Moving a mobile home is not as simple as hooking it up to a truck and hauling it to your destination. It takes a lot of work to move a mobile home that complies with current HUD standards. Additionally, it is quite expensive. It is, however, possible with the right team of mobile home movers and careful planning. Here is a breakdown of the cost of moving a mobile home.
How Much Does It Cost To Move a Mobile Home?
It depends on your preference for a full-service or a transport-only move and the type of mobile home you own (single-, double or triple-wide). A transport-only move involves hooking a towing vehicle to the move-ready manufactured home, moving it to the new location, and then unhooking it.
Additionally, the mover would offer the required licenses and liability insurance. A full-service move includes all of the aforementioned as well as disconnecting and reconnecting all utilities, skirting, and attaching structures at the new location.
What Costs Are Involved in Moving a Mobile Home?
Your mobile home’s relocation expense will be determined by many variables, including labor costs, moving materials, setup fees, permits, home size, location, travel time, local laws, and different transportation costs, among others. Long-distance moves will be more expensive because these rates are based on per-mile charges.
For towing vehicles, moving companies usually charge between $4 and $5.50 per mile; pilot cars charge between $1.50 and $1.65 per mile. Of course, other factors, such as the distance traveled and the fuel cost, will also affect the rate. Most moving companies will, on average, start at about $1,000 to move a small single-wide home up to 60 miles within a state.
What Factors Affect the Cost of Moving a Mobile Home?
Mobile home relocation expenses differ from move to move. The total cost is affected by a number of common factors, and these consist of:
Distance of the move
The shorter the distance, the less expensive the move. As you might expect, hauling a mobile home on a big truck uses a lot of gas. Additionally, it won’t be easy for movers to maneuver around corners or drive quickly. A longer move might require upgraded equipment and tires to manage the distance.
Weight of the mobile home
Older mobile homes normally weigh 35 to 40 lbs. per square foot, but modern ones might weigh anywhere between 45 and 50 lbs. per square foot. That means an 800-square-foot mobile house may weigh up to 40,000 lbs. Always remember that larger mobile homes require more supplies and moving equipment to carry, eventually increasing spending.
Size of the mobile home
The overall cost of your mobile home will be significantly influenced by its size. As expected, moving single-wides will be less expensive than double-wides because they are smaller.
You might also have to pay for a police escort or a brief road closure if your house is too wide to drive down the road safely. Since there may be fewer options for routes when moving taller homes, the cost of moving them is typically higher and may involve more mileage.
Permits and inspection
Permits can be required for each area your mobile home enters or passes through if you’re relocating it to a different county or state. Fortunately, professional movers will assist you in obtaining these permissions before the relocation.
In certain cases, installing your mobile home in a new place requires obtaining “setup” permission. Some states (like Florida) have laws requiring regular inspections of vintage mobile homes, ensuring that houses are secure and up to code.
Setup services
Expect to pay extra if you want to relocate your mobile home with full-service movers. Many expert movers demand an additional fee for disassembling and/or assembling the mobile home in addition to the transport costs. A foundation (or skirting), porch, and interior components may need to be removed and put back in place, all of which can incur additional costs.
Additionally, double-wide mobile homes will cost extra to reconnect with the grid. These procedures may cost anywhere from $1,000 and $5,000, according to sfgate.com. But it’s important to remember that even while many professional mobile home movers provide setup services, they could still ask customers to remove their homes’ skirting and other external components before the move.
Moving materials
Relocating a mobile home involves many moving items, from equipment and supplies to tires and tow hitches. The expenses of the required moving supplies should be broken down in your contract by your moving company.
Age and overall condition
Before placing the mobile home on wheels, the movers may need to modify it more if it is an older model or requires significant repairs.
Insurance and Liability
If you hire professional movers, they will provide liability insurance for the move. You might also want to think about getting additional insurance. If you currently have mobile home insurance, ask your provider if they provide coverage while a mobile home is transported.
SEE: 10 Best Places to Move to in Florida
Estimated Cost to Move a Mobile Home
Just to give you an idea, the cost of the transport-only move will range from $700 to $3,500. Costs for the full-service move range from $3,000 to $14,000. For a single-wide, a double-wide, and a triple-wide, the transport-only move costs range from $700 to $1,000, $2,000 to 2,500, and $2,600 to 3,500 miles, respectively.
A single-wide mobile home will cost between $3,000 and $5,000 to move using a full-service moving service over a distance of up to 60 miles. The disconnect, reconnect, and transport services are all part of full-service moves. A double-wide mobile home will cost between $4,000 and $10,000 to move. Expect to pay at least $10,000 to $14,000 for a triple-wide. These are only estimates, of course.
How Can I Move a Mobile Home Without Overspending?
Doing your research is the key to avoiding paying too much. Evaluate all the possible mobile home movers. Get quotes, read reviews, ask for recommendations, and check them out.
You’ll better understand your expected costs with more movers you research. You can then choose the mover who is offering the most cost-effective option. It would help if you also looked into what is included in the moving company’s quote. After they move the mobile home, do they clean up your plot for you, or do you have to do that? Will they relocate any decks, awnings, or sheds you have added to your house? If they do, how much more will it cost you?
It would be best if you also enquired about the mover’s insurance. It may or may not be included in the cost. You might be considering whether purchasing a new house at your destination would be less expensive after considering the costs and everything involved in relocating a mobile home. It is conceivable.
However, it depends on where you reside because costs vary by location. In the Midwest, a single-wide mobile home costs an average of $53,800; in the Northeast, it costs an average of $61,200. The cost of purchasing a new mobile home is significantly higher when compared the cost of moving an existing one. Additionally, the cost of the property on which it will be installed is not factored into the price of the mobile home.
SEE: 15 Best Cities to Move To Start a New Life
FAQs
How much does moving a mobile home cost?
Moving a mobile home can cost anything from $700 to $14,000. The price will vary depending on several factors, including labor rates, setup fees, moving supplies, the size of the home, permits, location, travel time, local laws, and different transportation charges, to mention a few.
Can I transport my mobile home by myself?
It is not advisable to move your mobile home all by yourself. If you want to minimize expenses, choose a dependable mobile home mover, but pack your house yourself, hunt for free moving materials, rent a moving truck, and discover alternative means.
How can I move my mobile home legally?
The specific transportation rules vary from state to state. A mobile house cannot be moved by a homeowner alone remains constant, and they must work with a reputable moving company insured, bonded, and licensed. Any reliable moving firm will conduct due diligence, be aware of the state laws governing the transfer of mobile homes, obtain any necessary permissions, and adhere to local transport requirements.
