The Cost of Moving a House: Is it Worth it?

By: ROS Team

Moving a house is a concept many might consider ‘out of the box.’ Yes, it is complex but very much possible. Moving a house is not similar to mobile homes; in this case, it means uprooting an established home from its foundations and relocating it to a brand new homesite.

Many wonder why on earth someone would do this rather than simply find a new home. But folks, everyone has their reasons.

In most cases, houses could be historically significant which could justify the desire to move them. Here is everything that you need to know about the cost of moving house.

Cost to Move a House:

Moving a house is not like buying a new home where you find out the exact cost of the house. Physically moving home is a process where every step in the process may significantly influence the cost. To calculate a reasonable estimate, consider calculating $10 to $15 per square foot.

Related Article: How To Calculate Price Per Square Foot

There are a host of factors that determine the cost of moving a house. They include:

1- Size:

Size does matter, especially when moving a house. The cost of moving a house is directly proportional to how big the house is. So there’s no standard cost since it will vary depending on the house you intend to move to.

Note: Modular homes are easier to move than traditional homes.

2- Weight:

Similar to the size, the weight of the house impacts the total price of the move since movers have to locate special equipment designed to move heavier homes.

3- Design:

The simpler the design the lower the cost. Houses with complex floor plans and designs are tougher, and thus more expensive, to move.

4- Structure:

In addition to size and weight, the structure of the house also affects the price of moving the home. Although it does not affect the process of moving the home, companies often consider the structure when giving a price quote.

5- Accessibility:

Accessibility is one of the main factors that can impact moving a house. There are fewer potential obstacles if you only need to move the house over a few yards versus if the plan is to move it to another street.

Things like power lines and trees significantly increase the risk involved. In addition, road width and low-hanging tree branches may pose an additional risk during the moving process.

Open areas are easy to work with, so moving out of and to these areas is cheaper than smaller, confined areas.

6- Labor:

Last but not least, the amount of physical labor and machinery required to move the house adds up. You also would need to buy adequate insurance in case anything goes wrong.

Note: Moving professionals usually conduct an on-site visit of both the current and new homesites before quoting a price.

Most Common Reasons to Move a House:

Moving a house has a significant cost attached to it. The cost of moving home is more than 50% of the average cost of a newly constructed home, so it has to make sense if it is worth the effort.

• A house that has historic significance deserves to be moved if there is a risk of demolition at the current location.
• It makes sense to move a house if you love the architecture of the home but don’t like the surroundings or neighbors as much.
• One of the most common reasons is that the owner wants to move the house to a nearby lot and there are no obstacles or restrictions to doing so.
• Sometimes owners only consider building up a home if they live in an area that floods or if the foundation is failing.

How the Moving Process Works:

The Move Takes Place in Several Stages:

• First, the owner is supposed to consult with an architect or engineer about moving their home. Together, they can chart out a plan for how it can be executed safely and apply for the necessary permits.
• Upon getting the permits, engineers and contractors can proceed with the move.
• The contractor will visit the site and clear out a crawlspace to uproot the foundation and disconnect any other links such as utility pipes and electrical wiring.
• Before actually moving a house, the contractor will finalize the route to the new homesite and clear away any obstacles like power lines and low-hanging tree branches. It may be necessary to work with city officials to coordinate traffic control.
• The company then sends workers to dig in, driving holes in the foundation and installing a jacking system that will be used for lifting and moving the house. It might sound simple but this involves a great deal of labor and sophisticated machinery to complete.
• The company moves the house to its new destination and offloads it onto a steel structure.
• At the new site, a new foundation is laid and laborers will place the house and re-establish its utility connections.

FAQs

Can you Move a Two Story House?

It is technically possible to move a two-story house, but it requires specialized equipment, expertise, and permits.

What Risks Are Associated with Moving a Home?

Some risks associated with moving a home include potential structural damage, utility and infrastructure issues, transportation challenges, permit and regulatory issues, and potential cost overruns.

Can I Finance the Cost of Moving a House?

Yes, some financial institutions may offer loans specifically for moving houses, although the availability and terms may vary.

In Conclusion:

Well, materials and transportation are no longer the only issues involved with moving home. Thanks to technology and sophisticated machinery, these aspects do little to impede the relocation process.

Accessibility should be the primary concern when thinking about relocating a house, especially if you have to move house to a new home site several blocks away. Then other factors like power lines, traffic, and tree limbs become an issue.

You will also need to work with your local utility companies to discuss the possibilities of moving your home. They may be able to create a route for your relocation and charge you for their services. In addition, make sure the transport vehicle can support the weight, size, and overall structure of the house.

These things matter the most when moving home. Once these things are managed moving any house is very much possible. Bear in mind that the price to move a house will vary depending on the house.

Related Article:

How Much Does It Cost To Build A House?
How Much Does It Cost To Manage Living In NYC?