Preparing Your Site for an Expandable Home
Most delivery problems come from the site, not the home. Before your expandable home arrives, the truck needs a clear way in, and the home needs a level, well-drained base to sit on. This guide covers what you need to have ready.
1. Access for the delivery truck
Every expandable home size folds down to the same 2.26m width and 2.52m height for transport. The truck carrying it needs more room than that.
| Requirement | Minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Access width | 3.2m minimum | 3.5–4m is ideal |
| Height clearance | 4.0m minimum for trucks | More is needed for crane trucks or near powerlines |
| Turning space | 15m recommended for the truck | Tight turns may mean a crane lift instead |
| Driveway | Must take the weight of a loaded truck | Soft or unsealed ground may need assessment |
Walk the path from the street to the final position and look for anything that could block the truck:
- Low powerlines
- Overhanging tree branches
- Fences near the driveway
- Sharp turns
- Narrow gates
If a tilt tray can't reach the final position, the home may be lifted into place by crane. Standard crane reach is 6–12m, and larger cranes are available for difficult sites. See delivery and installation for how each method works.
2. A level site
Your site must be level before delivery. An expandable home unfolds on site, and its walls and floor sections need to line up correctly. An uneven base makes that harder and can put stress on the structure over time.
The home can sit on any of these bases, depending on your site and intended use:
- Concrete footings
- Steel piers
- Concrete slab
- Levelled gravel pad
3. Footings
For footing-based installations, this is our recommended starting layout:
| Item | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Number of footings | 6 to 12, depending on model |
| Type | Concrete blocks or steel piers |
| Recommended size | 400mm × 400mm |
| Minimum depth | 300mm, depending on soil |
Your engineer or certifier has the final say on footing design. Soil type, wind region and whether the home is a permanent dwelling can all change the requirements. The council approval guide explains where the certifier fits in.
4. Drainage
Water should never pool under the home. The ground should slope slightly away from it, with gravel or drainage channels added if needed.
Keeping the underside dry helps prevent:
- Rust
- Mould
- Footings moving
- Moisture damage
5. Weather on delivery day
Delivery can be rescheduled if conditions are unsafe. Heavy rain, muddy ground, storms, strong winds and any conditions that make a crane lift unsafe can all cause a delay. Queensland's summer storm season is worth keeping in mind when you book.
Pre-delivery checklist
- 3.2m access width along the whole path
- 4.0m height clearance
- Driveway can take the weight of a truck
- No overhanging branches or powerlines
- Clear path to the final position
- Ground levelled
- Footings or base installed and checked
- Drainage directs water away from the home
- Crane payment organised (if a crane is needed)
- Access gate unlocked on delivery day
Not sure which size your block can take? Compare lengths in the 20ft vs 30ft vs 40ft guide, or check the cost guide for what site works typically add.