How to Prepare Footings for a Manufactured Home

Go to the local building code department to find out the local building codes for the width and the depth of footings. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for placement of the footings for the structure.

Mark the location of the footing holes with stakes or flags. Dig to the depth recommended by the manufacturer and local codes. Use a hand tamper to pack the material to 1,000 lbs. per square foot. The pound per square foot refers to the density of the compacted material necessary to support the concrete footing and keep it from settling. Install the form for the footings. The form keeps the wet concrete in place.

Use 2-inch by 10-inch boards spaced at the appropriate width. Place 2-inch by 4-inch stakes in the ground at 36-inch intervals. Tie the form boards to the stakes, which provide stability for the form. Check the form with the carpenter's level to ensure straightness and level.

Install two pieces of rebar the length of the footing. Use #3 3/8-inch diameter rebar, which consist sof a steel rod. Place #3 rebar 16 inches on center, vertically, to the horizontal rebar. On center refers to the measurement from the center of one rebar to the center of the adjacent rebar. This represents the maximum interval between the reinforcement. Tie the rebar together with wire.

Pour the concrete. Use a concrete mixture that has at least 2,500 lbs. per square foot. Make sure the mixture has ¾-inch aggregates. Some manufacturers recommend using air-entrained concrete. This type of mixture contains air bubbles, which help bind aggregates to form a stronger footing.

Follow the manufacturer's instruction for placement of the home anchors before the concrete sets. Trowel the surface of the footing to a smooth finish. Call the local building code inspector to come out and inspect the footing before setting the manufactured home. Allow at least seven days for the concrete to set and cure before placing the manufactured home on the footing.