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Have property, but don't want to build? Do you need to preserve a historic
structure? Or maybe zoning requirements are changing, but you'd prefer to move
a house rather than lose it? Then maybe it's time to consider
moving your house.
The Preparation
The average home weighs between dozens to several hundreds of tons-and so
it's safe to say that moving the structure of a house is a huge undertaking.
First, a structural specialist will need to come in and make sure the house is
safe to move. If so, a moving company will come in with jacks, timbers and other
equipment to lift and support the house as its being towed, to ensure that it
survives the journey.
And that's just the house itself-keep in mind that you'll likely
need to hire contractors to remove wiring, plumbing, drywall and foundation supports
for before the move, as well as to set it all back up at the new location.
The Money
The costs involved in moving your house varies based on the size of the home and
distance of the move. Here are some particulars to keep in mind:
- How big is your home? Generally speaking, small one-story homes will be the
easiest, and therefore cheapest, to move.
- Bigger structures are possible to move-nearly anything is-but
you need to make sure that the structure is sound. It's a big undertaking
and will place a lot of strain on the floor joists and frame of the house. And
if anything goes wrong in the move structurally, then the costs will be higher
to make sure that the home makes the journey in one piece.
- How far are you moving the house? What is the commute like? Is it long and
straight or curvy and bumpy? Are the roads along the way wide enough to accommodate
your home? Your answers will determine how involved and costly the move might
be.
- Utility companies will likely be involved, to move power lines and other public
utilities out of your way as the house is being moved. Map and measure your route,
determine which power lines or other hindrances will need to be moved, and then
contact your local utility companies to find out how much this will cost.
- Also, if you're not doing the work yourself, don't forget the contractors
who will need to come in and take down the wiring, plumbing, drywall and other
home systems-as well as put it all back up once the house has been moved. This
includes preparing the foundation and support systems at the new site.
- Lastly, make sure you talk with your insurance professional, as well as city
representatives who can help you with permits, planning and building and insurance
requirements.
The Decision
The easiest way to move a home, and to determine the cost to move a
house, is to contact a professional moving specialist. They will come
in with a crew, take a look at the house's structure and the proposed moving
spot, and will provide all of the necessary equipment for the job. They should
be able to come out and give you an estimate for the job and, in many cases,
can recommend contractors who can help you coordinate the move. Generally speaking,
you should expect a cost of moving your house (not including the take-down and
set up of home utilities, foundations and other home systems) to be between
$8,000 and $40,000.
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