How Much Does it Cost to Move House in Chicagoland… Like, Literally Move Your House

Cost to move house in Chicagoland

Have you ever wondered how much does it cost to move house in Chicagoland? If you’ve ever been chugging along on the freeway and noticed a truck lugging a house in tow, certainly the question has come to your attention. Nope, it wasn’t Dorothy of Oz’s house that dropped down on the freeway from Kansas. People DO pack up their bags - and their house - when relocating. We’re not talking mobile homes here, but actual houses with a porch and deck and everything. And let me tell you, it takes more than a U-Haul to move a house in Chicagoland.

So, let’s jump right in and answer what inquiring minds want to know!

How Much Does it Cost to Move House in Chicagoland?

Okay, so before we broach the question how much does it cost to move house in Chicagoland? Let’s first ask the more obvious question, shall we?

Um…. Why move the house at all?

Yeah, why would someone want to physically move a house? Think about what this means for a second. The house is rooted in the foundation which is firmly set in the ground. To move your house, one would need to dig it out of the ground and then physically relocate it. Isn’t it much simpler to simply purchase a new home in your new location?

Sure, but there are a few reasons why someone would want to physically relocate their home, regardless of the costs and intensive time required. Take historic homes, for example. How about 100-year old homes? 

The 124-year old 3,000 square-foot Mackenzie House on the Wayne State University Campus in Detroit comes to mind. In 2019, this home was dug out of the ground to make room for the new lobby and performance complex. But rather than tear down this historic home, the University wanted to move it to another location. Ths location wasn’t far; it was simply around the block.

Unlike you and me, the house can’t simply promenade down the street and get comfy on its new lot. It needs to be physically moved. And the price tag? $750,000.

Yes, nearly $1 Million dollars just to move the home around the corner.

There are as many as 95,000 properties listed on the National Register that are “worthy of preservation.” Hopefully most of those homes can stay right where they are.

Certainly, there are other reasons to physically move a house. I was curious about how many homes are physically moved each year. I reached out to a professional crew and asked. They said they physically relocate 250 homes per year. Wow!

Cost to move to Chicago il

Back to our Question: How much does it cost to move house in Chicagoland?

First off, physically moving a house is not cut-and-dry. The price and scope of the job depend on the unique features of the home. However, on average, the cost to physically move home is between $12 - $16 per square foot. At these prices, if you’re considering moving your house then you better be very sure it’s the right decision for you. 

Think about it: we’re talking anywhere from $15,000 to $200,000 just for labor and transporting the home. And when you compare the costs of purchasing a new home, the costs of physically moving a house comes in under the hair of ground-up construction.

So, “how much does it cost to move house in Chicagoland?” Figure in for these features:

  • Size and weight: To gauge costs, we need to factor in square-footage, your structure’s length, and width before making this decision. Keep in mind, older homes have more unique qualities that may break the mold and up the costs, that’s why moving your prefab house will be less expensive than moving a historic 7,000 square-foot mansion.
  • Structure and shape: Your sprawling single-level historic home with cool features is going to cost more than a boxy, modern tri-level. Square footage doesn’t hold a candle to the historic home because of the sheer amount of equipment required to move those old fashioned nooks and crannies, wrap-around patios, etc. Materials also matter here. Bricks, logs, and stone cost more to move than concrete. Everything combined contributes to the recipe and overall cost of the move.
  • Foundation and crawl space: Foundations matter. A home built on a terraced foundation will cost more than a home built on a concrete slab. The crawl space contributes to pricing as well, as steel slats must be inserted to lift and move the house, which can be tricky with crawl spaces.
  • Route challenges: Accessibility of the route also factors in here. The further you go, particularly if you venture into more rural or uneven terrain, then these play into the quote. As well, low-hanging trees may need to be trimmed before your home is moved, and a route free of low power lines and clear of hazards is necessary, ensuring that the route is as safe a journey for your home as possible. Overall, the larger the lot and more room to maneuver is easier than smaller lots. The roads must have enough room for transport. As well, the further away you move from the original location, the more expensive the relocation will be.
  • Labor and time: This is a job for the pros, no do-it-yourselfers here. This also contributes to the price, as only movers and crews with the most experience and technical equipment will do. 

Due to route obstacles increasing the costs, most moves are within a quarter-mile of the original location. 

Cost to Move House in Chicagoland

What Types of Homes Can Be Relocated?

Aside from asking “how much does it cost to move house in Chicagoland?” You may be wondering what types of homes can be moved. If you’re wondering if your home is a good fit, consider the following scenarios:

  • Your home is to be moved further back from the street.
  • Your home is to be relocated further back from a shoreline.
  • You purchased the lot next door and want to move your home to occupy both lots.
  • You aren’t looking for a move, but simply need to lift the home to fix the foundation.
  • You own a historic home and want to preserve it. 

These are the scenarios in which your home may not be suitable for a move:

  • You want to save money and avoid purchasing a home.
  • Your home has structural defects.
  • You aren’t ready to let-go of your home, even though you must relocate.

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Here’s What Moving a Home Looks Like (Hint: it’s Complicated) 

First off, the homeowner must get a quote from a general contractor, an architect, and an engineer. These parties must work together to forge a plan for the move. This process includes acquiring permits, which can take time.

The general contractor starts work first, by disconnecting the house from the foundation and all outside utilities.

Next comes planning the route. The general contractor will take this task on, factoring in the width of the roads and the various road and accessibility challenges we discussed earlier. 

After this step, the transporting company joins the party and installs the house on their jacking system. It’s similar to a car jack but much bigger. 

After the home arrives safely at its destination, the general contractor will have the new foundation ready to go. It will have been excavated with new footings already poured. The transportation company then lifts the house, still on the jack, and well above the new footers. 

Next, a mason will enter the scene and build the foundation up to the new house (which is still suspended up by the jack). Finally, the general contractor can connect the home to the various utilities.

Then you take a long, long nap.

See? It is Complicated! How Often Do People Move Houses?

As I mentioned earlier, the contractor I spoke with said he keeps busy, moving 200-250 homes per year. Primarily, these moves are due to homes being flooded by rising shorelines or in flood plains. 

No project is considered small in this field. While time consuming and expensive, if the team is experienced then the risks are minimal. The only risk really is that something unexpected turns up, in which case the costs go up.

If you are interested in moving your home, it’s more arduous than the usual moving checklist. It’s important that homeowners have some wiggle room just in case expenses get out of hand. The home can’t be left on the freeway and wait for the next driver like a common hitchhiker. 

Although moving home is not for everyone, there are many scenarios in which case it’s the best option. Not only is your home moved out of harm's way (if in a flooded area), or preserved on a safer lot, the home gets a new solid foundation as well. Homeowners can also take advantage of and add a basement or garage. 

I hope this article answered your question, “how much does it cost to move house in Chicagoland.” This is a fascinating topic, and even if you aren’t necessarily interested in moving your home, knowing the facts makes for terrific dinner conversation. Keep those good questions coming friends.

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