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Small Cabin Forum / Cabin Construction / 5' Frost Line - Cheapest Tiny Cabin Foundation?
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Pancakes
Member
# Posted: 10 Mar 2022 15:47
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I'm struggling to figure out the cheapest foundation option for a tiny A-frame cabin with a pretty deep frost line (Maine).

The A-frame is 20x12' , but since it's an A-frame I figure it will be a fair amount lighter in dead load than a similar cabin of conventional nature.

Any suggestions on how to get the foundation done quickest and cheapest for a DIY and still be able to get building permits?

ICC
Member
# Posted: 10 Mar 2022 17:22
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Quoting: Pancakes
still be able to get building permits


Ask the town or county or whoever it is who issues the permits. Ask if a pier and beam foundation can be used for a habitable building. That may be the cheapest but not the best. Ask how deep foundation footing must be. Ask to see a copy of the regulations. Ask what building code and what version is used.

Steve961
Member
# Posted: 10 Mar 2022 17:44 - Edited by: Steve961
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How about a skid foundation on a leveled gravel bed? I wish I would have done that with my first budget cabin build (12x12) as the sonotube piers below the frost line still heaved and eventually ruined the cabin.

How to Build a Skid Foundation

djnagle
Member
# Posted: 10 Mar 2022 19:00
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Might want to look at helical piers. They work really well unless the ground is all rock.

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 10 Mar 2022 19:31
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Skids may be a bit much for a 20ft long building. In theory on a really thick gravel pad it may not move much but depends alot on soil type. Here I have alot of clay so any hole that's filled with anything but more clay or concrete fills with water about this time of year..it also heaves alot in the winter.

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