Cornerstone Site Services
Complete Process Guide

Manufactured Home Setup Process
Raw Land to Move-In

A practical roadmap for North Carolina buyers, dealers, and developers

Every project varies by county, property, manufacturer, dealer, site conditions, and contracted scope. This guide outlines the typical sequence — 13 steps from land evaluation to Certificate of Occupancy.

Licensed · Bonded · Insured · NC Manufactured Housing Board License #51780 · NC-MHA Member
Call 919-495-4185
Starting from raw land? Our Site Prep guide covers clearing, grading, permits, and everything before the home arrives.
Read the Site Prep Guide →
A
Phase One

Planning and Preconstruction

01

Confirm the Property Is Buildable

Before ordering a home, confirm the property is suitable. Issues discovered after ordering can delay or derail the project entirely.

Manufactured-home zoning eligibility
Setbacks and floodplain status
Septic or sewer feasibility
Well or public water availability
Driveway and site access
Local permit path and requirements
Buyers may explore models for budgeting, but should not finalize an order until the land has been evaluated.
02

Finalize Home Selection and Dealer Purchase Agreement

Once the land is confirmed, finalize the home model, size, layout, and purchase agreement with the dealer.

Before signing, confirm exactly what the purchase price includes and what must be contracted separately:

Delivery Site work Foundation Setup Utilities Skirting Steps/decks Trim-out Inspections
03

Coordinate Trades Early

Start lining up contractors well before delivery. Delays in trade scheduling are one of the most common causes of project delays. The county may require trade license information before issuing the building permit.

Site clearing and grading
Footer/foundation contractor
Septic and well contractor
Licensed electrician
Plumbing contractor
HVAC contractor
Skirting contractor
Steps, decks, and trim-out

Cornerstone coordinates site clearing and grading.

We work with trusted local partners so you make one call and we handle the coordination. Call 919-495-4185.

04

Prepare Plans and Setup Documents

Gather required documents before the home is ordered or delivered.

Site plan showing home, setbacks, access, well, and septic
Footer diagram and pier plan
Anchoring and tie-down requirements
Marriage-line details for multi-section homes
Manufacturer installation instructions
Cornerstone may request a copy of the site plan and setup documents before providing a final quote.
B
Phase Two

Site Readiness Through Move-In

05

Prepare the Site and Foundation

Clear and grade the homesite, prepare delivery access, and complete the approved footers/foundation.

Before Cornerstone sets the home, the foundation should pass inspection or have the required certification, and the lot must be sufficiently level and accessible for delivery equipment.

06

Coordinate Well and Septic Timing

Well and septic may be installed before delivery if outside the truck path and staging area.

Timing note: If the septic system or well is in the delivery path or staging area, wait until after delivery to avoid damage from trucks and equipment.

07

Deliver the Home

Delivery is normally coordinated through the dealer, manufacturer, or transportation company. Before delivery, the site should be accessible and the foundation ready.

Scope note: Cornerstone Site Services does not provide home delivery or transportation unless specifically agreed in writing.

08

Set the Home — Cornerstone's Core Scope

Once the home is delivered, the licensed setup contractor completes the installation. All work meets NC Manufactured Housing Board requirements and federal HUD code.

Positioning the home on the lot
Blocking and pier installation
Precision leveling
Anchor and tie-down systems
Marriage-line work (multi-section)
Vapor barrier (when in scope)
Exact scope confirmed in writing before work begins. License #51780.
09

Pass the Setup and Marriage-Line Inspection

After the home is set, the county inspector reviews the setup and marriage line for multi-section homes.

Once approved, trim-out may proceed and licensed trades can begin making final utility connections.

10

Complete Utility Connections

Licensed trades make final utility connections after setup inspection approval.

Electrical Plumbing HVAC Septic Water/well

Contractors should be selected much earlier — not after the home arrives.

11

Pass the Undercarriage Inspection

Utility connections beneath the home are inspected by the county before permanent skirting closes access.

⚠ Do not install brick, block, or any permanent skirting until the required under-home inspection has passed.

Installing skirting before this inspection can result in a failed inspection, required removal, and significant rework costs.

12

Complete Exterior and Site Work

After the undercarriage inspection passes, complete all remaining exterior work.

Skirting Steps Decks Trim-out Final grading Drainage Cleanup
13

Final Inspections, CO, and Move-In

Once all required work is complete, schedule final inspections with the county.

After all inspections pass, the local authority may issue the Certificate of Occupancy — and the home may be occupied.

Information Needed for a Setup Quote

Have this ready before calling — it helps us provide an accurate quote faster.

Property address
Home manufacturer, model, dimensions, and number of sections
Dealer contact and estimated delivery timeline
Site plan or plot plan
Footer diagram, pier plan, and manufacturer installation instructions
Who is handling delivery
Who is handling footers/foundation
Who is handling skirting, steps/decks, trim-out
Whether vapor barrier is required
Status of clearing, grading, access, and lot levelness
Status of permits and proposed site-visit timing

Cornerstone Site Services Scope

What we do and what we don't

Cornerstone provides licensed manufactured-home setup services. Depending on the written proposal, work may include blocking, leveling, anchoring, tie-downs, marriage-line work, vapor barrier, and related setup items.

Unless specifically included in writing, these are separate:

Delivery/transport Clearing/grading Footers/foundation Septic Well Electrical Plumbing HVAC Skirting Steps/decks Final grading

Each project should have a written scope identifying what is included, what is excluded, and who is responsible for each phase.

Need help with site clearing and grading first?

Our Site Prep guide covers everything that happens before the home arrives — clearing, grading, permits, and utilities.

Read Site Prep Guide →

Ready to Get Started?

Call or text us. We will walk through your project and coordinate the full process — site prep through final setup.

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