Wheels in Motion brings together over 40 years of production experience staffing on large and small sets in New York City. They specialize in filling all positions, from crew to extras to office management.
What does it mean to get “the wheels in motion?” It’s usually used as a metaphor for beginning the process of taking action to achieve something.
What You Need to Know
For millions of Americans, mobile homes (also called manufactured or trailer homes) are an affordable way to keep a roof over their heads. But these homes are also the target of a growing number of private companies that buy up the parks where they’re sited, raise fees and rents, and then evict tenants who can’t pay. NPR’s Chris Arnold investigates.
Mobile home relocation is a complicated process that involves multiple steps, precise execution, and adherence to various legal and safety regulations. While it may seem daunting, the move can be as smooth as possible with proper planning and professional mobile home moving services.
The first step is to confirm that your mobile home can be moved to the new location you have in mind. The laws in different areas and states vary, so be sure to do your homework and research the local regulations in the city and state where you will be relocating your mobile home. This will help avoid any complications, especially if there are any restrictions on property age or building standards that need to be met for the move to be approved.
Next, make sure your mobile home is ready to be relocated by having a professional inspection done. Depending on the results of this, some repairs could need to be made before you can start the moving process. Also, don’t forget to check with your local transportation department for any permits you might need for transporting a mobile home.
You will also need to contact your park manager and let them know you are thinking about moving. This is because, just like when you move out of an apartment, most parks require a certain amount of notice before you can leave. This is to give them time to sort through paperwork, fees, and any other issues you might have.
You should also remove any external add-ons that you might have on your mobile home, such as a porch or shed. You will need to disconnect all utilities, including electricity, gas, water, sewer, and cable, from your home as well.
Preparation is Key
While a mobile home may seem like a simple and affordable way to live, the truth is that moving one is far more complicated than it appears. If you’reconsidering moving a mobile home, it’s important to understand what’s involved in the process and ensure that you’re prepared for the move before hiring someone to do it for you.
First, you’ll need to prepare the interior of the home. This will include emptying all the contents and removing any items that can be damaged during transport, including exterior attachments such as flower boxes, awnings, decks, porches, and satellite dishes. You’ll also need to disconnect all utilities from the mobile home, including water, gas, and cable TV wires.
In addition, you’ll need to have the mobile home inspected by a professional before the move. This inspection will help ensure that the home is in good condition and that it meets all local zoning requirements for the new location. If you’re moving across state lines, there may be additional requirements. For example, some states require that your mobile home has a special permit to be transported within the state.
It’s also a good idea to plan a route for the move. This will help to avoid delays and protect infrastructure on the roads. You’ll also need to consider whether or not the mobile home will be oversized and if special transportation permits will need to be acquired. If this is the case, your moving company will usually handle acquiring these permits for you.
Mobile homes are a great option for people who need a more affordable place to live. However, the reality is that many of these homes are being bought up by large companies and then rented out to low-income residents. This is a big problem, and it can lead to higher-than-expected rents and fees.
In addition, the fact that mobile homes aren’t considered real estate means that they don’t have the same protections as traditional homes when it comes to zoning laws and other regulations. This can mean that you’ll have a harder time finding a place to move your mobile home to.
Know Your Options
You may see mobile homes being transferred on trailers pulled by trucks on the highway, but it’s a lot more involved than that. Mobile homes, also known as manufactured homes, are a great option for those who want to have the flexibility of moving without giving up their quality home. Unfortunately, more than 90% of manufactured homes never move from their original location, but that doesn’t mean they’re not possible to relocate.
The first step is finding a new location. You’ll need to ensure that your new location has enough space and meets all zoning requirements for mobile homes. Once you’ve found a spot, it’s time to start making transport arrangements.
Before you do, make sure to speak with your local park manager, especially if you live in a mobile home park. They’ll likely require you to provide them with a month-in-advance notice that you plan to move out. They may also have fees or deposits that you’ll be required to pay when you leave the park.
It’s also important to consult with a professional home mover. These professionals will be able to assist you with every step of the process and answer any questions you may have along the way. They can even help you determine whether or not your home can be moved, and if it can, they’ll walk you through the steps of how to get it done.
Your professional home movers can also help you determine whether or not your home needs to be disassembled and moved in sections. This is often necessary for larger double-wide mobile homes, and it can save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
You’ll also need to prepare your home for transport by removing any porches, sheds, or awnings attached to your home’s exterior. It’s also important to disconnect and cap all utilities like gas, water, electricity, and cable. Finally, you’ll need to hire technicians and professionals to set up all utility connections at your new home site. If you’re moving a home to a new city or town, there’s a good chance that it’ll be subject to stricter building standards and deed restrictions than your current location.
Don’t Forget the Details
If you’re thinking about moving your mobile home, it is important not to forget the details. It is not just about the cost – there are many things that go into moving a mobile/manufactured home, including memories, renovations, and other items that cannot be moved.
One reason is that private investors are buying many parks and raising rents to make a quick buck. George McCarthy of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy explains that when these investors buy a park, they raise the rates and fees to make it more valuable.
Ultimately, this makes the park more profitable and allows them to borrow against it. And that’s what they do – again and again, leveraging this increased value in the park to make even more money.
This is a trend that has been happening all over the country, as investors have been scooping up mobile home parks and using them to leverage their own investments in other areas. This is not only bad for the mobile/manufactured home industry but also very bad for the residents who live in these parks.