Yes, mobile homes can have basements.
A mobile home with a basement may be anchored in place by the building’s foundation, instead of being set on a concrete or steel foundation.
Mobile homes with basements are becoming more popular in some parts of the country where the ground freezes in winter and there is no way to avoid damage to the exterior walls – if water enters through cracks in the wall. A basement will prevent this most of the time.
Tent camper trailers can have basements as well, but they are usually built into them when they are manufactured/ordered.
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Can you put a basement under the mobile home?
Yes, you can add a basement under the mobile home.
However, you should consult with an engineer before doing so to make sure your home can handle the additional weight (which will be around 4-5 tons) and to make sure the soil around your mobile home won’t cause settling or heaving issues.
If you plan to add one using your existing mobile home make sure that the floor joists are around 6″ above grade, otherwise you will need at least 6-1/2″ of compacted gravel to provide the right amount of drainage.
The floor joists will need to be doubled up in some places and new ones added if they are not sturdy enough to support a basement.
You also need to make sure that the soil around your mobile home is not too soft, otherwise, you may have a lot of problems with settling and heaving.
Mobile homes with basements are becoming more popular because of problems associated with frozen ground in wintertime where water can freeze and expand causing damage to exterior walls.
A basement will prevent this most of the time assuming that adequate drainage is provided for proper draining away from the foundation walls.
Also Read: What Size Air Conditioner For A Mobile Home?
How much does it cost to build a basement foundation for a mobile home?
The cost of adding a basement to a mobile home can vary depending on several factors, such as the type of soil around your mobile home site and if the existing foundation has to be altered in any way.
A basement will add structurally to your mobile home, so it will have to be engineered before construction begins.
The cost of adding a basement under a mobile home can vary from area to area, but you should expect it to cost anywhere from $8-10 per square foot if the existing foundation has already been built or around $6-7 if the footing needs to be dug.
Conclusion:
You can have a basement in your mobile home. A lot of people don’t realize this is an option, but it is.
It’s not as common to find them with basements because they are usually built on slabs or pads instead of foundations, and the cost would be prohibitive for most buyers looking at mobile homes as their first property purchase.
But if you’re considering buying a place that has one already built-in, talk to your lender about whether the mortgage company will allow you to finance it.