How Much Does It Cost to Move a Mobile Home? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $5,000 - $20,000
The average U.S. mobile home owner spends about $9,000 to move a mobile home. Depending on the distance, size of the mobile home, and mobile home age, most people spend between $5,000 and $20,000.
The average cost to move a mobile home is $9,000, with prices ranging between $5,000 and $20,000.
Despite its name, moving a mobile home isn’t as simple as attaching the home to a vehicle and driving off to your new location. Long-distance moves may even exceed $25,000 if the move is across multiple states. The moving costs can vary depending on how far you’re moving or how much of the move you’re planning to do yourself. Learn more about the cost of moving a mobile home and what factors impact the total price to prepare you for your move.
- Average
- $9,000
- Low end
- $1,000
- high end
- $25,000
Cost Factors to Move a Mobile Home
The cost to move a mobile home (also called a manufactured home) depends on various factors. Some of these factors are negotiable and some are unavoidable.
Short vs. Long Distance Move
The distance you are moving a mobile home is one of the most significant factors in cost. Many professional movers will only charge a flat rate if only moving the mobile home a mile or two, especially with easily accessed roadways. Local moves that cross very short distances allow the option of doing a lot of the moving work yourself, which can greatly reduce prices.
Long-distance moves require movers to start charging by the mile and adding more fees for the extra work they have to do. Very long-distance moves that take more than a day or cross state lines can become much more expensive. These trips tend to include extra fees for the movers, who may need overnight accommodations and other costs that quickly raise prices to the highest levels.
| Type of Move | Low Cost | High Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Very short distance mobile home move: | $1,000 | $5,000 |
| Short-distance mobile home move: | $5,000 | $9,000 |
| Long-distance mobile home move: | $6,500 | $15,000 |
| Mobile home move over 100 miles: | $20,000 | $25,000 |
Size and Type of Mobile Home
The size and type of mobile home also impacts the cost of the move. Single-wide mobile homes usually cost less to move than double-wide or triple-wide manufactured homes. If the mobile home is too wide and takes up more than one traffic lane, you may have to pay for an escort vehicle to help move the structure safely, similar to moving a whole house.
| Type of Mobile Home | Low Cost | High Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Single-wide: | $4,000 | $8,000 |
| Double-wide: | $8,000 | $15,000 |
| Triple wide: | $12,000 | $25,000+ |
Single-Wide
A single-wide mobile home has only one section and is the least expensive type of mobile home to move. You can expect to pay $4,000 to $8,000 for a full-service move up to 60 miles with this type of mobile home.
Double-Wide
A double-wide mobile home has two sections and as a result, is more costly to move. You can expect to pay $8,000 to $15,000 for a full-service move up to 60 miles with this type of mobile home.
Triple-Wide
A triple-wide mobile home has three sections and is the most expensive type of mobile home to move. You can expect to pay $12,000 to $25,000 for a full-service move up to 60 miles with this type of mobile home.
Mobile Home Age
Older mobile homes often experience wear and tear, even if they’re well-maintained. That can make it more difficult to move and more susceptible to damage during preparation and moving. An old mobile home will have a weaker structure and can become so embedded in its current location that moving presents additional difficulties.
Professional movers can carefully reinforce and maneuver older mobile homes onto a moving truck, but that process takes extra materials, time, and labor, which costs more. Since damage is more likely for older mobile homes, the risk of post-move repair expenses increases.
In other cases, movers may refuse to move a mobile home on legal grounds: A mobile home built before 1976 fails to meet Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) standards for moving the building and shouldn’t be moved, even a short distance.
Mobile Home Weight
The mobile home’s weight is another factor that affects the moving price. If your mobile home is 800 square feet, it could weigh up to 40,000 pounds. The heavier the mobile home, the more equipment (and money) is needed to move it safely. Weight determines which permits are needed, if escort vehicles are needed, and which roads can support the mobile home’s total weight.
Liability Insurance
Professional movers often require homeowners to purchase liability coverage for the move. Be sure to review and understand the terms of the moving insurance policy before signing. You should also check with your mobile home insurance provider to see if the mobile home is covered during the move in case of any damage.
Permits and Inspections
Local and state governments may require moving permits if your mobile home travels within the territory. You may also need a permit to install your mobile home in a new city. Some states require inspections to ensure mobile homes are up to code. A reputable moving company will know what kind of permits or inspections are needed for your move and can help you get the proper documentation before your move.
Moving Company
Choosing the best moving company has a huge impact on the cost of moving a mobile home and is one of the few things you can shop around for to lower your costs. Prices vary from company to company. Some companies may charge the move differently, such as by weight and distance or by how long the move will take. It’s important to compare multiple quotes to see which pricing structure will work best for your situation.
Transport-Only vs. Full-Service Move
Most moving companies offer two types of moves for mobile homes: transport-only or a full-service move. A transport-only move includes attaching the move-ready mobile home to a vehicle, moving it to a new location, and removing it from the vehicle. It also includes any needed permits and liability insurance. Transport-only moves are less expensive and range from $1,000 to $3,500 for a 60-mile move.
A full-service move handles more aspects of your home, such as disconnecting utilities, skirting, and any attached structures, and then reconnecting them at the new location. However, this is a more expensive option and ranges from $4,000 to $25,000 or more for a move up to 60 miles.
Foundation Type
Not all mobile home foundations are the same, and moving company prices may vary depending on your type of foundation and the type of new foundation. For example, a slab foundation may be less expensive than securing the home to a block foundation.
Set-Up Services
In addition to transportation charges, many professional movers charge a flat fee for taking down and setting up the mobile home at its new location. Some of these services include reconnecting utilities, removing and reinstalling a deck or skirting, and securing the home to the foundation. Setup fees can run from $3,000 to $4,000, but prices can vary depending on the moving company or if a homeowner needs to hire a professional to reconnect the utilities.
Switching Utilities
You will need to disconnect utilities like electricity, gas, plumbing, and internet and reconnect them at the new location. While disconnecting utilities usually doesn’t cost anything, your movers may charge you to hire a plumber or other subcontractors to reconnect them.
Escorts For the Moving Truck
Escort or pilot vehicles help keep other cars away from the moving truck and guide it along the safest, broadest roads. These escorts cost between $1.50 and $3.50 per mile. Sometimes only one pilot vehicle is needed, while other times the mover will use multiple escort vehicles to stay safe. For very long-distance moves, the move may require additional permits and police escorts, which increases your total bill and requires more logistics.
Repairs
Many mobile homes need some repairs, such as fixing flat tires or replacing a hitch, before they are considered “move ready.” Moving companies will make these repairs, but homeowners will be charged for these services. Here are a few common items manufactured homeowners might repair or replace before a move:
Tires: $50 per tire
Axle: $100–$200
Hitch: $200–$300
DIY Moving a Mobile Home vs. Hiring a Pro
While you may want to try moving yourself to save money, it’s illegal to move a mobile home by yourself. A moving company ensures the home is safely transported and is done according to local regulations. Work with a licensed mobile home moving company to obtain a moving permit and check the building codes and other laws for where you’re moving. Trust moving companies near you to handle your mobile home move and you can rest assured that everything is done safely and according to local laws.
There are some parts of the move you can do yourself to save some extra money, such as moving your own belongings. The average cost to hire movers is $900 to $2,500, but that figure can increase significantly based on location, distance traveled, and amount of belongings.
Cost of Common Add-Ons
Movers can also offer additional services during your move to help you with the process, but those service costs can add up. If you have additional structures to move, such as a shed or a deck, those will be added on as extra charges. Here are estimates of common add-ons movers charge homeowners:
Moving a portable building (shed or garage): $340–$600
Packing belongings: $220–$2,220
Moving belongings: $1,300–$2,500
Ongoing Expenses
When planning a mobile home move, check the ongoing expenses for the new lot. Your next destination may have different or additional fees, so you’ll want to budget accordingly. Compare ongoing costs such as:
Lot rent: Rent includes basic services and trash removal, with costs between $300 and $500 per month, but prices vary greatly based on location.
Insurance: Insurance fees often change based on the location of the mobile home, so you’ll need to update insurance and expect some changes. Mobile home insurance costs between $300 and $1,000.
New taxes: Taxes may change based on location and between states. Property taxes are based on a percentage of the property value (usually under 1%), and states consider mobile homes as “real property” for this purpose even if they are also personal property.
Cost to Move a Manufactured Home
It can be difficult to tell the difference between a manufactured home and a mobile home. It’s primarily an evolution in terms used by HUD. After 1976, HUD started describing mobile homes and manufactured homes. All modern mobile homes (particularly those in condition to move) are manufactured homes, and the term mobile home is less common these days.
Technically, the term “mobile home” means a manufactured home that’s now too old to move at all, but colloquially the names are interchangeable. Our prices above apply to manufactured homes with no significant differences.
Cost to Move a Modular Home
Don’t confuse a manufactured home with a modular home. A modular home is made of pieces built in a factory and designed for swift assembly. But a modular home is designed to stay in one spot with a permanent foundation and permanent utility hookups like a traditional residential house. The cost to build a modular home is $100 to $200 per square foot.
Modular homes are much more expensive to move than mobile or manufactured homes. The cost to move an entire house is between $15,000 and $200,000, or $12 and $16 per square foot.
How to Save Money on the Cost to Move a Mobile Home
Moving can be expensive. The good news is there are a few ways homeowners can cut down on costs while moving their mobile home:
Declutter your items: The fewer items you have to move, the faster and less expensive your move will be. Go through your belongings now to see if there’s anything you can donate, recycle, or throw away. Bonus? There will be less boxes to unpack later.
Pack and move your belongings yourself: Packing and moving your belongings on your own can save thousands of dollars. Try to pack and move as much as you can yourself and have the movers handle heavy or complicated items, such as a piano or major appliances.
Get multiple quotes: Get quotes from at least three mobile home moving companies in your area to find the best price. The pricing structure may vary from company to company, so it’s important to ask what services are included in the quote. Additionally, don’t be afraid to ask for references from each company to see if past customers had success with them.
Complete pre-move repairs yourself: If your mobile home needs a few repairs before moving, consider making those improvements yourself. Remove window unit air conditioners, and make sure tires, axles, and the hitch are in move-ready condition.
Move during the off-season: Movers will often charge more for moves during the summer or on weekends because the demand is much higher. Whereas a winter move usually costs less. Work with your moving company and be flexible to find a time that is less in demand and as a result, will be less expensive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You’ll at least need a permit in the state you’re moving from and the state you’re moving to (if applicable). If you’re moving across multiple states, you may need a permit in each state you drive the mobile home through. Your moving company can help you obtain these permits.
Mobile homes weigh anywhere between 45 to 50 pounds per square foot. Some newer options weigh up to 70 pounds per square foot. An average single-wide mobile home weighs 45,000 pounds, and a double-wide mobile home weighs about 70,000 pounds. Triple-wide mobile homes range from 90,000 to 100,000 pounds.
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, mobile homes built before 1976 do not meet the current safety standards and shouldn’t be moved even a short distance.
It depends on your lease with the mobile home park. Most parks ask residents to provide written notice 30 days before moving. Consult your current mobile park for specific move-out details before moving.
The cost to demolish a single-wide mobile home ranges from $3,000 to $5,000, including debris disposal. A double-wide mobile home will cost $4,000 to $7,000 to demolish and remove debris.