Steel Piers vs. Concrete Blocks

[rhondahogg]

Hello,
My husband and I are first-time manufactured home buyers, and we're looking for some advice.

The home we're purchasing will be set on steel piers (similar to jack stands) rather than concrete block supports. Is this generally considered a better option?

Our purchase agreement also states that we'll be responsible for any future releveling of the home. We're concerned that this type of foundation might require frequent adjustments or become an ongoing maintenance issue.

If anyone has experience with steel piers versus concrete blocks, or with releveling manufactured homes in general, we'd really appreciate your advice. Thanks!

[varyscowell]

I had my manufactured home installed on steel piers about two years ago. I was worried about the same thing, but it turned out to be less of an issue than I expected. The home only needed one relevel after the first year as the ground settled, and it hasn't needed another since. The installer told me that some settling is normal regardless of whether the home is on steel piers or concrete blocks. Keeping water away from the foundation with good drainage made a much bigger difference in the long run than the type of support itself.

[earnsleuth]

Steel piers utilize threaded adjustment screws. This makes re-leveling significantly easier, faster, and cheaper than using concrete blocks,