Today, relocatable houses are growing more in popularity thanks to their cost effectiveness and flexibility. With property prices hiking more than ever, investing in a relocatable home is an ideal way to hold on to the property ladder. Older relocatable houses often feature unique design features and native hardwood timber construction that would be more expensive in a new build.

You cannot move a brick house, but moving an existing house made of logs is a very accessible process. Companies with extensive experience moving homes can take you through the process without hiccups, from getting the ideal relocatable home and obtaining permissions to the actual moving.

Here are some critical considerations before embarking on the project.

Find and buy a suitable site.

The best thing about relocatable homes is that you can move with them wherever you want, but you have to secure a suitable site beforehand. You must ensure that the site is in an open space with an accessible entrance and easy road access to make the relocation possible. 

Additionally, there should be no obstructions that would block the relocation of an existing home. Getting a geotechnical report that examines the soil’s stability is advisable before making your decision. You can also request that the report surveys the site’s other aspects like drainage, sewerage, and power connections so that you can have an idea of the costs you will incur for such essentials. 

This could save you more on additional engineering costs for foundations. It is also essential to evaluate other factors like flood zones, wind exposure, and the terrain for easier relocation.

Find your dream relocatable house.

You must ensure that a villa you are eyeing is in good condition before making a purchase decision. This is a substantial investment like buying a conventional property, and you don’t want to gamble with your money. Keep in mind that lifting the building off the ground and moving and relocating it puts it under stress, and damage is easy if it is not in good condition. 

Therefore, you must ensure the house is strong and preferably made of native hardwood. Furthermore, it is advisable to evaluate the layout and design of the house, keeping in mind the consent of your new site. Some of the questions to ask yourself include:

• Will I need to knock down existing walls to facilitate an outdoor or indoor flow in the new site?
• Which rooms will get the most sun exposure?
• Do I need to shelter it?

Depending on your needs and the permissions of your new site, you may need to reconfigure the house to maximize aspects like countryside views and natural light. You have to get a second-hand building report that confirms whether the house is in sound condition and suitable for relocating. The report may also be essential for you to get building consent. The good thing is that some local councils do it for you as part of the consent process.

Find an experienced relocation company.

Relocating a house is a big deal; therefore, you should perform your due diligence and use an experienced company. Luckily, you can get some experienced operators with all the required provisions to get sign-off on consent for relocation. The experts should also consider every aspect considered during a house relocation.

First, the company must conduct a rigorous investigation of the house and the new site you intend to move to. They need to check how accessible both sites are and the route for trees, power posts, bridges, roundabouts, and other elements that may impact the move.

Some houses can be divided into half for removal, making things easier. Your removal company can determine if that is possible and how it affects the costs of the move. When getting the consent for the move, this is also the time to discuss the changes you might want to make to the house, such as adding verandahs, sheds, or garages. That makes sense instead of paying to get the project consented later.

Get building permissions

You should do your due diligence to ensure you get all the permissions needed for a successful home relocation. You have to specify where you want the movers to position the house, and your contractor can guide you through obtaining the necessary consent. Your certificate of title will include all the information and other details like the house’s orientation, boundary meters, driveways, power poles, etc.

One of the mandatory requirements for relocating a house is resource consent. You may need additional permissions if you intend to make changes like subdividing the site or installing secondary structures.

Get insurance for the move.

After obtaining all the necessary permits, the final step in relocating the house. But before that, it is wise to get insurance for the home in its original state, a cover for the move itself, and contract works insurance. That covers the financial liabilities of any destruction to your house during transit and the workers managing the operation.

The move

All house relocations occur at night when there is less traffic. Most houses are divided, moved as sections, and then joined back on-site. This is likely if the structure is bulky or the damage risk is higher if it is moved as one structure. Note that you need to complete and sign off on all foundations and utilities before embarking on the relocation operations.

Moreover, you must adhere to all the safety procedures of any construction site once the house is at the new site. That includes sticking to health and safety regulations and other practices like fencing. Some home relocation companies provide interim storage for the house if you experience delays obtaining permissions from when the house is lifted to the ultimate move.

conclusion

The major benefit of a relocatable house is how little time it takes to move it to the site of your choice and make it available for use with all the required permissions. Most relocatable homes are made from hardwood timber, making them mobile, durable, and cost-effective than conventional properties.