The Cost Breakdown of Moving a Mobile Home

One of the first questions that come to mind when you think of moving your mobile home into a community is how much it will cost you. How much will you pay for the whole process? What does the cost cater to?

Typically, there isn’t a standard fee that every manufactured homeowner pays to move their home. The cost varies depending on several factors such as the size, weight and condition of the home, the distance of the move, and extra services, just to mention a few.

In this article, we’ll look at the cost breakdown of moving a mobile home and other things to consider in relation to the moving cost. Let’s get started!

How Much Does It Cost to Move a Mobile Home?

Typically, the cost of moving a manufactured home range approximately between $700- $20,000 on the lower and higher ends, respectively. 

This cost varies depending on the type of move you choose (transport-only or full-service move), moving permits, the size and weight of the home, the distance of the move, the condition of the mobile home, etc.

Here is a breakdown of the typical costs that go into the overall cost of moving a mobile home into a community:

1. Type of Move

You can choose either a transport-only or full-service move. 

For a transport-only move, the movers will attach the move-ready home to a towing vehicle, transport it to the community and unhook it. The mover will also provide you with the necessary permits and liability insurance. A transport-only move will cost approximately between $700 – $3,500.

On the other hand, a full-service move covers everything in a transport-only move plus disconnecting all skirting, utilities, and other attached surfaces and reconnecting them at the community. This move option costs between $3,000 – $14,000.

Remember these figures are estimates, and you can pay either slightly more or less to move your mobile home.

2. Permits and Inspection

Most states don’t allow the moving of a mobile home without a moving permit. The cost of a permit varies from one state to another and depends on the size of the house. Typically, the permit fee for moving a single-sectioned home is lower than of an oversized load. The permit fee varies from one state or county to another ranging from $15 – $100.

If you’re moving your mobile home into a different state, you may be required to get a permit for each state/county you pass through. As for the inspection, your mover may conduct it themselves or hire a third party. This inspection aims at establishing whether your mobile home is up to code and fit to be moved.

3. Size of the Mobile Home

The size of your manufactured home, whether single, double, or triple wide, also determines the amount you’ll pay for the move. Moving a single-wide mobile home using the transport-only moving option for up to 60 miles will cost approximately $700 – $1,000. For a double-wide house, the cost will be $2,000 – $2,500 and $2,600 – $3,500 for a triple-wide.

If you go for the full-service moving option to move your home over the same distance, you’ll pay $3,000 – $5,000 for a single-wide home, $4,000 – $10,000 for a doublewide, and $10,000 – $14,000 for a triple-wide. Kindly note that these costs are estimates, the stated amount depending on other varying costs such as fuel costs and general economic conditions.

4. Distance

The distance of the move is also a vital cost breakdown element when moving a mobile home. Here, the rates are charged on a per-mile basis for both the towing vehicle and the escort/pilot cars.

In most cases, moving companies charge approximately $4 – $5.50 per mile for towing vehicles and $1.50 – $1.65 per mile for escort cars.

5. Age and Condition of Your Home

The age and condition of your home determine how much it’ll cost to move it into a community. Old homes, especially those built before the enactment of HUD codes in 1976, are not considered safe to move. 

However, if your home is in a condition such that it needs to be secured more than the movers usually do, the moving cost may go up.

6. Extra services and luxuries

If you want any extra services from the movers, such as cleaning the yard after moving your mobile home or extra luxuries such as a lawn, deck, air conditioners, etc. these are likely to increase your moving costs because they will affect how your home will be moved.

7. Liability Insurance 

Most professional movers usually factor in liability insurance, explaining why the cost tends to be high. The insurance helps protect your mobile home against unforeseen damages during transit.

However, if you already have manufactured home insurance, be sure to ask the movers whether or not their cost includes insurance. Your mobile home insurance may see a slight reduction in the total moving cost.

Understanding the cost breakdown of moving a mobile home into a community comes in handy when planning and budgeting for the move. However, keep in mind that the figures listed above are estimates, and they may vary slightly higher or lower depending on your state and moving needs.