The Pros and Cons of Various Mobile Home Foundations

A sound foundation is vital to constructing a high-quality structure, including manufactured homes. You should compare different options in mobile home foundations to pick the one that suits your budget and needs. Read on to learn about the various manufactured home foundations and their pros and cons.

What Are Mobile Home Foundations?

Manufactured homes are prebuilt homes that are carried to the home site already constructed. While these homes are made in a factory, there still needs to be a foundation placed at the home site to render stability for the structure. Many areas have regulations for mobile home foundations that you need to check through local building codes to identify the ones that are permitted in your town.

Types of Mobile Home Foundation

Permanent and non-permanent foundations are the two major categories of manufactured home foundations.

Permanent Foundations

Permanent foundations are fixed as soon as they’re built. The advantage of this type of foundation is that it offers a stick-built property look to the manufactured homes. Basement foundations and pit foundations are the two types of permanent foundations. Some common examples of permanent foundations and their pros and cons include:

• Basement Foundations - Basement foundations not only provide structural support to mobile homes but offer additional living space to owners. This foundation is not just practical but offers various perks

Pros

• You can easily integrate a slope into your plans
• May help with real estate financing options
• Good earthquake resistance
• Extra livable space

Cons

• Basements can have a tendency to get flooded
• Basement walls and footings must meet building codes
• Long and complex installation process
• The most expensive option

• Pit Foundations - These are similar to a basement foundation with some significant differences which include digging a pit out of the soil to form a crawl space. Compared to the basement foundation, they are less expensive but don’t permit extra livable space.

Pros

• Gives a stick-built home look
• Allows extra space for utilities and storage beneath the home
• May offer better financing options

Cons

• Still a costly option
• At risk of floods
• Long and challenging construction process

Non-Permanent Foundations

Non-permanent foundations can be detached from your home, meaning they are on the whole easier to transport. However, real estate financing and loans may not be accessible on non-permanent foundations. The three types of non-permanent foundations and their individual pros and cons are given below.

• Slab Foundations - This type of foundation comprises of a single slab of poured concrete. The home will rest on the slab using piers.

Pros

• The easiest category of foundation to build and install
• The cheapest category of foundation to build and install
• You may opt for a crawl space in the middle of the slab and home

Cons

• Requires you to be aware of the local frost line and insulate it if necessary
• Not right for sloping lots
• Slab movement can damage plumbing extending through it

• Runner Foundations - These foundations can differ in their shapes and materials and may consist of steel frames, concrete blocks, or a combination of both.

Pros

• Possibly the lowest-priced permanent foundation type
• The crawlspace is present but exposed to the soil
• Unlike slab foundation, it’s non-interfering with the plumbing

Cons

• Most susceptible to damage among all the foundation types
• Not appropriate for sloping lots

• Pier (or footer) Foundations – These foundations can vary in their shapes and materials and may include steel frames, concrete blocks, or a combination of both.

Pros

• Easy and inexpensive to install
• Provides resistance to flood and frost, making it stand out
• Provides easy access beneath your home
• Most contractors are aware of this type of foundation

Cons

• The piers may move independently, and cause your home to become non-levelled
• Can sometimes give your home the traditional mobile home look

Conclusion

Choosing a manufactured home foundation might be one of the most critical decisions for you. You can compare the various types of foundations to decide on the best one for your new manufactured home.