How much does a permanent foundation for a mobile home cost?
In this article, we will explain: How much does a permanent foundation for a mobile home cost? We will review the different types of foundations for mobile homes and give you advice on how to choose the best one.
How much does a permanent foundation for a mobile home cost?
A permanent foundation for a mobile home could cost you between $3,500 to $200,000 depending on the size of the mobile home and on various options: finished/unfinished basement, concrete pit, crawl space, pier and beam. Please see the table below for more details.
Permanent Foundations for Mobile Homes Costs
| Type of Mobile Home | Single-wide | Double-wide | Multi-Wide |
| Size | 500 – 800 sq ft | 1,000 – 1,500 sq ft | 2000+ sq ft |
| Unfinished Basement | $5,000 – $20,000 | $10,000 – $37,500 | $20,000+ |
| Finished Basement | $15,000 – $80,000 | $30,000 – $150,000 | $60,000+ |
| Concrete Pit | $5,000 – $20,000 | $10,000 – $37,500 | $20,000+ |
| Crawl Space | $3,500 – $5,600 | $7,000 – $10,500 | $14,000+ |
| Pier and Beam | $2,500 – $4,000 | $5,000 – $7,500 | $10,000+ |
Is a permanent or temporary foundation better for a mobile home?
Mobile homes need a foundation to be installed on. Therefore, the importance of the foundation is vital even in this type of housing. Depending on your needs and lifestyle you can choose the type of base.
- A Permanent foundation: If you plan to make this house your permanent residence, you should opt for a foundation of a durable nature. The best in this case is:
- Use a concrete slab: It is placed as the foundation for the structure, a concrete slab that is normally half a foot high. It is a simple method to provide more foundation to the floor of your house. Although we categorize it as a permanent base, in case of need, both the house and the tiles can be moved to another location.
- Underground Slabs: Placed one or two feet below the surface of the ground, so the house remains level with the rest of the surface.
- Conventional base: In this case, a deep well is made that serves as the foundation for the house. It is a basic construction similar to that of a conventional construction house.
- Basement base: Here a basement is built that serves as the foundation for the house.
- A Temporary foundation: Mobile home users are sometimes on the move, and therefore their houses as well. If you are one of them, the temporary foundation is the best option for you.
The best options then are:
- Block base: in this case, you only have to place concrete blocks of a predetermined size. You buy and place them.
- Column support base: Columns are placed under the pillars of the house. These underground pillars will provide support to the other exterior pillars located above the ground, acting as reinforcement so that the structure remains standing.
Levelling the plot before installing a mobile home foundation
You also have to plan and prepare the place where the house will be placed, ideally a flat, uncluttered surface, with smooth edges and prominent boundaries. For this step it is also useful to have the help of a professional, but, in any case, you have to leave space on all sides depending on the size and alignment of the house.
If you are going to build and occupy a second-hand house, you already have the measures to be able to decide the limits and fix the position. But if it is new, together with the contractor the necessary occupation surface must be decided.
If you plan to reside in a mobile home community, a predetermined alignment and measurements will already be provided to you, saving you time and cost.
Another important aspect is to carry out the proper classification of the surface. Or what is the same, build the surface in a specific way.
In this case, the levelling must be carried out on a slope to avoid the accumulation of water under and around the mobile home, to ensure a correct evacuation of the water and especially the sewage system.
Once the correct levelling of the soil has been done, it must be compacted. It is best to hire the services of specialists for these works since it is the foundation on which the structure will rest, and any neglect in this phase will end up causing many problems and losses in the future, so, be careful!
It is also advisable to set aside an empty area for a possible backyard, and very important, determine what the driveway will be.
Think that your house will arrive driven, therefore this area must be wide enough for the vehicle that transports it to pass without problems.
Connecting the foundation with the structure of the mobile home
A foundation and a structure in its best individual state are of little use if once the whole is put together, it does not work.
In that case, the anchor must be checked. It is vital that the structure is securely attached to the base. Anchors help the house withstand natural calamities and harsh weather conditions and solidify the finished set.
For this, we recommend always having the help of a professional, since they will suggest the most efficient anchor for your prefabricated mobile home.
Connection to public services
Once the foundation and the main structure are correctly in place and well anchored, it is time to ensure the connection to the network of pipes and lines of other public services.
That said, always check your local legislation, as in some areas pipes and ducts are checked for safety reasons before making the final connection.
Either way, doing this preflight is very helpful, as any problems can be detected and corrected before the final installation. Therefore, we recommend: check before and connecting later.
Once the installation process is finished, the company usually wants you to sign the end of work document as soon as possible to free itself from all responsibility thereafter.
Avoid rushing! We recommend you bring an independent company that is expert in the sector and with knowledge about this type of assembly. Inspect the work done, from top to bottom, and then certify the perfect condition of everything.
It is then, with the assurance that everything is fine, that you must sign the end of the work with the confidence of having things done well.
Give your personal touch inside and outside your mobile home
It is now, when another more relaxed and fun part arrives, decorating your spaces.
Filling the interior and surroundings of your mobile home with life and charm will give it that home point you are looking for. The interior decoration is like that of any other house, so bring out the artist in you and turn it into that comfortable and welcoming place that you long for.
If it is an individual mobile home, give free rein to your tastes in the outdoor spaces. Coloured awnings, umbrellas to mark the backyard, plants that shine, outdoor led lights. Unlimited.
Awnings, in fact, have a function beyond decoration and shade. They are good conductors of rainwater. Well placed in the correct spots near the mobile home, they will help drain excess water that would otherwise accumulate under or on your home.
Of course, some localities have laws regarding awnings, so check local laws before placing anything of this type in your home.
The bottom line
Mobile homes can be a great option for long term living, and if this idea incites you, we recommend you install your mobile home on a permanent foundation – the benefits are great. If you are now sure about the plot and like to travel, perhaps a temporary foundation is the best solution for you.
Either way, if you have any other questions or comments on the content, please feel free to get in contact!
FAQ on How much does a permanent foundation for a mobile home cost?
How is a mobile home installed?
Normally, a mobile home is installed on eight support points on the ground. These supports, usually made of concrete, are the foundation that separates the mobile home from the ground. Between the mobile home and the floor, there is usually an air reservoir. In some cases, these support points are not even necessary.
How long does a mobile home last?
The duration of a mobile home can be from 15 to 25 years depending on the quality of the Mobil Home and its maintenance. If it is well located, the rental of the mobile home is quite easy.
How much does a mobile home weigh?
A mobile home weighs from 4000 lbs to approximately 22,000 lbs. It can be moved from one place to another because its manufacture has been conceived for that purpose. It has wheels and pitches just like a caravan but is much bigger and stronger.
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