An exasperating frown appears when you consider the cost and stress of moving your mobile home. As a result, you may begin to wonder, “Is there a way I can move a mobile home for free?” Is it even possible to relocate my mobile home for free? Is that even possible? These are most likely the questions you’re asking right now, but here’s a quick response to them.
Basically, when you take the proper steps, use mobile home parks, and understand the laws governing the mobile home movement, you can honestly move your mobile home for free including in the state of Texas.
Using mobile home parks that are willing to allow you to move in for free is the most common approach to moving your mobile home for free. It isn’t as difficult as it may appear, but you must first understand the laws that govern the movement of your mobile home in order to ensure that you follow them rightly.
Note: Even if you own your own mobile home, there is no such thing as a completely free move. You'll still have to pay professional movers to transport your mobile home to your new location, as well as fees to connect your utilities and any paperwork that may emerge. When people talk about relocating a mobile home for free, they're referring to obtaining moving fees waived by mobile housing lot groups or finding a place that won't charge people to have a mobile home on their property.
Without further ado, let’s set the ball rolling…
Laws & What You Should Know About Moving a Mobile Home
The movement of mobile homes in the United States, including in Texas, is governed by a number of laws. These laws vary depending on the state or county from which you are relocating and the location to which you are relocating. In most cases, the regulations governing mobile homes in your current state may be more lenient or complex than those in the place where you intend to go. As a result, it’s important to know what the restrictions are for your migration. There are five laws that you should be aware of when it comes to moving mobile homes.
#1. You Must Obtain a Moving Permit
The harsh reality is that you will never be able to just rent a truck and move your mobile home without first acquiring a moving permit. The work and fees associated with obtaining a relocation permit have led many individuals to believe that this is an extremely unpleasant undertaking. But don’t worry; this post will teach you how to move a mobile home for free. The moving permit you get, on the other hand, will determine if:
- You have a certificate from the county treasurer stating that the property has no outstanding or delinquent taxes.
- You have a title certificate or a copy of a title certificate. A copy of your application for a certificate of title that you submitted to your state’s department of vehicles may still be required by some counties or states.
To save time and avoid disruptions to your plans, it is highly advised that you obtain all essential paperwork in advance. Basically, slow document acquisition is the same as going slowly.
#2. You Must Be Aware of the Laws That Govern the Area in Which You Are Traveling
Understanding the rules in the area where you’re relocating your home from isn’t enough to ensure that your home arrives safely in its new place. You’ll need to know the rules for moving your mobile home to your new location. There are various complexities in different counties, as the age and size of your mobile home may be given a lot of weight.
If your mobile home is more than fifteen years old, you will be needed to obtain all papers proving the age and structure of the property. That is why you must first determine the legal feasibility of relocating your mobile home in order to ensure that you and your property are prepared to meet all criteria.
#3. You Must Hire Expert Assistance to Relocate Your Mobile Home
Most individuals are unaware that when it comes to relocating their mobile home, the law compels them to hire certified and insured moving firms to assist them in safely moving their home to their new site. This is because not all certified moving firms are capable of moving your mobile home, you must rely on referrals or spend additional time researching the moving business you wish to choose.
#4. You Must Confirm That Your Residence Complies With Hud Guidelines
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development has a set of guidelines that all mobile homes in the country must follow. The HUD Code, which was created in 1976, contains laws for everything related to mobile homes. This has a significant impact on your prospects of relocating.
If your house was built before the HUD Code (1976), you can have some trouble relocating because modern houses are given more care when it comes to mobile home transportation. It is important to note, however, that each county has its own set of rules governing the age limit and structure of mobile homes
#5. Connect All of the Utilities
The majority of people disregard the utility connection, which they later come to regret. To avoid any regrets, hire mobile home carriers or movers who will assist in the installation of all necessary utilities after the property has been transferred. This can save you time and stress from looking for plumbers or electricians; however, if the mobile home moving business is unable to assist, you may need to look for a firm that connects utilities at a reasonable cost.
Why Would a Business Allow Moving Fees to Be Waived?
There are two main reasons why you might be able to find a free spot on a mobile home lot: A high demand for new tenants and a lack of zoning regulations for mobile homes. Only around 5% of all Americans live in mobile homes, and that figure is steadily decreasing. But then, obtaining free move-ins can assist underserved communities in making the most of their land.
Occasionally, communities will waive move-in fees as a strategy to attract new residents. You’ll have a better chance of getting costs waived if you provide a case that demonstrates you’ll be a good community member.
Are “Free Move” Mobile Home Parks a Flawed Investment?
When it comes to moving, people are often advised to learn to despise “freebies,” partly because they sometimes come with strings attached. However, with mobile houses, this isn’t always the case. It’s sometimes just a question of smart business.
It’s not always easy to find people who are willing to live on mobile home lots, which is why several communities are now giving free move-ins as a method to entice potential purchasers. This is particularly true in regions where there are several mobile home communities to select from. Free move-ins give you a leg up on the competition.
Is It Possible To Bargain With Movers?
Depending on the moving firm and the distance traveled, a typical mobile home transfer can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $6,000. However, the majority of people are unaware that you can haggle with movers about the cost of your move.
Most of the time, a few hundred dollars can be shaved off the price with some subtle bargaining. If you are unable to do so, requesting a free service for the same price may be a better option. After all, finding a skirt for a mobile home isn’t always simple.
What Does it Cost to Relocate a Mobile Home?
The cost of relocating a mobile home is determined by a variety of factors. As a result, estimating the typical cost of moving can be challenging since you must consider the distance to your new home, the cost of obtaining a moving permit, set-up services, equipment for carrying the mobile home, and, finally, the size and weight of the house.
Of course, the farther you want to move, the more expensive the relocation will be, and the larger the house, the more expensive the removal will be. When all factors are equal, however, the typical cost of moving a single-wide mobile home could range from $5,000 to $8,000. It’s important to remember that depending on the distance and set-up services, it could cost less or more. Moving costs for a double-wide mobile home might be as low as $10,000 or as high as $12,000.
How to Locate Free Move-In Mobile Home Offers in Your Area
It can be tough to discover a mobile home deals that includes free move-ins, but it is not impossible. These pointers will assist you in locating places that will allow you to move in without paying a fee:
Lookup Mobile Home Communities in the Area You Want to Live In and Visit Their Websites
This is the quickest approach to locating a free-move-in location near your desired location. However, it is time-consuming and should only be done if you are unable to find specials in other ways.
Inquire of Mobile Homeowners Whether They Know of Any Move-in Specials
Not all offers are publicized online, and most people in the mobile home community talk. Asking around is a great approach to learning about different possibilities.
Consider Working Out a Deal With the Community’s Owner
On-site maintenance workers are required by many mobile home parks. Offering to work in exchange for a fee-free move-in can help you save money or at the very least make your relocation more pleasant.
Your Mobile Home Can Be Moved For Free
When it comes to moving as cheaply as possible, it’s all about finding good mobile home movers and looking for companies that wish to offer fee-free move-ins as we mentioned earlier. The following are simple steps to keep in mind;
Look for Mobile Home Parks and Associations That Are Offering Free Move-in Offers
If a mobile home community is having trouble locating tenants, they may offer promotions that waive the fees. Finding these offers may necessitate a ton of research as well as word-of-mouth.
Find a Reputable Mobile Home Moving Company
You will still be responsible for paying the moving firm to carry your home to its new site.
Find Out What the Rules Are in Your Area Regarding Your Mobile Home
Before you take the plunge, double-check that your house will be permitted on the property.
Find Out What Permits You’ll Need to Relocate Locally
Most areas will require new residents to obtain permits in order to relocate their mobile homes. Your movers would almost certainly assist you with this, but you may need to pay additional fees to cover the costs.
Move Your Belongings, Connect Your Utilities, and Get To Know Your New Home
Although mobile home movers will assist you with your relocation, you may still be required to drive the moving truck with all of your belongings inside. You may also be charged an additional price to connect your utilities. Fortunately, this is a relatively quick procedure.
What Factors Influence the Price of Transporting a Mobile Home?
The cost of moving a mobile home differs from one another. Every mobile home relocation is influenced by a number of factors. These are some of them:
#1. Moving Distance
The shorter the distance, the less expensive the move will be. As you might expect, towing a mobile home behind a big truck uses a lot of gas. Not to add that movers won’t be able to drive quickly or maneuver around corners. Furthermore, a longer journey may necessitate the purchase of new tires and equipment to cover the trip.
#2. Mobile Home Dimensions
The size of your mobile home will have a significant impact on the entire cost of moving your mobile home. Single-wides, as projected, will be less expensive to relocate than double-wides, which are twice as large. You may also have to pay for a police escort or a temporary road closure if your house is too broad to drive down the street securely. Taller mobile homes cost more to move since the number of possible routes is limited, potentially resulting in more miles traveled.
#3. Weight of the Mobile Home
Older mobile homes normally weigh 35 to 40 pounds per square foot, while newer mobile houses weigh 45 to 50 pounds per square foot, according to Free Mobile Home Info. That means that an 800 square foot mobile house may weigh up to 40,000 pounds. Yikes! Keep in mind that the heavier your mobile home is, the more moving equipment and supplies your movers will require to transfer it. As a result, you’ll undoubtedly end up spending more money.
#4. Permits and Inspections
If you’re relocating your mobile home to a different county or state, you may need to obtain permits for each territory it passes through. Fortunately, the movers should be able to assist you with obtaining these permits prior to the relocation. To install your mobile home in a new city, you may need to obtain a “setup” permission. In terms of inspections, certain states (such as Florida) make it mandatory for older mobile homes to be inspected. This ensures that dwellings are secure and up to code.
#5. Moving Goods
Moving a mobile home necessitates a large number of moving materials, ranging from equipment and supplies to tow hitches and tires. In your contract, your moving firm should be able to break down the expenses of necessary moving goods.
