Yes, modular homes can be relocated, but the relocation process is not as simple as moving a house. A series of factors are involved – from costs to legal regulations to the specific steps of relocation – that need to be carefully understood. 

If you are considering relocating your modular home, this article will provide you with a complete guide to help you understand the feasibility of the move, what you need to prepare, and the related costs, so that you can make an informed decision.

Can modular homes be relocated a second time?

The “first move” of a modular home is its inevitable journey – from the factory to your land. These houses are built in a modular form (such as independent units such as bedrooms and living rooms) in the factory and then transported to the designated plot. The whole process is efficient and standardized, and usually takes only a few days to complete.

But it should be noted that this “factory transportation” is a one-time positioning. Once the modules are assembled on the foundation and connected to the water and electricity system, the house is considered a permanent building. At this point, if you want to move it again, the difficulty will increase exponentially.

Can an installed modular house be moved a second time?

Yes, but there are conditions. The feasibility of a second move depends on three key factors:

Structural limitations

• Foundation type: If the house is installed on a permanent concrete foundation, disassembly may damage the foundation structure, resulting in a surge in relocation costs. In contrast, houses using screw piles or temporary support frames are easier to move.
• Design intention: Some modular houses are designed for long-term fixed design, and the roof and wall joints may not be able to withstand the vibration of secondary handling.

Transportable House Types

• Single-Section: The overall structure is simple, easy to relocate, and suitable for short-distance transportation.
• Multi-Section: It needs to be disassembled and transported separately, and there may be problems with seam misalignment when reassembling.
• Lightweight design: Houses using steel or light wood structures are easier to carry; traditional heavy wood structures may be rejected by transportation companies due to their heavy weight.

Tip: Single-story, sloping roofs, and houses without complex additional structures have the highest success rate.

Size restrictions

• Road width: Extra-wide modules (such as more than 16 feet) require special transportation permits.
• Bridge height: Low bridges may force detours on transportation routes, increasing costs and time. For example, a 12-foot-high (about 3.6 meters) module can only choose to detour or temporarily remove the roof when encountering a 9-foot height-restricted bridge.

How to quickly determine whether your house can be relocated?

• Check the original design drawings: Confirm whether there is a “secondary relocation” mark.
• Measure the size of the house: Width>16 feet or height>13.5 feet? May need to be disassembled for transport.
• Check foundation type: Poured concrete foundation? Be prepared to pay for additional cutting.

In a nutshell: “Lightweight, small size, temporary foundation”.

Factors to consider before moving a modular home

1. Structural integrity

The structure of a modular home determines the feasibility of its relocation. The home is made up of multiple modules connected together, and its structure needs to be checked before relocation. If the design is complex or damaged, the relocation process may cause damage to the home. Therefore, relocation can only proceed smoothly if the home structure is intact.

2. Distance restrictions

The distance of relocation depends on multiple factors, including terrain, size of the home, and the ability to transport equipment. Short-distance relocation is relatively simple, while long-distance relocation involves more challenges and may require special equipment and higher costs. In addition, road conditions and obstacles will also affect the feasibility and cost of relocation.

3. Legal requirements

Before relocating a modular home, relevant permits and approvals need to be obtained. Mainly including:

• Permit application: Relocation permits and building permits are usually required.
• Zoning regulations: Make sure that the new location allows the installation of the home and complies with local residential zoning regulations.
• Approval process: Some areas may require a review of the relocation process and the compliance of the new location.

Requirements vary from area to area, and all legal procedures must be completed before relocation.

4. Cost Impact

Modular home relocation is usually expensive and can vary depending on the size and complexity of your move. It is important to plan your budget before you move.

Steps to relocating a modular home

Relocating a modular home is a complex process involving multiple steps. Making sure you are prepared for each step can effectively avoid unnecessary trouble and extra costs. Here are the key steps to follow when relocating a modular home:

Step 1: Preliminary preparation

Professional assessment

Check whether the structure of the house is suitable for moving, including:

• Roof integrity (cracks, loose tiles).
• Wall joint stability (especially multi-module houses).
• Foundation type (concrete foundation needs to be cut, temporary pile foundation can be directly removed).

Legal preparation

1. Original plot permit: Apply for relocation permit from the local planning department (takes 1-4 weeks).
2. Interstate transportation: Module width > 8.5 feet requires a special transportation permit from the US DOT.
3. New plot requirements:

• Confirm that the new foundation meets local building codes (such as earthquake resistance standards).
• Check whether the water, electricity, and sewage systems are compatible.

Step 2: Disassembly and preparation

Before relocation, you first need to fully prepare the house. The main steps include:

Disconnect all utilities: Make sure the house’s electricity, water and gas connections are completely disconnected to avoid safety hazards during the relocation process.

Remove all internal items: Before relocation, the house must be cleaned and all furniture, appliances and other items must be removed to ensure that there are no items inside and outside the house that may interfere with the relocation.

Protect the house structure: Measures need to be taken to ensure that the house will not be damaged during the relocation process. This includes reinforcing the connections between modules to prevent them from loosening or breaking during transportation.

Step 3:Transportation

House transportation is the most critical step in the relocation process. The moving company will use appropriate equipment to transport the house from the original location to the new location based on the size and design of the house.

• Choose the right transportation equipment: Choose the right transportation tools and vehicles, such as large trailers or special transportation vehicles, based on the size and weight of the house.

• Clear the relocation path: Check the transportation route to ensure that the road is free of obstacles and is wide enough to accommodate the transportation equipment. If necessary, obstacles such as trees or buildings may need to be cleared.

• Safety check during transportation: Make sure the house is properly protected during transportation to avoid structural damage due to shaking or unstable transportation.

Step 4: Reinstallation

Once you arrive at the new location, the next steps to be completed include:

Build a new foundation: The relocated house usually needs a new foundation. Depending on the soil type and terrain of the new location, a concrete foundation or other suitable foundation structure may need to be rebuilt.

Reconnect utilities: Make sure utilities such as electricity, water pipes and natural gas are restored to ensure that the house can be used normally.

Inspection and repair: During the relocation process, the house may have minor damage. After the relocation, the house needs to be inspected in detail and any problems that may have occurred need to be repaired.

Obtain a use permit: Check whether the house meets safety and building codes. After the inspection is completed, you may need to apply for and obtain a new use permit to ensure that the house can be legally occupied.

How much does it cost to move a modular home?

Cost composition

• Transportation costs: Depends on the size of the home (single or multiple modules) and the distance you move. Additional costs include special equipment (such as cranes) and over-limit permit fees.
• Disassembly and installation costs: Includes labor and equipment costs for removing additional structures (porches, garages), disassembling modules, and reassembling.
• New foundation costs: Concrete foundations are more expensive and must comply with the building codes of the new plot: temporary pile foundations or brackets are relatively inexpensive.
• Legal and insurance costs: Includes transportation permits, new plot approvals, and insurance (covering transportation damage and third-party liability).
• Utility connection fees: The cost of connecting or modifying the water, electricity, and sewage systems of the new plot.

Key influencing factors

• Relocation distance: Short distances are more efficient, while long distances may face cross-state regulatory differences and route restrictions.
• Road conditions: Narrow roads, height-restricted bridges, or complex terrain (such as mountainous areas) will increase transportation difficulties and costs.
• Regulatory differences: Cross-state relocations must comply with the destination’s building standards (such as earthquake and wind resistance requirements), and may require additional testing or modifications.
• Modular House Design: Single-module houses are cheaper to transport, while multiple modules need to be disassembled and transported separately, which may incur additional repair costs when reassembled.
• Season and time: Winter transportation may be delayed by weather, but some companies offer off-season discounts.

How to reduce costs: Tips and strategies to reduce moving costs

Although the cost of moving a modular house is higher, you can reduce costs in the following ways:

Choose the right time to move: Choose an off-season to move, and avoid moving during high-demand periods (such as summer or vacation). This way, the cost of transportation and permit application may be lower.

Shorten the distance to move: Try to choose a new location that is close to you, which can greatly reduce transportation costs. Plan your route in advance to avoid long detours.

Simplify house preparation: Minimize unnecessary repairs and preparations before moving. You can effectively save costs by ensuring that the house structure is stable and making it easier to disassemble and move.

Get multiple quotes: Get quotes from different moving companies and compare them to choose the one with the best price-performance ratio for the move. Different companies may offer different services and prices, so make sure you choose the option that best suits your needs.

Bring some of your own facilities: If possible, consider doing some of the preparation work yourself, such as dismantling non-structural parts of the interior facilities or clearing transportation routes. These measures can reduce overall costs.

Is it worth moving into a modular home? Alternatives

1. Build a new home on a new property
   • If relocation is too expensive or the new location is not suitable for relocation, building a new home from scratch may be a better option. This avoids the problems during relocation and allows you to customize the home to your new needs.
2. Sell and replace the home
   • If relocation is not suitable, selling the existing home and purchasing a new modular home is also a solution. This avoids the hassles of relocation and gets a new home that better suits your needs.

If you are considering relocation of modular housing, or are looking for a more flexible living or office space, our temporary modular buildings are an ideal solution. Whether as temporary housing, offices, or other purposes, our modular buildings can provide fast and economical options to meet your diverse needs. Contact us now to learn more about temporary modular buildings and find the solution that best suits you!

FAQs

1. Can modular homes be moved multiple times?

Modular homes can theoretically be moved multiple times, but each move increases the risk of structural damage and costs. As the number of moves increases, the stability and overall condition of the home may be affected, so multiple moves are uncommon.

2. How far can you move a modular home?

In theory, there is no distance limit, but the distance a modular home can be moved is often limited by road conditions and handling equipment. Short-distance moves are simpler, while long-distance moves may require more time, cost, and special equipment. The longer the distance you move, the more complicated and expensive the process.

3. How long does it take to move?

The time it takes to move a modular home depends on several factors, such as the distance of the move, the complexity of the route, and the acquisition of relevant permits. In general, a move can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. In particular, if multiple permits are required or complex terrain is involved, the timeline may be delayed.

4. Will the home depreciate after the move?

It may depreciate by 10%-30%, depending on transportation losses and the market’s acceptance of used modular homes.

5. Can I live in the vehicle during transportation?

No. The house must be cut off from water and electricity, and the transportation company will not allow people to stay for safety reasons.