Why a Checklist Beats Hope
A 65ft lodge that can't fit through your park gate is an expensive mistake. So is a level pitch that turns out to be soft clay after two days of rain. Most siting problems come from one of three categories: access, levels, or anchors. Walk the pitch with this list before the unit leaves the factory.
1. Access — Can the Unit Physically Get There?
Gate and entrance widths. Measure the narrowest point of your park entrance — including any decorative posts, planters or gate hinges. Compare against the delivered width of the unit, not the finished width. A twin-unit half is wider in transport than after joining.
Internal road radii. A 65ft trailer needs a wide swept-path on bends. Mark the tightest corner on your route and check from the cab's swept path. Anything tighter than 12m radius will be tight; under 9m and you may need to lift over an obstacle instead.
Overhead obstructions. Branches, cables, balconies, signs. The unit roof on a low-loader sits around 4.3m to 4.5m high. Walk the route looking up, not just ahead. Trees grow; what was clear last summer may not be clear today.
Ground bearing capacity. The combined weight of tractor, trailer and unit can exceed 60 tonnes. Tarmac handles this; saturated grass or hardcore-only trackways may not. If you have any doubt, lay ground mats or rumble pads in advance.
2. Levels — Is the Pitch Actually Level?
Park homes do not tolerate twist. A pitch that is 50mm out across the diagonal will cause doors to bind, windows to crack and floors to bow. Check the pitch with a long spirit level or laser before the unit arrives.
Tolerance. Most manufacturers spec ±10mm across the full footprint of the unit, measured corner-to-corner. Anything beyond that needs correcting with pads or by adjusting the blocks.
Hard-stand condition. Look for any movement in existing blocks or pads — cracking, settlement, vegetation through joints. A unit that lands on settling ground will need re-levelling in 6 months, and the warranty may not cover it.
Drainage. Surface water that gathers under the unit causes long-term damage. Confirm that the pitch slopes away from where the unit will sit (or that there is a drainage channel cut beneath it).
3. Anchors — Holding It Down
UK park homes need to be anchored against wind. The British Standard BS 3632:2015 governs the structural requirements, and most park operators require anchoring whether or not you're inside an exposed location.
Anchor type. Ground anchors (twin coil or single helical) are the most common. Concrete pads with embedded threaded studs are an alternative for more permanent installations.
Anchor count. Typical residential park homes need 6 to 8 anchors per long side. Lodges need 8 to 10. The factory will normally provide an anchoring schematic showing the exact tie-down points.
Tie-down hardware. Galvanised straps, turnbuckles and shackles. Stainless is preferable in coastal locations. Mild-steel hardware will corrode in 5 to 8 years and need re-doing.
4. The Soft Stuff
Beyond the engineering, you also need to confirm:
- Utilities ready — water connection, electricity meter installed and certified, sewage connection capped at the pitch.
- Insurance in place — site operator insurance, your buildings insurance from the day the unit lands.
- Final commissioning booked — if your transporter is finishing the interior, confirm the second day on site.
5. The 24-Hour Pre-Delivery Walk
The day before the unit arrives, walk the full route from gate to pitch with two photos at each point:
- Looking forward — what the driver will see.
- Looking up — what the unit's roof will see.
If anything has changed since the survey — a parked car, a new sign, a fallen branch — fix it that day. Tomorrow is too late.
The Bottom Line
A pitch that is properly prepared turns delivery day into a smooth 4-hour operation. A pitch that is not turns it into a £1,500 stand-down and a re-booking 3 weeks later. The checklist costs nothing; the stand-down costs everything.
If you'd like us to carry out a formal pre-move site survey with a written report, we can include that as part of any transport quote. It's the cheapest insurance on the project.