How much does it cost to move a house?
How much does it cost to move a house?
$12 – $16 cost per square foot (lifting & moving only)
$18,000 – $40,000 average total cost (1,500 – 2,500 SF house)
Average cost to move a house
The cost to move a house is $12 to $16 per square foot or $18,000 to $40,000 total on average, depending on the home’s size, weight, and how far you’re moving it. Physically moving a house, or structure relocation, allows you to continue living in your home in another location.
| National Average Cost | $29,000 |
| Minimum Cost | $15,000 |
| Maximum Cost | $200,000 |
| Average Range | $18,000 to $40,000* |
*Not including permits or a new foundation
Cost to move a house by size
The cost to move a house depends on its size. The smaller a home is, the easier it is to lift and transport.
| Home size (square feet) | Average total cost* |
|---|---|
| 500 | $6,000 – $8,000 |
| 1,000 | $12,000 – $16,000 |
| 1,500 | $18,000 – $24,000 |
| 2,000 | $24,000 – $32,000 |
| 2,500 | $30,000 – $40,000 |
| 3,000 | $36,000 – $48,000 |
| 3,500 | $42,000 – $56,000 |
*Not including permits or a new foundation
The cost to move a tiny house is $200 to $1,500 for moves up to 250 miles or $1,000 to $5,000 for moves over 250 miles. Most tiny homes are smaller than 400 square feet, and many of them are built on a trailer foundation with wheels to make moving them easier and more convenient.
House moving cost factors
The cost to move a house depends on its size, type, and the distance you're moving it. On top of the moving costs, you’ll also need to factor in other applicable costs:
| Factor | Average total cost |
|---|---|
| Lifting & moving | $18,000 – $40,000 |
| New foundation | $5,100 – $19,400 |
| Utilities | $9,000 – $34,500 |
| Permits | $400 – $5,000 |
The following factors affect the cost to move a house:
Distance – Your move will cost less if the route between the original site and the new one is short and straightforward. Moving companies must also consider hills, turns, bridges, weight limits, obstacles, and narrow roads along the route. Moving a home within an existing lot costs less than a long-distance move.
Home type and weight – Mobile homes, prefabricated homes, cabins, and tiny homes typically weigh less and cost less to move than traditional, single-family houses. Homes with more stories have a smaller footprint and cost less to move than a sprawling ranch-style home.
Accessories – Homes with balconies, porches, decks, and other additions typically cost more to move.
Permits – Permits for house transportation cost $400 to $5,000 on average, depending on the location. You’ll also need permits for pouring a new foundation and any utility work. Make sure your contractors pull all necessary permits before they start working.
Temporary housing – Since you won’t be able to live in your house while it’s being lifted or transported, you’ll have to arrange temporary housing for up to 2 months.
Foundation – Building a new foundation costs $6 to $50 per square foot or $12,000 to $100,000 on average, depending on the type. Houses with tall foundations are easier to move than houses built on slab foundations or piers.
Utilities – Setting up utilities on your land costs $9,000 to $34,500 for electricity, water, gas, and septic system. The total cost depends on the condition of the new site and how remote it is. A bare lot in a rural location costs more to hook up than land with existing or easily accessible connections.
Lifting – Raising a house costs $10,000 to $40,000 and is ideal if you want to lift your house to add a basement or raise the ceiling of an existing basement while keeping the home in its current location.
Save money on moving your house by clearing out crawl spaces, disconnecting utilities, and detaching the deck from the house first.
Labor
Moving a house involves several professionals with different hourly rates:
General contractors charge $50 to $150 per hour or 10% to 20% of the total project cost.
Electricians charge $50 to $130 per hour.
Structural engineers charge $100 to $220 per hour.
The moving process includes a planning stage, followed by applying for permits. Next, the house moving company drills into the foundation, lifts the house up with a jacking system, and transports the home to the new location.
At the new location, the movers place the house over new foundation footers using a steel beam support system and build a new foundation. Then they complete any necessary interior work.
Cost of moving vs. building a house
Moving a house typically costs less than buying a new home. However, some homes may cost about as much to build as moving your house, depending on the type and size.
| Home type | Average total cost |
|---|---|
| Traditional house cost | $200,000 – $450,000+ |
| Log cabin cost (500 SF) | $50,000 – $15,000 |
| Log home (2,000 SF) | $200,000 – $600,000 |
| Tiny home cost | $30,000 – $70,000 |
| Barndominium cost | $130,000 – $320,000 |
| A-frame house cost | $100,000 – $300,000 |
| Modular home cost | $120,000 – $270,000 |
| Concrete home cost | $280,000 – $430,000 |
| Metal home cost | $120,000 – $350,000 |
| Yurt cost | $18,500 – $48,000 |
| Shipping container home cost | $25,000 – $250,000 |
Pros and cons of moving a house
Moving your house makes it possible to continue living in your home or preserve a historic house. However, it is a complex and expensive process that could potentially damage your property.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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House moving FAQs
How do you move a house?
You can move a house by hiring professionals who will:
Plan the route and logistics
Apply for permits
Drill into the foundation
Lift the house up with a jacking system
Transport the home to the new location
Place the house over new foundation footers
Build a new foundation
How far can a house be moved?
You can move your house almost any distance, from a few feet within the same lot to across the country. Interstate moves involve more permits, regulations, and planning. Moving a house via routes with narrow roads, hills, and low-clearance bridges is difficult and expensive.
How long does it take to move a house?
Moving a house can take anywhere from 1 day to 2 months, depending on the size, location, weather, route, and how far you’ll be moving.
Is moving a house worth it?
Moving a house is costly but may be worth it if:
You own a historic home, which may justify the cost and effort of moving it.
You want to relocate your home up a hill or further away from an eroding shoreline.
You love your home and want to stay in it rather than relocate or rebuild.
You need to move your home away from or toward a property line.
Getting estimates from house moving companies
Before hiring a general contractor or house lifting company near you, follow these steps:
Ask about their experience and qualifications.
Ask for a list of references or a portfolio or recent projects.
Read reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Select a licensed and insured company that specializes in moving houses.
Compare three or more estimates.
Never pay in full until the job is done.
Questions to ask house movers
Ask these questions to find the most qualified house moving company:
How long have you been moving houses? How many have you moved?
Are you insured for injury or damages to my home during the move?
Who will hire the architects, contractors, engineers, and other professionals for this job?
Is my house a good candidate for moving?
What challenges or extra expenses typically come up on this kind of project?
Will you give me an itemized bid and contract in writing?
How do you handle any damage that happens on the job?
What are your payment options?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.