5 Steps to Donate Your Mobile Home: A Comprehensive Guide
Dispose of your mobile home through demolition, deconstruction, relocation, donation, or remodeling, each with its own process and costs.
Mobile homes have a 30 to 50 years lifespan, so what do you do when it’s seen its last lived-in day?
We will look at how to get rid of a mobile home and how you can benefit from the proper disposal.
Getting rid of a mobile home is a process, for sure. But there are ways you can dispose of a mobile home that can benefit you, others, and the environment.
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Demolition
Scraping is the easiest way to make a little coin from your tired and worn-out mobile home, but it requires a little more than just ripping it apart.
Steps to mobile home demolition
- Request multiple contractor quotes for deconstruction.
- Decide on the right contractor for this project.
- Obtain a permit
- Take the mobile home apart.
- The salvageable and scrap-worthy materials will be put to the side.
- Everything else will get hauled away.
Permits
Regardless of where you live, a permit to demolish a mobile home is likely required.
As with most permits, it does come with a cost of anywhere from $100 to $350, depending on where you live.
Ask the contractor if their price includes the required permits or if they’re a separate cost.
Cost
Different things affect the price of demolishing a mobile home. For instance, the labor cost and disposal weight/fee will be higher if you have a shingle roof.
The mobile home’s size and location will play significant factors in terms of cost.
Of course, if the mobile home is full of random items and belongings, it will cost more to destroy.
As far as the salvageable go, if you have the strength and know-how, you can do most of the stripping and scraping of parts on your own.
One of the only issues you may run into doing it yourself is that the outer steel panels are hard to cut.
An average 12ft x 60ft mobile worth $200 to $850 in recycled metal waiting for you to salvage, and it only takes a few hours to get it done.
Demolition is the fastest and cheapest way to get rid of a mobile home.
Deconstruction
Deconstruction is more expensive and takes longer than demolishing, making it the least suitable for getting rid of a mobile home.
Steps of mobile home deconstruction
- Get a few quotes from a few contractors.
- Pick a contractor suitable for the job.
- Apply and obtain a permit.
- Disassemble the mobile home piece by piece.
- The salvageable parts are separated and put to the side.
- Your contractor hauls away the remaining debris.
Permit
A permit to deconstruct a home costs around the same as demolition – $200 to $350. You will need to check with your contractor that their quote price includes permits.
Cost
The cost of deconstruction can run as much as $8,000 and really isn’t suitable for mobile homes. It is better for the environment, but that is where the benefits end when it comes to deconstruction.
The deconstruction process takes quite a bit longer, too. You’re looking at least a day, if not several, to get rid of a mobile home by deconstructing it.
Relocation
Relocating a mobile home is expensive and sometimes dangerous. If your mobile home isn’t fit enough to live in, it’s probably not fit enough to relocate.
Steps to mobile home relocation
- Ask for a few contractor quotes.
- Find the right contractor for the specific job.
- Acquire the proper permits.
- Remove exterior components – the stairs, deck, porch, etc.
- Remove the skirting.
- Get the utilities disconnected and release unground ties.
- A crane lifts the mobile home out and onto a flatbed trailer.
- The trailer takes the mobile home from point A to point B.
- Set up and reconnect the mobile home at its new location.
Permits
To relocate a mobile home, you must get a permit that says the structure is fit and in shape enough to transport.
Discuss with the contractor if the quoted price includes the permit costs.
Cost
The cost to relocate a mobile home can be between $3,000 to $12,000, which includes moving preparedness, the actual moving, and setting up at the new location.
Relocating is the most expensive and time-consuming way to get rid of a mobile home.
Donation
Donating a mobile home isn’t just a nice thing to do; it’s an easy way to get rid of a mobile home without it costing you a thing.
Steps to mobile home donation
- You’ll want to ensure the mobile home meets building codes before donation.
- Choose a charity or person in need to donate to (Karz4Kids, Housing Assistance for Veterans)
- Make the arrangements for the mobile home pickup.
You have a third option when donating a mobile home – your local fire department.
Contact the fire department and ask if they want a structure to live fire train in. Some fire departments are more than happy to control burn your mobile home to the ground for free.
Donating your mobile home isn’t the quickest way to get rid of a mobile home, but it is the kindest.
Is remodeling a mobile home worth it?
Remodeling is only an option if the updates significantly increase the resale value. Renovating is also a choice if you want to extend the mobile home’s life or fix it up for someone in need.
What is the life expectancy of a mobile home?
Because of HUD standards, a mobile home can last between 30 and 50 years.
How long does it take to depreciate a mobile home?
Mobile homes begin to lose value when they leave the factory.
However, depreciation depends on a few things, such as location, the condition of the mobile home, and demand.
Does my mobile home have asbestos?
Asbestos is possible if you live in a mobile home made in the 1970s.
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) forbids asbestos from being used in new construction.
You risk asbestos exposure when removing old abandoned manufactured homes made pre-1974. You will want to contact a professional mobile home removal service.
More FAQs about Getting Rid of a Mobile Home
How long does it take to break down a mobile home?
It takes a few days to fully deconstruct a mobile home, depending on the amount of salvageable materials present. The presence of a substantial amount of salvageable materials can help offset a significant portion of the costs involved.
How much does it cost to remove a trailer home?
The cost of removing a trailer home can vary, but typically, demolition is the quickest and most cost-effective method. The average price range for demolishing a mobile home is around $3,000 to $7,000. In the United States, the average cost per square foot for mobile home demolition is approximately $3.50 to $5.
What makes a mobile home depreciate?
Mobile homes depreciate in value due to their classification as personal property rather than real property. Real property refers to land and anything permanently attached to it, while anything that can be removed without causing damage to the land is not considered real property.
How do you increase the value of a mobile home?
To increase the value of a mobile home, one can start by upgrading old appliances. Energy-efficient upgrades should also be considered, along with a fresh coat of paint to enhance curb appeal. Small upgrades can make a difference as well. If feasible, moving the home to a more desirable location can also increase its value. It’s important to research and compare similar properties in order to determine an appropriate budget for these improvements.
Do mobile homes have good resale value?
Mobile homes do not have a guaranteed resale value, but the same can be said for stick-built homes. However, as long as manufactured homes are well-maintained, they generally appreciate in value over time.
How can I increase the value of my double wide mobile home?
To increase the value of your double wide mobile home, you can consider upgrading the windows, installing smart home features, improving energy efficiency, replacing the skirting, giving it a fresh coat of paint, and ensuring the cleanliness of the carport.
