mh on full basement

[Taffy Micheli]

HI. I'm a first-time home buyer trying to put a manufactured home on a basement. Our retailer suggests that we do a perimeter frame, and that this will eliminate the need for I-beams as well as make it so we only need the basement to have 8 ft. walls rather than 10 ft. walls. Is this really the best way to go? He says it will add about $7200 on the cost of the home to do the perimeter frame. Is it still more cost efficient than doing the 10 ft. walls and 8 or 9 I-beams? We want to make an informed decision on this, and save ourselves money if possible.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Kimber Appraisal]

The only way to know for sure, is to contact a cement contractor in your particular area, and ask him the price differences, including the costs of the I-Beams set in place, and ready for the home, versus, the cost of a normal 8 foot concrete basement wall. My guess is that the 10 foot wall, with I-beams, is cheaper, but that's only an informed guess for my area, your's may be different. I have seen both, and I think both are nice. The shallower basements are easier to meet UBC codes, as you will need the large windows for bedrooms as secondary egress. It is easier to do this with an 8 foot basement versus a 10 foot basement. Also basement outside entries and water tables are considerations, which you need to consider about your proposed home site.