How Much Does It Cost to Move a House? [2026 Data]

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Cost Insights:
  • House relocation costs between $18,000 and $100,000 for your move, based on home size and route.

  • Your home's footprint and the transport route determine how much specialized equipment and labor you need for the relocation.

  • You should account for permits at multiple stages, new foundation work, utility disconnections and reconnections, and temporary housing during your move.

  • Hiring a local moving company ensures your relocation is safe and protects your home from damage during transport.

In 2026, the national average cost to move a house is $40,000. Most homeowners spend between $18,000 and $100,000, with the spread driven by home size, transport distance, and route complexity.

Can You Move an Entire House?

Yes, it's possible to move an entire house, but it's a complicated and expensive process requiring specialized equipment and expertise. The process usually involves hiring moving professionals to raise the house onto a hydraulic jacking system, move it onto a set of wheels or a trailer, and then transport it to a new location.

However, it's important to note that not all houses are structurally capable or suitable for moving, and there may be legal and logistical challenges to consider. It's recommended to consult with a professional house-moving company to determine if moving your house is feasible and cost-effective.

House Moving Cost Factors: What Determines the Price?

The cost to move a home varies considerably because every house and every route is different. Unlike the cost of moving a mobile home, which follows a relatively predictable formula, moving a traditional site-built home depends on a complex set of variables. Costs depend on home size, foundation type, route complexity, site accessibility, and the accessories attached to the structure, as outlined in the sections below.

Home Size and Layout

Moving a home costs $12 to $16 per square foot, making size one of the most direct drivers of your total bill. Larger homes may need to be moved in separate pieces and reassembled at the new site, which adds both labor and complexity. A more intricate floor plan or an irregular footprint further increases difficulty, since crews need more time and equipment to keep the structure stable during transport. The table below compares average costs to move a house across four home sizes, from 1,000 to 2,500 square feet:

Home Size in Square FeetAverage Costs in 2026
1,000$12,000–$16,000
1,500$18,000–$24,000
2,000$24,000–$32,000
2,500$30,000–$40,000

Distance to and Location of New Site

The route between your home's current location and its destination is one of the most important cost factors in any house move, because moving companies must account for hills, narrow roads, low-clearance bridges, utility wires, and weight-restricted roads that can complicate or slow transport. Moving a home to a different spot on the same lot is the least expensive option, though it still requires most of the same preparation steps as a longer move. Relocating across town or farther away significantly increases costs as route complexity and travel time increase.

Accessibility and Terrain

Moving a house from a remote location accessible only by a steep, narrow dirt road costs more than moving the same house from a flat suburban lot with open surroundings. Difficult terrain requires more specialized lifting equipment and slows transport, both of which increase labor time and overall project costs.

Type and Condition of Foundation

A house is removed from its location and loaded onto a truck for transportation.
apsimo1 / iStock / Getty Images

The existing foundation plays as large a role in the cost as the new one does, because its height and construction determine how much preparation is needed to lift the house safely. Homes with full basements or taller crawl spaces are the easiest to work with, while homes on slab foundations or supported by wooden or brick piers and pilings require more extensive and expensive prep work before the move can begin.

Disconnection and Reconnection

The hydraulic jacking system, cribbing, and beam support required to safely disconnect, lift, and reconnect your home all affect the final price, with the right combination chosen based on your home's size, weight, and construction. Smaller homes with straightforward framing require significantly less cribbing and beam support than larger, more complex structures, thereby keeping costs lower.

Permits

Permits are required at multiple stages of a house move, typically covering the home's removal, the new foundation pour, and road use during transport. Confirm that your contractors have secured every required permit before any work begins to avoid costly delays or legal complications.

Preparing the New Site

Your new site needs a custom foundation built to match your existing home before the move, and you will also need utility connections and proper lot access in place, all of which add to your total cost.

Accessories and Add-Ons

Decks, porches, garages, balconies, and chimneys all add to your moving costs, since they sometimes need to be detached before the move and reattached at the new site rather than transported while still connected. You may also want to research how to move a shed when deciding whether to bring outbuildings to the new location or leave them behind.

Insurance

Moving a house carries significant risk, so review your homeowners insurance policy carefully before the project begins to confirm it covers damages or mishaps that could occur during transport.

Temporary Living Arrangements

You can’t live in your home during the relocation process, which can take months to complete, so factor the cost of temporary housing into your overall budget from the start.

How Does Moving a House Work?

Moving a house involves four main steps:

  1. Site prep: House-moving professionals will assess the surrounding environment of the current home and the new location, obtain permits, and coordinate with utility companies.

  2. Building prep: The appropriate pros will disconnect utilities, remove fixtures, raise the house, and place it on a temporary foundation.

  3. Moving day: Your moving team will transport the house to the new location cautiously, which may take several hours or even days.

  4. Setting home in new location: Level and secure the house on its new foundation, reconnect utilities and fixtures, and complete any finishing touches.

Pros and Cons of Moving a House

Truck with big wooden house on trailer
Ulrich Mueller / Moment Open / Getty Images

Relocating a house is a complicated and often costly endeavor. How do you know if moving your existing house is the right choice? If you're staying relatively local and aren't looking to relocate halfway across the country or move to another country, it's worth considering.

ProsCons
May be more cost-effectiveRisks damage to home
Keep a sentimental homeUnexpected expenses can add up
Preserve a historic homeComplicated logistics

Pros of Moving a House

  • Cost: Moving your existing home may be more cost-effective than buying a new one.

  • Sentiment: You can stay in your dream home or family home even in a new location.

  • Preservation: Moving a historic home can keep it protected and preserved for years to come.

Cons of Moving a House

  • Unexpected expenses: Costs can quickly add up if things don't go according to plan, such as unexpected route blocks or new foundation expenses.

  • Complicated logistics: Coordinating a move can be complex and may require constant adjustments, especially when transporting a large home.

  • Potential risk: Damage to your home or its contents is a significant risk during this process.

Ways to Reduce Costs While Moving a House

While moving a house is always a job for trained house-moving professionals, there are ways homeowners can contribute to the preparation, saving time and money during the relocation process:

  • Clear access to the house by removing landscaping and fencing

  • Empty out crawl spaces

  • Disconnect utilities

  • Detach decks, porches, or stairs

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Since moving an entire house is a very complex process requiring many different types of experts, qualified contractors must perform most of the work to ensure a safe and structurally sound relocation. Contact local moving companies that specialize in this type of move, compare quotes, and consider the companies' experience and qualifications. Be sure to provide your house-moving company with the specifics of your move, including its square footage, current condition, and the distance to its destination.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.

Frequently Asked Questions

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how far you can move your house. Interstate moves will involve additional permits and regulations, with some states having different requirements than others. The most important factor relating to the distance you can move a house is the route that has to be taken to get there. In areas with narrow, winding roads, hilly terrain, and low-clearance bridges, it can be very difficult and expensive to move a home long distances.

There are different types of moving companies, and you’ll want to look for one that has experience moving houses. Ask them how many houses they’ve moved, how long they’ve been in business, whether they coordinate all of the labor, permits, and subcontractors needed, and what their liability is for any damages incurred.

Surprisingly, no! For most house moves, you can keep everything inside as is, although we’d recommend taking out any sentimental or extremely fragile items. You’ll need to fully empty your basement or crawl space, but otherwise, your home can be moved with everything intact. Your movers will also be able to provide you with further guidance. 

It’s typically more cost-effective to move a building along with its accessories than to demolish and rebuild it from scratch. However, that’s only if you can move the accessories without damaging them. However, if you plan to demolish the accessories anyway, it is advisable to do so before the move to save costs.

Moving a house is a complex and labor-intensive process, which is why it can get so pricey, particularly if it’s a large home. In some cases, the house may need to be dismantled, moved in sections, and then reassembled at the new location, which can add significantly to the cost of the move. However, it’s typically less costly than building a new home.

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