{"id":13454,"date":"2024-02-07T14:05:06","date_gmt":"2024-02-07T14:05:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/?p=13454"},"modified":"2024-10-08T12:59:20","modified_gmt":"2024-10-08T12:59:20","slug":"leveling-the-building-site-digging-the-footers-and-footer-inspection-small-modular-cabin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2024\/02\/leveling-the-building-site-digging-the-footers-and-footer-inspection-small-modular-cabin\/","title":{"rendered":"Leveling the Building Site, Digging the Footers and Footer Inspection: Small Modular Cabin"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
Level building site<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As soon as we got the permit, they started cutting into the bank to make a level building site.<\/p>\n

\"\"
I thought this was for the house, but it is actually behind the house.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This will be the back of the house.\u00a0 The site seemed pretty level already, but now it is really level.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Graded so rain will drain away from the house<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

He cut the top of the lot and pushed the topsoil into a pile for the final grade.<\/p>\n

They used the self-leveling rotary laser to make sure that any rain wouldn\u2019t puddle or flood the home site.<\/p>\n

\"\"
The house site and the built up area where a carport will eventually be<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It is left high at the top, so there will not have to be a lot of steps to get into the cabin.<\/p>\n

Below, a level area is prepared, where the cabin will be.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Leveling the site for the footers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

That white pole the guy on the far left is holding is a laser detector on a rod. When they are level it beeps.<\/p>\n

Laser Detectors typically mount to level rods and work to detect the laser beam when you’re working outside. Most always, a laser detector is required if you’re working outside with a laser level since a laser line is difficult to see during the daytime hours. Most detectors produce sound, a short beep when you’re close to being on level, and then a steady, solid beep tone when you’re at level.<\/p>\n

Engineer Supply: Construction Laser Levels Explained<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"\"
Surveyor marking the footer location<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Saturday the surveyor and his wife showed up to mark exactly where the footers will be. They are building a Blue Ridge Log Cabin. She gave me some photos of the process to share.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Surveyor marking the footer location<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The surveyor marked the location for the footers.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Spray painting exact marks to dig the footers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Taylor spray painted exactly where the footers will be dug.<\/p>\n

\"\"
They hit water<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And\u2026 they hit water.<\/p>\n

When we build the house we are in now, we hit a spring and the footers turned into a moat. The bottom of the footer was quicksand. The sides kept caving in and we ended up spending tens of thousands of dollars for engineered footers.<\/p>\n

Taylor cut the area where the water was coming in a little wider and kept going. The rest of the trench was fine. No more water.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Self-leveling rotary laser and the smaller excavator<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

They continued and dug the rest of the footers.<\/p>\n

Footings have to be a minimum of 12\u201d deep, but he had to go down a little deeper in one area to get to soil that isn\u2019t soft.<\/p>\n

Hopefully the water is just ground water from all of the rain. We have had WAY more rain than typical and the ground is saturated. The forecast was clear and we hope that if we wait, the water will drain away.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Footer with level pegs<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The footers are finished with metal pegs to mark what will be the top of the cement.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Water in the footers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I got up early the next morning and there was even more water in the footers.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Cliff vacuumed the water out of the footers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cliff pulled out the shop vac to get as much water as he could out of the footers. He pulled out 60 gallons of water and the trenches filled back up.<\/p>\n

We rescheduled the footer inspection because there is no way they will approve this.<\/p>\n

Cliff kept vacuuming the footers and eventually less water came out each time. By Wednesday, Taylor was hopeful we could move forward with the inspection. The footers don\u2019t have to be completely dry, they just have to be able to support 1500(psf).<\/p>\n

\"\"
Footing Inspection<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This is a footing inspection. It looks more art than science. The inspector walks around with a pole pushing it into the bottom of the trench to see if he thinks it will support 1500(psf).<\/p>\n

That morning it was really cold. There was no water in the trench, which I suspect is because the water was too frozen to move.<\/p>\n

But by the time the inspector got there, the worrisome corner has a sheet of water over it.<\/p>\n

He started at the other side, so he was nearly finished by the time he got to that point. We held our breath while he spent a LOT of time poking and poking there, but finally he told us we passed!<\/p>\n

Whew!<\/p>\n

\"\"
Drone view of the footers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cliff got out his drone to get some photos of the footers.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Drove view of the footers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Taylor with Fowler Excavating<\/strong><\/a> scheduled the cement. By the morning they showed up, the footers were dry.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Drove view of the footers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Did the shop vac do any good? Would the water have drained away on it’s own? We don’t know. But it certainly couldn’t have hurt.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As soon as we got the permit, they started cutting into the bank to make a level building site. This will be the back of the house.\u00a0 The site seemed pretty level already, but now it is really level. He cut the top of the …<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13362,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[12],"tags":[84],"class_list":["post-13454","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-new-cottage","tag-flood"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/featured-footers.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":12935,"url":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2023\/12\/planning-a-deck-or-porch-for-the-modular-cabin\/","url_meta":{"origin":13454,"position":0},"title":"Planning a Deck or Porch for the Modular Cabin","author":"Carla","date":"December 6, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"The plans are approved and stamped, so we meet with a contractor today for an estimate on grading, the foundation and tie-in work, and the utility hookups, sewer, water, and electric, for our new modular cabin. He can also give us a price for the steps, decks or porches or\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "House Plans"","block_context":{"text":"House Plans","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/category\/house-plans\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/featured-porch.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/featured-porch.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/featured-porch.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/featured-porch.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3878,"url":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2018\/02\/modular-log-cabin-on-ebay\/","url_meta":{"origin":13454,"position":1},"title":"Modular Log Cabin on eBay","author":"Carla","date":"February 2, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Here is another log cabin you can get on eBay. This is the White Tail Cabin, made by Deer Run Cabins in Campbellsville, Kentucky. They sell modular cabins and cabin kits. You can order a modular cabin complete, with kitchen, bathroom, hot water heater and anything else. You can order\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "House Plans"","block_context":{"text":"House Plans","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/category\/house-plans\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"White Tail Log Cabin \u2013 Project Small House","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/featured_image-White-Tail.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/featured_image-White-Tail.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/featured_image-White-Tail.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/featured_image-White-Tail.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7561,"url":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2020\/06\/tiny-modular-log-cabin-on-a-permanent-foundation\/","url_meta":{"origin":13454,"position":2},"title":"Tiny Modular Log Cabin on a Permanent Foundation","author":"Carla","date":"June 22, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"We saw this small log cabin Sunday while we were driving around. I'm not positive, but it looks like one of the Green River Cabins like my friends parents live in. Adding an Addition to a Tiny Log Cabin > On Green River Log Cabin's website they recommend their 12'\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Log Cabins"","block_context":{"text":"Log Cabins","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/category\/log-cabin\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Tiny Log Cabin Modular on a Foundation","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/featured-osceola.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/featured-osceola.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/featured-osceola.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/featured-osceola.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12152,"url":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2023\/08\/why-are-prefab-modular-homes-and-park-models-so-narrow\/","url_meta":{"origin":13454,"position":3},"title":"Why are prefab, modular homes, and park models so narrow?","author":"Carla","date":"August 29, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Why are prefab, modular homes, and park models the size they are? One factor in the size of sheds, prefab cabins, park model homes and the parts of modular homes is the size that can be transported and delivered to you. 12-feet wide Have you noticed that the price jumps\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Modular Homes"","block_context":{"text":"Modular Homes","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/category\/modular\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Photo by Jaggery","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/featured-modular-wide_load.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/featured-modular-wide_load.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/featured-modular-wide_load.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/featured-modular-wide_load.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":155,"url":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2017\/03\/classic-manor-new-day-cabin\/","url_meta":{"origin":13454,"position":4},"title":"Classic Manor New Day Cabin","author":"Carla","date":"March 11, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"This is the house you can see in front of many Home Depot stores. Although this looks like a little house, it is sold to meet the codes for an accessory building. That means it won\u2019t get a Certificate of Occupancy without jumping through some hoops, but it is doable.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Modular Homes"","block_context":{"text":"Modular Homes","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/category\/modular\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Classic Manor New Day Cabin in the parking lot of Home Depot","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/featured_image-new_day.jpg?fit=1200%2C632&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/featured_image-new_day.jpg?fit=1200%2C632&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/featured_image-new_day.jpg?fit=1200%2C632&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/featured_image-new_day.jpg?fit=1200%2C632&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/featured_image-new_day.jpg?fit=1200%2C632&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2582,"url":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2018\/04\/modular-log-cabin-for-under-10000\/","url_meta":{"origin":13454,"position":5},"title":"Modular Log Cabin for under $10,000","author":"Carla","date":"April 12, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Just saw this modular log cabin on Facebook Marketplace. Top of the line 12x24 Woodland Cabin Includes REAL log siding, log porch, metal (or shingle) roof, 3 insulated windows, 5\/8\" tongue and groove flooring and more! Purchase outright for $9673 OR Rent to Own with No Credit Checks Woodtex Cabins\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Log Cabins"","block_context":{"text":"Log Cabins","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/category\/log-cabin\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Modular Log Cabin for under $10,000 - Project Small House","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/featured_image-BackHomeStructures.jpg?fit=1200%2C632&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/featured_image-BackHomeStructures.jpg?fit=1200%2C632&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/featured_image-BackHomeStructures.jpg?fit=1200%2C632&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/featured_image-BackHomeStructures.jpg?fit=1200%2C632&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/featured_image-BackHomeStructures.jpg?fit=1200%2C632&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13454","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13454"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13454\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13571,"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13454\/revisions\/13571"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13362"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13454"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13454"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13454"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}