Jeff,

Even though it may be required, I personally do not see it here under new construction of pier and beam homes.

I've litterally crawled probably a 1000 plus home in my time, and I can say everyone of the homes that had a mold issue or serious wood decay have the vapor barrier under the home.

I don't think it is ever installed as it should be. It is bunched up around the piers and has large openings which still allows moisture to evaporate and condense on the bottom of the structure componets.

Numerous ones I've seen pools of water sitting on top of the plastic which then does not allow the water to evaporate or even soak back into the ground.

Ever crawl a 100 yr. home. Don't see moisture barriers under those, yet most of the wood under the much older homes usually do not have the mold and decay as others.

I think overall it (vapor barrier) on a pier and beam is a bad idea. I think that ventilation of the crawlspace is a very important idea, yet we have folks saying its not even necessary.

Mostly, I think it all depends on your location and conditions present. Is the drainage poor around the home, is there enough ventilation...

But to your question, No I don't encourage it nor do I recommend it. Thats just myself. Others will disagree.

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Rick Hurst_Home Works Inspection Co_Rockwall TX
In the words of Mike Tyson.... "Everyone has a plan until they get hit inda mouf"