Placing manufactured home in woods. Stem wall or Stone Skirt

[Anonymous]

We are building a manufature home and looking for the best solution in placing the home on a foundation. Some say you do not need stem wall others say it is a good idea or just use a stone skirt for decoration.
I am looking for the most stable way to set the home so it will no split in the future. If stem wall is preferred for a stronger foundation, how far down in the ground do we need to put the wall? Will this require a seperate contractor verses the ones the home site provides.

The area is very rocky. Volcanic rock, alternative septic is required, with hauling your own water and propane gas if that gives you any indication of what type of an enviornment you are looking at to assist us.

thank you,
JCC

[Rich]

I would suggest a footing and stemwall foundation. It will settle a little bit but nothing compared to the typical method of cmu piers. I believe the home manufacturer will give you a design for beam pocket placement.
Typically, a foundation will be below the frostline.. but in Arizona I doubt you would have to worry about that. In light of that I would say go down until it gets too hard to dig.. or 3'.. whichever comes first. Then you will pour beam pockets into the stemwall and place steel beams at whatever the manufacturer recommends.. these are usually W8 by something.
Hope that helps.

[Anonymous]

yes that helps allot thank you very much. Never heard of the beam thing but I will ask them aobut it. Do you have an idea of what that would cost approx if not dont worry.

JCC

[Rich]

Just using the calculator on the site
http://www.construction-resource.com/foundation.php
and using a perimeter of 200' I came up with between 6 and 7000. My first guess was around 6000 so I feel pretty comfortable. You will need to add the steel cost to that, which I have no idea about. I wouldn't imagine that the total cost would be over 7000.