People who love their homes so much they don’t want to ever leave them behind can move their entire house to a new location. Of course, relocating an entire house can be challenge. Sometimes, it’s not always possible. But what if you want to do it? How much would it cost to move your entire home structure from one place to another?
Cost Of Moving A House
The cost to move a house will depend on the size of the home and how far you're moving it, but typically it costs between $12-18 per square foot for the move. You’ll have many other costs, including permits, building a new foundation, and potential electrical and plumbing costs. A very broad range for a house move will be from $15,000 to $200,000. Several factors will come into play that will determine the price of your house move.
The very low end of the spectrum tends to be reserved for homes that are meant to be movable. These are known as mobile homes, and they come totally outfitted to be ready for the road. Higher prices are for historic homes and larger houses.
What Factors Impact The Cost Of Moving A House?
The most significant factors include the build of your home, the foundation of your house, permits that you may need to obtain, accessories, and the route that your home will have. Here’s what you need to know about each house move factor.
1. Your Home Build
The layout and build of your house will impact how much it costs to move it. Smaller homes (or at least multi-story homes that take up a smaller footprint with less square footage per floor) will be cheaper to move than large, oddly-shaped homes. Moreover, the sturdier your structure is, the more likely it is to be a movable building. This is why mobile homes and modular homes tend to be the best candidates for a house move.
2. The Foundation of Your House
To move your home, workers will have to dig up the house’s foundation. This may increase or decrease the amount of time that workers have to take to prep and move your home. Moreover, builders will need to make a new foundation once the house is moved. So, that can add to the price, too.
3. Move Route
The further you want to move the house, the more the move will cost. It’s also worth pointing out that not all moves are feasible. If the house needs to be moved through spaces that are smaller than the house, it could take extra work or may not even be doable.
4. Accessories
Does your house have a garage, a chimney, or a guest house? In most cases, these are movable too. However, adding these to the move means that you will need to pay extra and that the move will be extra long. Depending on the accessory, you may see a price increase almost equal to the price of moving your main home. This is usually what happens with guesthouses on your property, as well as larger sheds.
5. Permits
Almost every municipality will require you to have permits to move a house to its area. This usually accounts for around 10 to 30 percent of your total moving price tag. Depending on the city, you could have a permit price of $30,000 or higher!
Is Moving A House Worth It?
In most cases, people won’t want to move their home when they hear how much it costs. Moreover, it’s important to realize that moving an entire house isn’t always feasible. Like with any major procedure, there are perks and pitfalls.
When Moving A House Is Worth It
Moving a house can be the right choice if you are dealing with a home you absolutely adore or are looking to preserve a historic building. A move can help bring a house in an at-risk area to a safer region, making it easier to keep it safe from extreme weather.
Some homeowners may move their primary home to a smaller lot when they want to make a larger building on the lot they currently have. This gets rid of demolition costs and can also be viewed as a more environmentally-friendly way to manage the property.
The Risks Of Moving A House
Aside from the price, multiple risks may make the endeavor of moving your house not worth it. At times, it may not even be feasible. Before you consider calling up a company, be aware of the risks below.
1. Breakage
Before you bother calling a moving company, you need to make sure that your home is structurally sound enough to be moved. There have been cases where a home has broken mid-move due to structural problems.
2. Scheduling
In order to move a house, you will need to vacate it for at least two months—if not longer. If you don’t have a place to stay during that time, you will find the move to be pretty darn rough. Make sure you can handle this before you move!
3. Route Choice
Moving a house has to be feasible when it comes to the route you choose. Otherwise, you will end up being unable to get your home to the location that you want. Most moving companies won’t move a house further than 50 miles because of the amount of work it may require.
4. Traffic Permits
Though most areas will allow you to move a house as long as you buy a permit, not all will. Some areas banned house moving due to the impact it can have on local traffic.
5. Accidents
Rare as they may be, accidents can happen. Depending on whether or not it’s on the road, this can lead to serious damage to your home. This is why it’s essential to work with a company that is heavily insured.
How To Understand Your House Move Estimate
When you are dealing with a house moving company, you will need to request an estimate. A house move estimate should include the following fees:
- Labor
- Materials (for the foundation, straps, etc.)
- Moving fees
- Taxes
- Permit fees
- Insurance
When they compile an estimate, the moving team will inspect your home to determine how much work, materials, and effort it will take to move your building safely. From there, they will be able to give you an estimate.
Once you get the estimate, make sure to ask them if there are any fees or items that are not included in what they have. Some companies don’t include all the fees involved and may have additional ones not mentioned in their notes.
Cost of Moving a House Bottom Line
Moving your house might sound like something cartoonish, but it’s a real thing. It’s a process that takes a lot of planning, careful excavation, and advanced logistics, but it can be done.
Depending on the type of home you have, you can expect to pay between $15,000 and $200,000 for a typical house move. Mobile homes have the lowest moving prices, while large and bulky houses cost more to move.
When debating whether a house move is right for you, ask yourself if your home is structurally sound enough to handle the trip. If it is, and you’re willing to pay the price, you might have a good solution for a home location issue.