We’ll go over what impacts the cost and what you need to know before moving day.
Things to know before you move
Before getting into the nitty gritty of moving costs, it’s important to also be educated on what’s required to move your mobile home, according to Moving.com.
For one, you will need to get a moving permit. The details will vary from one location to the next, but typically you will need a certificate from the county confirming that you are up to date with paying taxes on the property. You will also need a copy of the property’s title.
Second, can you even move your home? The Department of Housing and Urban Development enacted codes for manufactured homes to ensure safety. According to the code, manufactured homes built in or before 1976, even with modifications, are not considered up to code and cannot be moved — even a short distance.
Finally, only a licensed mobile home moving company can relocate your manufactured home. Each company is going to have a different cost for the task, as well as the cost to set up the home once it reaches its destination.
Some professional moving companies, however, roll that cost into the moving fee. If you are only moving a short distance, ensure it falls within the minimum mileage set by the company.
And because different states and municipalities have varying laws regarding moving manufactured homes, such as the width to be transported on state highways, so be sure to choose a company that is aware of these laws.
Factors that impact the cost of moving
As mentioned earlier, the cost of moving a manufactured home is $9,000, ranging from $5,000 to $13,000. Why the extensive range? The cost is determined by a number of factors:
- Size: Depending on the size of your manufactured home the cost will vary, with the cost increasing with a larger property. The house’s condition and any modifications required to make it moveable are also important.
- Distance: How far are you moving, and what kinds of roads will need to be accessed in order to get there? Remember, if you are moving into another city, county, or even state, be sure to look up what regulations those municipalities have in place for moving and setting up a manufactured home.
- Escorts: Because of the large load being hauled on the road, an escort car (or even multiple cars) may be required to be a part of the relocation. In Georgia, there are rules for the number of escorts based on the size and moves that can only occur Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For moves in Florida, an escort vehicle is required in the front and rear of the manufactured home. Alabama’s rules dictate that a lighting and warning system be used in the back in lieu of a rear escort vehicle.
Other costs to consider
When moving a manufactured home, there are other costs that will arise beyond the actual move.
For example, disconnecting and reconnecting the electricity, gas, internet, and phone lines, which sometimes the moving company can handle.
Also, the permits required to conduct the move have a cost, as do insurance and liability to protect your property during the move. And if you have extensions from the house, such as a patio or shed, those will need to be moved, too.
When you own the land
About half of the manufactured homeowners also own the land that their home sits on, according to Realtor.com. If this is the case for you, you will need to decide whether to sell the land when you move or to keep it as an investment.
A manufactured home without the land is considered chattel; essentially, it’s like owning a vehicle. When it comes with the land, however, it’s real estate and is treated like a traditional home.
When moving the home, you are separating the land from the home. If you keep the land, you have the opportunity to rent it out to another manufactured homeowner, or you can choose to sell it.
Selling your manufactured home
As you can see, moving a manufactured home can be difficult, with a laundry list of tasks to accomplish. It can also be expensive, and with so many costs already associated with moving, sometimes it makes sense to sell your manufactured home.
Homeowners of manufactured homes can skip the stress of the selling process by working with companies like Meridian Trust, which purchases mobile homes for cash. Meridian Trust has more than 15 years of experience purchasing all kinds of properties in a range of conditions. This includes houses, townhomes, condos, apartments, and multi-family units.
Selling a manufactured home is different than selling a traditional home, but it doesn’t have to be hard. Call Meridian Trust for a free, no-obligation property value analysis. If we’re able to make you a cash offer, you can decide if you’d like to move forward — no pressure. There are no hidden fees, and we even take care of the closing costs for you.
To learn more about selling your manufactured home, call us at (954) 807-9087.
Note: This guide is for informational purposes only. Meridian Trust does not make any guarantees about the sufficiency of the content in or linked to from this blog post or that it is compliant with current law. The content within this blog post is not a substitute for legal advice or legal services. You should not rely on this information for any purpose without consulting a licensed lawyer in your area.
