Mobile Home Movers: A Complete Relocation Guide

Before anything else, assess the terrain, access points, and any obstacles at your intended destination. A thorough site evaluation helps determine necessary groundwork—such as clearing debris, grading, and leveling—to safely accommodate your home.

Every state and county enforces specific rules for mobile home relocations. You must obtain transport permits and comply with zoning laws before transport a mobile home. In Maryland, for example, proof of title, paid taxes, and current lot rent (if in a park) are prerequisites for scheduling movers; most companies require 30–45 days’ notice due to high demand for mobile home movers.

Professional mobile home movers bring licensed, bonded, and insured services—including permit assistance, specialized trailers, and escort vehicles—to minimize risk and streamline logistics. They handle blocking and leveling, utility hookups, and even skirting installation, ensuring your home is ready upon arrival.

While a DIY move can cut costs, it demands significant expertise, equipment rentals (lowboy trailers or axle kits), and strict adherence to legal requirements—failure to meet code can result in fines or denied permits. Moreover, moving technicians at the destination must reconnect your utilities, an often costly and time-consuming process.

Pack and stow all interior and exterior fixtures—furniture, appliances, decorative elements—to prevent shifting during transit. Use straps, padded covers, and storage containers for smaller items, ensuring nothing damages the walls or windows.

Shut off and cap all utility connections, including water, gas, electricity, and sewer connections. Coordinate with service providers to schedule disconnections and reconnections, avoiding last-minute delays. In colder climates, winterize plumbing to prevent pipe damage during transport.

Inspect the foundation anchors, undercarriage, and roof for weaknesses. Reinforce any vulnerable areas—such as loose siding or skirting—to withstand jacking and hauling. A professional pre-move inspection can identify potential issues before they become costly problems during transit.

Mobile homes travel on specialized flatbed trailers, lowboy trucks, or axle kits—equipment selected based on width, length, and weight. Single-wide homes often fit on a single extended trailer, while double-wide models may require folding in half or multiple trips, depending on dimensions.

Your route must avoid narrow roads, low-clearance bridges, and weight-restricted zones. Escort vehicles provide safety warnings and traffic control during oversized loads, a legal requirement in many jurisdictions.

Distance significantly impacts cost and duration. Local relocations (under 60 miles) can often be completed in a day, while cross-state moves may span several days, factoring in travel time, rest stops for drivers, and permit windows. Typical costs for single-wide moves within 100 miles range from $1,000 to $5,000; double-wide and longer distances push totals between $4,000 and $12,000.

Once your home arrives, ensure the site is prepared—graded, compacted, and free of debris. Movers will block and level the structure, a critical step to maintain door, window, and plumbing function.

Licensed electricians and plumbers must reconnect your electrical, water, gas, and sewage systems. Confirm all permits are closed out, and schedule inspections if required by local authorities to verify code compliance.

Conduct a comprehensive walkthrough: look for transport-related damage, test all utilities, and address any cosmetic or structural issues immediately. Prompt maintenance preserves home value and safety.

Single-wide vs. double-wide affects equipment needs and permit tiers.

Per-mile fees typically range $5–$15 per mile, with flat rates for moves under regional thresholds (Moving Costs (2025 Guide) – This Old House).

Fees vary by state; expect permit costs of $200–$1,000 depending on load dimensions.

Professional site prep and hookups add $1,000–$3,000.

Skirting installation, debris clearing, and temporary storage incur extra charges, often $500–$2,000 total.