Moving a Mobile Home: All Costs Considered

The term mobile home is misleading because you can’t just get up and go. Moving a mobile home requires planning and the services of others.

In this article, the term “mobile home” is used interchangeably with “manufactured home.” However, models built after June 15, 1976 are technically manufactured homes, which are easier to move and have fewer restrictions. According to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development HUD, mobile homes built prior to 1976 should not be moved at all.

In 2024, the total cost of moving a mobile home ranges between $1,000 to $20,000, with $6,500 being the average for a single-wide, $17,500 for a double-wide and $25,000 for a triple-wide vehicle or long-distance move. Costs also depend on whether or not you will need a full-service move or if you can handle all the tasks required.⁽³⁾

It's essential to be properly insured adequately for the move, and these premiums are usually bundled into the total cost of the move unless you buy insurance from an outside insurer.⁽²⁾ It’s important to start gathering multiple quotes in advance, preferably as soon as you know your new address. It’s also important to start shopping for mobile home insurance so you’re insured on the day the home is set up. Otherwise, one small mishap that causes damage to your home minutes after you’re moved in may rest on you.

Using the checklist below, get clarification on all the unique costs of the move, so you can create a budget that will ensure that you are prepared for all potential expenses that come your way before, during and after the big move.

On This Page

• 

  Breakdown of Costs of Moving a Mobile Home

• 

  Hiring a Transporter vs a Full-service Mobile Home Mover

• 

  The Cost of Moving a Mobile Home: Is it Worth It?

• 

  Moving a Mobile Home FAQs

Breakdown of Costs of Moving a Mobile Home

1. Professional Movers

The cost of hiring a specialized moving company with experience in moving manufactured homes is a good idea. It typically costs $5,000 to $20,000, depending on the size of the home and distance.⁽³⁾

2. Permits and Inspections

• Moving Permits: Most states require a transportation permit to relocate a manufactured home. The permit must come from the state in which you currently live. You may also need to get a certificate from the county treasurer explaining that you have no unpaid taxes. Otherwise, you may have to pay them first in order to get the transportation permit. This can cost as little as $16 or over $100.⁽⁵⁾
• Transportation Permits: The cost varies by location, typically ranging from $100 to $500.⁽³⁾
• Inspection Fees: Before and after your move, you need inspections to ensure the home meets local legal codes. This can cost between $200 and $400.⁽⁴⁾

3. Transportation Costs

• Transport Fee: The cost of the move itself depends on the size of the mobile home and the distance from the old location. It can range anywhere from $1,000 for a short distance to $25,000+ for 100 or more miles⁽³⁾
• Escort Vehicles: State regulations may require that you use escort vehicles, which can cost anywhere between $1.50 and $3.50 per mile.⁽³⁾
• Mileage Fees: If there is a per-mile fee in excess of the flat transport fee, it can cost anywhere from $5 to $15 per mile.⁽⁵⁾

4. Disconnection and Connection

• Utility Disconnection and connection: Disconnecting and connecting utilities at your home may carry a cost between several hundred dollars and $1,000.⁽⁶⁾

You will need to contact your water, electricity, and gas providers ahead of time, because prices vary widely according to local rates and the complexity of the connection.

• Skirting Removal/Installation: Removing and reinstalling the skirting around the base of the home will cost $1,500 to $5,000.⁽⁷⁾
• Anchoring and Re-Leveling: Properly anchoring and re-leveling the manufactured home is another $450 to $900.⁽⁸⁾

5. Setup at the New Location

• Foundation/Pad Preparation: If the new site doesn’t already have a foundation, you’ll need to build one but you may also need to level the site first. Costs vary greatly depending on the type of foundation but can easily cost $4,000+, depending on which types of material you use.⁽⁹⁾

5. Mobile Home Insurance

• Moving Insurance: Ask your current mobile home insurer if they offer trip collision insurance for the move and how much it costs to move it.⁽¹⁰⁾

When hiring professional movers, you can also purchase moving insurance coverage from them but it may be costlier than if you shop around to see who will cover you more fully and at a better price.

If your mobile home is in bad shape, you may have a hard time getting specialized moving coverage because the risk of it falling apart during the trip is high. Now may be a good time to compare quotes for mobile home insurance, to see who will add the cheapest collision rider to your home in time for the big day

• Mobile Home Insurance: Make certain that your policy is active either the day before or day of the move. One minute of being uninsured is considered a lapse in coverage and will raise your homeowners insurance rate quite a bit. It will also leave you exposed to expenses if something goes wrong with the utilities, thereby damaging your home. Or, an unexpected storm may damage your roof. Yeah, it’s possible to be that unlucky, so make sure you’re comparing home insurance rates for your mobile home well in advance of moving.
• Flood Insurance: Just like any type of property insurance, floods caused by natural disasters are excluded from most mobile home insurance policies, so it’s important to consider what you’re liable to lose if your home and belongings are destroyed in a flood. Buying a flood policy may be a good idea if you’re moving to a high-risk area, also called a flood zone.

6. Additional Costs

• Storage Fees: If you don’t schedule the move correctly or there’s a delay in moving to the new location, you may need to store the mobile home temporarily. Storing a mobile home can cost $50 to $500 per month.⁽¹²⁾
• Landscaping: If you need landscaping and grading, the cost can range widely from a few hundred dollars to thousands, depending on how much land you plan to tend.
• Repairs to Mobile Home: If your home is damaged during the move, you may or may not be covered by the moving company’s liability insurance. You may file a claim if you have added trip collision coverage to your home insurance.

Budget for potential out-of-pocket repairs to the structure, exterior and interior of the home, which could cost thousands of dollars if the damage is great and your insurer places low limits on a payout.

8. Taxes

• Property Taxes: You may need to pay property taxes for the current year in your old location as well as in the new location. There may be temporary overlap, so budget for it.

Hiring a Transporter vs a Full-service Mobile Home Mover

Transporter

A transporter typically transports the home on a flatbed truck, which tows it to the new site. This option is best for those who know how to manage the additional tasks involved in preparing and setting up the manufactured home.

• Cost: Hiring a transporter is usually less expensive than a full-service mover since it covers only the transportation of the move.
• Responsibilities: You are responsible for preparing the home before the move, including disconnecting utilities, securing loose items, and ensuring the home is ready for transport. You will also be responsible for reconnecting utilities at the new location and securing the home on its foundation.

Full-Service Mobile Home Mover

A full-service mobile home mover will provide transportation and take care of all the preparation and setup tasks, including disconnection and reconnection of utilities, reinforcing and securing the home for transport, getting all necessary permits and setting up the home at the new location, including leveling. This option is ideal for those who prefer to have professionals handle all aspects of the move.

• Cost: Full-service movers are more expensive because they handle every aspect of the move, saving you time and effort.
• Responsibilities: The full-service mover takes care of everything, from start to finish. This includes securing permits, managing the logistics of the move, and ensuring the home is properly set up at the new location.

The Cost of Moving a Mobile Home: Is it Worth It?

The cost of moving a manufactured home can vary significantly depending on factors like distance, size of the home, and whether you opt for a transporter or a full-service mover. Expenses can range from a few thousand to over $25,000 or more, including permits, preparation, and setup at the new location.

While the upfront costs might seem high, moving a mobile home can be worth it if it allows you to live in a more desirable location or if it improves the proximity to work, family and friends.