Manufactured homes can be an affordable alternative to new construction. These homes are built off-site and delivered in either one or two sections to your property.
The government requires that you obtain a manufactured home foundation certification before you place your manufactured home. The purpose of these certifications is to ensure that your new home will rest on a foundation that is solid and capable of supporting the weight of the manufactured home.
Learn more about three unique types of foundations that are well-suited to manufactured homes.
1. Pier and Beam Foundation
One of the more popular foundations for manufactured homes is the pier and beam foundation. This foundation is characterized by steel anchors that are driven into the ground on which your manufactured home will sit.
Steel straps that are attached to these anchors are then fastened to the I-beams on the frame of your new home. Cross-members connect the I-beams, and outriggers are welded to the frame for added support.
A pier and beam foundation can protect your manufactured home against wind, earthquakes, and other types of damage. An engineer will evaluate the integrity of your pier and beam foundation, then provide you with a seal of approval that will allow you to obtain a foundation certification.
2. Crawl Space Foundation
A crawl space foundation can be attractive for property owners looking to maintain easy access to the lower deck of their manufactured home. A crawl space foundation requires that the land be excavated and a perimeter wall matching the exact footprint of the manufactured home be poured from concrete.
Concrete footers are then poured strategically within the perimeter wall to offer additional support. The location of each concrete footer is unique to the design of each individual manufactured home.
An engineer will need to evaluate each footer location to ensure the strength of the foundation before providing you with the seal you need to obtain your foundation certification.
3. Basement Foundation
If you are hoping to increase the amount of livable space within your home, you should consider a basement foundation. Basements can provide the structural support any manufactured home needs, while effectively increasing the square footage of the home itself.
You will need to work closely with an engineer to ensure that your basement is constructed using materials and techniques that meet minimum government standards. Only basement foundations with solid construction and adequate seismic rating will qualify for a foundation certification.
Construction workers and contractors do many different kinds of work, but most of that work is related to building. Some contractors build buildings directly. Others have more supplemental roles, such as installing the plumbing. Those supplemental roles are just as important. After all, what is a building without plumbing or heat?
While we are not contractors ourselves, we are people who have a deep knowledge of this industry. We've worked with contractors, and we've also researched this field to the point where we can say with confidence that the material on this website is reliable and accurate. If you're at all interesting in construction and contract work, we advise you to read what we have to say.