Preparing your section for a portable cabin

Site preparation is an essential step in the process of setting up a transportable cabin, and it is important to complete this work prior to the delivery of your new dwelling. While our team can provide you with information and guidance regarding the necessary preparation, it is ultimately your responsibility to ensure that the site is ready for the cabin or pods arrival.

To help you navigate the site preparation process, we have outlined everything you need to know about getting your site ready for a transportable cabin. From understanding the specific requirements of your site to establishing the necessary connections for electricity and running water. Additionally, we provide insights into selecting the most suitable foundation for your site to ensure stability and longevity for your transportable cabin.

Understanding your site

Before finalising the purchase of your new transportable pod, it is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of your site. This knowledge will help you plan and budget for the necessary site preparation tasks that must be completed before the arrival of your pod.

Get a GeoTech report

One crucial consideration is obtaining GeoTech reports, which provide valuable information about the soil composition, stability, and load-bearing capacity of your site. These reports help determine the appropriate foundation type and any additional measures required for optimal structural support.

What are your site contours?

Evaluating the contours of your site is important. Understanding the natural slope or terrain variations can influence the site preparation process, including grading or levelling the land to create a stable and flat surface for the pod's installation.

This information helps in determining the best location for your cabin or pod, considering factors such as drainage, views, and accessibility. Understanding the contours also allows you to optimise the landscaping and outdoor areas around your dwelling. You can plan for features such as gardens, pathways, or retaining walls that harmonise with the natural shape of the land and enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of your site.

Understanding your sites orientation

Assessing factors such as sunlight exposure, prevailing winds, and views can help determine the ideal positioning of your pod to maximise energy efficiency, natural light, and overall comfort.

As part of the site preparation process, it is vital to allocate a budget for these tasks, which may involve professional services such as grading, excavation, or land clearing. By thoroughly understanding your site's characteristics and taking necessary steps to prepare it appropriately, you can ensure a smooth delivery and installation process for your transportable pod.

Choosing your foundations

There are a few different options to consider for your foundations. These can be heavily dependent on your site, or could just come down to your personal preference. Below we explore these in more depth.

Option 1: Screw Pile Foundation

If you're in need of a solid foundation for your transportable home, look no further than Stop Digging. Their innovative screw pile system offers a host of advantages, from easy installation to adaptability to different soil conditions. With this method, there's no need for traditional excavation or digging, resulting in faster installation and minimal disruption to your site.

One notable benefit of the screw pile system is its portability. Should you ever need to relocate your transportable pod, the unit can be removed from the piles and placed on another screw pile base. This flexibility allows for hassle-free transportation, and when the ground screw is removed, it leaves behind minimal traces while remaining reusable.

Not only do you receive a 25-year guarantee on ground screws from Stop Digging, but these screws also have a minimal impact on the environment compared to traditional concrete plinths. In fact, concrete plinths emit 60% more carbon dioxide than ground screws. Moreover, the screw piles are suitable for a wide range of soil types, making them an excellent choice for challenging sites.

Location Pods have been specifically designed to be compatible with their screw pile foundation, ensuring a seamless integration. For detailed information about their system and to explore how it can benefit your project, we recommend visiting their website or reaching out to the company directly.

Option 2: Concrete Slab Foundation

Using a concrete slab for a transportable home foundation offers its own set of advantages. Concrete slabs provide a durable and stable base, ensuring the structural integrity of the home. They can be poured quickly and efficiently, making the installation process relatively straightforward. Additionally, a concrete slab foundation can provide excellent insulation and protect the home from moisture or pests that may come from the ground. However, it's important to consider factors such as site preparation, curing time, and potential limitations for future relocation, as concrete slabs are typically more permanent compared to alternative foundation systems like screw piles.

Option 3: Timber Pile Foundation

Timber piles have long been utilised as a foundation system for various structures, including traditional and transportable homes. These piles consist of chemically treated timber, which enhances their durability and resistance to decay and insect damage.

The versatility of timber piles is one of their primary advantages. They can be driven into the ground using specialised equipment, creating a robust support system for the structure above. Timber piles excel in areas with softer soils or high water tables, effectively distributing the load and preventing foundation settlement or shifting.

Wood is a renewable resource, and with modern treatment methods, timber piles maintain their structural integrity and have a long lifespan. Proper maintenance can extend the longevity of timber piles for decades, providing a sustainable foundation solution for transportable homes.

What services do you require?

When it comes to determining the services required for your cabin or pod, several factors come into play, particularly the location—whether it's in an urban or rural setting. This distinction affects the availability of city mains for power, sewer, and plumbing connections.

The specific type of transportable cabin or pod being installed will also impact the necessary services. For instance, if you're installing a shell without a bathroom or kitchen, your requirements would typically be limited to electricity for lighting and stormwater drainage.

However, if you have a self-contained pod, additional services such as plumbing and septic will be necessary. Seeking guidance from professionals like plumbers and electricians is crucial to ensure that the required infrastructure is appropriately set up and ready for connection when your transportable cabin or pod arrives.

In summary, depending on your location and the type of cabin or pod, the services that may be needed include stormwater drainage, septic tanks, power supply, and plumbing connections. It is essential to consult with experts in the field to ensure all necessary services are accounted for and properly installed.

Stormwater

Stormwater management involves implementing systems and infrastructure to effectively capture, convey, and dispose of rainwater runoff, preventing flooding and erosion.

Septic tanks

Septic tanks are an essential part of on-site wastewater treatment systems, collecting and treating household sewage in areas where centralised sewer systems are not available.

Power

Power supply is crucial for providing electricity to the cabin or pod, and options may include connecting to the local power grid or utilising alternative sources such as solar panels or generators.

Plumbing

Plumbing services involve the installation of pipes, fixtures, and fittings to facilitate the distribution of water and the disposal of wastewater within the cabin or pod, including bathroom, kitchen, and utility areas.

Do you need council consent?

Obtaining the necessary council consents for a transportable cabin or pod is an important step to ensure compliance with local regulations and building standards. Typically, two types of building consents are required: a site building consent which will consist of foundations and service connections and a building consent for the construction of the building.

If your cabin or pod includes a bathroom or kitchen, plumbing services will be necessary. Consequently, you will need to obtain a site building consent, which covers the installation of plumbing systems and ensures compliance with relevant codes and regulations. Depending which region the pod will be moved to, the region’s local council must grant an On-site Building Consent. This approval confirms compliance to local city planning and building regulations. 

It is important to note that when purchasing a transportable cabin or pod, a building consent and code of compliance should be issued and delivered along with the dwelling. This encompasses the dwelling itself and confirms that it meets the required building standards and regulations. These consents and compliance certificates serve as essential documentation, demonstrating that the cabin or pod has been constructed and installed in accordance with the approved plans and regulatory requirements.

If you're looking at purchasing a Location Pod, our team will discuss this with you before the build contract is signed. Here we will not only explain the on-site requirements that need to be completed before the pod can be moved to the site, but we can provide all building consent documentation that is needed in order for you to apply for building consent on site.