Moving a mobile home is complicated. It’s not like simply hauling around a trailer — it requires extensive planning and preparation, permits, and professional expertise. Because of the complexity involved in mobile home moves, it’s important to partner with an experienced company like D&D Home Setters that can help reduce stress and delays and avoid costly mistakes.
If you’re considering a mobile home move, keep reading to learn our expert tips for a smooth experience and the role of an experienced mobile home moving company.
1. Understand the Type and Condition of Your Mobile Home
Keep in mind that double-wide and even triple-wide mobile homes come with additional challenges, typically requiring you to separate the pieces before moving.
Outside of that, the age of the home, whether it complies with HUD guidelines, its structural integrity, and roof stability can all impact transportation logistics, what permits are required, and how much your move will cost. That’s why it’s so important to seek a professional inspection before scheduling a mobile home move so you can gain greater insight into what the moving process will entail.
2. Choose the Right Moving Company
Not all mobile home moving companies are created equal. When you’re comparing your options, verify the companies’ licensing, insurance, and certifications. Choose a company with experience navigating local routes, terrain, and regulations.
Make sure you confirm what services are included: Will they take care of disconnection, transport, setup, leveling, and reconnecting utilities? Will they plan the route and provide escort vehicles? Request a detailed written estimate and timeline so you don’t encounter any surprises with your mobile home move.
3. Plan Your Timeline Early
Timelines can vary based on the weather, road conditions, the moving company’s availability, and how quickly your permit gets processed, so it’s important to give yourself plenty of time to prepare for your mobile home move. Plus, there’s plenty of coordination that needs to be done with utility providers, park managers, and municipalities. Give yourself a good two months to be safe!
4. Secure Permits and Regulatory Approvals
Before embarking on a mobile home move, you’ll need to secure all necessary permits and approvals to avoid fines and delays. Local city, county and state requirements can vary, but you can expect to need oversize load permits, transport permissions, and utility clearance permits. If you don’t want to handle all that red tape by yourself, get help from a moving company that will take care of it for you.
5. Prepare the Home for Transport
Physically moving your mobile home to a new location is only half the battle. You’ll also have to disconnect your utilities safely; remove skirting, decks, porches, and awnings; secure all loose items inside the home; ensure your windows, doors, appliances, and fixtures are protected; drain your water lines; empty propane tanks; and reinforce vulnerable areas if your mover recommends it. Being realistic about how much time and effort these tasks will take is essential for ensuring a smooth mobile home move.
6. Prepare the New Site in Advance
Preparing the new site in advance is absolutely crucial for a mobile home move. Make sure the new pad or foundation is ready to go and properly graded, confirm that the utility hookups are installed, address any drainage or soil stability issues, and plan for crane placement or specialized equipment if needed.
7. Protect Your Investment with Insurance and Documentation
If anything goes wrong during the moving process, you’ll want to have the proper insurance and documentation so you can be taken care of. Consider supplemental transport insurance, take plenty of photos and videos of your home before the move, and keep careful records of serial numbers, condition reports, and permits.
8. Budget for the Full Scope of the Move
Don’t be surprised by unexpected costs. Make sure you budget for the full scope of the move by taking into account the distance, size, setup complexity, necessary permits and escorts, and site prep factors. Ask for a detailed estimate from your moving company so you know exactly what you’re paying for and any additional costs that may arise.
Partner with the Expert Mobile Home Movers at D&D Home Setters
If you live in Utah, there’s no better mobile home movers than the experts at D&D Home Setters. We’ll help you identify potential obstacles before moving day and customize the move plan based on your home’s condition, helping you avoid snags that could derail your plans. Contact us today for a site evaluation, quote, or consultation.
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