Permanent Foundation for a Mobile Home Cost
Last Updated on December 27, 2023
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by 
CFA Alexander Popinker
The success of building a house depends very much on how the foundation is built. Any wrong step at this stage is very difficult and expensive to modify after the construction is completed, so you must pay special attention to the whole process, from digging the ditches to pouring the concrete slab.
How Much Does a Permanent Foundation for a Mobile Home Cost?
The amount of money you are going to spend in order to build a permanent foundation for your mobile home will depend on various factors such as the contractor you hire and whether there are any foreseen obstacles, the type of foundation, the condition of your home, the soil’s condition and your geographical location. In general, the biggest factor is the soil condition because it will determine the depth of the penetration, which will determine what type of foundation will be necessary.
Taking into consideration all these factors, the costs of a basic concreted-based foundation may range from just $10,000 to more than $34,000 per square foot. However, some other fees and costs may appear, and we will talk about them below.
As all jobs are unique, it is recommended to search for multiple contractors in your area and ask for a price offer for your project. Most of them are more than happy to offer you a free quote after you describe your job and tell them what you would need.
You might also like our articles on mobile home insurance, pier and beam foundations, or block foundation repair.
In the table below you will find the average costs of different permanent foundations that can be created for a mobile home.
| Pit-set | A pit-set foundation is pretty similar to a floating slab and will usually be poured around two feet under the ground. It is then followed by walls that are poured around the perimeter, which will make the home sit slightly above the ground level. This will give the feeling of an enclosed foundation when it is finished. | $10,000-$20,000 |
| Roll-on | A deep foundation will usually be dug first if the homeowner will want to home to be even with the ground. This will be followed by reinforcement with the walls, which will make it seem as if the home will be sitting on the ground. | $10,000-$20,000 |
| Pit-space Crawlspace | A crawlspace is usually used when you expect a foundation or have a minimum building requirement. It will offer you two main benefits: One is this type of foundation falls in the middle of the price range, although there are many ways to build it and many designs. The second one is that it will incorporate full wall support around your home and offer you space beneath it. | $12,000-$23,000 |
| Basement Foundation | Usually, a basement foundation isn’t made for a mobile home, but for a manufactured home instead. This is a type of foundation that will basically double your living space because it will provide a strong structural foundation. Due to the materials used and the needed time for construction, the construction costs will also be higher. | $17,000-$33,000 |
| Floating Slab | This is the type of foundation that is most commonly used and is usually the best option in colder climates. This floating slab will usually be made using multiple slabs of concrete reinforced with a rebar. This will provide a stable foundation for your home to stay on, sitting directly on the ground. The home will be secured to the foundation with anchors that are fixed in the concrete. The floating slab will usually be around six inches thick. This is due to the way in which it is processed and is great at preventing damage and cracks to the foundation when the ground freezes, by letting the home move. This foundation will require the least time to install and is one of the most affordable options. | $6,000-$17,000 |
According to the Modular Home Owners blog, the cost of a full basement foundation for a modular home is around $22,500.
What are the extra costs?
Moving the mobile home
In case your mobile home is already on the site, you will have to move it in order to build the permanent foundation and this is another cost to take into consideration. It may reach into the four figures to move a mobile home only a few feet from the site.
Planning and permits
You will always need a plan for building a foundation for your mobile home and you will have to abide by the local building codes. This means that as the foundation is being poured and completed you will need permits and inspection from the city.
It is recommended to budget around $1.25 per square foot for the permits, but this cost will depend on the size of your job and your geographical location.
Structural engineers
You will need to hire a structural engineer to inspect the foundation location before even considering building it. He will be able to spot any weaknesses and make recommendations for any potential obstacles. Expect to pay anywhere between $450 and $1,200 for the inspection, depending on the size of the job and the engineer you hire.
Soil reports
In order to determine what type of foundation you will need for your mobile home; you will need soil reports.
Some tips for a solid foundation
Regardless of the design of your home, the foundation is the most important element of the structure, because it has the role of supporting the weight of the entire construction and providing stability.
Take into account the quality of the materials and do not try to make changes to the project made by the design engineer. During the works, it is recommended that a site engineer be able to give an OK for each stage of the construction of the foundation.
Avoid starting excavation work on the foundation during a rainy season, as you will risk not only flooding the ditches (the water will then need to be drained with a pump), but also the collapse of the banks. Concrete should be poured when temperatures are above 44°F but below 86°F.
Most builders estimate that the concrete dries in about 2-3 days, but this duration can vary depending on the weather and the terrain. The concrete must be watered to protect it from drying out too quickly on hot days.
However, in order to protect the concrete from rain or cold, it must be covered with foil or geotextile material.
Why turn to a professional for the construction of the home foundation?
The stages of building a house foundation are complicated and require increased attention to detail. In this sense, collaboration with a professional in order to carry out the work is vital.
It can guarantee quality work, meant to last for many years. Also, another advantage that you will benefit from is that, through his experience, the professional can reduce the execution time by up to 50%.
Collaborating with a professional is certainly the safest and most effective way to approach such an investment, regardless of the scale of the work.
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