Foundation Build Procedure

Tools and Supplies

• Bobcat
• Laser level
• gravel
• foundation forms - 2x10 lumber
• rebar
• rebar wire
• Drill with 1/8" bit
• Concrete - calling in a cement truck or get bags of concrete mix + cement mixer + water
• Cement mixer, water hose, buckets for carrying concrete
• 2x4 wood scree boards, 2' long
• Measuring tape
• wood forms
• [40] wood stakes for fastening the foundation
• 3" screws
• [16] 1/2" rebar stakes, 2.5' long
• Sill plate gasket (above foundation, below sill plate)
• String

Procedure - Stem Wall Foundation

1. Level and clear the site with a bobcat or bulldozer.
2. Grade the site such that the house is on a pad with drainage moving away from the house
3. Use a laser level or string level so that the elevation is equal throughout the footprint of the house to +/- 1"
4. Spread a truck load of gravel for the foundation so that it is 6" thick
5. Mark the 4 corners of the house at 16'1" (to accommodate 1/4" space between panels), roughly, such that the front of the house faces south
6. Connect all corners with string so that the 16'1" distance is maintained.
7. Adjust the 4 corners by declaring one side as fixed, then moving out the 16'1" length. Use string to fix the length at 16'1". Also use a string to connect the 2 adjusted corners, at 16'1"
8. Measure the diagonals. If they are not equal, shift the 2 adjusting corners, maintaining the 16'1" distance between all sides
9. Make sure the diagonals are equal +/- 1/4"
10. This now marks the outer edge of the foundation.
11. For the inner edge of the foundation, begin by putting in more stakes