Prepare a site and go/no-go review for module delivery and set day.
Set day concentrates transport, equipment, people, weather, and inspection dependencies into a short window. Readiness should be proved with measurements, approvals, photographs, and named sign-offs—not assumed because earthwork looks finished.
Assign one readiness owner
Create a responsibility matrix covering the owner, manufacturer, general contractor, foundation contractor, transporter, crane company, utility trades, surveyor, engineer, and inspectors. Name one coordinator who collects evidence and has authority to stop the delivery when a critical condition is not met.
Gate 1: approvals and issued documents
- Current approved plans and structural details are on site.
- Permit conditions and required pre-set inspections are listed.
- Foundation survey, anchor details, bearing points, and module support locations match the released design.
- Transport dimensions, weights, pick points, rigging plan, and module sequence are current.
- Delivery and crane permits, traffic controls, escorts, and neighbor or authority notices are confirmed.
Use revision identifiers. “The latest plan” is not a reliable identifier when a field crew, engineer, factory, and crane planner may each hold a different PDF.
Gate 2: route and site access
Walk and measure the complete route from the public road to each delivery position. Check width, turning radius, grade, overhead wires and branches, bridge or culvert capacity, gate openings, soft shoulders, parked vehicles, street furniture, and room for the tractor to exit.
Then test the site in its expected weather condition. A route that supports equipment when dry may rut or become inaccessible after rain or thaw. Define who decides whether ground conditions are acceptable and who pays if trucks wait or return.
Gate 3: foundation evidence
| Check | Evidence | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Location and elevation | Survey or documented layout check | Surveyor / contractor |
| Dimensions and bearing points | Measured report against issued plan | Foundation lead |
| Concrete readiness | Required cure time, test or inspection record | Contractor / inspector |
| Anchors and embeds | Photos and measured positions | Foundation lead |
| Drainage and excavation safety | Site walk, pumping plan, protected edges | General contractor |
| Access for connections | Crawlspace/basement access and clear work zones | General contractor |
Resolve tolerances with the designer and manufacturer before delivery. Field cutting or improvised shimming is not a substitute for an approved correction.
Gate 4: crane and exclusion zones
The crane company should select the equipment and setup using verified module weights, reach, radius, ground conditions, obstructions, and lift sequence. Identify outrigger locations and required ground preparation. Mark an exclusion zone and control access; spectators, owners, and unrelated trades should remain outside it.
Gate 5: utilities, weather, and protection
- Confirm which utility work must be complete before the set and which connections occur afterward.
- Cap, label, and protect penetrations and service points.
- Provide temporary power, lighting, sanitation, waste handling, and safe access where required.
- Stage tarps, membranes, pumps, drying equipment, temporary heat, and materials for immediate weather closure.
- Plan overnight security and protection if the building cannot be closed the same day.
Run a 72-hour go/no-go review
Bring every critical party into one short review. Read each gate aloud, identify evidence, record open items, and set a decision deadline. Weather forecasts are an input, not the only criterion. Include road conditions, crane ground, wind limits, crew availability, inspection status, and module release from the factory.
Close the handoff after the set
Photograph module condition before unloading and after placement. Record damage, temporary protection, incomplete joints, required corrections, custody of keys, and responsibility for the next inspection. Create a punch list with owner, due date, and verification method.
Site readiness connects directly to the complete project budget: waiting time, remobilization, storage, damage, and corrective work are avoidable costs when the gates are managed early. Confirm that the team is using the same category and code assumptions from the factory-built home comparison.