Concrete runners for a mobile home typically cost $3,000-$8,500 for a standard single-wide installation, with an average near $5,500. Price depends mainly on runner length and thickness, soil and site preparation, local labor rates, access, and whether the project includes permits or removal of an existing foundation.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installed concrete runners | $3,000 | $5,500 | $8,500 | Typical single-wide scope |
| Installed price per linear foot | $35 | $60 | $100 | Includes common labor and concrete |
| Double-wide runners | $5,500 | $9,500 | $15,000 | More length, volume, and layout work |
| Site preparation | $500 | $1,500 | $4,000 | More if grading or soil correction is needed |
What a standard mobile home runner installation costs
For a typical single-wide home, a contractor may pour two or three reinforced concrete runners under the main support lines. A common budget is $3,000-$8,500 installed, with $5,500 a practical midpoint for straightforward access, ordinary soil, and standard residential concrete. A double-wide often needs longer or additional support runs, putting the total around $5,500-$15,000.
Installed bids commonly work out to about $35-$100 per linear foot. The lower end generally assumes simple excavation, limited grading, a short delivery route, and a modest runner design. Rates near the upper end can reflect thicker or wider pours, reinforcement, difficult access, engineering requirements, or high-cost labor markets. Local plans and the home manufacturer’s installation specifications determine the required layout.
For initial budgeting, allow about $5,500 for a basic single-wide and $9,500 for a typical double-wide. These figures cover a common runner installation, not every foundation component that a jurisdiction may require.
Assumptions: U.S. contractor-installed work, standard concrete, normal access, and no major unsuitable-soil correction.
How excavation, rebar, concrete, and labor shape the quote
A runner estimate combines materials and trade work rather than just the concrete delivered to the site. Ask whether the quote includes layout, excavation, forms, reinforcement, concrete placement, finishing, backfill, and cleanup. A low bid may exclude one or more of these tasks, so comparing the same scope matters more than comparing the bottom-line figure alone.
| Quote component | Typical price | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|
| Layout and excavation | $500-$2,000 total | Run length, soil, slope, and machine access |
| Concrete and delivery | $150-$250 per cubic yard | Local batch price, order size, and travel |
| Rebar and forms | $300-$1,200 total | Runner dimensions and reinforcement plan |
| Placement and finishing labor | $1,200-$3,500 total | Crew size, pour complexity, and schedule |
| Permits, testing, or inspection | $100-$1,000 total | County rules, engineering, and inspection needs |
Concrete volume depends on the final design. As an illustration, two 60-foot runners measuring 18 inches wide and 12 inches deep use about 6.7 cubic yards before waste; actual dimensions must follow the approved plan and site conditions. Contractors may add a small order or delivery charge if the required volume is below the supplier’s minimum.
Concrete itself is only one part of the installed price; excavation and labor can be equally important. Confirm whether the written estimate includes reinforcing steel, form removal, excess-soil handling, and any required inspection fees.
Runner length, depth, soil, and access move the price
Home size is a major driver because longer homes generally need longer runners. A 60-foot home may require a different quantity and layout than a 70- or 80-foot home, while a double-wide’s width and center support needs can add work. Do not estimate solely from the home’s exterior dimensions: the approved support plan determines how many runs are needed and where they go.
Runner cross-section also affects cost. Increasing a runner from 12 inches to 18 inches wide raises concrete volume by 50% if depth and length stay the same. A depth change from 8 inches to 12 inches raises volume by 50% as well. Reinforcement, footing depth, and concrete strength may be specified by an engineer, local code, soil report, or manufacturer instructions; they should not be reduced just to meet a budget.
Site conditions can make a modest design expensive. A slope of several inches across the home pad may require additional grading or stepped work. Soft, expansive, wet, or poorly compacted soil may need removal, fill, compaction, or engineering. Tight access that prevents a concrete truck or excavator from reaching the site can add labor, equipment rental, or concrete-pumping charges.
Dimensions and site preparation matter as much as the per-foot rate. Request that bidders state runner length, width, depth, reinforcement, concrete quantity, and any assumed soil conditions so the prices can be compared accurately.
How many crew hours does a runner pour take?
A straightforward runner project may take a small crew roughly 2-4 working days, not including permit review or delays for weather and concrete scheduling. Layout and excavation may take 4-10 crew hours, forming and reinforcement another 6-12 hours, and placement and finishing several additional hours. Larger double-wide projects or complicated grading can extend the work to a week or longer.
Labor charges vary by market and by whether the contractor prices the job as a package. For estimating, general concrete labor may run about $50-$100 per worker-hour, while specialty equipment operators or difficult-access crews can cost more. A three-person crew working 20 combined hours at $70 per hour would represent $1,400 in direct labor before overhead, equipment, and profit.
Rain, freezing conditions, and very hot weather can affect pour timing and concrete curing. A contractor may need to reschedule excavation or placement, and a narrow delivery window can create standby charges. The home usually needs to remain supported according to the setup plan while foundation work proceeds; moving or lifting it is a separate, specialized scope unless explicitly included.
Ask for the expected workdays and crew scope, not just a lump-sum labor line. The estimate should clarify whether equipment setup, forms, cleanup, and return visits are included.
Three sample bids for single-wide and double-wide homes
These examples show how scope changes the total. They are illustrative U.S. estimates, not fixed local prices; required dimensions and reinforcement can differ. Each assumes a contractor-managed job and excludes the home purchase, transport, utility connections, and unrelated site construction.
| Scenario | Scope and unit rate | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|
| Basic single-wide | Two 60-ft runs; 120 linear ft at $40-$50; about 6-8 yd³ | $4,800-$6,000 |
| Graded single-wide | Two 70-ft runs; 140 linear ft at $60-$80; moderate excavation | $8,400-$11,200 |
| Double-wide with difficult access | About 240 linear ft at $65-$95; pumping or added handling | $15,600-$22,800 |
The first example assumes level, accessible ground and a simple runner plan. The second allows for additional excavation and grading but not major soil replacement. The third reflects a larger support layout and delivery complications; a separate crane or home-moving charge is not included. A proposal that differs sharply from these ranges may still be reasonable if it identifies engineering, unusual soil, extensive site work, or code-driven requirements.
Use the same home dimensions and foundation plan when requesting at least three bids. A per-foot comparison is helpful, but the total quote should also identify volume, labor, preparation, reinforcement, and exclusions.
Regional labor and delivery rates change the installed total
Concrete runner prices can vary by roughly 10%-25% between lower-cost rural markets and expensive metropolitan areas. Labor, contractor availability, fuel, and delivery distance contribute to the difference. Remote locations may have lower hourly wages but higher mobilization or concrete-truck charges, especially for a small pour far from a batch plant.
Markets with high construction demand may price comparable work 15%-30% above a lower-cost area, particularly when crews are booked or equipment is scarce. Cold-weather regions can have seasonal scheduling limits, while wet climates may require drainage or soil work that adds to the foundation budget. These are broad comparisons, not adjustments to apply mechanically to a local quote.
Concrete pricing is also affected by order size. A supplier’s short-load fee can add about $100-$300 or more when the order is below its standard truck quantity, and long-distance delivery can add further charges. Pumping may cost several hundred dollars to more than $1,000 depending on equipment and setup. Ask contractors whether their materials price includes delivery, minimum-load fees, and pumping.
Local delivery and labor can shift the estimate by thousands on a large or remote project. Compare bids from contractors who serve the actual property address and ask them to list any travel, short-load, or equipment fees.
Permits and inspections can add costs before the pour
Some counties or municipalities require a building permit, engineered foundation plan, inspection, or soil evaluation before mobile-home runners are installed. Permit charges may be about $100-$500 for a straightforward application, while engineering or site evaluations can add $300-$1,500 or more. Requirements vary substantially, and certain locations may require a complete foundation system rather than simple concrete strips.
Before hiring a crew, check with the local building department and the home manufacturer’s installation documents. Confirm whether the runners must meet specified dimensions, concrete strength, reinforcement, frost depth, anchoring, or drainage provisions. If an existing foundation is being replaced, inspection may require proof that the new work follows current rules rather than the standards in place when the home was installed.
Some home-site expenses are not part of the runner contract. Anchors, tie-downs, piers, vapor barriers, drainage, utility trenching, and skirting may be separate line items. A contractor should identify which items are included and whether another trade must complete them. Do not assume that a low concrete quote provides a complete, code-compliant foundation package.
Verify local requirements before signing, because late design changes can mean rework and extra fees. Get permit responsibility and inspection scheduling in writing.
Control runner dimensions and extras to lower the bill
The safest savings usually come from reducing unnecessary scope, not from making the runners smaller than the approved design. Share the home’s installation manual, site plan, and permit requirements with each bidder. This can prevent contractors from pricing different layouts or adding allowances for work that is already covered by another part of the project.
Complete simple site preparation only when the contractor and local rules permit it. Clearing brush, removing loose debris, and providing an unobstructed route may reduce crew time. Excavation, soil compaction, and grading should remain with qualified workers when they affect bearing conditions; poor preparation can lead to settling and costly repairs.
Schedule the work during a period when contractors and concrete suppliers have availability, and avoid rush service if the home setup timeline allows. Grouping the pour with other concrete work may help reduce delivery or mobilization charges, though separate projects must not delay required inspections. Compare bids line by line, ask about short-load fees, and request a fixed description of included cleanup and disposal.
Keep the specified support design intact while trimming avoidable delivery, mobilization, and duplicated work. A cheaper bid that omits rebar, inspection, or required site correction may cost more after repairs or code corrections.