set, level, tie-down	Often (confirm who and licensing)	Sometimes
Pads, roads, drainage		✓
Water, wastewater, power to the pad		✓
Final hookups, PTAC install, skirting, steps	Varies	Varies
Permits and licenses for the site		✓ (owner)

Our process: how it works.

After the job: redeploy, resell, convert

Owned units can move to the next job, sell to another contractor or operator, or stay as long-term staff housing. See redeploy or resell.

15 questions to ask any seller

Print this page or save it as a PDF; the checklist prints on its own.

Is the unit HUD-code, a TDLR industrialized building, or non-coded? Which label or data plate will it carry?
What wind zone or wind design is it built for, and does that match my county?
Is it new or used? If used, how old, and can I see photos of the roof, HVAC, and plumbing?
Is this unit in stock, or does it need a build slot? What is the current lead time?
What exactly is in the price: unit only, delivered, or delivered and set?
Who handles transport and oversize permits?
Who sets, levels, and ties down the units, and who is licensed to do it?
What does my site need before delivery: pad, access, water, wastewater, power?
Are PTACs, water heaters, and appliances installed or shipped loose?
What furniture, if any, is included?
What warranty comes with the unit, and who honors it?
What licenses does the seller hold? Ask for the license numbers and check them with TDHCA or TDLR.
Can I see a unit, or one like it, in person?
Can you give references from projects like mine?
What are my options at the end of the job: move, resell, or trade in?

Common questions

Who sells workforce housing in Texas?

Factory-direct suppliers, licensed retailers and dealers, used-unit resellers, container and modular builders, and camp operators that lease beds. Choose by whether you want to own the units and who handles delivery and setup.

What is the difference between HUD-code, modular, and non-coded crew units?

HUD-code homes are built to the federal manufactured home code (24 CFR 3280) and regulated in Texas by TDHCA. Modular or industrialized buildings are built to state-adopted building codes under TDLR’s Industrialized Housing and Buildings program. “Non-coded” crew units are commercial employee housing; in Texas they are generally treated as industrialized buildings, so ask the seller what label the unit carries.

Can you buy a mobile home directly from the manufacturer in Texas?

Retail sales of HUD-code manufactured homes in Texas generally go through a TDHCA-licensed retailer, and installation requires a licensed installer. Check TDHCA’s current rules for your situation. Commercial crew units sold to businesses can follow different rules; ask the seller how the sale is structured.

Are container units cheaper than manufactured crew units?

It depends on the build. Compare insulation and condensation control, code acceptance in your county, transport size and weight, and how much finish work is included, not just the sticker price.

How much does workforce housing cost per bed?

Public Texas references in 2026 range from about $13,000 per bed for a used unit alone to roughly $37,500–$45,000 per bed for an operator’s fully serviced expansion. See cost per bed.

Sources

HUD Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards, 24 CFR Part 3280 (checked Oct 2026)
TDHCA Manufactured Housing Division (licensing of retailers and installers) (checked Oct 2026)
TDLR Industrialized Housing and Buildings program (checked Oct 2026)
TDHCA Migrant Labor Housing Facility license application (2+ families or 3+ workers for more than 3 days; $75 fee with a recent TWC/DOL inspection, $250 without) (checked Oct 2026)
10 TAC §90.4, Texas migrant labor housing standards (amended effective Feb 25, 2026) (eff. Feb 25, 2026)
TxDMV Oversize/Overweight permits (checked Oct 2026)

Last updated 2026-10-19. Figures are as published by each source on the date shown; re-check before you budget.