Easy Guide for House Removals
Moving a home can be a great alternative to building. Classic Queenslanders are just that …classic. These homes built pre-1950’s, offer style and character hard to find in new homes. Recycling homes is also environmentally-friendly. Once the house is placed on your block, you can virtually move in straight away once utilities are connected. You can then, at your pace and budget, renovate the home to your liking.
Important Considerations
Finance
Speak to your local lender to check you can get finance for a removal home. Sometimes it can be tricky to get a loan approved without equity or a guarantor.
Size and style of home
The size of the home will determine the number of loads that are needed to move the entire house, be it one, two or three shifts generally. Decks can be added once the house has been moved. Check the size of your land also, to ensure the house fits according to Council requirements.
Local Council requirements
Check with your local Council prior to purchasing your block, that a removal home can be placed on the block. Councils have differing requirements for house removal homes such as paying a Bond to ensure all the nominated work is completed on the home, or if the land is located near bushland, a Bushfire Management Plan may be required.
Block of Land
Firstly, check with council that you can move a home onto your desired block – there are suburbs that have building covenants. The size of your block will determine what size home you buy. There may be a building envelope on the block, or overlays – your local Council town planner can help you with this information. Also check the land has water and sewerage connected as, if it doesn’t, you should get quotes to connect these services prior to purchasing.
A good tip is to get a soil test prior to purchasing, to ascertain the soil type which may incur extra costs.
If you are unsure that your block is suitable, as well as the access to the block, we are happy to inspect it for you to confirm suitability.
Electrical Connection
Check electricity is connected to your block, and if not, get a quote to have it connected. It’s a good idea to have the wiring checked in the home you are looking to purchase – it may need to be rewired. Smoke alarms may also need to be installed to comply with Australian Standard.
Sewer Connection
As with electrical connection, you should also check if you can connect to sewerage. If not, you will need to install an onsite treatment/septic system.
Asbestos
A lot of older homes have asbestos present. We have a Class A & B Asbestos License to remove asbestos – this can be done prior to moving or afterwards, for an additional cost.
Insurance
Make your home is insured sufficiently for “building in transit” insurance.
What is included in the price to move a home?
- Council Road Bonds
- Accredited Pilot Vehicles & Operators
- Police Escorts
- All Utilities – travel permits
- Highly skilled and experience House Removal staff
- QBCC Insurance to the value of the building works only
Not included in the price to move a home
- Council Applications
- Soil Tests
- Waste Water Design
- Cyclone Rods
- House Plan Preparation & Engineering Certifications
- Site preparation
- No allowance for unsuitable extra excavation such as rock, for the footings
- Disconnection & Reconnection of Services – water, sewerage & power
- Reattachment of stairs & handrails by licensed tradesperson
Timeframes
Allow for the following timeframes for the House Removal process
- Plans to be drawn and engineered (2-4 weeks)
- Applications to be approved (6-8 weeks)
- When building approvals have been issued, road permits can be obtained (4 weeks)
- Once you have signed a contract and paid your deposit, we can schedule you into our calendar.