How Much Does It Cost to Move A Mobile Home near Lafayette, LA

Moving a mobile home is near and dear to my heart. When my husband and I first began our family, our first home was a small 12 x 60 single wide mobile home that we moved into a park in Lafayette. Like most people, we wanted to save cost and get the cheapest deal possible to relocate our trailer. We found a mover who gave us a cheap price to move our mobile home just one mile away from its original location. An important lesson that I learned that day is cheapest isn’t always the best.

This particular mover asked for more money than what was agreed to, and threatened not to anchor or place blocks under our home if his new demands weren’t met! He was not honorable or dependable. This was before the days of social media and internet reviews. Years later, we had another mover who left a mobile home of ours uninstalled and told us to set up the home ourselves! When searching for a reputable mobile home transporter, there are many other factors besides ‘how much does it cost’ to move your mobile home. Business and moral values such as honesty, dependability, communication, and integrity all come into play. After all, this is your home that we’re talking about and you can’t just trust moving your mobile home into the hands of just anybody.

Every day mobile homeowners across Louisiana are heading to Google to get answers to a very important question: How much does it cost to move a mobile home near me? Well, in this article we will help you discover what it cost to move a mobile home near Lafayette, LA. In the good ‘ole’ days, moving and transporting a mobile home was reasonably inexpensive. Back then, the average move cost was around $500-$1000. But, with the rising costs of labor, fuel, permits, insurance, government regulations, and other expenses over the years…the cost to move a single-wide or doublewide mobile home has gone up significantly. As with most things in life, getting to the bottom of how much it will cost to move a mobile home depends on a series of factors.

What is the Distance of your Mobile Home Move?

How much does it cost to move a mobile 20 miles? How much does it cost to move a mobile home 250 miles? Regardless of the distance, you want to relocate your manufactured home, the average cost to move a trailer or mobile home in Lafayette or anywhere in the surrounding parishes of Acadiana is about $3500 to $5000 for a single-wide home and up to $12,000 to $18,000 for a doublewide manufactured home. Do mobile home movers charge by the mile? Not really.

It doesn’t matter if your trailer is being moved to Opelousas or Jennings. Yes, mobile home movers near Lafayette charge about the same price to transport your mobile home across the street or if you want to move your trailer 10 miles away. The cost to disconnect, transport, and install your used mobile home is about the same across the board. 

Be prepared to pay more for transporting your home long distances. You must also take note that most mobile home transporters near Lafayette will not travel further than 60 miles or move a mobile home outside of the state.

Do I Need Mobile Home Movers or Can I Move My Mobile Home Myself for Free?

First things first, it is against the law in Louisiana to transport a mobile home yourself. State law requires that a mobile homeowner hire a licensed, bonded, and insured mobile home transport company in Louisiana. Louisiana law does allow mobile homeowners to set up, anchor, and install their own mobile home, but it is illegal for an unlicensed professional to transport or move a mobile home on Louisiana roadways. This is to make sure the home gets there in one piece and to ensure other drivers are safe. You don’t want to be like this guy who tried to move a mobile with his pick-up truck and wound up shutting down a busy roadway for a few hours!

Mobile home movers must apply with the state for a license to do their job, so they are regulated and tested to ensure they’re doing their job properly. You may pay a heftier price for their service, but it’s more than worth it.

To move a mobile home near Lafayette, it must be up to code, you must obtain permits, certificates, insurance, and get approval from local governments. You can try to do this on your own, but it can be tricky and a hassle. 

These are all things local mobile home moving companies deal with every day and paying them to help you with this process can make it much easier. A trailer mover can ensure the house is up to code, gather the permits, and have their own insurance that will cover major damages while it’s being transported. To be on the safe side, you can call your homeowners insurance and ask for a trip or transport policy. This will cost about $75-$150 and will cover unforeseen damages like shingles flying off, cracked walls, or floors popping up during the transport of your mobile home. These are some of the things that can happen while your home is being transported on Louisiana roadways. Our state’s streets, roadways, and highways are not in the best condition. So, you need to have as much protection as possible!

What Goes Into the Cost of Moving A Mobile Home?

It’s a great question because as mentioned previously, many factors go into the cost of moving a mobile home. The answer is: it depends. Is your home new? Are you wanting to move a used mobile home? There are many challenges that come with moving a used mobile home. You must consider your specific situation. It will have a large impact on the actual cost of moving your manufactured home.

Here are the factors that go into the cost of moving your mobile home to Lafayette:

• Size – the actual dimensions of your manufactured home will affect the price. A single wide mobile home is much cheaper to transport. A double-wide or oversized home may require special accommodations along the way such as guide cards, diverting traffic, specialized routes, and other considerations.
• Distance – Perhaps one of the largest factors in the cost of a mobile home move is the distance. The longer the distance, the larger the charge for the move. If you are moving your mobile home more than 75-100 miles, you can expect to pay a premium price for the ‘long’ haul. You can also expect to pay much more if moving your manufactured home into a neighboring state like Texas, Mississippi, or Arkansas.
• Permits – The mobile home transport company will likely handle this, but the more local governments and parishes that the home travels through, the more costs associated with permits.  Permits are not always granted if the mobile home to be moved is in poor condition or deemed a potential hazard to other drivers on the road. Sometimes it may be cheaper to demolish the mobile home because of its age and condition.
• Supplies and Parts – Does your trailer need a hitch or tongue? Is it rusted out and needs welding done to it for reinforcement? Older homes tend to have parts that must be replaced/serviced before moving such as tires or axles. Mobile home wheels/tires will cost around $50 to repair, while axles will approximately $150-200 to repair. Most moving companies can rent these parts to you for a fee and that will affect the cost. You are also much more likely to have damage during the trip such as lost shingles or damaged siding.
• Age – How old is your mobile home? Most mobile home transporters will not risk moving older mobile homes that are not structurally sound.

When Do I Pay the Mobile Home Movers? Before or After They Complete the Job?

That all depends. Some companies require full payment upfront before they hook their truck to your mobile home. This is okay. Why? Because there are some homeowners who do not operate with integrity as well. I have heard many stories where mobile homeowners would let a transport company install their home and then the homeowner could not be found when it was time to pay the mobile home moving company. Now, the moving company has to pay their employees, fuel, permits, and other expenses out of their pockets! That is not fair to the mobile home transport company. Remember, if you’re dealing with a licensed and bonded transport company, it is highly unlikely that they will risk their reputation and license by not completing the job and leaving you unsatisfied. Now, if you want to risk your home in the hands of ‘outlaw'(unlicensed and uninsured) transporters….are you willing to take the gamble? They may quote you a cheap price and maybe ask to receive half of their fee upfront. But, once they transport your mobile home to its new location, they may ask for a higher fee to install and set up your home! If you refuse, they will just drop your home and leave you to figure out the rest! You will not be protected because they are unlicensed and you probably didn’t sign a contract. You just went on their ‘word’. I have been there and highly recommend against utilizing ‘outlaw’ transporters. Again, go with a licensed, bonded, and insured company that is reputable. They are professionals and know how to get the job done, so save yourself the hassle and follow their processes.

How Can I Save Money When Moving A Mobile Home?

We’ve all heard the saying, “you get what you pay for”. As I mentioned in the introduction, when it comes to moving your home– the focus shouldn’t always be about cost and saving money. Because if you get a shady or unlicensed mover to transport your home at a bargain price …it will cost you more in the short and long term. Why? Just the other day I was driving and saw an abandoned mobile home on the side of the highway.

These horror stories happen all the time with unprofessional movers who ‘dump’ homes on the side of the road or in a field or at a truck stop because the homeowner refused to comply with their new demands or change of price.

With that being said, you can save money when moving a mobile home by doing some of the prep work yourself. Some things you can do is remove the skirting from the home, disconnect utilities, and remove any porches or awnings from the home. If the mobile home movers have to do these tasks, it probably will cost you more to move the home.

Not all mobile home transport companies are the same. Each one has different business practices. Most of them have a 60-90 day waiting list. Some don’t return phone calls or offer online quotes. You may have to pay a little more to get your home moved quicker. How do you find the right movers for you? Research. Look into a bunch of movers in your area. Do they return phone calls? Do they have an open line of communication with their customers? Read online reviews. Ask for referrals from your friends and family. Remember, this is your home and you just put it in the hands of anybody.

Conclusion

Don’t let the cost of moving your mobile home near Lafayette deter you from going forward with relocating your home. If you deal with a dependable and reputable mobile home transport company, the process should be smooth and hassle-free. Regardless if you are moving your home 20 miles or 250 miles! Taking the steps needed to prepare your home for the move and the disconnect, transport, and setup of your home at its new location should be a success! If you believe that it’s easier to sell your mobile home than deal with the process of moving it…please contact us! We love to buy mobile homes near Lafayette, LA!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to move a mobile home?

Absolutely! This was not the case back in the day. But, with local governments passing new laws and restrictions…you can be certain that you will need a permit to move a mobile home in any city within the state of Louisiana.

Can I pay for the move only and not the setup cost?

Yes, you can. Local mobile home movers near you may work a deal with you for transport only for about $1000-$2000. The question then becomes: Are you capable and able to anchor and block a mobile home on your own? Let the professional movers and installers do what they do best– even if it will cost you a little more money. You can rest assured that the professionals will do the job right!

Is it safe to move a mobile home?

Not if you will try to move the home yourself. With that said, it should be if you hire the right people who will ensure the trip and account for safety variables. Professional movers will make sure your home gets to its destination safe and sound.

Where do I find the Wind Zone of My Mobile Home?

You need to find the datasheet for your mobile home which will display the wind zone for your mobile home. Most data sheets are located inside a cabinet door in the kitchen. If not, you can look behind the closet door inside the master bedroom. Or, behind the panel access wall near the hot water heater. View this Louisiana wind zone map to verify that your mobile home is in the correct wind zone.

What are the benefits of hiring professionals to handle the move of a mobile home?

It will save you time and energy. From popped tires to set up services, hiring a moving company will save you from all sorts of headaches later down the road. If you’re hoping for a smooth, easy move, hiring a professional manufactured home mover is the way to go. Trust me – you won’t regret it. Learn from my mistakes!

Can I get a quote online to move my mobile home?

Yes! Visit this company’s website to receive a free quote to move your mobile home near Lafayette, LA.

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Relocating a used mobile home in Lafayette or anywhere in Acadiana can be a major hassle and daunting task for some people. Fortunately, we offer a simple and headache-free option. Sell your local Lafayette mobile home to us.  If you have any questions about how we work, what the process of selling your mobile home or having us help you avoid the major challenges of moving your mobile home, or just want to learn more about us… don’t hesitate to contact us anytime!