Moving your mobile home might seem like a great idea until you see the cost. While a local move can run around $3,000, long-distance moves can soar up to $20,000. In this guide, we’ll break down those expenses and share smart ways to save money without compromising your home’s safety, helping you decide whether moving or selling makes more sense. If you’re leaning toward selling, Mobile Home Cash Offer can help you sell your mobile home for cash quickly and easily.
Average Cost to Move a Mobile Home
How much does it cost to move a mobile home, you ask? You’re looking at $5,000 to $15,000 for most moves. This gets you professional movers, permits, and basic setup at your new place. Your costs might jump higher or drop lower based on your specific situation. Companies’ prices move based on size and distance, which makes sense when you think about it. Short hops under 50 miles won’t hurt your wallet as much as cross-state moves. If you want them to handle utilities and site prep, too, you need to double your budget real quick.
Of course, where you live affects the cost of moving your mobile home big time and this catches a lot of people off guard. Rural movers charge less than city companies, but they might not offer all the services you want. Some places have crazy regulations that pile on extra permits and inspections.
Single-Wide Mobile Home Transport Costs
Single-wides give you the best bang for your buck when it comes to moving costs. These 14-foot-wide homes run 600 to 1,300 square feet. You’ll pay $4,000 to $8,000 for a standard move within 100 miles. Transport-only runs $1,000 to $3,500 for short trips. Full-service moves cost $6,000 to $12,000, but they handle the headaches for you with way less stress and are often worth every penny when you’re juggling work and family commitments.
Double-Wide Mobile Home Moving Expenses
Double-wides can be complicated to move, and it shows up in your final bill. These homes are split into two pieces for the move, then get put back together at your new spot. All that extra work pushes costs to $8,000 to $15,000. Long hauls for double-wides can hit $20,000 or more once you factor in all the extras. You need permits for oversized loads, escort cars, and multiple days of labor.
Some companies charge for each half separately, which feels like getting charged twice, but reflects the actual work involved.
Triple-Wide Manufactured Home Transportation
Triple-wides are the luxury option, and their moving costs match that premium status. These monsters need special equipment and serious planning. Costs start at $15,000 and climb past $25,000 for difficult moves. Lots of moving companies won’t touch a triple-wide mobile home because of the difficulty involved. Too much hassle and liability for companies that aren’t specialized.
The ones that do it often have waiting lists and charge premium prices for their rare skills.
Cost Factors That Affect Mobile Home Moving
Distance and Transportation Costs
Companies charge $4 to $6 per mile for the main truck, plus extra for escort cars when needed. Those per-mile charges add up fast on long trips, sometimes making up half your total bill for your mobile home. Short moves under 50 miles sometimes get flat rates instead of per-mile pricing.
Moving across state lines means headaches and costs that many people don’t see coming. You need permits from every state you pass through. Some states make you stop for inspections. Interstate moves also require special insurance and licenses, which companies pass along to you.
Mobile Home Size and Weight
Bigger homes need bigger equipment and more specialized handling, which translates directly to higher costs. Single-wides fit on regular truck trailers easily. Double and triple-wides need custom setups that cost way more to operate. Weight matters too, especially when you’re dealing with older homes that used heavier materials. A chunky 1,200-square-foot mobile home can weigh 60,000 pounds. That’s serious weight that demands serious equipment.
Oversized homes often need escort cars, road closures, or special routes to dodge low bridges and tight spots.
Age and Condition of Your Home
Homes built before 1976 don’t meet today’s HUD rules and might be illegal to move into in some places. That kills the deal right there and forces you to consider other options. Moreover, water damage, bugs, and normal wear can weaken your home’s frame over the years. Moving companies often want professional inspections on older homes and might demand repairs before they’ll touch them.
Even simple things like custom porches or unusual skirting can complicate the move.
Set Up Services and Site Preparation
A ready site with utilities, level ground, and permits keeps costs down. Raw land that needs clearing and utility work can add $10,000 or more to your project. Site prep usually means hiring other contractors besides your moving company. Foundation rules change everywhere based on local codes, and this is where research pays off.
Some places accept cheap pier foundations for a few thousand bucks while others want expensive permanent foundations that can cost $15,000 or more.
Breakdown of Mobile Home Moving Costs
When moving a mobile home, you might think it’s just paying someone to drive your house down the road, but there’s way more happening behind the scenes. Every successful move involves dozens of moving parts that all cost money.
Labor and Equipment Expenses
Labor makes up a huge chunk of your moving bill, and honestly, these people earn every penny since they need to safely disconnect your home, load it onto specialized trailers, and set it back up without destroying your sanctuary. Equipment costs add up fast, too. Moving companies need heavy-duty trucks, custom trailers, hydraulic jacks, and tons of specialized gear that costs serious money.
Plus, all that machinery needs maintenance, insurance, and enough fuel to empty your wallet.
Permits and Inspection Fees
Permits are completely unavoidable and surprisingly expensive at $500 to $3,000, depending on your move. Inspections come with permits at $250 to $500 each, but they beat having your move shut down by officials who love flexing their authority over your plans.
Insurance and Liability Coverage
Moving companies carry liability insurance, but basic coverage often protects just the transport part. This leaves you hanging during loading, unloading, and setup when things actually go wrong. Additional insurance runs $300 to $1,500 but lets you sleep at night instead of worrying about disasters, and some homeowners’ policies might already cover transport. Call your agent and hope for good news buried in your policy.
Utility Disconnection and Reconnection
Disconnecting utilities at your old site costs $200 to $800, which seems reasonable until you realize you’re paying someone to essentially unplug your house from everything. Reconnection at your new spot hits $1,000 to $5,000 or more if you’re heading somewhere remote. And don’t forget about deposits and activation fees, since utility companies love collecting fees.
Additional Costs to Consider
Beyond the obvious moving costs, several surprise expenses can also arise. These aren’t scams exactly. They’re legitimate costs that somehow nobody mentions until you’re writing checks and wondering where all your money went.
Site Preparation and Foundation Work
Raw land looks peaceful and cheap until you try to put a house on it. Land clearing costs $700 to $5,000, and grading adds another $400 to $2,000 because your home is pickier about being level than you thought. Foundation work is also expensive. Simple pier setups cost $1,500 to $4,000, while permanent foundations demanded by some areas hit $8,000 to $15,000 or more.
Always check local requirements before falling in love with a spot that has brutal foundation rules. If the regulations or setup costs seem overwhelming, you can explore a simpler option and sell your mobile home for cash in Texas or nearby states for a fast and hassle-free solution.
Escort Vehicles and Police Permits
Oversized loads need escort vehicles costing $1.50 to $3.50 per mile that stick with you for the whole trip. Meanwhile, police escorts cost even more at $100 to $300 per hour and might be required whether you want them or not. Basically, they will make you pay premium rates to crawl through town while everyone stares at your house rolling by.
Repair Costs for Older Manufactured Homes
Older homes often need work before hitting the road. Unfortunately, many moving companies refuse to touch sketchy floor joists, busted axles, and ancient tires until you fix everything for $1,000 to $5,000. Structural work gets expensive when your home has sagged over the years. Reinforcement can cost $2,000 to $8,000, depending on how much backbone your house needs.
How to Save Money on Mobile Home Moving Costs
Everyone wants to save money on their move. That’s understandable! When moving your mobile home, you have several opportunities to cut costs without sacrificing safety. You just need to know where to be smart about it, and also how to transfer a mobile home title online to avoid extra hassle.
DIY Preparation and Packing
You can knock $1,000 to $3,000 off your bill by handling prep work yourself instead of paying the moving crew to do it.
This involves:
- Disconnecting utilities
- Removing skirting
- Securing loose items inside your home
- Taking down awnings or porches
Packing and moving your personal belongings separately saves even more money since you won’t need the movers to handle your furniture and stuff. Just make sure your home is completely empty before moving day.
Timing Your Move for Lower Rates
Moving companies charge more during busy seasons, just like hotels do when demand is high. Summer months and weekends cost the most because that’s when everyone wants to move. Schedule your move for fall or winter if possible. Also, aim for weekdays instead of weekends to get better rates. Booking as far in advance as you can manage also gets you better prices.
Getting Multiple Quotes from Moving Companies
Never hire the first company you call, even if they seem great on the phone. Get quotes from at least three different companies to see how their prices and services compare.
Ask each company to break down their quote so you can see exactly what you’re paying for. The cheapest quote isn’t always the best deal if it doesn’t include stuff you’ll need anyway, especially if you’re looking to sell your mobile home for cash in Maryland or nearby states.
Choosing the Right Mobile Home Moving Companies
The right company saves you money in the long run by avoiding damage and delays. You want pros who know what they’re doing, not some guy with a truck who thinks moving houses is just like moving furniture! We suggest checking if the companies you’re considering have proper licensing and insurance for mobile home moves, since this isn’t regular moving. Your case requires special permits and equipment that not every company has.
Look for companies that specialize in mobile homes rather than general movers who just say they can handle your house. Specialists know the tricks and potential problems that come with manufactured home moves. Also, it’s important to ask about their experience with homes similar to yours in size and age. A company that mostly moves new single-wides might not be the best choice for your older double-wide that needs extra care. Get details about what’s included in their quote and what costs extra. Clear answers upfront prevent surprises later when you’re already committed to the move.
Cost of Moving vs. Buying a New Mobile Home
Here’s the big question! Should you spend all this money moving your current home, or just sell it and buy a new one at your destination?
The answer depends on your home’s condition, how far you’re moving, and what’s available where you’re going. Sometimes moving makes perfect sense, and other times you’re better off starting fresh. A decent used mobile home in good condition can cost $30,000 to $80,000, depending on size and location. Plus, you’ll need financing unless you’re paying cash. Add in the costs of setting up a new home on your lot, and you might spend more than moving your current home would cost. But if your move is going to cost $20,000 or more, and your home isn’t in great shape, starting fresh might be the smarter option.
Key Takeaways: How Much Does It Cost to Move a Mobile Home in 2025? Costs, Tips & Alternatives
As we’ve revealed in this guide, the average cost to move a mobile is between $5,000 and $20,000, depending on size, distance, and services you need.
Single-wides are cheapest to move while triple-wides can get seriously expensive, especially for long-distance relocations. Your biggest cost drivers are distance, home size, age, and condition, plus all the extras like permits, escorts, and site preparation.
You can save money on your moving costs by doing prep work yourself, timing your move for off-peak seasons, and getting multiple quotes from specialized mobile home movers. But don’t skimp on important stuff like proper insurance, permits, and experienced crews. Cheap movers can end up costing you way more if they damage your home or mess up the setup.
Ultimately, selling to a mobile home cash buyer beats the hassle and expense of moving, especially for older homes or really long moves. Mobile Home Cash Offer can help you learn more about this option. Contact us at 214-444-6375 for a no-obligation offer. Get started today!
| ADVERTISEMENT | ADVERTISERS | INFORMATION | INSURER | INSURANCE COMPANY | UTILITY COMPANIES |
| TRUCK | AMERICAN | HOMEADVISOR | HOME IMPROVEMENT | TIRES | DATA |
| MOBILE HOME PARK | TAXES | POLICE | FLORIDA | INBOX | |
| POLICE ESCORT | NEWS | MORTGAGING | MORTGAGE | FLAT RATE | FLAT FEE |
| DEBRIS | CARS | CALIFORNIA | ARIZONA | IT COST TO | THE COST TO |
| COST TO MOVE | DOES IT COST | MOVING COMPANY TO | THE MOVING COMPANY | AVERAGE COST TO | MOBILE HOME INSURANCE |
| PER SQUARE FOOT | A POLICE ESCORT | IT COST TO MOVE | MUCH DOES IT COST | COST TO MOVE A | DOES IT COST TO |
| THE COST TO MOVE | POUNDS PER SQUARE FOOT | AVERAGE COST TO MOVE | THE AVERAGE COST TO | SHARE MY PERSONAL INFORMATION |