Concrete slab
A reinforced slab with a tight level tolerance. Best for permanent siting, weak topsoil and high snow-load regions. Needs drainage planning and curing time — schedule it well before delivery.
Buyer guide
Foundation for a modular home: what to prepare before delivery
A QHOME house arrives as a finished module — but it cannot stand directly on the ground. This guide explains which bases work, how to choose one, and exactly what to prepare on your site before the truck arrives.
- Ships from Rijeka, Croatia
- 2 weeks production
- ~1 week delivery
- Up to 50 units / month
Why the house cannot sit directly on the ground
- Ground contact traps moisture against the floor structure and shortens the life of the house.
- Soil moves with the seasons — frost heave, drying, settlement. A rigid module needs an even, stable support plane.
- Doors, windows and facade joints stay aligned only on level supports.
- Ventilation under the module keeps the floor assembly dry and preserves its insulation performance.
Types of bases used with QHOME homes
Screw piles
Steel piles screwed into the ground and cut to a level plane. Best for slopes, sensitive landscapes and fast or seasonal siting. No excavation, installable most of the year.
Concrete piers
Cast or precast supports under the module's load points. A cost-effective option on stable soils. Requires accurate setting-out to match the support scheme.
Strip foundation
A perimeter concrete strip, used where local rules require it or where a crawl space is wanted.
What the choice depends on
- Soil type and bearing capacity
- Slope of the plot
- Frost depth in your region
- Snow and wind loads
- Permanent or seasonal use
- Local building rules — some municipalities prescribe the base type
- Budget and timeline
What QHOME provides — and what your contractor builds
QHOME provides
The support scheme of the model: load points, loads and the required level plane. Technical requirements for the base. Experience from comparable projects in your region.
Your local contractor builds
The base itself, to the support scheme and local code. Site drainage. Utility stubs at the model's connection points. Access and a level working zone for the crane.
When you need a soil survey or an engineer
- Geotechnical survey: the plot is on fill, peat or wet clay; the municipality requires soil data; you plan a slab or strip foundation on unknown soil.
- Structural engineer: the base must carry code-defined snow, wind or seismic loads; stamped drawings are required; the site is sloped and the base becomes a structure in its own right.
For simple screw-pile sitings on known ground a survey is often not required — confirm locally.
Site preparation checklist
- Base finished and curedConcrete needs curing time — schedule backwards from the delivery date.
- Level verified with an instrumentNot by eye. The support scheme defines the tolerance.
- Utility stubs in placeAt the model's connection points — see the utility connections guide.
- Access confirmedClear path for the truck and crane — see the delivery guide.
- Contact person on siteSomeone reachable on delivery day.
Typical mistakes to avoid
- Pouring the slab from a floor plan instead of the model's support scheme.
- The base is level — but at the wrong height relative to utility stubs.
- Ignoring curing time: the slab is “ready” on paper but not loadable.
- No under-module ventilation path on a closed strip base.
- Access checked for a car, not for a long truck with a crane.
Frequently asked questions
Can the house stand on compacted gravel?
No. A gravel pad alone does not guarantee a stable, level, ventilated support plane. It can be part of the build-up under a slab or piers, but not the base itself.
How exact must the level be?
The support scheme for your model defines the tolerance — typically within a few millimetres across the support points.
Can I move the house later?
Yes. Houses on screw piles or point supports are relocatable; the new site needs its own prepared base.
Does QHOME build the foundation?
The base is built by a local contractor. QHOME provides the support scheme and technical requirements; in some regions we can recommend partners — ask when requesting a quote.
When do I need the base ready?
Before delivery. Production takes about 2 weeks and delivery about 1 week, so the base should be planned in parallel with the order.
Technical information verified:
Ready to plan your project?
Pick a model, compare packages in the calculator and send us your site details — we will check foundation, delivery, utilities and regional fit for you.