Moving a tiny home costs an average of $3,000, but prices can range from $1,000 to $5,000 based on the move distance, weight of the house, and who performs the move.
When it comes to determining how much it costs to move a tiny house, budget between $800 and $6,300 if you’re hiring a professional moving company. Homeowners can use a towing service, which costs $1 to $2 per mile, or use flatbed transport, which costs between $2.50 to $3.50 per mile. Let’s review the essential tiny-house moving cost factors, how to save where it counts, and if it’s worth it to DIY your move.
No tiny house is created equal, which is why the costs to move one will depend on various factors. Consider these cost factors when planning your next move.
The weight of your tiny house has a major impact on the overall cost of the move. Your moving or towing company will likely charge you a flat fee based on your tiny house’s weight and size. For example, a tiny house that weighs less than 10,000 pounds will be charged a fee of around $260, while a house between 10,001 and 24,999 pounds will be charged a fee of around $360.
Since you will likely be paying a set rate per mile to move your tiny house, how far you’re moving will play the biggest part in the total cost. Most traditional towing companies charge $1 to $2 per mile, but you may want to get quotes from several moving companies to compare notes. While a cross-country move could cost anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000, a local move within your state may be much less at $150 to $1,000.
While a traditional tow truck service can charge anywhere from $1 to $2 per mile, a flatbed tow truck service can cost $2.50 to $3.50 per mile. A traditional tow truck uses wheel lifts, while a flatbed tow truck uses a tilted bed that can be moved to ground level. If safety is a top priority for you, it’s likely worth the added costs to use a flatbed truck when moving your tiny house, especially if it’s above average size. Using a flatbed tow truck will significantly increase your costs, especially if you’re transporting a larger tiny home across the country.
Similar to moving an entire house, you’ll need to consider the route conditions from your current location to your destination, including trees, power lines, and bridges. It’s best to avoid these road blockers to maintain safety for your driver and the others on the road. If possible, you should also avoid moving your tiny house through rough terrain, tight corners, or the potential for icy or snowy conditions. You may pay more for extra equipment or reroutes that are necessary to the move.
There are other fees that come with the tiny house moving process that it helps to be aware of so you’re not blindsided along the way.
Depending on where you live, your jurisdiction may require specific permits to move your tiny house. Check both where you’re moving from and where you’re moving to to see what permits you’ll need and how much the permits will cost.
Whether you’re DIYing or hiring professional movers, you should purchase moving insurance to cover any potential damages that occur during the move. You can secure full-value protection, which guarantees replacement of the total cost of missing or broken items, or released-value protection, which covers $0.60 per pound per item. Call at least three carriers to compare prices and coverage options to get the most bang for your buck. If you’re not sure where to start, consider contacting tiny home builders or moving companies to see if they can recommend local insurers who can provide an estimate.
If you’re hiring a professional moving or tow truck service, consider getting cash out before moving day so you can provide a tip once the work is complete. A common recommendation is to tip your movers $20 per mover for a full-day move or $4 to $5 per hour per mover if more than one person is helping load and unload the house on the trailer.
If you have the vehicle and equipment necessary to move a tiny house, you won’t have many added costs besides the gas and loading equipment it takes to get to your destination. If you need to rent a vehicle and equipment, you can expect to add those expenses to your moving budget.
Before you rent a truck for towing purposes, it’s important to determine the total weight of your load, not just the weight of your tiny house. You’ll need to factor in the weight of the trailer, any passengers, and cargo since the truck will carry all that weight. Next, you’ll need to look up the towing capacity of the trucks you’re interested in and select the one that works best for you. The average cost to rent a truck for a day ranges from $20 to $115 per day, depending on the model.
If you’re renting a truck for towing, you’ll also need the equipment to secure the tiny house to it. Items like trailer hitches, hitch ball and mounts, and wiring and lighting are necessary to hook the trailer to your truck properly. Check with your friends or family members to see if they have these gadgets on hand for you to borrow, otherwise you can find them online or at your local hardware store. Installing a trailer hitch can cost anywhere from $300 to $850, which can increase your DIY moving costs significantly.
If you’re experienced with towing large structures and have the equipment and vehicle necessary, you’ll save money DIYing this project since you’ll likely only have to pay for gas and equipment costs.
However, if you need to rent a truck, trailer, and other equipment to transport your tiny home, you’ll probably end up paying around the same amount as if you hired professional movers. This type of DIY is reserved for experienced drivers who already own the required tools, so if that’s not you, your best bet is to hire a local moving company or towing service. A professional moving service can ensure that this significant load is secure and prepared for the move, giving you more peace of mind.
There are a few simple ways to save on moving costs, so long as you plan ahead to give yourself ample time to complete the steps below.
The less belongings you have to move, the less you’ll pay. Declutter your tiny house to see what items you can donate or sell before the move. It may even be worth it to see if you can remove certain appliances or furniture pieces before the move and reinstall them once the tiny house is in its new location, since weight is a major cost factor in the moving process.
Allow as much time as possible to secure a moving company or towing service. You’ll have more options for moving companies and moving dates by reserving services several weeks in advance. Plus, you’ll likely be able to secure a moving date in the offseason when movers are likely to charge less due to lower demand. Consider a weekday in the middle of the month during September through April for best results.
Yes, you can move a tiny house on skids, although it will be costly to do so frequently. Skids are essentially hefty timbers you can attach a chain to to move the entire structure. People often build their tiny homes on top of the skids, allowing them to be more portable. However, it’s not as simple of a move as a house on wheels, so it’s a more complicated move.
No, tiny houses don’t have to have wheels. However, if you plan on traveling with your tiny house and want to use it as a transportation method, it’s a good idea to buy a tiny house with wheels or put wheels on one. If you plan to stay put and live full-time in your tiny house, wheels aren’t necessary.
