I am building a 12×16 shed in my backyard. However the site is very un-level. What options would be best suited for a foundation on this site?
Answer:
Not too difficult of a problem.
Locate your 3 skids on the ground. I suggest one in the center and the other two at 8-12 inches inside the wall lines. Then locate where each block will go. There should be 5 blocks (pads) on each skid at 48 inch centers. So you will need 3×5=15) 4x16x16 inch mobile home pads and an assortment of 8x8x16, 4x8x16, and 2x8x16 concrete blocks. Home depot or lowes should carry the mobile home pads.
On the highest corner dig down and locate your first 4x16x16 pad at ground level. Then place and level the other 14) 4x16x16 pads. Make sure to dig down and make each one level. Then start building the pads up with blocks. Use double blocks for stability. When you get to the finial layer of 4 and 2 inch blocks singles should be ok. Put your skids on top of the blocks and keep checking the level front to back and side to side until you are within a few inches.
When you are close to level then build your floor frame on top of the skids. Now begin your final level adding small blocks and shims until you are almost perfect. Nail the skids to the floor frame then make your final level and square, and sheet the floor.
This foundation will be as sturdy as if you built it on level ground.