Can Old Mobile Homes Be Moved

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Weight Of The Mobile Home

What it’s like to have a mobile home moved

According to Free Mobile Home Info, older homes typically weigh between 35 to 40 lbs. per square foot, while newer manufactured homes weigh anywhere from 45 to 50 lbs. per square foot. That means if your mobile home is 800 square feet, it could weigh up to 40,000 lbs. Yikes! Remember, the heavier your mobile home, the more moving equipment and materials the movers will need to transport it. This inevitably adds up to spending more money as well.

Selling A Mobile Home To Be Moved

Usually, when a homeowner sells their manufactured home, the new buyer will move into the home where it currently sits. However, in some cases, if the manufactured home is currently on privately owned land, the owner may choose to sell the home separately without the land.

Why might you sell a mobile home to be moved, what should you be prepared for during the process and what kind of legal steps will you need to take? Well examine the ins and outs of selling a mobile home to be moved in this guide.

Size Of The Mobile Home

The size of your home will have a big effect on the overall cost. As expected, single-wides will cost less to move than double-wides, which are twice as big. If your home is too wide to drive down the street safely, you may also have to pay for a police escort or a temporary road closure. Taller homes typically cost more to move because the choice of travel routes may be limited, potentially resulting in traveling more miles.

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How Much Does A Mobile Home Cost

Before we get into moving a mobile home, lets take a look at the cost of a mobile home. After all, older mobile homes may not be worth moving. The general breakdown depends on the size of the mobile home.

Here are the three main sizes:

  • Single-Wide Average: $37,100
  • Double-Wide Average: $73,600
  • Triple-Wide Average: $100,000+

So if you have an older mobile home that is single-wide and spend the money to move it, you may not be making the best choice. After all, if you can find one for under $20,000 you may save money in the end to buy a new one.

This is especially true if you sell your old one. Then you arent paying the cost to move it, but are using your money you made to buy a new mobile home which will include the cost of moving it in its price.

Finding And Hiring Movers You Trust

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Finding reputable professionals in the area who provide excellent service and can move your manufactured home correctly and safely is important. You should never move a manufactured home yourself, because its a complex project that requires professionals.

Its important to check a few things off your list when hiring movers:

  • Look for a company that knows how to move your type of home and can provide examples of their experience
  • Shop around and get multiple quotes to ensure youre getting a fair price
  • ALWAYS be sure that the company is licensed and insured

Youll want to reach out to your transport company for the details on what the process will look like for your home. Typically, you can expect the transportation company you choose to:

  • Inspect the home to determine if it can be transported
  • Usually get the permits needed to move the home
  • Disconnect plumbing and other utilities prior to moving the home

As you can see, there are lots of things to consider when youre thinking of relocating your Clayton Built® home. Be sure to weigh the options to decide if relocation or a manufactured home trade-in is right for you and your home!

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Doors And Windows Out Of Alignment

This is a common occurrence when there are foundational issues as discussed above. When portions of the frame begin to sag because of a sinking foundation, the home will begin to twist slightly and cause all sorts of alignment issues with doors and windows.

DETECTION When you walk into a home, take a mental note on how the floor feels and if there are quite a few squeaks. Open and close every exterior and interior door and window. Check to see if the doors all latch properly and if they are square in their frames. With windows, see if they move smoothly in their tracks without binding.

SOLUTION If the doors and windows seem to be out-of-alignment, the first thing towards a solution is to get the foundation repaired as per the discussion in that section. Once the home has been re-leveled, then check the doors and windows again. If the problems persist, then getting proper alignment can be done by a combination of things. First, you may be able to adjust the hinges to the door. Also, you may need to removing the trim around the door or window and use wood shims to adjust the door or window until it latches or moves smoothly.

Once the foundation has been repaired, adjusting the doors and windows is a relatively easy process that can be done by a handyman and should not be very costly.

Law #: Youll Need A Manufactured Home Mover

Theres no such thing as a DIY move when relocating with a manufactured home. Thats because the laws on moving a manufactured home require that you work with a licensed, bonded, and insured professional moving company. Use our free online list of movers to search for reputable moving companies in your area. Next, reach out to them directly to get a quote. Ask if they have the experience, equipment, and trucks necessary to move your manufactured home.

Not all moving companies are up to the task, so similar to getting your permit, give yourself plenty of time to do your research here. That will help ensure that you get a good company to help you out, but youll also be able to shop around for quotes so that you know youre getting the best deal possible on your manufactured home move.

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Tips On Moving Single

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Mobile homes are more properly called manufactured homes, and they come in several sizes. Manufactured homes are known as mobile homes mainly because of how they’re attached to permanent wheeled chassis and transported to their ultimate sites. A common fixture in many manufactured or mobile home parks, the single-section or single-wide mobile home is usually the easiest to move when needed. However, moving even a single-wide mobile home should be done only after adequate preparation.

What Are The Biggest Mistakes Made When Moving A Mobile Home

Moving a mobile home

Here are some of the mistakes that people make while moving their mobile homes:

Not asking for referrals:

If you want to move your mobile home, make sure you pick the right company.

If you know someone who has moved previously, ask them who they worked with and how their experience was.

Failing to pull permits:

Make sure you call your local permit office and check the permits youre required to obtain .

Often, professional movers handle this process for you, but if they dont, then youll need to make sure you handle it.

Not knowing local laws or zoning regulations:

Before pulling permits, call the local zoning department in the area where youll be moving your mobile home.

The zoning department will be able to tell you the restrictions of the city, country, parish, or township.

Skipping the utility connection:

Make sure you correctly connect the utilities once the home is moved.

You can call around and compare prices with electricians and plumbers.

Also, keep in mind that few mobile home transportation companies reinstall the mobile home skirting after moving because of the different height from the ground than the previous location, so youll need to make sure you do this.

Ignoring park rules:

If youre moving to a mobile home park, youll need to abide by the rules and procedures set out by that park.

Do research on this ahead of time!

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Cost To Move A Mobile Home Vs Rv

A mobile home is a house that is mobile. But isnt that what an RV is too? Not really. An RV is a recreational vehicle. It can have a cab with a drivers seat or it can be pulled behind another vehicle. But it does always have living quarters.

You can live in both an RV and a mobile home. However, RVs are designed to be a secondary tiny home you use to save money on road trips. While a mobile home is meant to be your primary home and cant be used without being set.

Most of the time, you can move the RV yourself. But if you live in the RV and have never driven it or pulled it behind as a trailer, you can get someone, maybe a friend, to move it for you for a couple of hundred dollars.

Can You Put A Mobile Home Anywhere In Florida

It depends on the zoning of the property, and you need to check with your city or county building/zoning department first. Most residential lots are zoned for only one residence and do not allow mobile homes. So your property zoning must allow both two residences and mobile homes. Sometimes a variance can be obtained.

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Notify Your Current Park Manager

If you live in a manufactured home park, youll need to let your current park manager know that you are moving. Start by reviewing your manufactured home lot rental agreement to see how much notice you must provide and by what means. Usually, youll be required to give written notice of your intent to relocate at least 30 days before your move.

The manufactured home lot rental agreement should also provide information about your security deposit, factors that influence how much you receive back, and how long the park has to return what youre owed. By reviewing this information in advance, you may have enough time to make any necessary repairs to the property necessary to get the deposit back in full.

How To Move A Mobile Home 11 Things You Should Know

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Are you wondering if its possible to move your mobile home?

Its not quite as easy as you may think.

While you may have seen a mobile home hitched to the back of a truck on a highway, its not quite as easy as that visual would suggest.

We promise it took some planning to get it there.

In this blog, well discuss the top things you should know before you attempt to move your mobile home.

Lets get started.

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What Are The Benefits Of Hiring Professionals To Move A Mobile Home

Relocating a mobile home is not a DIY project.

This type of move requires a team of professionals who are trained and prepared to drive large loads attached to the back of their truck.

Here are the benefits of having professionals on your team:

Moving companies will obtain the moving permits

Permits can be difficult to obtain, and this is a perk of working with professionals who do it all the time.

Mobile home moving companies know how to obtain all the necessary permits for wherever youre moving.

Sure, youll have to make sure you have all your ducks in a row , but the mobile home moving company should take care of the rest.

Moving companies will transport your mobile home

You may be thinking, Duh! Thats why I hired them.

But this truly is the hard part.

Have you ever driven a large truck at all?

Let alone a large truck with an oversized load on it?

Unless youre an experienced truck driver, pass on this job!

Its not only difficult, but its a dangerous job when its put in the wrong hands.

Moving companies save you time and energy

Who finds moving stressful?

If youre not in this group, youre one in a million.

More often than not, moving is a stress-inducing experience because of all the logistics involved.

If youre not interested in dedicating significant time and energy to this project, outsource!

Hire a team of professionals who can get the job done quickly and correctly.

Saving Money When Moving A Mobile Home

One of the easiest ways to save money when moving a mobile home is to pack your own belongings and disconnect and secure any appliances and electronics yourself. Professional packers cost $270 to $2,220, so this alone is a substantial saving.

If you have the know-how, you can also disconnect the trailer from utilities so that you’re paying for a transportation-only move, or a partial service move, rather than a full-service one. Remember, though, that if you opt for transport only, you’ll be responsible for obtaining the moving permit, as well as disconnection, reconnection, and setup.

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  • Site inspection costs

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How Do I Find And Hire Movers That I Trust

From the section above, you can see that its immensely advantageous to hire movers for your mobile home.

However, you may worry about hiring the right ones.

How do you know if theyre reputable?

How do you know if theyll do a good job, provide excellent service, and abide by all safety regulations?

If youve never moved a mobile home yourself, you should know that finding the right movers to relocate your home is just as important as deciding to hire them in the first place.

In this section, well discuss the checklist you should have when it comes to hiring movers.

Find a company that knows how to move your specific type of home

Ask them to provide examples of their experience moving mobile homes

Shop around with different companies and get multiple quotes to ensure youre getting a fair price for the service

Check to see if the company is licensed and insured If not, select a different company!

When you select a moving company, you should expect the following next steps:

Inspecting your home to determine if it can be transported

Filing for the permits necessary to move the home

Disconnecting your plumbing and other utilities prior to moving the home

What Are The Laws On Moving A Mobile Home

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Laws differ from state to state, but the number one rule is that you cannot move a mobile home on your own. You have to hire a licensed mobile home moving company. While each state is different, youll also have to research HUD codes, permits, and other laws specific to the area to ensure your move follows all necessary regulations.

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Things To Consider Before Moving A Manufactured Home

Moving a manufactured home is not easy. You dont just hitch them to a big truck and pull them down the road. You need permits and licenses and bonded professionals.

Manufactured homes arent like the old mobile homes and recreational vehicles that could be moved with the turn of a key. In fact, one reason so many people take issue with the term mobile home is that they arent very mobile at all. In fact, moving a manufactured home is a professionals only job.

Once a manufactured home is installed on its original site the vast majority of them remain there. Over 90% of all manufactured homes are never moved again after installation.

If youre thinking of moving your manufactured home, here are a few things you need to keep in mind:

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What Is The Oldest Mobile Home That Can Be Moved

It really comes down to the structureone home built in 1970 may be in better condition than one built in 1990. Some moving companies may enforce a policy where they do not move any mobile home over 20 years old, whereas some companies may have no limit as long as the structure is sound for transport.

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How Much Does It Cost To Move A Mobile Home

It depends whether you choose to do a transport-only or a full-service move and the type of mobile home you have . A transport-only move will include attaching the move-ready manufactured home to a towing vehicle, moving it to a new location, and unhooking it. The mover would also provide the necessary permits and liability insurance. A full-service move covers all of the above in addition to disconnecting all utilities, skirting and attached structures and then reconnecting them at the new location.

How To Find A Moving Company You Can Trust To Move Your Home

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Finding reputable professionals who can move your manufactured home correctly and safely is important. As we mentioned, its not a DIY kind of a job. So, before you pick a moving company, consider the following:

  • Can this mover move the type of manufactured home you have?
  • Are they licensed and insured to handle this kind of move?
  • Whats included in the cost?
  • Do they know what permits youll require?

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How Does The Size Of My Home Impact Whether It Can Be Moved

Sizes vary when it comes to single and multi-section mobile homes.

Here are the ranges:

Single section homes range in size from 14×56 to 18×80 or 784 sq. ft. to 1,440 sq. ft.

Double section homes range in size from 24×56 to 32×76 or 1,344 sq. ft. to 2,432 sq. ft.

Triple section homes range in size from 36×56 to 45×66 or 2,016 sq. ft. to 2,970 sq. ft.

If your mobile home is larger than a single section, then it may not be possible to move it in one piece.

Larger homes arent impossible to move you just need to make sure that you hire skilled and trustworthy movers who can do it safely.

To move larger homes, professional movers will typically inspect your mobile home, remove the skirting, and then split it into two or three sections as it was manufactured.

Licensed and insured movers are typically familiar with the laws in each state and should be able to acquire the necessary transportation permits on your behalf.

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