How to Set a Manufactured Home on a Permanent Foundation

Creating the Foundation

• 1

  Contact a local contractor and have them compact the area under the planned slabs to 1,000 pounds per square foot. This requires heavy machinery.

• 2

  Lay one inch of gravel on top of the compacted area.

• 3

  Mix mortar and water in a wheelbarrow based on the instructions on the mortar.

• 4

  Place one inch of mortar on top of the gravel area.

• 5

  Place the first cinderblock on top of the mortar. Ensure that the block is level.

• 6

  Place mortar on the side of the first cinderblock.

• 7

  Place the second cinderblock on the mortared side of the first cinderblock.

• 8

  Continue this process until the first row has been completed. Ensure that the row is level.

• 9

  Place an inch of mortar on top of the first row.

• 10

  Start the second row of cinderblocks by placing the block halfway between two of the cinderblocks below it. The purpose is to stagger the blocks.

• 11

  Continue this process until each of the footings has been completed.

• 12

  Allow the footings to sit for at least seven days before placing the home.

• 13

  Ensure that the footings elevate the home between 18 inches and 36 inches.

• 14

  Create a slope of 6 inches per 10 feet away from the foundation for drainage purposes. The area needs to be 6 inches lower to allow for water to drain away from the house.

Placing the Home on the Foundation

• 15

  Locate the I-beams on the bottom of the home. These will be long support beams along the bottom of the home.

• 16

  Build up a cinderblock base under each of the I-beams. This will be a support base for the hydraulic jacks to sit on.

• 17

  Place hydraulic jacks under each of the I-beams.

• 18

  Slowly crank up the hydraulic jacks until there is enough space between the bottom of the home and the top of your foundation to slide in the capstones.

• 19

  Slide the capstones into the slot under each of the I-beam support locations.

• 20

  Lower the hydraulic jacks and remove the cinder block bases used to support them.