The biggest delays in modular home delivery don't come from the factory — they come from unprepared sites. This checklist walks you through what to do and when, so the crew can install the home in one day and drive off.
A modular home arrives fully built — on a truck bed, in one piece or as two modules. Unloading takes 3–6 hours; full installation: one working day. But if even one item on this list isn't ready (say, the entrance gate is 20 cm too narrow), the truck goes back to base, you pay for a second transport, and delivery slips by 2–4 weeks.
The checklist below is ordered backward from installation day. Realistic prep time is 6 weeks — but 3 weeks is doable if your site is already close to ready.
Depending on the model and location: a home up to 35 m² doesn't need a full permit — just a building notification at the county office (21-day wait). A larger or fully residential home requires a full building permit (2–4 months). Start here — no contractor moves without the paperwork.
More in our guide: Building permit — when do you need one?
Cost: €65–180. Covers the transport and installation window. Our transport has its own liability insurance, but insuring your site during works is your responsibility.
This is the biggest trap. A truck with a modular home is typically 15–18 m long, weighs 20–40 tons, and reaches 4.2 m in height with load. Check:
The home is placed by a crane (not by the truck itself). A 30–50 ton crane needs a compacted surface 5 × 8 m next to the home — not on grass, not on soft ground. Usually road plates, lean concrete or heavy gravel.
A modular home arrives without connections — interior installations are inside, but external hookups are your responsibility. You need to have utilities routed to the foundation location:
Electrical connection: minimum 15 kW for a year-round 38 m² home (up to 25 kW for a larger one with a heat pump). The meter box must be installed and switched on — yes, the home needs power on installation day, so the crew can wire the lighting, test the system and start the AC.
Cable enters below the foundation slab in a PE 50 mm protective conduit. Leave 2 m of slack above the floor level — the electrician will connect it on installation day.
PE 32 mm pipe from the mains water or a well. Also below the foundation, in a protective conduit, with 2 m of slack. Well: must be commissioned and have a pump.
PVC 110 mm pipe with a 2 cm/m slope to a septic tank, home wastewater treatment plant, or the mains. Outlet under the floor exactly at the WC location (we'll give you the exact point from the installation plan).
Modular homes run on electricity + AC by default. Gas is usually not needed — unless you're planning a gas fireplace or stove.
The foundation must be finished, level and cured at least 14 days before installation. The exact type (blocks, screw piles, slab) depends on the model and ground — we covered this in Foundations for a modular home.
To verify:
Send us photos of the foundation from 4 sides + a photo of the spirit level. This is a formal condition for confirming the transport date.
| Time | Stage |
|---|---|
| 7:00 | Truck arrives on site |
| 7:30 | Crane setup, arrival protocol |
| 8:00–11:00 | Lifting the module off the truck, placing on foundation |
| 11:00–13:00 | Leveling, anchoring to foundation, sealing joints |
| 13:00–15:00 | Connecting utilities: power, water, sewage |
| 15:00–16:00 | Commissioning, testing all systems |
| 16:00 | Handover protocol, keys transferred |
This is the schedule for a 38 m² home in one module. For a large 74 m² home from two modules, or a home with a terrace and sloped roof: add a second day for joining and finishing.
Copy this list and tick items off:
Delivering a modular home is a simple process — but only when the site is ready before, not during. It all comes down to one thing: plan 6 weeks backward and tick one item per week. The MP Modular team helps at every stage — especially with interpreting the structural drawing and choosing the right foundation for your model.
Call us — we'll help plan the full timeline for your site. No obligation.
Get a quote →