How Much Does It Cost To Move A Mobile Home?

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One thing many people don’t realize about modern manufactured homes is that they’re not really that mobile. However, sometimes there’s no other option; you just need to buckle down and do it.

Relocating a manufactured home will cost money, time, energy, and other negative consequences. If you’re considering moving a manufactured home, the costs can include much more than money. The hassle of moving a manufactured home is a significant factor to consider. It’s far more complicated than simply contacting a tow truck and hooking it up for transport.

There are several factors that go into moving a manufactured home that you will want to know before taking on this difficult task. That being said, we do it all the time, so it has its benefits. The question is: Do you want to take this task on by yourself?

In this article, we’ll shine a light on all the manufactured home transportation costs you can expect. This is so that you can calculate what you might need to cough up.

How Much Does It Cost to Move a Mobile Home?

Manufactured homes offer convenience and affordability. Most people assume that because of this, they’re easy to move. Unfortunately, this often isn’t true with legal considerations varying from state to state and high transport, insurance, and repair costs.

Finding the right manufactured home movers makes it all the more frustrating with outdated lists and phone numbers. If you’re planning to move, it is important that you approach your decision to move your manufactured home cautiously. Move with all of the facts to help you get the best deal and the most for your money.

The most important factor when deciding to move a manufactured home is whether it’s cost-effective. Although the term “manufactured home” might suggest easy mobility, the reality is that moving one requires significant effort and preparation.

If the cost of the move exceeds half of your home’s value, it might make more sense to sell it and buy a new or used manufactured home at your new location.

Preparing for the Move

You can either start getting your manufactured home ready for the move yourself or hire movers to handle it for an extra fee. Preparation involves:

• Disconnecting utilities ahead of time and hiring licensed professionals to take care of plumbing and electrical disconnections
• Taking off and safely storing skirting for the transport
• Removing any attached structures like decks, sheds, or air conditioning units
• Securing glass panes and windows to prevent damage during the move
• Packing and securing furniture and other items inside the home
• Raising the home to attach axles and a hitch for transport.

Transportation

Transporting manufactured homes can be challenging because they often weigh more than 18,000 lbs. Movers begin by lifting the home off its foundation to install the wheels for towing. They then transport the home to its new location, often accompanied by guide cars. This is legally required in many states to guarantee road safety for other drivers.

Due to the large size of manufactured homes, movers have to travel at reduced speeds, stick to major highways, and often make stops to replace tires or axles as needed. The transportation cost typically ranges from $5 to $15 per mile.

Here, it is important that you choose a moving company with insurance to cover the costs of any damage that might be caused by the move. Moving permits, insurance, and any fees required by your local state or county will affect costs.

Installing Your Manufactured Home

Once your manufactured home reaches its destination, it is ready to install but can also be costly. If you aren’t moving into a manufactured home park, the base will have to be prepared. You’ll need to take care of tasks like utility activation, hiring licensed plumbers and electricians to connect them, setting up sewage, reinstalling the skirting, removing axles and hitches, leveling the home, and more. You’ll likely have to cover the cost of building permits in your new location.

Average Mobile Home Transport Costs

To give you a rough idea, the cost of a transport-only move can range from $1000 to $3,500, while a full-service move can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $14,000. If you’re moving a single-wide mobile home within a distance of up to 60 miles, you can expect to pay around $1,000 to $1,200 for a transport-only move.

It is around $3,000 to $5,000 for a full-service move that includes disconnect, reconnect, and transport services. A full-service move costs between $4,000 and $10,000 for a double-wide mobile home. For a triple-wide, the cost can be $10,000 or more.

Keep in mind that these figures are only estimates. Moving a manufactured home can cost between $1,000 and $20,000 depending on these and other cost factors. Therefore, it is important that you get an individual quote from manufactured home movers based on your circumstances and your manufactured home.

Monetary Costs

The money you spend on moving your manufactured home depends on the distance of the move. Short-distance moves can cost between $1,000–$5,000, while longer trips can cost as much as $15,000 or more. You can determine your cost using this good rule-of-thumb: Estimate about $5–$10 per mile for your move.

You will also need to factor in the cost of permits and a minimum charge for short moves. The best way to get an estimate is to call a moving business near you to find out their rates. You don’t need to be a mathematician to understand the rising expenses of such a move. Moving takes so much effort and cost, that manufactured home parks often scoff at those who threaten to move their homes.

Main Things to Consider Before Looking at Cost

Hiring a Mover

You will need to hire a professional who specializes in relocating large homes. Choosing a mover can be a difficult task, especially when thinking of the costs involved.  It can be very tempting to base your decision on the price quoted.  However, this may not be the best approach.

Of course, you’re going to be price-conscious. However, be aware that there are shady people in every industry and the manufactured home industry is no different. Be sure to do your due diligence before selecting the company you’re going to use. It’s wise to ask for references or check the Better Business Bureau for any complaints that may have been filed against them.

Be sure to look into what is actually being quoted. Are they guaranteeing that the lot will be cleaned when they’re finished? Manufactured home parks may hold you responsible for messy lots left by movers. Make sure they include this service in the quote or you could be left dealing with an angry park.

Also, check to see what they’re going to do with sheds and decks.  This should be determined prior to the move so that there are no miscommunications during the moving process.

There are different types of mobile home sheds that can be built on them.

By choosing a good moving company, you get:

Licensed & Insured Transportation Company

This is very important since most manufactured home insurance companies do not cover the home while in transit.  Be sure to ask the mover about the coverages they carry prior to your agreement.

Moving Permits

They also inspect your home to determine if the home’s current condition allows for transportation.  If so, many moving companies will get the permits for you.  Make sure to verify this, or you may need to get the permits.  They are not typically hard to get, but they can add to your frustration if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Moving Preparation

The moving company will handle disconnecting plumbing and any other components needed for transport. They’ll also separate the home at the marriage line and prepare it for the journey.

Varying Moving Costs for a Manufactured Home

Foundation

What is the existing foundation of the home? Is it on a slab? If so, the moving cost could be lower. However, the cost could be considerably higher if the home is sitting on a block foundation.

Weight

How much does the manufactured home weigh? This will affect the price since it determines the size of equipment needed for the haul.

Distance

As discussed above, the distance of the move is a huge factor in determining the cost.

Permits

Permits need to be collected for each state that the manufactured home enters.

Size

What is the size of the home? Double-wides, being bigger, will cost more, and traffic on roads and highways might need to be altered during transport. Also, if the home is split into sections, it could be double the travel expense.

Getting to the Destination

Where is the home being moved? Is it easy to reach? Can the roads along the way accommodate the size of the load? Remember: the more difficult the trip, the more costly the move.

Other Associated Costs

Age

If you have an older home, it might need new wheels. Ask yourself, is the home in good condition to withstand a move?

Repairs

Repairs to the home after it has been moved. In a perfect world, any move would be flawless. But in reality, anything can happen, like having an accident while in transit. The moving company should have insurance, but you should check their policy to see what is actually covered during the process.

Consider unexpected repairs after the home has reached its destination, Ie. shingles, siding, etc.

More Things to Consider Before Deciding to Pursue a Move

• Contacting several companies to get bids can save you thousands of dollars.
• Don’t use a company that doesn’t offer adequate insurance. Do your homework and ask questions in advance before settling on a mover.
• Think about the costs of moving and compare those with the home’s actual value right now. Is it worth the move, or would it be more cost-effective to buy another home?
• Your manufactured home park could try to prevent your move. Although this is never a good reason to stay put, it pays to be prepared. Parks have put vehicles in front of homes before to keep owners from moving; this is illegal. Hence, don’t let it deter you! Instead, seek legal representation or law enforcement to help.
• Know that you are responsible for removing the skirting, decks, steps, and landscaping around your home.
• Keep in mind that, as with most things in life, things could go wrong. Prepare for the unexpected!

Rather just sell your home? See what we’ll give you for the home now. We can give you a free, no-obligation quote today. Just click on the link below, fill out our short form and you could have cash in hand within 24 hours.

Distance

Since moving a manufactured home is complex, movers often charge a base fee, even for local relocations. At a minimum, you should plan to spend around $1,000, regardless of the destination.

Transportation costs for distances under 100 miles can range anywhere from $1,000 to $13,000. This depends on the moving company. Beyond a certain distance, pricing usually shifts to a per-mile rate. It averages around $10, though this may vary based on the size and specifics of the home.

Size of the home

It only makes sense that the bigger and heavier a home is, the harder it is to move, which directly affects the cost of manufactured home transport. Moving a manufactured home presents challenges due to its width, which is far greater than that of standard road vehicles. A single-wide home is typically less than 18 feet wide. A double-wide exceeds 20 feet and is usually split into two sections for transport. Maneuvering these large units on roads for smaller vehicles can be tricky.

This means that you will pay per section if you move a double-wide. You can expect to pay almost twice as much to move a double-wide. To move a single-wide should be around $1,000-$5,000 while a short double-wide move should be around $5,000 to $10,000. The same goes for the per-mile rate.

The Need for an Escort

In some cases, escort vehicles may need to accompany the manufactured home throughout the move. This requirement can be determined by local authorities issuing the permits, the size of the home, or the moving company’s policies. If escort cars are necessary, you should anticipate an additional cost of $1 to $2 per mile for each escort vehicle.

The weight of the home

While weight hasn’t traditionally been a major concern, it is becoming a more significant factor as manufactured homes increase in size and weight. Some movers are now factoring weight into their pricing, which could result in either an additional flat fee or a higher per-mile charge.

Possible additional costs

Preparation for transport

Moving a manufactured home involves more than simply hooking it to a truck and towing it away. Some movers offer a preparation service, or you may need to handle this yourself if there are issues with the home. This service typically costs between $1,000 and $2,500 and includes:

• Disconnecting utilities
• Splitting a double-wide into two sections if needed
• Applying protective coverings to the exterior
• Securing loose appliances and furniture
• Repairing or replacing tires (around $50 each), axles ($100-$200), or hitches ($200-$300)
• Detaching the home from its foundation
• Removing any parts that need to be transported separately, such as skirting or outdoor features.

Setup at a new location

Once your home reaches its new location, it will need to be properly set up. Since this task is generally too complex for most homeowners, many moving companies offer setup as an additional service. This usually costs around $2,500 but can range from $1,000 to $5,000. The service may include:

• Positioning the home on its new foundation, securing it, and ensuring it’s level
• Connecting utilities
• Reinstalling any items that were removed for transport, such as skirting or outdoor features.

Permits

If the various costs are overwhelming, don’t stress too much! Permits required by local authorities during your move are relatively inexpensive, usually costing around $20. They are minor problems compared to the overall transportation expenses.

Many movers even include permit fees in their quoted price. However, it’s important to confirm this, as moving without the proper permits could result in legal issues and void your home’s insurance.

What are your options?

Do it yourself?

Although many manufactured homeowners are skilled at handling various tasks themselves, attempting to move a home on your own is not advisable. Moving a structure weighing 40-50 tons and over a thousand square feet is a significant challenge. It is the necessary preparation and setup before and after the move.

You could face legal issues and risk damaging your home if not done correctly. There’s a reason why financing becomes more difficult the more a home has been relocated—each move increases the risk of structural damage.

Towing your manufactured home on your own would require renting a truck, provided you have the necessary license. Additionally, you’d need to hire extra help and rent equipment like a crane to lift and move the home. You’ll need the skills to reconnect and disconnect utilities, handle the separation and reattachment of sections for a double-wide home, and inspect the chassis for potential damage.

Check If It’s Included in the Price

If you’re purchasing a new home or buying from a wholesaler, there’s a good chance they will handle the transportation.

Manufacturers often include delivery at no additional cost when you buy directly from them. On the other hand, wholesalers may charge an extra fee to move the home to your desired location.

Can I Move My Manufactured Home Wherever I Want to?

This is an important question to consider. No, you can’t always move your manufactured home anywhere you like. Something known as a “wind zone” determines where homes can be relocated. It’s a regulation based on the area’s susceptibility to high winds. Certain homes may not meet the requirements for specific zones.

Do Your Research

Pick up your phone and start reaching out to local manufactured home movers. With the details of your home—such as its size—ready, request quotes from different companies.

Be sure to have a notepad nearby to jot down the information each mover provides. After gathering the quotes, you’ll likely find that the best option for your situation becomes clear.

Does the Average Cost of Moving a Manufactured Home Seem Too High?

If the potential costs of moving your manufactured home are making you reconsider, don’t worry—you still have options. One alternative is to sell your home instead. You can start by filling out our quick form, and we’ll get back to you with an offer shortly.

Helpful Tips to Get You Moving

Reading this article, you probably have noticed why moving a manufactured home is so hard and, as a result, so expensive. We provide some budget-friendly tips here if you’re looking for a few ways to cut your manufactured home transport costs when moving home. It might also be worth finding out what the value of your home is to decide if moving it is worth it.