Moving into a mobile home: Part II
In this exclusive series, Movers.com blogger Adam Mandelbaum pries into the often misunderstood world of mobile homes and discusses the special considerations that must be made when purchasing and moving into one. Check back tomorrow Monday for the third and final installment (trust us–it is worth the wait!)!
A beautiful view from this mobile home. Image courtesy ulybug via Flickr with a Creative Commons License
Once you have purchased your mobile home, you will have to figure out how to move it. As with any move, you should hire professionals who have the proper licensing and experience in moving mobile homes.
If you are buying a new or used mobile home directly from a manufacturer or from a dealer, moving it to a new location won’t be too difficult. In most cases, the manufacturer or dealer will be able to deliver the home to your chosen spot. Since the home will be empty and won’t be hooked up to anything, it will be in the perfect condition for transporting.
However, if you buy a mobile home that is already on a lot, or if you currently own one but want to relocate it, the moving process is a lot more involved. Follow these steps to get your mobile home moving.
Make sure your home can be moved
Before you do anything else, find out if your home can actually be transported. Though this shouldn’t be a problem for newer mobile homes, you might not be able to move a home built before 1974. In this year, the Department of Housing and Urban Development began regulating the construction of mobile homes. Any home built prior to this may not be structural sound, and most mobile home movers won’t agree to move it. Even if the home was built after 1974, make sure it is in good enough condition to be transported.
Find a moving company
If your mobile home is in good enough condition to be moved, contact a few companies specializing in moving mobile homes. As always, make sure they have proper licensing and permits, and, if necessary, find out if they can perform state-to-state moves.
Ask the moving company to perform an onsite estimate. Since the cost will be determined by the size and weight of your home, having them inspect will provide for a more accurate estimate. As the moving companies perform their estimates, they will determine if your mobile home requires any special needs and whether they can accommodate them. For instance, if your home no longer has its original axels, tires, or hitch, or if they aren’t in good condition, the movers can supply you with these things.
Insurance
Since a number of problems can occur while your mobile home is being transported, you should have the trip insured. Most companies that provide mobile home insurance will either have the transportation of your home included in the policy or offered as additional coverage. (next page)
Pages: 1 2
In terms of insurance, would a mobile home be covered under RV insurance or home insurance?
Hi Kade,
Mobile homes, also known as manufactured homes, are generally covered under separate policies. Most major companies (including Geico, Allstate, and MetLife) offer such policies. Check their website or call for additional information.
Best of luck with insuring your mobile home!
-Alex
It is good to see that despite the current economic downturn the vast majority of consumers are continuing to view their homeowners insurance as a priority item of expenditure….
They may very well have to. With the number of things that could happen, I think that insurance is a good idea.
You wouldn’t believe how many times clients have called me and asked me to move a mobile home