Relocating a mobile home is a major project, but it’s often more practical and affordable than buying new. Whether you’ve purchased land and want to move an existing home onto it, need to relocate due to a park closure, or found a great deal on a used manufactured home that needs to be moved, this guide covers everything you need to know about the process in Georgia.
Can You Move a Mobile Home?
Yes — most manufactured homes can be moved, though the feasibility depends on the home’s age, condition, and size. Homes built after 1976 (when the HUD code took effect) are generally good candidates for relocation. Pre-1976 homes can sometimes be moved, but many transport companies won’t take them due to structural concerns, and some counties won’t permit their re-installation.
Key factors that determine whether your home can be moved:
- Structural integrity — the frame, floor system, and roof must be sound enough to withstand the stresses of transport.
- HUD label — homes with intact HUD certification labels are much easier to permit at the new location.
- Size and configuration — single-wides are straightforward; double-wides require separation and rejoining.
- Access — there must be a viable route from the current location to the destination that accommodates an oversize load.
The Mobile Home Relocation Process: Step by Step
Step 1: Get a Professional Assessment
Before committing to a move, have a professional mobile home transport company assess both the home and the route. They’ll inspect the home’s condition, measure dimensions, evaluate access at both locations, and identify any potential obstacles along the route. This assessment is critical — it prevents surprises on moving day and gives you an accurate cost estimate.
Step 2: Prepare the Destination Site
Your new site needs to be ready before the home arrives. This means: the lot should be graded and leveled to proper drainage specifications; foundation piers or a pad should be in place; utility connections (water, sewer/septic, electrical) should be roughed in; and any required county permits for installation should be pulled. In Georgia, most counties require a building permit for manufactured home installation.
Step 3: Obtain Transport Permits
Moving a manufactured home on Georgia roads requires oversize load permits from GADOT (Georgia Department of Transportation). Your transport company typically handles this, but be aware that permits can take several business days to process. Route restrictions may apply — some roads are off-limits to oversize loads, and certain bridges have weight limits that affect routing.
Step 4: Disconnect and Prepare the Home
Before the home can be transported, all utilities must be disconnected, skirting removed, tie-downs unanchored, and any attached structures (decks, carports, stairs) removed. For double-wide homes, the sections must be separated at the marriage line. This preparation typically takes a full day for a single-wide and one to two days for a double-wide.
Step 5: Transport
The actual move involves mounting the home on transport axles (or using the original running gear if it’s still in good condition), connecting to a toter truck, and moving the home to the new site. Georgia law requires escort vehicles for oversize loads and restricts travel to daylight hours. Your transport company coordinates all of this.
Step 6: Installation at the New Site
Once the home arrives, the setup crew places it on the prepared foundation, removes transport equipment, levels and blocks the home, installs tie-downs and anchoring, and coordinates utility connections. For double-wides, the sections are rejoined and sealed. The entire installation process typically takes 2-5 days depending on the home size and site conditions.
How Much Does It Cost to Relocate a Mobile Home in Georgia?
Relocation costs vary widely based on distance, home size, and site conditions. As a general framework for Georgia:
- Local move (under 50 miles), single-wide: typically ranges from several thousand dollars for transport alone.
- Local move, double-wide: significantly more due to the complexity of separating and rejoining sections.
- Long-distance moves add per-mile charges on top of the base cost.
- Site preparation, installation, and utility hookup are additional costs beyond the transport itself.
The best approach is to get a detailed quote that covers everything — transport, permits, site prep, installation, and anchoring — so there are no surprises. We provide free, itemized quotes for any mobile home relocation in Georgia.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Relocating a Mobile Home
- Not inspecting the home before buying/moving it — structural damage that’s hidden can make a home unsafe or illegal to reinstall.
- Skipping permits — moving or installing a manufactured home without proper permits can result in fines and required removal.
- Not preparing the destination site in advance — the home arriving before the site is ready means expensive delays.
- Using unlicensed movers — if something goes wrong during transport with an uninsured company, you have no recourse.
- Forgetting about setup costs — transport is only part of the expense. Budget for installation, leveling, anchoring, and utility hookup.
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