When you’re moving, finding the right home is not only time-consuming — it can also be emotionally draining. You might find yourself asking, “Wouldn’t it just be easier to take my home with me?”
Lucky for mobile homeowners, this may actually be an option … depending on your circumstances. If you’re one of the many who own a mobile home — today, that’s about 5.6% of the country’s entire population — the decision comes down to logistics.
What’s the cost of moving a mobile home?
At the most zoomed-out level, the cost of moving a mobile home typically ranges from $3,000 to $8,000.
Will you be able to work out the details (like getting permits and finding a trustworthy mover) in your given timeframe? Is it worth the hassle? Keep reading to get an idea of how much moving a mobile home costs and whether or not it’s a viable option for you.
How Much Does It Cost To Move a Mobile Home?
A $3,000-$8,000 range for moving your mobile home is pretty wide, and that’s because there are a lot of considerations.
Under certain circumstances — like full-service travel over 60 miles with a triple-wide mobile home — that number could get as high as $14,000. I know, I know, that’s quite a range. But while the exact price will come directly from your movers (it’s near impossible to legally do it on your own), you can get a pretty good idea of what you can expect to pay overall by keeping in mind the following factors:
- Size/Type: Size is the most important detail to consider when calculating the total cost of mobile home transport. It’s reasonable that a single-wide trailer (15 x 72 feet) costs significantly less to move than a double-wide trailer (26 x 56–90 feet ) since, as obvious by the name, it’s half the size! A single-wide home is likely to cost $3,000–$5,000 to move, while a double-wide home would fall closer to the $5,000–$8,000 end of the range stated above.
- Distance: Distance is the next most important factor when determining the cost of moving a mobile home. Your price will range significantly, depending on whether you’re making a short-distance trip (under 60 miles) or looking for a long-haul operation. This accounts for things like labor hours, gas, mileage, and more. At a certain point, you might wind up paying per mile above any flat rate quoted by a company.
- Weight: The more your home weighs, the more equipment and attention will be needed to transport it safely. Older homes tend to weigh less than newer models, so keep that in mind. Stuff like the interior can impact weight, including drywall. But the siding used on the exterior of the mobile home can also affect the overall weight; for example, vinyl siding is lighter than metal. (It should go without saying, empty your home as much as possible!)
- Condition: If your mobile home is newer and in good condition, there will be less work to do in terms of prepping for the move. Otherwise, the home might need to undergo an inspection and some stabilizing repairs before getting on the road.
- Transport Vehicles: A house being carried on the back of a huge truck is the very definition of an “oversize load”. To ensure the vehicle has the space to maneuver safely and that all other vehicles on the road are aware that it’s in their zone, the primary moving truck is accompanied by escort vehicles. Depending on the size of your mobile home — and, potentially the route and distance of your move — you might need a few escort vehicles surrounding it, each with its own trained driver. The total number needed will affect the final price, and these are typically charged per mile.
- Lot/Sub-Structures: In some cases, the lot you’re on will require special attention and might bring added fees — for example, if you’re on a lot with a basement or if you have a septic system. In addition to disconnecting utilities and dealing with exterior attachments, the lot itself might need some TLC. Movers can help you assess this and take care of it, but it’ll cost you!
- Move Type: Most movers will offer two levels of service. The basic level is showing up to secure the home for its move and taking care of the transport from Point A to Point B. A full-service move might include site preparation, detaching exterior additions (like awnings and porches), coordinating permits and paperwork, and helping you disconnect utilities.
Is It Worth Moving Your Mobile Home?
If you already own your mobile home but you want to change your location, then taking your home with you might be a logical conclusion. But ultimately, this is going to be something only you can decide given the total cost and effort involved.
What To Consider If You’re Thinking of Moving A Mobile Home
First, you need to find the right spot to call home — and once you’ve found it, you’ll need to make sure that your mobile home meets all of the requirements of the lot where you’d like to go. Keep in mind many lots don’t allow certain sizes, models, or ages of homes.
“Buying a new mobile or manufactured home will certainly cost more than the price of moving the one you currently have.”
And once you arrive someplace new, you will be paying to lease your lot space, and for utilities in your new location. These prices might be different from what you’re used to if you’re relocating to an area with a higher cost of living.
At the end of the day, you might want to do the math on what a decade’s worth of maintenance on your older-model home will look like, considering the lot rental prices, and other factors. Would it be more appealing to you, in the long run, to invest in a new home now?
Here’s $25 Off Movers
What To Consider If You’re Thinking of Leaving
Buying a new mobile or manufactured home will certainly cost more than the price of moving the one you currently have. The U.S. Census Bureau puts the average price point at $111,900 for a new mobile home. Going that route, you’ll still need to go through the effort of finding a new buyer or tenant for your existing home. And, if you opt to rent, are you prepared to hold a part-time job as a remote landlord?
Do You Need a Permit To Move a Mobile Home?
Every state requires permits to move a mobile home. You should reach out to your local tax office to learn about the exact permits you’ll need.
Your state’s tax office will also check that you don’t owe any money on the home before permitting you to relocate it — and if you do owe some back taxes, this is the chance to settle your accounts as well.
“In most states, there are actually laws prohibiting individuals from moving their own mobile homes…”
However, many moving companies make this process easier by handling the permits as part of the package when moving your mobile home. As we all know from our very first trip to the DMV, sometimes the wheels of bureaucracy move very slowly — but you don’t want to get stuck in a situation where your move is coming up soon and your permit is still nowhere in sight. Movers can often help expedite this process, as they are much more familiar with it.
Once you have a sense of what will be needed to fulfill the legal requirements, you can begin searching for companies that take care of as much (or as little) of the process as you’d like.
Can You Move Your Mobile Home By Yourself?
Is it possible to go the DIY route? In most states, there are actually laws prohibiting individuals from moving their own mobile homes — so you’ll need to look into this question yourself if you really want to go down this road.
Even in areas where it’s technically legal, I have a feeling you’ll find it’s much simpler and more cost-effective to lean on professionals. This ensures that all of the details are taken care of, from permits and licensing to equipment and manpower. Most importantly, professional moving companies are insured; you won’t have the same protections if anything goes wrong while trying to move your mobile home yourself.
With all of this in mind, now you can choose whether or not it makes sense for you to move your mobile home. Whatever option you choose, good luck!