Permanent foundation
A foundation engineered to carry the home and anchor it to the ground, such as a poured slab, a crawlspace or a full basement, built to the manufacturer’s or a local engineer’s specification.
A permanent foundation is a structural base designed to carry the home and anchor it to the ground, such as a poured concrete slab, a crawlspace with footings, or a full basement. It is built to the manufacturer's installation instructions or to a design by a licensed engineer.
It is different from a home that simply sits on piers or blocks with tie-down straps. A permanent foundation is more stable in wind and floods, and it is usually needed for a home to be treated as real property and to qualify for a conventional mortgage.
Insurance carriers often treat a permanent foundation favorably, and some make it a condition for replacement cost coverage. An engineer's foundation certification can help show that the foundation meets the required standard.
Common questions
Can I put a manufactured home on a permanent foundation?
Usually yes, if it is designed for it and set to the manufacturer's or an engineer's specifications. Local rules apply, so check with your installer.
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