How difficult would it be to put a foundation under a manufactured home?

Question

I have a manufactured home that is up on blocks. I want to put a foundation under it. Is there a farely quick and affordable way to do this?

First, thank you for your help. $1200 is affordable to me. Would the house have to have the plumbing and electrical disconnected and all of that?

I'm getting some really good comments so here is some additional info and I appreciate your time and answers.

I don't want a basement, I just want to place it on some kind of foundation like blocks or something. It's not a regular mobile home it's a little bigger than a double wide and shaped differently.

There are no wheels it sits on blocks and is considered real property already. It was built in 1989. Thank you again.

Answer 1

With no offense to the first 2, I've been in this GAME a LONG time, as well I have lived in 3 mobiles.

The issues are multiple and defined by details you DON'T give, IE: jacking up the mobile, removing the wheels or carriage, pouring a slab, and adding proper support structures,,,OR crafting footers at the perimeter, installing Block, to an appropriate height, jacking the mobile, then re-setting it on a perimeter foundation, much like a crawl space/basement.

Obviously you have to connect with a Zoning/Code govt. agency local to you, often available through info supplied at a local TAG office, or Tax office.

Quick and affordable are relative.

Steven Wolf

Answer 2

Manufactured Home Foundation

Answer 3

IF your home is older than1972 there are no regulations that dictate how you support the home. If it is newer than 1972 then it is governed by HUD and the way that is prescribed in the set up manual has to be followed. ALL manufacturers allow frost foundations (piers dug down to the frost line for your given area) The loose block piers on top of the ground is an alternate style that has been adopted for the sake of the mobile home park as one manufacturer or frame dimension will vary from another and the expense of removing piers to accommodate another home would defeat the purpose of affordable housing. You cannot use a perimeter support foe your mobile home unless it was designed for it the floor joists are only 2x6 and the span is to great. the steel out riggers and frame was not designed to support the load at the perimeter either. If the reason you want to have it on a foundation is because of the way it looks there are concrete block skirting systems but for a 16x80 the materials will run about 2300 dollars. in order to put in frost piers the home would have to be moved. in short the expense is not worth it. if your foundation system is failing it was improperly installed or there has been some distress from a water leak or water running under the home.

Answer 4

unfortunatly affordable is probaly not the answer you'll find however affordable is all relative. There are different types of foundations. You have the ones that can be completly finished (basements)that you can walk around in when done. complete with tile/carpet on a concrete floor, furnace room, firplace,windows maybe even a wet bar this type could be extremely expensive. Depending on where you go with it. You also have the ones that hold up your home by means of an exterior foundation wall and have a somewhat level dirt or gravel floor (crawl space) there is usually an access to them through your floor above or from outside and there is usually only three to four feet of headroom so standing is not recommended when this is done it is most likely similar to what you have now except that you can insulate it alot better it is more stable and you can probably store a little more stuff in it without the weather ruining it this is much less expensive than a basement however both will require relocating your home until excavation has been done for whichever type you consider. A crawl space may be able to be accomplished by jacking home straight up until out of the way because you will only be working on perimeter. Than when complete simply setting it back down on new walls. A basement will require complete removal of home and than subsequent replacement back on new foundation, could be tricky, depending on size of home etc... anyway you'll have to get pricing from a local contractor (preferably one that specializes in that sort of thing) there is way to many factors to consider you could be spending 8-10k or 80-100k depending on what you want and it's always smart to evaluate what you home would be worth after youve completed this work. Lots of luck

Answer 5

I answered the same for someone else about this same subject. There is concrete skirting that looks like a basement foundation. You might find it at a manufactured home show or a concrete dealer or a manufactured home dealer. I am doing this since I am looking at a new triplewide home. When it is set you cannot tell that it is a manufactured home. Best kept secret around!
Keep your heat tape and insulate it like a crawl space with plastic over the ground to stop radon gas from going into the home. Any good manufactured home mover can also do this.

Answer 6

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
How difficult would it be to put a foundation under a manufactured home?
I have a manufactured home that is up on blocks. I want to put a foundation under it. Is there a farely quick and affordable way to do this?

Answer 7

So many of these answers are supposed to be from people who know better.

You don't need to jack anything, remove anything, or dink with the piers.

What you want to install is a cement block "skirt".

The manufactured house continues to sit on its wheels and piers with out being disturbed. A footing is dug (not typical as it doesn't really support the house) and cement block is laid up to the approximate bottom of the house, then a short skirt is installed to cover the gap.

Now, to contradict my earlier statement some, I have seen them jack the house just a little to install a cap stone so as to eliminate the short skirting.

I've never seen this done for $1,200 though

Now, here is an alternate route. If your piers are close to the side of the house, you can install Hardy board. This is often called cement board, and is manufactured by James Hardy.

It is impervious to moisture and termites, comes in different colors and in a style that resembles stucco.

Good Luck

Answer 8

How To Put On Foundation

Answer 9

To put a basement under an existing house is an expensive proposition. Even a small basement in an area of the country where building costs are cheapest might easily start in the $20,000 range. If that is over your budget, there is no need to go further at this time. If it is a possibility, you need to solicit estimates from reputable contractors in your area. Keep in mind that most contractors will offer free estimates. In the end, if you choose to have the work done, check the contractors references carefully, make sure everything is spelled out in detail in the contract, and make sure the contractor carries liability and worker's compensation insurance.

Good luck with your basement project.

Answer 10

If you live in trailer or mobile home nah you will not need a permit and can do this with cinder blocks yourself. If a house then you need to see an episode of "This Old House" if you mean to do the heavy duty sort of replacing. Everything will be alright by turning of power at the switch box yourself. If you don't have wires to mess with you wouldn't need to phone an electrician or company.

But since you mean more & going to want to pour something please do contact a professional and usually they wont need to turn the power off permanently only disconnect temporarily if even that.