Prefab Home Site Preparation Considerations and Planning

Site preparation includes utility requirements and proper placement. For a more in-depth explanation about utilities, visit our utilities page.

Proper site preparation and installation is extremely important for durability, and the long term stability of your home.

Before your home is installed, you must ensure that the site has been prepared properly. If you are placing your home on your own land, your dealer can provide advice on how to prepare the site.

If you will be living in a rental community, the manager will probably take care of it for you. Before signing your lease, ask about this and any other costs.

If you are having your home installed on your own land, you (may be) responsible for site preparation. However, it is a good idea to ask your dealer (or whoever is going to install your home and warrant the installation) to inspect the site prior to installation to make sure that everything has been prepared properly.

An important issue will whether to go with skirting or a foundation - if you are planning on living in your new home for five years or more, you should consider one of two foundation options, go to Concrete and Block foundations and check out the benefits.

Here are some guidelines that must be followed in preparing the site.

The site must be accessible by the truck transporting your home.

The site must be as level as possible.

The precise site area must be cleared of trees, rocks, and any surface debris.

The soil must be graded and sloped for proper water runoff.

The soil must be compacted so that the foundation will not sink or shift on loose fill.

Although you may be able to do some work yourself, such as removing trees and shrubs, most site-preparation tasks, such as grading and compacting the soil, require technical expertise. You will need to contract for expert assistance to ensure that your home is installed on firm land that adequately drains.

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