The expenses involved in shifting a house can vary depending on the project’s unique characteristics, such as: the house size, level of complexity involved in removing it from the current site, access to the new site, distance to be transported, and whether any alterations to the roofline are necessary before shifting.
If you’re planning to relocate a house within a 100km radius of its original location and install it on standard pile foundations, you can use the following figures as a starting point:
- For a single piece shift (where the house can be moved in one piece), the estimated cost ranges from $35,000 to $55,000 plus GST.
- For a two-piece shift (where the house needs to be split into two parts for removal and reinstated at the new site), the estimated cost is between $55,000 and $85,000 plus GST.
The above information is assuming that it is a relatively standard move with good access and a level site. Additional factors that can affect the cost of relocating a house include:
- High roofs that require lowering and reinstatement will add to the cost.
- The size of the house will dictate the number of piles needed for the foundations, resulting in variations in cost due to extra concrete, timber and other materials required.
- Wide loads may require the house to be cut into 2 or 3 pieces, depending on its shape, which can increase the cost and slow down transportation.
- Site access obstacles such as telecom poles, trees, fences, and narrow driveways may require extra costs to clear the access (egress).
- Time spent positioning the house if your site is at an awkward angle and needs the house to be positioned to fit can add to the cost.
- Distance to the new site can impact the cost of the shift as houses can only be transported on the roads between certain hours, and it may take 2 or more nights to reach your site.
- Brick cladding, concrete decks, verandahs and chimneys will require extra labour to remove the bricks and prepare the house for relocation.
We include an approximate removal cost for each of our listings, which can help you estimate the total expenses involved in relocating the house.
