Key Highlights
Thinking about moving your mobile home? Here’s a quick look at what you need to know.
- The average cost to move a mobile home ranges from $5,000 to $20,000, though this can vary significantly.
- Key factors that influence your final moving costs include the home size, weight, and the distance to your new location.
- Hiring professional movers is essential for a safe and legal mobile home move; they handle the complex logistics.
- Your moving company will help you secure the necessary permits and navigate local regulations.
- A comprehensive insurance policy is crucial to protect your home during transit.
Average Cost to Move a Mobile Home in 2024
Figuring out the budget for your mobile home move is a critical first step. In 2024, the average cost to move a mobile home is around $9,000. Most homeowners find their total cost falls somewhere between $5,000 and $20,000, depending on the specifics of their move.
However, these figures are just an average. The moving costs for a short, local move could be as low as $1,000, while a long-distance, cross-country mobile home move can exceed $25,000. Prices have been trending upward compared to previous years, reflecting rising operational costs for moving companies.
Typical Price Ranges for Single-Wide and Double-Wide Homes
The size of your mobile home is one of the most significant factors determining your final bill. Are you wondering if it’s more expensive to move a double-wide home? The answer is yes. A double-wide home is essentially two separate sections that must be transported and reconnected, which significantly increases labor and transport needs compared to a single-wide home.
The mobile home size directly impacts the average cost. Here’s a general breakdown of what you can expect to pay based on the size of your home, measured in square feet.
| Type of Mobile Home | Average Cost Range for Moving |
|---|---|
| Single-Wide | $4,000 – $8,000 |
| Double-Wide | $8,000 – $15,000 |
| Triple-Wide | $12,000 – $25,000+ |
For a shorter move, such as one within a 50 to 60-mile radius, the costs are more manageable. A full-service move for a single-wide might cost between $3,000 and $5,000, while a double-wide could range from $4,000 to $10,000.
Cost Variations by Region in the United States
Where you are moving from and to plays a huge role in your total expenses. Transport costs, labor rates, and fuel prices can differ substantially from one region to another. A move in a rural area might face different challenges and price points than one near a major city.
Several regional factors can affect your bill. Consider these points:
- Crossing State Lines: Moving across state lines often means you’ll need separate permits for each state your home travels through, adding to the overall transport costs.
- Local Regulations: Your new city or county may have stricter building codes or zoning laws, which could require expensive modifications upon arrival.
- Labor and Fuel Costs: The cost of labor and fuel varies across the country, directly impacting the quotes you receive from local movers.
Because of these variations, it’s wise to research the local regulations for your destination ahead of time. Getting quotes from multiple moving companies in your area will give you a clearer picture of the expected costs.
Main Steps in the Mobile Home Moving Process
Relocating a mobile home is a complex project that goes far beyond simply hooking it to a moving truck. The entire moving process involves careful coordination and several distinct stages to ensure your home arrives safely at its new site. It typically includes planning, breakdown, transportation, and then re-setup.
From preparing the new home park or lot to disconnecting your home for the journey, every step is crucial. This process involves the physical breakdown of the home’s exterior, the actual transport, and the detailed setup services required to make your home livable again. Understanding these stages will help you prepare for what’s ahead.
Planning and Site Preparation
A successful move begins long before the moving truck arrives. Thorough planning and site preparation are essential to avoid delays and extra costs. Your new location must be fully ready to receive your home, whether it’s in a home park or on private land.
Key preparation tasks include:
- Site Work: The land at your new location may need to be cleared of trees, graded, and leveled. A new foundation must be laid according to local building codes before your new home can be installed.
- Regulatory Compliance: You must verify that your home meets all requirements for the new area, including zoning laws and specific building codes like HUD Wind Zone standards.
Handling this site preparation ensures a smooth installation process. Professional movers can often provide guidance on these requirements, helping you prepare the new site correctly and avoid any last-minute issues.
Breakdown, Transport, and Re-Setup
Once planning is complete, the physical move begins with the breakdown of your home. This step involves professionals disconnecting all utilities, such as water, sewer, and electricity. They will also carefully remove skirting, porches, decks, and any other exterior features to prepare the structure for the road.
Next comes the mobile home transport itself. Using special equipment, the moving crew will attach your home to a powerful moving truck. These transport services are handled by experienced drivers who are licensed to manage such an oversized load. They will navigate the pre-planned route to your new destination safely.
The final stage is the re-setup. Upon arrival, the moving team will position the home on its new foundation, secure it, and reconnect all the utilities. This re-setup process also includes reattaching the skirting and any other exterior parts, making your house a home once again.
Key Factors Impacting Moving Costs
The final price tag for your mobile home move isn’t based on a single item. Instead, the moving costs are a combination of various factors that each contribute to the total. Understanding these key factors will help you anticipate your budget and see where you might be able to save.
From the home size and travel distance to the need for special permits and additional fees for setup, many elements come into play. The following sections will break down how transport costs, accessibility, and legal requirements can influence your overall expenses.
Distance Traveled
It’s no surprise that the distance of the move is one of the most significant cost drivers. The farther your home has to travel, the more you will pay in fuel, labor hours, and wear and tear on the moving truck and equipment. A cross-country move will naturally be much more expensive than a move to a new city just 50 miles away.
Many moving companies calculate transport costs on a per-mile basis, especially for longer journeys. These rates can be around $4.00 to $5.50 per mile for the main towing vehicle. If escort cars are needed, they add another $1.50 to $1.65 per mile. For a short distance, some movers may offer a flat rate instead.
If you’re planning a move within a 50-mile radius, your costs will be on the lower end of the spectrum. A transport-only move for a single-wide home over a short distance could cost between $700 and $1,000, making it a much more affordable option than a long-haul relocation.
Size, Type, and Weight of the Home
The physical characteristics of your home—its size, type, and weight—play a huge role in the moving cost. The larger the size of your home, the more complex and expensive the move will be. This is because larger homes require more resources, labor, and specialized handling.
A double-wide or triple-wide type of mobile home is significantly more expensive to move than a single-wide. These larger homes must be split into sections for transport and then carefully reassembled at the new site, a process that nearly doubles the transportation and labor requirements. The specific manufactured home construction also influences how it is prepared for the move.
Weight is another crucial factor. Newer homes often weigh between 45 to 50 pounds per square foot, meaning an 800-square-foot home could weigh 40,000 pounds. The heavier your home is, the more powerful the equipment needed to move it, which adds to the cost.
Accessibility and Terrain Challenges
The journey from your old lot to the new one can have a major impact on your moving costs. Movers will evaluate the accessibility of both locations and the route between them. A straightforward path on flat terrain will always be less expensive than a complicated one.
Certain challenges can quickly increase the price of your move.
- Difficult Terrain: If your home is in a remote or hilly area, or if the new site is hard to reach, movers will need special equipment and extra time, which raises the cost.
- Route Complications: Narrow roads, low-hanging power lines, or tight corners may force movers to take a much longer route. In some cases, a temporary road closure might be required, which is a significant additional expense.
Before finalizing a contract, your moving company will assess the entire route for potential obstacles. Any issues that could cause structural issues for the home or require more complex logistics will be factored into your quote.
Permits, Inspections, and Legal Requirements
Moving a mobile home isn’t just a physical challenge; it’s also a bureaucratic one. You will need to navigate a series of permits, inspections, and legal requirements to ensure your move is compliant with local laws. These steps are mandatory and help ensure your home meets safety standards.
Your moving company should be a great resource for this, as they are typically responsible for obtaining transport permits. However, you’ll also need to be aware of setup permits and inspections required by the department of housing in your new location, all of which come with their own costs and liability coverage requirements.
What Permits Are Needed to Move a Mobile Home
Securing the necessary permits is a non-negotiable part of moving a mobile home. These legal requirements are in place to ensure the safety of your home and other drivers on the road. At a minimum, you will need a transport permit from the state you are moving out of.
If your move crosses state lines, the process becomes more complex. You will likely need separate permits for every state your home travels through. These documents ensure your oversized load is compliant with each state’s department of transportation regulations.
In addition to transport permits, you will almost certainly need a setup permit from your new city or county. This permit allows you to install the home at its new location and is often tied to passing local inspections. A reputable mover will handle the transport permits, but you should confirm what is needed for the setup.
Inspection Costs and Local Regulations
Beyond permits, inspections are another layer of regulatory oversight you may face. Some states and counties require mandatory inspections, especially for older mobile homes, to ensure they meet current safety standards and building codes. These inspections are designed to check everything from structural integrity to electrical systems.
The costs for these inspections can vary but should be factored into your moving budget. Failing an inspection can lead to costly, mandated repairs before you are allowed to complete the move or install the home. This is particularly true in mobile home communities, which often have their own strict rules.
It is crucial to research the local regulations of your new location well in advance. Some areas have age restrictions on mobile homes, while others have very specific building codes related to foundations and utility hookups. Understanding these rules beforehand can save you from major headaches and unexpected expenses.
Comparing DIY vs. Professional Mobile Home Movers
When it comes to moving a mobile home, the question of DIY versus hiring professionals has a clear answer. Unlike a traditional move, relocating a manufactured home is not a do-it-yourself project. It’s often illegal and extremely dangerous to attempt without the right expertise and equipment.
Hiring professional movers provides liability insurance, ensures compliance with regulations, and gives you peace of mind. While you might look for ways to save money, entrusting the transport to specialist moving companies is the only safe and practical option. Let’s look at why this is the case.
Pros and Cons of Moving Yourself
While the idea of moving yourself (DIY) might seem like a way to save money, the risks and challenges associated with moving a mobile home make it an impractical and often illegal choice. The potential for costly damage, personal injury, and legal fines far outweighs any perceived savings.
Here are a few reasons why a DIY mobile home move is not recommended:
- Lack of Proper Equipment: You won’t have access to the specialized trucks, hitches, and tools needed for a safe transport.
- No Liability Coverage: If anything goes wrong, you are personally responsible for all damages to your home, other property, or for any injuries that occur. A professional’s insurance policy is vital.
- Legal Prohibitions: Most jurisdictions legally require licensed and bonded professionals to move manufactured homes.
Ultimately, the cons heavily outweigh the pros. The lack of experience, equipment, and insurance policy coverage creates a high-risk situation. For true peace of mind, this is one job that should always be left to the experts.
Hiring Specialist Moving Companies
The best and only safe way to move your mobile home is by hiring specialist moving companies. These professional movers have the training, experience, and equipment necessary to handle the job correctly and legally. They understand the complexities of disconnecting, transporting, and reconnecting a manufactured home.
One of the biggest advantages of hiring professionals is their liability insurance. A reputable company will carry an insurance policy that covers your home in case of accidental damage during the move. This protection is invaluable and something you simply cannot get with a DIY approach.
Furthermore, these companies are experts in navigating the web of permits and regulations. They know what’s required in each jurisdiction and will handle the paperwork for you. With their special equipment and expertise, you can trust that your home will arrive at its new destination safely and securely.
Common Fees and Unexpected Expenses
When budgeting for your move, it’s important to look beyond the base quote from your movers. There are several common additional fees and unexpected expenses that can arise, impacting your overall cost. Being aware of these potential charges can help you create a more realistic budget.
From utility hookups and insurance coverage to escort vehicles and site work, these additional costs can add up quickly. Let’s examine some of the most common expenses you should prepare for so there are no surprises on moving day.
Disconnection and Reconnection of Utilities
A major part of the moving process involves managing your home’s utilities. These services must be safely disconnected at your old location and properly reconnected at the new site. While some full-service movers include this in their package, it is often an additional charge.
You will need to coordinate with various service providers. Key tasks include:
- Disconnection: Contacting your current utility companies (electric, water, gas, sewer) to schedule a final reading and disconnection.
- Reconnection: Setting up new accounts and scheduling reconnection at your new address to ensure your home is habitable upon arrival.
Some moving companies may handle the physical disconnection and reconnection of lines as part of their setup services, but you might need to hire licensed plumbers or electricians separately, especially to meet local code requirements. Be sure to clarify with your mover who is responsible for these tasks.
Escort Vehicles and Insurance Charges
Depending on the size of your home and the route, you may be required to have one or more escort vehicles accompany the moving truck. These vehicles, also known as pilot cars, travel in front of and/or behind the oversized load to warn other drivers and help the truck navigate safely.
The cost for an escort vehicle is typically charged per mile, often ranging from $1.50 to $3.50 per mile per car. In some situations, a police escort may be mandated by local law enforcement, which can be even more expensive. These transport costs are necessary for safety and are usually non-negotiable.
Additionally, you will need to account for insurance charges. Your mover will require you to purchase a liability insurance policy to cover the transport. It is also wise to review your personal mobile home insurance policy to see what coverage, if any, it provides while the home is in transit.
Foundation, Site Work, and Set-Up Services
Preparing the new site for your mobile home is a significant expense that is often separate from the transport cost. Your home needs a proper foundation to rest on, and the type of foundation can impact the price. A simple slab foundation might be cheaper than a more complex block and pier system.
Before the foundation can be laid, extensive site work may be necessary. This can include clearing land of trees and debris, grading the ground for proper drainage, and digging trenches for utility lines. All of this work must comply with local building codes.
The final set-up services, which include securing the home to the new foundation, installing skirting, and building steps or decks, also add to the total cost. If your mover offers these services, they will be itemized as separate charges in your quote.
How to Save Money When Moving a Mobile Home
While moving a mobile home is an expensive undertaking, there are ways you can save money and reduce costs without compromising on safety. The key is to be a smart consumer and take on some of the manageable tasks yourself.
By getting multiple quotes, negotiating with moving companies, and handling tasks that don’t require specialized skills, you can trim your expenses. Finding deals and avoiding unnecessary additional services can make a big difference in your final bill. Let’s look at some practical tips.
Tips for Reducing Costs and Finding Deals
Finding ways to lower your moving costs requires a bit of planning and effort, but the savings can be substantial. One of the most effective strategies is to shop around and compare offers from different mobile home movers.
Here are a few tips for reducing your expenses:
- Get Multiple Quotes: Always contact at least three reputable moving companies to get detailed quotes. This allows you to compare prices and services to find the best deal.
- Be Flexible With Timing: Moving during the off-season (fall and winter) or on a weekday can often be cheaper than moving during peak summer months or on a weekend.
- Handle Your Own Packing: While you can’t move the home yourself, you can save thousands by packing and moving all your personal belongings in a separate rental truck.
By taking a proactive approach, you can find opportunities to reduce costs. Don’t be afraid to ask movers if they have any current promotions or discounts available.
Negotiating With Mobile Home Movers
Once you have a few quotes in hand, don’t hesitate to enter into negotiations with the mobile home movers. Many people don’t realize that some aspects of a moving quote can be flexible. A polite and informed conversation can sometimes lead to a better price.
Start by clearly understanding what is included in each quote. If one company offers a lower price but fewer services, you can use that as leverage with a preferred mover. Ask if they can match a competitor’s price or throw in additional services, like debris removal, for the same cost.
Being flexible with your moving date can also give you negotiating power. If you can move on a day that is less busy for the moving company, they may be willing to lower the total cost. The goal is to find a fair price that works for both you and the company.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it cost more to move onto raw land compared to an established lot?
Yes, it almost always costs more to move a mobile home onto raw land. An established lot in a mobile home park is already equipped with a foundation pad and utility hookups. Raw land requires extensive site work, including clearing, grading, and installing a new foundation and utilities, which are significant additional costs.
What factors can affect the price of moving a mobile home?
The primary factors affecting moving costs are the distance of the move, the home size, and its weight. The type of mobile home (single-wide vs. double-wide), accessibility of the sites, required permits, and any additional fees for services like utility setup also play a major role in the final price.
Are there any hidden fees when relocating a mobile home?
While reputable moving companies should be transparent, hidden costs can arise if you’re not careful. These can include unexpected permits, mandatory inspections, difficult terrain charges, or fees for reconnecting utilities. Always ask for a detailed, itemized quote and clarify what is and isn’t included in the price.
What is the cheapest way to move a mobile home?
The cheapest way is to hire professional movers for a transport-only service over a short distance and handle all other tasks yourself. This includes packing and moving your belongings in a moving truck, preparing the site, and managing utility connections. Getting multiple quotes to negotiate deals will also help you save money.