Any experiences with modular on slab construction?

Question

Has anyone had experience putting a modular home on a slab foundation.

There are lots in modest neighbors in my area. I'm wondering if building modular on a slab might be a way to make the numbers work to build in these neighborhoods.

I'm in a cold climate (PA), and building on a slab is not common here (yet).

Any thoughts or experiences would be helpful.

Kevin Sobilo · Answer

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A big part of the reason for considering a slab as opposed to excavating for a basement is cost. These are modest areas where people are not building anything. The potential to save $10-15k doing a slab versus a basement is what make building in these neighborhoods make financial sense.

Kevin Sobilo · Answer

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There are a couple reasons I think a slab would be better received here.

1) The housing stock here is generally older. So, the relatively few houses here that have crawl spaces here have pretty bad crawl spaces. The only other type of house here that would have something like a crawl space would be a mobile home here. So, I suspect there would be a negative reaction to a crawl space because there might be a modest stigma about it here.

2) One of the benefits of a slab would be no steps to get into the house. A ranch home on a slab here would likely appeal to older buyers looking to downsize. Older buyers are often considering their future mobility issues. These older buyers are also a likely group of buyers who could afford to buy a small new construction home.

Account Closed · Answer

You could alternately look into doing a conditioned crawlspace with a "rat slab" and keep the building at grade, a lot like a basement. The crawlspace doesn't have to be bad. You're already breaking the mold by building modular. Sell it.

Account Closed · Answer

Yes, I've worked on modular on slab projects. I don't really understand your motivations for trying it though. What's the advantage of a slab vs. a crawlspace in your eyes? Footings and CMU aren't generally cost prohibitive. Don't you need to get below the frost line anyway?

Kevin Martin · Answer

@Kevin Sobilo I agree with you on the savings for the slab. I am interested to see how they can do this as well...