A foundation choice is an interface among the home design, soils, frost, water, slope, code, utilities, access, schedule, and owner priorities. Labels such as slab or crawlspace are starting concepts, not complete specifications.
Decision snapshot
| Decision | Practical approach | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Site | What do soils, water, slope, frost, and flood rules require? | Geotechnical and site-design criteria |
| Home interface | Where are loads, anchors, openings, and utilities? | Manufacturer and engineer interface documents |
| Use | What access, storage, equipment, or future work is expected? | Owner requirements and lifecycle plan |
h
Begin with constraints, not preference
h
Compare whole assemblies
h
Coordinate module setting tolerances
h
Plan water management as a system
h
Evaluate lifecycle access
Action checklist
- Site and geotechnical criteria
- Approved home loads and interface dimensions
- Complete assembly scope
- Drainage and moisture-control plan
- Set-contractor acceptance requirements
- Inspection and maintenance access
Working worksheet
Record these fields in the same working document so the decision can be reviewed and handed off:
- Concept
- Site advantages
- Interface risks
- Excluded work
- Designer decision and basis
Common failure patterns
- Choosing from a generic price-per-square-foot
- Treating drainage as somebody else’s later work
- Mobilizing modules before foundation acceptance evidence exists