Foundation Options for a Small House

DIfferent Foundations

• Factors such as geographic location, cost, style of house and a homeowner's personal preference all play a role in what type of foundation is chosen for a small house. Some common foundation choices for a small house include a pier and beam foundation, concrete foundation with a basement and perimeter concrete foundation. Each of these foundations has its own particular advantages, depending on the need of the homeowner.

Pier and Beam

• A pier and beam foundation consists of wood beams or posts that sit atop concrete piers, with the house resting on the wood beams. The advantage of this type of foundation is that it is easier to construct and less expensive than a concrete perimeter foundation. A pier and beam foundation may be implemented in areas where there is a low risk of earthquakes or hurricane-velocity winds because the foundation is not embedded as deep into the ground as a concrete foundation.

Concrete Perimeter with Basement

• For homeowners who are looking for some extra storage space, a concrete perimeter with a basement may be chosen. This type of foundation is built by excavating where the house will sit, pouring a concrete slab and then pouring concrete walls around the slab. The house rests on top of the concrete walls. While this type of wall can add to the cost of a house, there are obvious advantages such as added space, a refuge during tornadoes, and convenience when working on the plumbing, ductwork and wiring systems under the house.

Concrete Perimeter

• A concrete perimeter foundation is an option for homeowners who want the stability of concrete but do not want the extra expense of a basement. A concrete perimeter foundation is formed by excavating around the outer dimensions of where the house will sit and pouring a layer of concrete known as footer into the ground. After the footer is poured, concrete blocks are cemented together on top of the footer to provide concrete block walls for the house to rest on.