How To Move A Mobile Home For Free (In 5 Easy Steps)

Upgraded Home Team
by Upgraded Home Team

When people think about mobile homes, they don’t ever really assume they’ll see them traveling or that they’ll be mobile. To a point, it’s easy to see why. It usually costs a lot of money to move a mobile home to another lot—especially since mobile home lots will ask you to pay for their right to move there.

To move a mobile home for free, begin by searching mobile home lots and communities offering free lodging for mobile homes. Next, find a moving company that is trustworthy. Although it will not be free, it is an important part of the moving process. Make sure to do to research on permits needed when you move.

If you want to cut costs on finding a new lot, you have your work cut out for you. This guide will explain what to expect and how to cut your moving costs down significantly.

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Is It Possible To Move A Mobile Home For Free?

There’s no such thing as a 100 percent free move, even if you own your own mobile home. You will still need to pay professional moving crews to bring your mobile home to your new area, pay fees to hook up your utilities, and also pay for any paperwork that may arise.

When people talk about moving a mobile home for free, they are talking about getting the fees to move to a lot waived by the mobile housing lot groups or finding a location that won’t charge people to have a mobile home on their land.

Why Would A Location Waive Moving Fees?

Two main reasons getting a free space on a mobile home lot can happen: A strong need for new tenants and a lack of zoning laws regarding mobile homes. Only around 5 percent of all Americans live in mobile homes, and that number is shrinking. Getting free move-ins can help struggling communities make the most of their lots.

At times, communities will waive move-in fees as a way to If you make a case that shows you’ll be a good community member, then you’re going to have a better shot at dropping fees off your move.

Are “Free Move” Mobile Home Lots A Bad Choice?

People are often told to learn to hate “freebies” when it comes to moving, primarily because they have a tendency of coming with strings attached. This isn’t always true when it comes to mobile homes. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of good business.

Finding people who are open to living in mobile home lots isn’t always easy, which is why many communities are now offering free move-ins as a way to make their lots more attractive to potential buyers. This is especially true in areas where there may be more than one mobile home community to choose from. Free move-ins are a competitive advantage.

With that in mind, it is still essential to do your research about a community you want to move into. Just because most communities offering free move-ins are great doesn’t mean all are, and some can be downright dangerous. Moving home is a significant investment in your life, so it’s always prudent to do your due diligence before making the change.

Can You Negotiate A Discount With Movers?

A typical mobile home move can cost anywhere from $1,000 to upwards of $6,000 depending on the moving company and the distance you travel. Most people don’t realize this, but it is possible to negotiate with movers on the price of your moving.

Most of the time, tactful negotiations can help you get a couple of hundred dollars shaved off the price. If you cannot accomplish that, asking them to give you a free service for the same price can be a better option. After all, getting a mobile home skirt isn’t always easy.

Move Your Mobile Home For Free

When it comes to getting your move done as cheaply as possible, choosing good mobile home movers and looking for groups that want to offer fee-free move-ins is what needs to be done. Here’s what you should know:

  • Search up mobile home lots and groups offering free move-in specials. Mobile home communities that are struggling with finding tenants might have specials that waive the fees. Finding these specials may require in-depth researching, plus working through the grapevine. Treasure Park Homes has a free move page that can help get you started.
  • Find a mobile home moving company that’s reputable. You still need to pay the moving company actually to transport your house to the new location. You can find a good moving company using this mobile home mover list or using referrals from the park you want to move to.
  • Find out what local ordinances have to say about your mobile home. Before you leap, you want to make sure that your home is actually going to be allowed on the property.
  • Find out the local permits you’ll need to move. Most areas will require permits for new residents to move their mobile homes. Your movers will most likely help you with this, but you may still need to pay extra to cover the fees.
  • Move your house, plug in your utilities, and learn about your new home. Mobile home movers will help you with the move, but you might still need to drive the moving truck with all your items inside. You also may have to pay an added fee to get your utilities hooked up. Thankfully, this is a reasonably quick process.

How To Find Free Move-In Mobile Home Deals Near You

Trying to find a way to get a mobile home deal that involves free move-ins can be difficult, but it’s not impossible. These tips can help you find places that give you a fee-free move-in:

  • Search up mobile home communities near your target area, and look at their sites. This is the easiest way to find a place near your target area that offers free move-ins. However, it can be tedious to do and probably should only be done if you absolutely can’t find specials in other ways.
  • Ask mobile homeowners if they know anywhere that has move-in deals. Most people in the mobile home community talk, and not all deals are advertised online. Asking around is an excellent way to find out other options.
  • Consider negotiating with a community owner. Many mobile home lots have a need for on-site maintenance crews. Offering to work for a fee-free move-in can help you lower costs, or at least make your move a more welcome one.

Additional Costs To Move Your Mobile Home

While it may seem simple to move a mobile home, that may not be the case, depending on exactly where you want to move it. You will also need to obtain a permit before you move to the mobile home, which can cost you about $3 per section of the mobile home. So, for instance, if you are moving a single wide home, the permit cost will be $3. A double-wide would be $6. Although, these fees depend on the area in which you live.

Also, all of your delinquent taxes, as well as your current taxes, will need to be paid. Once that is done, you will get the certificate to move, as well as the decal. If you move your mobile home without the decal and certification, you’re looking at an extremely hefty fine.

Moving The Mobile Home Out Of State

Now, if you’re planning to take the mobile home out of state, you will need to ensure that all the delinquent plus current taxes are up to date. In addition to that, you will need to pay the taxes up to one year in advance in order to be able to move the mobile home.

If you’re purchasing this from someone else, you will need the title transferred. If you get caught moving a mobile home without doing this, then you will be held liable and may not have the right to place this anywhere, even on your own property! It’s vital that you push for the transfer of title.

Check Your Local Laws

Each state or county has its own laws regarding the moving of a mobile home. Your state may not require you to pay for taxes one year in advance or for you to transfer the title. It all depends on your local laws. It’s a good idea to call your local building authority to confirm what’s needed in order to move your mobile home.

Do You Need to Hire Movers?

Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.

Our Final Take

It is important to realize that there’s no 100 percent free way to move a mobile home between lots. However, there are ways to eliminate typical move-in fees that people associate with switching lots or moving your mobile home to a new residence. That is where the real focus is going to have to be for most people. The critical thing you want to do when you want to have a “free move” is to do your research.

Asking around for areas offering deals, networking with moving companies in the know, and negotiating with the people involved is vital to the process. With a little work and some luck, you may be able to avoid the fees that you’d otherwise pay for the right to move.

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Upgraded Home Team
Upgraded Home Team

We are a team of passionate homeowners, home improvement pros, and DIY enthusiasts who enjoy sharing home improvement, housekeeping, decorating, and more with other homeowners! Whether you're looking for a step-by-step guide on fixing an appliance or the cost of installing a fence, we've here to help.

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