How Much Does It Cost to Move a Mobile Home?

How much does it cost to move a mobile home? Mobile homes are great because you can move them to a different location when you want. But what is the cost? In this article, I’ll explain the cost to move a mobile home (in the U.S.), as well as the factors that go into the cost.

How much does a mobile home cost to move? The cost of moving a mobile home depends mostly on the size of the home and the distance it will travel.

For a general estimate, moving a single-wide mobile home within 50 miles costs about $5,000 to $8,000. For shorter distances, it costs about $1,000 to $5,000. Moving a double-wide mobile home can cost upwards of about $10,000 to $15,000.

Aside from the size of the mobile home and the travel distance, other factors affect the cost of moving your mobile home. Eight factors that affect the cost of moving are as follows:

Size of Mobile Home
Distance of Travel

Inspection and Permits
Overall Condition of the Mobile Home
Weight of Mobile Home

Insurance
Equipment
Miscellaneous and Other Services

Read on to learn more about the cost of moving a mobile home as well as the required permits and steps to take.

How Much Does It Cost to Move a Mobile Home?

Relocating your mobile home can be a great adventure. You would have the same house but only in a different neighborhood. However, moving your mobile home can be quite expensive, depending on several factors. Below are some factors that can influence the cost of moving your mobile home.

1. Size of Mobile Home

Naturally, the bigger your home, the more expensive the moving cost would be. The reason is that double-wide trucks are used for bigger homes instead of single-wide trucks, which are for smaller homes. An average size mobile home is about 32 to 80 feet long, 14 to 18 feet wide, and about 13.5 feet high.

2. Distance of Travel

How far is the travel? How many miles is the distance from the point of origin to the final destination? Understandably, the shorter the distance, the less expensive the cost, and the longer the distance, the more expensive the cost.

3. Inspection and Permits

In some US states, a mobile home inspection is required to ensure that the requirements for mobile homes in that particular state are met. Permits may also be required when relocating from one state or territory to another or when setting up your mobile home to another area.

You could ask your movers to help you secure the permits. Some companies include the fees for the permits in their charges, so you have to inquire to ensure that everything is done correctly.

4. Overall Condition of the Mobile Home

Often, old mobile homes need repairs before movers can move them. If your home is old, you have to do the necessary repairs first before relocating to make sure that it won’t get damaged while in transit. It also increases the chances of your mobile home to be approved in the state where you plan to relocate.

5. Weight of Mobile Home

Weight is one significant factor when it comes to determining the cost of moving a mobile home. The usual weight of a square foot is 45 pounds to 50 pounds. This weight is then multiplied by the number of square feet of the mobile home. The heavier the mobile home, the costlier it is.

6. Insurance

Your mobile home insurance should include liability coverage, so when accidents happen in transit, you have something to fall back on. Go over the insurance coverage and determine if it’s sufficient in covering all aspects of your mobile home.

The moving company typically provides insurance. Read the coverage and purchase external insurance if it’s not enough to cover the areas that you want to include.

7. Equipment

You may pay additional costs for some equipment needed to move. Double-check your contract with the moving company to know what is included in the fees and what is not. Otherwise, you could be charged twice, erroneously.

8. Miscellaneous and Other Services

Sometimes, setup charges are not included in the fees, so you have to confirm with your moving company. Generally, professional movers include this fee. Setting up a mobile home should include taking it apart and setting it up in the relocation area.

The services should also include disconnecting and reconnecting utilities (water, electricity, and gas, including the internet), as well as disassembling and reinstalling the interior and exterior features of your mobile home. Including these services in your contract will cost you extra on top of the total charges.

What Are the Permits Required to Move a Mobile Home?

Permits are required in order to move a mobile home. The moving company usually handles these permits, but it’s still wise to know what these permits are. The moving company will also build the cost of obtaining the permit into the total cost of moving the mobile home.

1. Permit to Move a Mobile Home

Before you’re allowed to move your mobile home, you need to secure a permit that will enable you to do so. You will need a copy of your property’s Certificate of Title and a certificate attesting that the property doesn’t have any unpaid or current overdue taxes.

You can get these documents from the county treasurer or another authorized entity. These docs may or may not be issued immediately, so you have to obtain them days before your scheduled moving date, just to be safe.

Prepare a photocopy for submission and secure an original copy for verification purposes. These important documents are needed to obtain your moving permit.

2. Permit to Set-up a Mobile Home in a New Location

Setting up your mobile home in a new location requires a permit from the state or county you’re relocating to. You cannot just set up a mobile home without securing a permit from the local county or equivalent agency in that state or country. If you don’t secure a permit, you will be living illegally in that territory.

3. Connection Permits in New Location

You must also have permits to connect to the area’s basic services, such as electricity, water, and gas. Expert plumbers, electricians, and competent engineers could be consulted to make sure that these services are properly connected and that permits are allowing these services to be installed. You could request local contractors to assist you in obtaining these permits.

4. Permit for Police Escort/Transportation Permit

When the size of your mobile home is huge, movers may request police assistance. You may be required to get a permit for a police escort and a permit to transport your mobile home. Securing these permits would assure the movers of their safety and security.

Steps in Moving Your Mobile Home

Below are the specific steps in moving your mobile home–assuming that you have already chosen your relocation area.

Step #1 – Do Your Research

Research what moving company is the most efficient and reliable. Ask for referrals from friends and family or your local community. Word-of-mouth is still the best way to know the track record of a company.

Based on your evaluation, choose three moving companies and call them to inquire about their services and corresponding charges. Always remember to clarify ambiguous fees. You don’t want hidden charges to pop up when it’s time for you to pay. Pick a company that would respond to your needs and preferences.

Step #2 – Secure Permits from the Place of Origin

Ask the moving company you have chosen about the procurement of these permits – what permits are they in charge of, and the prerequisites needed to obtain them. Have these permits ready before initiating the move.

Step #4 – Secure Permits from the Area of Relocation

Be sure to secure the required permits first from the organization in charge of the area where you plan to relocate. Include the permit for the reconnection of essential utilities. Learn their laws and policies regarding relocated mobile homes as well.

Step #5 – Safely Secure All Internal and External Features During Transportation

You may have to remove some external features during the move to guarantee that nothing would be damaged. You could also instruct the movers what you want to disassemble. But listen to their recommendations, too. Bear in mind that they are the experts in this field.

Step #6 – Setup Your Mobile Home

Set up and reinstall your mobile home’s internal and external features. Install or connect essential utilities and services as well. You can consult professionals with this step so that your home will be safe and secure.

Step #7 – Know the Park Rules in Your New Location

You have to know the mobile home park rules in your new location.

What’s required from you as a new member?
Does your mobile home conform to their standard requirements for mobile homes?

You should already know the basics while securing your previous permits. More importantly, respect other mobile homeowners. Remember, respect begets respect.

Your next step now is to get acquainted with your neighbors and the local community. Learn how to be a good neighbor, so they could also be good neighbors to you.

See the below video to learn more about what is involved when moving a mobile home, including the cost of moving:

The Cost of Moving Your Mobile Home By Yourself Vs. Professional Movers

As mentioned earlier, the cost of moving a mobile home is as follows:

How much does it cost to move a single wide mobile home? Moving a single wide mobile home within 50 miles would cost about $5,000 to $8,000. Moving a single wide mobile home a shorter distance would cost about $1,000 to $5,000.

How much does it cost to move a double wide mobile home? Moving a double wide home costs about $10,000 to $15,000.

The above costs are if you hire professional movers, which I highly recommend. The cost of moving a mobile home will be a lot less if you move it yourself. However, it is not recommended as you still need hands to assist you in physically moving lots of items.

Also, hiring professionals would guarantee that everything would be properly accomplished. Unless you have experience in moving mobile homes, you should not do it yourself. There are great advantages of hiring professional movers, plus the cost will be worth it.

A professional moving company typically handles all the necessary permits for moving your mobile home. This means you won’t have to worry about them. Look for efficient and reliable companies. Some companies may appear professional and skilled, but actually, they are not.

Expert drivers and movers will transport your mobile home without you worrying about driving a humongous truck amidst a busy highway. If you do it yourself, you may not have enough skills to drive a huge truck and could cause an accident along the way. Don’t skimp on cost at the expense of your safety.

The moving company takes care of everything. It will even solve small problems encountered along the way. Rest assured that even small details are taken care of.

You can relax and enjoy the ride in your private car while listening to music, and simply overseeing everything from there.

The cost of moving your mobile home by professional movers will cost more but can save you money in the long run. If you move your own mobile home, you could damage it which can lead to expensive repair costs. Also, if you don’t get the right permit, this could lead to an expensive fine.

Tips for Reducing the Cost of Moving Your Mobile Home

Pay your mobile home taxes on time to avoid overdue fines. You can prepare these documents beforehand to avoid the rush during your scheduled move.

Haggle with the moving company for the best price you can get. There could be freebies or discounts offered. Ask about these promos when you inquire about their services.

Choose a mobile home park that has a friendly neighborhood and provides cheaper services.

Do away with internal fixtures that you don’t need. Keep in mind that the weight of your mobile home is directly proportional to the cost. If that sink is beyond repair, get rid of it.

Choose reliability over cost. Get your money’s worth. Picking the lowest price could compromise the quality of the services. Select wisely, prioritizing the services offered.

Conclusion – How Much Does It Cost to Move a Mobile Home?

So, to revisit our initial question: How much does it cost to move a mobile home? The cost of moving may vary depending on the size and weight of the mobile home, traveled distance, and other services included.

How much does it cost to move a single wide mobile home? Moving a single wide mobile home within 50 miles would cost about $5,000 to $8,000. Moving a single wide mobile home a shorter distance would cost about $1,000 to $5,000.

How much does it cost to move a double wide mobile home? Moving a double wide home costs about $10,000 to $15,000.

It isn’t cheap to move your mobile home, but it is a significant job. Prepare your budget accordingly so that you know what you can afford.

Installation and service connections in your new location may incur additional charges, mainly when consulting local experts. However, you can reduce this cost by consulting the moving company’s in-house experts. They would certainly help you in setting up your mobile home in a new location.