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How Much Does it Costs to Move a Mobile Home

Cost to Move a Mobile Home

When most people think about moving across the country, they think about moving their belongings. But what if “moving” means relocating your whole mobile home? There are a range of things to consider when making the call to move your entire home rather than move into a new one, so here is a breakdown of how much it will cost to haul your home and who you should hire to conduct the move.

How ready is your mobile home?

Though they are technically “mobile”, not all homes are created equally. Some have been attached to a solid foundation and don’t have the hardware to be hauled long distances, while others have a more temporary foundation and still have the hardware necessary for installing a platform, axle, and wheels. In some cases, the movers will load the home onto a flatbed and transport it that way, particularly if it wasn’t truly designed to be mobile — or it if is particularly heavy. Weight absolutely needs to be taken into consideration when moving a home, as well as size and destination.

The movers will only take the home on main roads where the corridor is wide enough to allow passage, so transport to more remote areas will be difficult and may increase the distance the home needs to be hauled — and thus the price. Windows and doors will need to be secured and covered, utilities disconnected, and all cabinets and other permanent fixtures secured to avoid breakage.  All in all, preparing a mobile home to move to a new city can cost around $1,000.

How to choose a moving company

Not all moving companies have the capacity and equipment to transport a mobile home. The company should be properly insured to move large freight across state lines, for starters, and be familiar with all of the permitting required. Two chase cars will be necessary, one on front and one in back, and in some jurisdictions a police escort may be required. Any moving company that is truly prepared to conduct such a move should be completely prepared to make all of the preparations necessary, including acquiring permits.

Also, consider how much preparation you want to do on your own versus having the moving company prepare your home. The company will check your home’s axles and wheels for safety and stability, and someone will need to take the steps to prepare the home inside and out. If you choose to have the full service moving company do any work or preparations needed, that will need to be part of the selection criteria and you must plan on that extra expense.

The average costs

For someone who really wants to take the DIY route and completely prepare the home themselves, a short-distance move will cost between $5-$10 per mile moved. Those averages will increase if you are moving and double-wide or triple-wide home, averaging $2,000-$2,500 for a double wide and $2,600-$3,500 for a triple wide for a move of 60 miles or less. Of course, heavier homes will cost more, lighter homes will cost less, and destinations that require a circuitous route will increase the price by increasing distance traveled.

Hiring your full service moving company to do the disconnect, reconnect, removal of skirting, and/or other services will nearly double the cost, bringing you to $3,000-$5,000 for a single-wide unit, $4,000-$10,000 for a double-wide and $10,000-$14,000 or more for a triple-wide depending on the distance of the transport and many other factors.
Both options will also require the customer to pay for pilot cars, usually $1.50-$1.65 per mile, and there may be additional fees for escorts depending on the jurisdiction, roads, and size of the home.

As you look for a long distance moving company to do the job, be sure to clarify all costs of the move with the representative. Your quoted price should include permits, tolls, flat tire coverage, all driver fees, and liability insurance to avoid any hidden or surprise fees at the last minute!

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Unpakt Team