Buying a new mobile home or planning to move an existing mobile home? A lot of factors will dictate the overall cost to move a mobile home. Simple lot moves can be as little as $1,000, or you may spend significantly more.
Quotes can help you have a better understanding of the moving costs, and you should seek multiple quotes and comparison shop to save money.
But there are general moving costs that will help you get a roundabout figure of how much your move may cost.
How Much to Move a Mobile Home?
The cost to move a mobile home will depend on a variety of factors. While it’s impossible to estimate how much it will cost to move your mobile home, we do have some ballpark estimates.
Ultimately, the cost will depend on how far you’re moving your manufactured home.
- A short distance move can cost as little as $1,000 or up to $5,000.
- Longer trips can cost $15,000+.
As a general rule of thumb, you can expect to spend $5-$10 per mile to move your mobile home.
Other things, like permits, can add to the overall cost of the move. Some companies charge a minimum fee for moves, including short distance moves.
Factors That Affect the Cost
A mobile home, when it’s on an existing foundation, can be very expensive to move depending on the type of foundation. Slab foundations are easier to work with, so costs are lower. But if the home is on a block foundation, you can expect to pay much more to move the building.
Multiple factors, aside from the foundation, will have an impact on pricing:
- Distance. How far will you be hauling the home? The longer the distance, the higher the cost.
- Permits. Every state has their own permitting laws on mobile homes. If the home impacts roadways and traffic, you may need multiple permits across multiple states to transport the structure, which will add to your total costs.
- Size. Larger mobile homes will cost more to move. A single wide may be able to be transported down the road without causing any traffic backups or needing permits. Double-wides are much larger, which may require different precautions to be taken, including potentially blocking off parts of the road or highway. Even if the mobile home is in sections, the cost can rise because multiple vehicles are needed for transport.
- Weight. Heavier weight means that there needs to be larger equipment to haul the home. Total weight may also impact what roadways the home can enter.
All of these factors will be taken into account when determining cost. If the mobile home is being transported up mountain roads or detours need to be taken for proper transport, the cost will go up.
Older units may need to have wheels replaced to ensure that they’re safe for transport.
Finally, there are some unseen costs that may occur. Insurance is needed, often provided by the transport company, to cover any incidentals that may occur. When the home reaches its destination, there’s also some risk that there needs to be minor repairs made, such as fixing drywall or other issues that occurred during transport.
Shingles and siding may also need to be replaced.
How To Find Companies That Move Mobile Homes
Moving any type of home, including a mobile home, is a monumental task. A lot of things can go wrong, and it’s important to make sure that you choose an experienced, reputable company.
Because mobile homes are different from stick-built or even modular homes, it’s worth your while to find a company that specializes in mobile home moving. These companies will understand the challenges of moving manufactured homes and how to avoid mistakes that an inexperienced company may make.
Here are a few things to look for when choosing a company to move your mobile home:
Licensed and Insured
First and foremost, you want to make sure that the company is properly licensed and insured. This will give you peace of mind that if something goes wrong, their insurance company will cover the cost.
Also, keep in mind that your mobile home insurance policy will likely not cover your home while it’s in transit. If you choose an unlicensed and uninsured company, then you have no protection if something happens to your home while it’s in transit.
When comparing companies, ask about the coverage they carry.
Moving Permits
Moving a mobile home will likely require permits. Reputable moving companies will take care of this for you and include these costs in their estimates.
Make sure that you inquire about permits when contacting moving companies.
It’s generally easy to get the permits you need, but if the moving company can take care of it for you, it will make your life easier and the move less frustrating.
Reviews
Always check reviews when comparing movers. Does the company get rave reviews from customers, or are there several complaints? Read through the negative reviews carefully to see what people are complaining about.
Red flags like damage from the move or unprofessional behavior are signs that you may want to look elsewhere.
Additional Points to Keep in Mind When Moving a Mobile Home
Costs aren’t the only thing that you’ll need to consider when moving your mobile home. You should also:
- Contact multiple companies for estimates on the cost to move your home. Some will be high, some low and then some may even price match. If the company is well rated and has similar insurance as their competitors but is offering a lower price, consider them.
- How much is the home worth? Older models may be cheaper to replace than they are to move when transporting long distances.
- Ask the moving company what your responsibilities are prior to the move. You may be required to remove steps, decking or skirting prior to the move.
Moving a mobile home is a big job, and it’s one that requires an experienced professional. Understanding the costs can help you better plan your move and ensure that you choose the right company for the job.