Mobile Home Movers Explained

Are you looking to transport your mobile home?

If so, it’s time to invest in a professional mobile home transportation company to help you get the job done.

Despite popular belief, mobile home transportation cannot be done simply by pulling your new home with your truck.

In fact, doing so may even be illegal. In order to legally (and safely) move a mobile home, you’re going to need the proper licensing and equipment.

It turns out your mobile home isn’t quite so mobile after all.

Fortunately, several mobile home moving companies that can help you properly transport your mobile home exist.

But what do they do, exactly? And how much do they cost?

If you’re looking to move your mobile home, you need answers—and you need them now.

That’s why we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to help you understand the mobile home moving process.

Below, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about selecting the mobile home mover right for you. By following the tips provided, you’ll be better able to choose a company that fits your specific needs and demands.

What Are Mobile Home Movers?

Mobile home movers are professionally-licensed companies that can help you move your home the right way.

With the expansion of the mobile home market over the last decade, several new mobile home moving companies have arisen.

These professional companies have the proper licensing and equipment to help you safely move your home.

By investing in a mobile home mover, you can save yourself a lot of time and headache.

There are several advantages to using a mobile home moving company:

• It’s Legal—Unlike if you were pulling your home yourself, using a professional shipping company is legal. (Of course, we’re assuming here that the average citizen doesn’t have the licensing, insurance, or equipment required to legally transport a mobile home).

This means that you can move your home without the worry of incurring any legal troubles. Trust us: if you’re moving into a new house, the last thing you want to have to worry about is the law. Make sure that you’re doing things the right way with a mobile home mover.

• It Saves You Money—Now, this one might seem a little odd at first. You’re paying the movers, right? And their fees often aren’t that cheap.

So how can this save you money?

It’s simple: when you attempt to move your mobile home by yourself without the proper equipment or insurance, you’re likely going to damage your home. Even if you do manage to get it done without catching the eye of the law, chances are that your new home is going to be damaged.

And trust us: damages to your mobile home incurred from illegally transporting it on the back of your truck’s trailer aren’t covered under your insurance policy.

Meaning you’re going to be out a lot of money.

If you plan on moving your mobile home, you’re going to have to be willing to fork over some cash—but mobile home movers are the cheapest and most-effective option.

• It’s Safe—Finally, by using a mobile home moving company, you can help protect your goods as well as the lives of others. Professional movers are trained and have the equipment necessary to avoid costly mistakes on the road.

This means protecting other drivers as well as your new home.

The bottom line is that if you’re not trained in mobile home moving, you’re likely going to encounter several problems along the way. You can eliminate these problems, or at the very least make their likelihood statistically insignificant, by investing in a mobile home mover with the right experience and equipment.

Mobile Home Moving Equipment

Proper mobile home movement requires the right equipment.

Mobile home movers use specialized equipment that can get your home transported safely and effectively.

The specialized tools used by mobile home movers aren’t for personal use—meaning they’re not going to be laying around in your backyard when you decide you want to move your mobile home.

Let’s take a look at a few pieces of heavy-duty moving equipment.

• JADDE 2000—This is used to lift a mobile home unit off the ground and to steer it in certain directions. With the JADDE 2000, difficult maneuvering feats are made easy.
• CSI 115 Platypus—Platypus is used to lift a mobile home and move it into a new location and for joining two sides of a double wide.
• Heavy haul trailers to transport your home, this is not like boat transport or any heavy equipment transport.

These high-powered tools are the favorites of many professional mobile home moving companies because of their ability to get the job done.

Factors Affecting Mobile Home Moving Cost

Several factors must be considered when estimating and calculating the cost of moving your mobile home.

• The Company You Choose—Different companies will have their own pricing structures. Shop around to see if you’re getting a good deal before committing to any one company.
• Permits—One of the trickier aspects of mobile home movement is getting the required moving permits. Depending on where you live, this could be a real pain—and put a real dent in your wallet. The good news is that your mobile home moving company should include this as part of their services, saving you the hassle of attempting to get confusing permits yourself.
• The Distance Traveled—The cost of moving your mobile home will also depend on how far you’re looking to move it. Moving down the road, for instance, isn’t going to cost as much as moving into a new city. You should be prepared to pay large fees if the distance is far—many moving companies will charge an additional hourly fee, and because they drive rather slowly, it can take much longer than the drive normally would.
• Weight of Your Home—The heavier your home, the more you should expect to pay. With mobile homes weighing in the tens of thousands of pounds, costs here can add up pretty quickly. Additionally, it goes without saying that you should expect to spend more moving a double-wide than you would a single-wide trailer. The truth of the matter is that heavier homes are just harder to move. They take more time to move safely and could even require the use of additional equipment. Be prepared to make an extra investment if you’re moving a large home.

More Factors that affects the cost to move a mobile home

• Size of Your Home—The size of your home has an important influence on its transportation costs, as well. If it’s particularly big or bulky, maneuvering your home may require additional time and effort to safely transport. This will result in increased costs on your end.
• Insurance—Professional moving companies will also require that you purchase insurance prior to them transporting your home. This can add to the cost.
• Condition of Your Home—If you’re attempting to move a house that is unfit for travel, you may have to invest in repairs. Taking an unfit home on the road can pose serious safety risks for everyone involved, so your mover will likely require that you have it repaired before transporting it. If your moving company offers to do minor repairs to make it safe for travel, you can expect to pay more for this service.
• Set-Up—Once your home has been transported to its destination, there’s still work left to be done. You can expect to pay the moving company to help you set up and install your home safely in its new location. This much-needed service will come at an additional cost, but it’s well worth it. Having your home safely installed will have to be done at some point anyway, so it’s better to lump it in with your moving costs.

Mobile Home Moving Cost Conclusion

Overall, the cost of moving your mobile home will depend on several influencing factors. Providing an estimate for how much it may take to move your home is almost impossible without knowing the particular circumstances surrounding it.

With that in mind, realize that some mobile home movers can charge $10,000 or more if the conditions are right. While your home might not cost this much to move, it’s always a good idea to call ahead of time to get a freight quote so you can budget appropriately.

Risks of Moving a Mobile Home

There are several risks associated with moving a mobile home. The good news is that with a quality mobile home mover, you can all but eliminate the worst of them.

For starters, there’s always a chance that your home may be damaged sometime during the move or the setup. By hiring experienced professionals, you can reduce this risk substantially.

It’s also possible—but exceedingly rare—to have an accident while moving your mobile home. In this case, both your home and other individuals may be injured.

Steps to Moving a Mobile Home with a Company

If you’re looking to select a mobile home moving company, there are some steps you should follow.

First, it’s a good idea to shop around and see how many companies are in your area. Make sure to call each one for a quote so that you can find the cheapest price.

After contacting a mobile home company, they’ll ask you details about your home and the distance traveled. Some may even come do an inspection—the cost of which, if any, will depend on the company itself.

Once you’ve selected your mobile home company, they will secure the necessary permits to move your home. You’ll be required to purchase insurance for the move before your movers will take on the job.

Typically, a mobile home moving company will transport your home from its old location to its new one as well as set up your home for you.

This can save you time and money in the long run.

Laws Regarding Mobile Home Moving

Different cities and states may have varying laws regarding mobile home moving.

Typically, you’ll be required to secure a permit before being able to transport your home along with a bill a lading.

This is especially true for movers who are looking to enter a new city, county, or state. Make sure that you’re adhering to the law as established in both the area you’re moving from and the area you’re moving to so that you don’t have any hang-ups along the way.

The good news is that professional movers are licensed and will require the necessary permits for you. Having to do this yourself can be a pain, making this one of the top advantages to investing in a professional moving company.

Choosing the Right Mobile Home Mover

The right mobile home mover for you will depend on your personal preferences and circumstances. It’s important that you understand the specific details about each potential mobile home moving company.

You may find that some offer better rates that fit your budget, or you might prefer the quality and track record of another company.

If you’ve got a particularly-large mobile home, it might be better to go with a more-experienced company that has the industry experience of moving homes similar to yours.

For those with more modest-sized mobile homes, a cheaper service may produce results that are just as good.

Make sure to take your specific circumstances into consideration when choosing a company that’s right for you. Because it’s a decision only you can make, it’s important that you decide on a company you feel comfortable using to move your new home.

Why You Should Get Multiple Quotes

Getting multiple quotes can allow you to make a better, more-informed decision when selecting your mobile home moving company.

By getting multiple quotes, you can find the service that best fits your budget. Additionally, you can make sure that you’re not being ripped off or taken advantage of by one particular moving company.

With multiple quotes under your belt, you’ll be able to confidently choose a mobile home mover who can get the job done in the budget you’re looking for. You may even be able to haggle down the price of some services if you know what the competition charges.

Using this, and all the information listed above, you can select a mobile home mover right for you.