Moving a mobile home can be a complex and challenging endeavor, requiring careful planning and meticulous execution. Whether you’re relocating to a new place or seeking a change of scenery, the process involves various intricate steps that demand your attention. In this guide, we will delve into the comprehensive steps on “how to prepare when moving your mobile home.”
How to Prepare When Moving your Mobile Home
It may be called a “Mobile Home” but unfortunately these manufactured homes are not as mobile as they may seem. Preparation for moving takes a bit of time and effort. This is a short review of some of the things you can do to get ready to have your mobile home transported to a new location.
Like any move, moving a mobile home requires some forethought, planning and some preparation to insure success. When you’re ready to start the process of moving a mobile home, Keep in mind, you’re moving an entire house, “foundation” and all. By “foundation” we mean the steel frame it is built on. There is a lot involved with relocating your mobile home.
1. Create a Moving Checklist
You’ll need to begin the early stages of preparing your home for the move. To start, it always helps to create a checklist of all that you’ll need to accomplish in the weeks and months leading up to your move so that you can stay organized and on top of everything. An important thing to note as well is to make alternate living arrangements in advance during the time that it will take for your home to be relocated, since you won’t be able to live in it while it’s in transit.
2. Find a Mobile Home Moving Company
Finding a mobile home transport/moving company to take care of the job and handling all of the necessary tasks required to prepare your actual house for the move. The first step to planning for your mobile home relocation is to find a reputable and licensed mobile home mover who can handle the job for you. It’s important that before you make a decision on a moving company to handle your mobile home relocation and before any details are discussed, that you communicate exactly what the move will entail and what you will require from the movers. Make sure that you let the movers know exactly what kinds of services you will need for the move and have them provide you with a copy of the agreement and quoted price before moving forward.
3. Arrange your Paperwork
Gather all of your paperwork that’s related to your home and double-check to make sure that you are allowed to move the home. Also, read up on any insurance requirements that may exist in order for you to relocate the home and confirm that all of your property tax bills have been paid up to date as some places will not allow you to move your home if you have outstanding property tax bills.
4. Remove all Exterior Attachments
If you have a porch attached to your house, or anything else that can possibly hinder its transport on moving day, you should remove it. That means any flower baskets, hanging gardens, awnings, window boxes, lanterns, lights, or anything else that can potentially fly off while the house is being moved.
If possible, store these items in a safe location during the move, or you can even keep them inside your home, if you have enough room. While your home is being transported on the highway, it will be exposed to high winds, which can cause exterior attachments to be blown off while in transit.
5. Turn Off all utilities
Prior to the move, turn off all utilities like electricity, water, and gas. Also make sure that all cable, television and telephone lines have been properly disconnected and that there is no chance for any of your lines to be damaged during the move. If you are moving during the winter, do not turn off your heat until you have applied a winter seal to your pipes to keep them from freezing over during the move. Frozen pipes that burst can be incredibly costly to repair, so before you turn off your heat, make sure to protect your pipes from the cold weather.
6. Remove Valuables
When your house is lifted up onto the flatbed truck to be moved, the interior contents of the home will be jostled around quite a bit. Then, once the truck is on the road, your home will be subjected to all of the usual bumps that any other vehicle on the road will experience, which is a great way for items to get thrown around inside the home and broken. To combat this, you should empty most of the big contents from your home just as you would before any other move.
That means all large appliances, big pieces of furniture and anything that can be easily damaged should be removed, or else you run the risk of having not only your items damaged, but the interior of your home as well. Also remove any chemicals, liquids and anything that is combustible or flammable. Many times, your movers will not move the house until you have cleared the interior, due to concerns about liability for damaged valuables and other items.
7. Check Weather ahead of Moving Day
Mobile homes aren’t made to be the toughest structures to withstand extreme weather. Prior to your move, you should check the weather forecast for your moving date and make sure that the weather will not have a major impact on the relocation of your home. If there is bad weather scheduled for your moving date, check with the movers to ask about rescheduling the move.
8. Secure the Exterior of the Home
Again, your mobile home is going to be exposed to consistent winds while on the back of the flat-bed truck that will be transporting it. To make sure everything on the exterior of your home is secure, check your roofing and siding for any pieces that are loose or in danger of becoming loose and fix them before the move. Also, remember to bolt all doors and windows shut or board them up prior to the move. Simply closing them and locking them is not secure enough.
9. Communicate with your movers
Before your move gets off the ground, give your driver detailed instructions and directions on how to reach the destination, and instruct the driver on what to do when the home arrives at its new lot. You should have all the necessary information ready for the driver including the lot number and anything else needed to make sure the relocation goes smoothly.
10. Arrival and Setup
The arrival and setup phase is a critical stage in the process of moving a mobile home. Coordinate the arrival time to ensure that the site is prepared, and any necessary arrangements are in place. Direct the placement of the mobile home on the designated spot, ensuring alignment with local regulations and community guidelines. Oversee the leveling of the home to ensure stability and prevent structural issues. If required, supervise the anchoring process to secure the mobile home to the foundation or ground, ensuring it meets safety standards. If applicable, oversee the installation of skirting around the mobile home for aesthetic and practical purposes.
11. Post-Move Checklist
The post-move checklist is a crucial component of ensuring a smooth transition after relocating your mobile home. Notify the post office of your change of address to ensure that mail is forwarded to your new location. Update your address with government agencies, including the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), for any necessary documentation changes. Inform utility providers, banks, insurance companies, and any other relevant institutions about your new address.
Review and finalize any paperwork associated with the mobile home move, ensuring that all documentation is accurate and up-to-date. Confirm that utility accounts are properly transferred or set up at the new location. Address any outstanding paperwork related to permits, zoning regulations, or community requirements.
How Do They Move Mobile Homes?
When we move a mobile home, we lift it onto a flat-bed truck and drive it as it is to the new place. While it’s on the road, it faces all the weather and road conditions.
Special trucks or semi-trucks with trailers made for moving homes usually transport mobile homes. Other vehicles go along to make sure the route is safe, handle traffic, and fix any problems.
We make sure the home is steady on the truck to stop it from moving during the trip. We use extra support and ties to keep it secure and safe. When it reaches the new spot, we carefully take it off the truck and put it in place.
Getting your home ready for the move is crucial. It helps make sure everything arrives in one piece and doesn’t get badly damaged when it reaches your new home.”
Why Planning is Important When Moving A Mobile Home
1. Avoiding Surprises
Careful planning helps you avoid surprises during your mobile home move. When you plan ahead, you can identify potential challenges, like road restrictions or utility issues. This way, you’re prepared to tackle problems before they become big headaches, making your move smoother and less stressful.
2. Staying on the Right Side of the Law
Planning is crucial for following the rules. Different places have different regulations for moving mobile homes. By planning ahead, you ensure you have the necessary permits and meet local requirements. This not only keeps you legal but also prevents delays and fines that can pop up if you’re not prepared.
3. Protecting Your Home and Belongings
When you plan carefully, you’re like a shield for your mobile home and belongings. You can pack things securely, label utility connections, and inspect your home before the move. This protection means less risk of damage to your property during transportation, keeping your home safe and sound.
4. Saving Money Smartly
Planning isn’t just about following a checklist; it’s also about being smart with your money. When you organize well, you can manage costs efficiently. You won’t be surprised by unexpected expenses because you’ve thought things through. This helps you stick to your budget and avoid unnecessary financial stress.
5. Smooth Transition to Your New Home
Careful planning ensures a smooth transition to your new home. By coordinating details like arrival times and overseeing setup, you set the stage for a comfortable move-in. This way, you can settle into your new place without unnecessary hiccups, making the entire process a positive experience.
To Recap
Moving a mobile home is a complex process that demands meticulous attention to detail and careful planning. By following the key steps outlined in this guide, you can navigate the challenges associated with mobile home relocation successfully.
Original source: movers.com
