🏡 The Ultimate Cost Guide: How Much Does It Cost to Move a Mobile Home in 2026?

Moving a mobile home isn’t just hooking up a truck and driving off; it’s a massive financial and logistical undertaking. When you stand in your living room, picturing your home in a new location, the excitement can quickly be overshadowed by a single, pressing question: What is this actually going to cost?

For many mobile homeowners, the decision to move is tied to a significant life event, a new job, a desire to be closer to family, or finally purchasing that dream plot of land. It’s a move driven by hope, but the complex process of disconnecting, transporting, permitting, and re-installing can feel like navigating a financial minefield. This article is your essential guide to understanding the true cost of moving a mobile home, breaking down the expenses, comparing different scenarios, and giving you the knowledge to budget with confidence in 2025. Your successful relocation journey starts here.

The Core Mobile Home Moving Costs: Transportation and Setup

The moment you decide to relocate your manufactured dwelling, you’re looking at a multifaceted expense. The total price of moving a mobile home is typically broken into two primary components: the actual transportation from the old site and the necessary setup and installation at your new location. Understanding this fundamental division is key to accurately predicting your total outlay.

The current industry data for 2025 indicates that the average cost to move a mobile home generally falls within a wide range from $5,000 to over $20,000. However, it’s essential to understand the nuances. Short, local moves where the logistical challenges are minimal might see costs starting as low as $1,000 for a bare-bones transport, while complex, long-distance movements of multi-section homes can easily exceed $25,000. Your specific situation will determine where on this spectrum your bill lands.

Cost Breakdown by Mobile Home Size

The physical dimensions of your residence represent the single biggest factor influencing the base price of the move. A larger, wider, or multi-section home demands significantly more resources, labor, and regulatory oversight.

Mobile Home Type	Average Cost Range (Local/Short Distance)	Key Logistics Differences
Single-Wide	$4,000 – $10,000	Generally moved in one piece. Requires one transport vehicle. Logistical complexity is lower, often requiring fewer permits and minimal or no escort vehicles.
Double-Wide	$8,000 – $18,000	Must be expertly split into two separate sections. Requires two transport trailers and highly specialized reassembly crews. This necessitates double the transport permits and often mandatory pilot cars.
Triple-Wide	$12,000 – $25,000+	These are rarely moved due to extreme cost and complexity. If moved, they require three separate transports. The sheer logistical and permitting hurdles make this the most expensive scenario.

When calculating your initial budget for moving your mobile home, begin by identifying its size. This foundational metric provides the clearest starting point for your cost estimation.

Transport-Only vs. Full-Service Mobile Home Moving

Choosing the scope of services you need from your contractor dramatically impacts the price tag. Your decision here boils down to a trade-off between cost savings and personal time commitment.

• Transport-Only (The Cheaper Option):
  • Cost Range: Typically $1,000 – $5,000 for shorter distances (under 100 miles).
  • What’s Included: The service is limited strictly to hauling the home from its current pad to the new location. The crew’s responsibility ends when the home is dropped off.
  • Your Responsibility: Everything else. You are solely responsible for coordinating and paying for all utility disconnections, obtaining all necessary travel and jurisdictional permits, preparing the home for the road (securing loose items, removing skirting), and handling the entire setup, re-leveling, and utility reconnection at the new site. This option requires significant personal coordination and expertise.
• Full-Service Move (The Premium, Less Hassle Option):
  • Cost Range: Generally falls between $5,000 and $25,000+, depending entirely on the home size and travel distance.
  • What’s Included: This comprehensive package covers disconnection, professional securing and preparation for transport, the actual transport, and the full setup at the new site (including leveling, anchoring/tie-downs, utility reconnection, and skirting re-installation).
  • Key Point: While this is the more expensive route, it is the most common and often recommended. It simplifies your life significantly, as the liability, coordination, and specialized labor fall under the mover’s umbrella. Furthermore, reputable full-service companies typically provide better insurance and liability coverage throughout the entire process.

What Factors Determine the Final Mobile Home Moving Price?

The base price for transport is merely the start. Several critical, variable factors can quickly introduce thousands of dollars in unexpected costs if you haven’t budgeted for them upfront. Understanding these variables is crucial to getting an accurate final estimate for moving your mobile home.

Distance of the Move (The Mileage Factor)

Unsurprisingly, how far your home travels is one of the most dominant cost drivers. Long-distance relocations incur higher costs due to increased fuel consumption, more labor hours, and the exponential rise in multi-jurisdictional permits.

• Short Distance (Under 50 Miles): This often falls under a company’s flat-rate local moving fee, typically staying within the $4,000 – $10,000 range for a complete, full-service move on a single-wide unit.
• Long Distance (Over 100 Miles): Once you cross a significant mileage threshold, movers generally switch to a per-mile rate that is added on top of the initial flat fee.
  • Per-Mile Rate: Expect to pay between $5 and $15 per mile for the actual tow, and sometimes more for double-wide units.
  • Example Comparison: Consider two scenarios: A 50-mile single-wide move costs $6,500. A 500-mile move for the same exact home could easily climb to $15,000 – $20,000 or more. The dramatic increase is due to the cumulative cost of per-mile towing, multiple state permits, and the mandatory use of pilot/escort cars across state lines.

Permits, Escorts, and Regulatory Fees

Moving an oversized load like a manufactured home is a highly regulated activity. These mandatory compliance costs are often overlooked but can constitute a large percentage of your budget.

• Oversize Load Permits: Every single state, and sometimes individual counties or cities, requires specific permits for transporting loads that exceed standard road limits (which a mobile home always does).
  • Cost Estimate: Budget anywhere from $100 to $1,000 per jurisdiction traversed. If your move crosses several state lines, this cost multiplies quickly.
• Pilot or Escort Vehicles: These are non-negotiable for most wide loads, particularly double-wides. They are required to ensure safety and manage traffic flow.
  • Cost Estimate: The expense for these vehicles and their certified drivers typically runs between $1.50 and $3.50 per mile, per escort vehicle. This single line item can add substantial cost to a long-haul move.
• Inspections and Tax Clearance: Before a moving permit is even issued, you may be required to provide proof of current tax payment (tax clearance) and often undergo mandatory safety/structural inspections to certify the home is safe to be on the road.

Age and Condition of the Mobile Home

The structural integrity of your home directly influences moving costs, particularly insurance and preparation expenses.

• Homes Built Pre-1976: These homes were built before the federal HUD standards were implemented. They are often more difficult and expensive to move. Many movers will charge a premium or refuse the job entirely due to increased liability.
• Required Repairs/Reinforcement: Movers are liable for damage during transit. If your home has poor structural stability, a damaged chassis, or old/rotting fixtures, the moving company may require pre-move repairs, such as reinforcing the frame or replacing old tires and axles. These mandatory preparations can add hundreds to thousands of dollars before the tow even begins.
• Insurance Liability: Older or poorly maintained homes may be harder or more expensive for the moving company to insure against transit damage, a cost that is inevitably passed on to you.

Beyond the Tow: Site Preparation and Hidden Costs

You’ve successfully budgeted for the relocation itself. Now, your attention must turn to the destination. The invoice from the moving company is not your final expenditure. The land you’re moving the home to requires specialized preparation and installation, representing the “hidden” or post-transport costs.

New Site Preparation and Installation Fees

The costs associated with making the new land ready for your structure and ensuring compliance can be the most variable and unpredictable portion of your budget.

• Foundation and Leveling: The home must be set upon a stable, level foundation pad and meticulously leveled to prevent structural issues down the road. This work requires specialized equipment and expertise.
  • Cost Estimate: This service typically ranges from $1,000 to $5,000, depending on whether you require pier placement, concrete runners, or a full pad foundation.
• Utility Connections: This is a crucial step that requires licensed professionals. You need to budget for plumbers to reconnect water/sewer lines and licensed electricians to handle the power hookups.
  • Cost Estimate: For simple hookups, expect $500 to $5,000. However, if your new property lacks pre-existing infrastructure (e.g., you need new septic installation, well drilling, or long-distance trenching for utility lines), costs can skyrocket to $10,000 or more.
• Skirting and Anchoring: For safety and aesthetic reasons, the home must be secured to the ground using proper anchoring/tie-down systems, and skirting must be reinstalled to protect the underside from weather and pests.
  • Cost Estimate: Budget $500 to $2,500 for this final installation work.

Limiting Factors and Exceptions to the Rule

Be aware of specific conditions that significantly increase the price of moving your mobile home:

• Difficult Terrain or Access: If the path from the old lot or to the new lot involves narrow, unpaved roads, steep inclines, or major obstacles like low-hanging power lines, the mover will need special equipment, more labor, and potentially a route deviation. These complications add to the hourly rate and can easily push costs higher.
• Peak Season Surcharges: The moving industry, including manufactured home transport, experiences a peak during late spring and summer. Moving during these months may result in higher demand, less scheduling flexibility, and potentially increased labor rates.
• Relocating Personal Belongings: The quoted cost for moving the mobile home covers the structure itself. You must budget separately for a traditional moving company or rental truck to relocate your furniture, appliances, and personal possessions. Do not leave heavy items inside the home during the tow, as this is unsafe and could damage the structure.

Limitation of Information: While we provide average cost figures for moving a mobile home based on 2025 industry research, you must remember that these are estimates. The actual price is highly dependent on your region, specific state permitting fees, the accessibility of your sites, and the unique structural condition of your home. To budget accurately, you must obtain at least three detailed, written quotes from licensed, specialized mobile home movers.

Is Moving Your Mobile Home Worth the Cost?

Before you commit to the substantial expense of moving, a crucial step in your financial planning is performing a cost-benefit analysis. You must compare the total cost of the move against the home’s current market value.

Making the Financial Decision

• When Moving Makes Sense: A common rule of thumb used by financial advisors is that if your total cost (moving, necessary repairs, and site setup) is less than 50% of the home’s market value after it has been relocated, the move is generally a sound financial decision. You are retaining significant equity in the asset.
• When Selling May Be Better: If the total cost of moving your mobile home approaches or exceeds the home’s current value a scenario often seen with older or smaller units or if the home is in poor structural condition, the most cost-effective choice is often to sell the home on the existing land (or to a dismantling company) and use those proceeds to purchase a newer home at your destination.

Scenario Comparison	Estimated Total Cost (Single-Wide, 100 Miles)	Home Value (Example)	Financial Decision
Good Condition Home	$8,000 (Moving) + $3,000 (Setup) = $11,000	$50,000	Move it. The cost is 22% of the home’s value, preserving significant equity.
Poor Condition Home	$10,000 (Moving) + $5,000 (Repairs/Setup) = $15,000	$25,000	Sell it. The cost is 60% of the value. The funds saved can be put towards a newer, more efficient home at the new location.

The Value of Professional Licensing and Insurance

Never choose a mover based purely on the lowest price. A mover’s licensing and insurance are non-negotiable factors in minimizing your financial risk.

1. Licensing: Ensure the company is licensed to move oversized manufactured homes in all states and jurisdictions involved in your relocation.
2. Insurance: Your standard policy almost certainly won’t cover transit damage. You must verify that the mover carries adequate cargo insurance (to cover the structure) and liability insurance (for any damage caused on public roads or private property). Ask for proof of coverage and understand the deductible. Opting for a cheaper, uninsured mover is the quickest way to turn a moving project into a financial disaster.

Conclusion

The question of how much does it cost to move a mobile home has a complicated answer, but with the average full-service single-wide move falling between $5,000 and $10,000 for local distances, you now have a solid foundation for your budget. The key to a successful and financially stress-free relocation is comprehensive planning. You must account for the primary logistical costs, but more importantly, you must diligently budget for the regulatory fees (permits, escorts) and the substantial, often-overlooked expenses of site preparation and utility reconnection at your new home. Treat your mobile home move like the major project it is, and by choosing a reputable, licensed mover and planning for every financial contingency, you can successfully transition to your new location.

Are you ready to finalize your moving budget? Use the information here to create a detailed cost projection checklist. What state regulations or home repairs are currently the biggest uncertainty in your plan? Get those questions answered before you sign any contract.

FAQ: Your Mobile Home Moving Questions Answered

What is the average cost to move a mobile home a short distance?

For a short, local move (typically defined as under 50 miles), a single-wide home can cost between $4,000 and $7,000 for a full-service relocation. A double-wide in the same local range is generally $8,000 to $12,000 or more, due to the need for two transports and increased setup time.

Do I need special insurance to move my mobile home?

Absolutely. Your standard homeowner’s or manufactured home insurance typically does not cover damage incurred during the actual transit. You must ensure that your hired moving company carries adequate cargo and liability insurance that explicitly covers the relocation of oversized loads. Always ask to see the certificates of insurance. You may also opt to purchase a separate, one-time transit insurance policy for additional peace of mind.

Is it cheaper to move a new mobile home or an old mobile home?

It is generally both cheaper and easier to move a newer mobile home (those built after the 1976 HUD standards). Newer homes are built to current roadworthiness standards. Older homes often require costly structural reinforcement, new axles, and replacement tires to be legally and safely moved, which can easily increase the total cost significantly. Movers also view older homes as a higher liability risk.

How long does the actual transportation of a mobile home take?

The actual towing and transportation phase for a local move usually takes 1 to 3 days once the home is prepared. However, the entire process, which includes utility disconnection, obtaining necessary travel permits, the move itself, and the final site setup/reconnection, can take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks or longer. The regulatory and setup phases are often the longest part of the process.

Can I move a mobile home myself to save on the cost to move a mobile home?

While you might own the home, moving it yourself is highly illegal and practically impossible for a private individual. The process requires highly specialized trucks, equipment, permits for oversized loads, and specific state licenses. Furthermore, doing so would expose you to massive liability for road damage, accidents, and property damage without the necessary commercial insurance. The cost savings are not worth the immense legal and financial risk.