Here, we’ll be providing you with a guide on mobile home demolition.

Mobile homes are mostly manufactured homes that will require demolition at some point due to a variety of reasons. Certain reasons usually prompt mobile home demolition.

These include unsafe or unlivable conditions, as well as damage caused by fire.

Other issues that could lead to mobile home demolition include unable to safely transport, urgent removal needs as well as the need to have it recycled.

These are some of the many possible reasons for demolition.

How To Get Rid Of A Mobile Home: Options

Mobile home removal can be performed in two ways; deconstruction, and demolition. While both have to do with a teardown of the structure, they’re unique in the way such action is performed.

In the case of deconstruction, it’s a much slower process that involves the use of power tools where the mobile home is gradually deconstructed. This procedure can also be termed ‘reverse construction.’

It’s performed to salvage useful parts of the mobile home which could be repurposed.

Demolition on the other hand is a quicker procedure that involves the utter destruction of a mobile home. This is mostly performed using heavy equipment or machinery. Once completed, debris is cleared out and hauled away.

So, you’ll need to decide which approach best fits your needs. This shouldn’t be a difficult decision. However, you’ll need the input of an expert to know if a mobile home is worth salvaging or not.

You can also do an online search for people and firms who takes old mobile homes for cash. In some cities, there is also an option to donate a mobile home to the fire department.

Preparing For Mobile Home Tear Down & Disposal

Mobile home demolition involves a whole lot of variables that need to be carefully sorted before it begins.

Here, we’re referring to the need to adequately plan for the procedure ahead of time. How well you plan for demolition determines the success of the project. So, what’s involved?

Part of the preparations to make includes getting the equipment necessary for demolition and discussing it with your lender. Other preparatory steps include removing all belongings and furniture, shutting off utilities, and renting a roll-off dumpster.

These steps are quite detailed than they appear. So, to provide you with an idea, let’s briefly discuss each of them.

  • Getting Equipment Necessary for Demolition

Mobile home demolition involves the use of a wide range of equipment.

The equipment used depends on the scale of the job as well as the demolition approach used. DIY demolition may require the purchase or rent of basic tools such as a specialized wrecking tool or pry bar and sledgehammer.

Others include voltmeter, masonry drill, wire cutters, reciprocating saw, ratcheting tubing cutter, and rotary hammer. More demolition tools include stud finder, drywall hook, shop-vac, utility knife or box cutter, plastic sheeting, wheelbarrow, ladder, and putty knife or chisel.

More professional and heavier tools include hydraulic excavator and bulldozer. Mobile home demolition is a risky undertaking that requires the use of safety gear for protection.

Such gear includes a hard hat, work gloves, eye goggles, safety barrier or cones, and surgical masks.

  • Discussing With Your Lender

This will only be necessary if you still owe your mortgage lender or bank. Such discussion will be needed because you haven’t taken full ownership of the structure. As such, you’ll need their approval before proceeding with demolition.

Certain benefits could be attached to discussing with a lender. Such include helping you source financing for the demolition project as well as rebuilding or reconstruction. You’ll need to discuss to know what applies.

As stated earlier, this isn’t for you if you’ve fully settled your mortgage.

  • Removing all Belongings and Furniture

At this point, the mobile home will need to be evacuated.

Part of this evacuation includes removing all your belongings and furniture. These will consist of fixtures, appliances, decorations, and more. This is a preparatory step performed ahead of time.

Of course, it’s expected that you should have made alternative housing or dwelling arrangements before now.

  • Shutting off Utilities

Before demolition starts, it’s important to shut off all utilities connected to the mobile home. These include gas, water, and electric lines. Disconnecting from utility lines is necessary for purpose of safety.

You may be unable to carry out the disconnection procedure. As such, asking for technical support won’t be a bad idea. You may want to approach or contact your utility providers for such a service.

With all utilities disconnected, it’s time to move on to the next preparatory procedure.

  • Renting a Roll Off Dumpster

A roll-off dumpster will come in handy during the demolition process.

When removing your mobile home, a lot of mess is created. With a dumpster around, a lot of such debris can easily be emptied into the dumpster for better management of the demolition site.

Renting a roll-off dumpster also makes post demolition cleanup much easier. You may want to rent ahead of time to ensure it’s delivered on schedule. The right dumpster size for demolition work should also be considered.

How To Demolish A Mobile Home

Looking for what to do with an old mobile home? In this section, we’ll be looking at some options.

With all the preparatory actions listed above fully implemented, it’s time to begin the demolition process. This is systematically carried out from top to bottom and includes multiple steps.

However, the removal procedure used depends on whether you wish to deconstruct, relocate or demolish the mobile home.

i. Deconstructing A Mobile Home

First, you’ll need to identify reputable demolition contractors to receive quotes.

Choose the right mobile home disposal services and obtain the necessary permits. Now, the mobile home is dismantled piece by piece while salvaged materials are separated. Lastly, the remaining debris will need to be hauled off.

It’s important to note that deconstruction isn’t suitable for all mobile home types. What more? This process is more expensive to perform and takes longer to complete.

The advantages include being able to salvage useful materials or building components for reuse.

  • Identify Reputable Demolition Contractors to Obtain Quotes from

Not every demolition contractor provides reliable services. So, you’ll need to pick a few of those considered reliable to obtain quotes from. This step helps you get the best possible price that fits your budget.

  • Choose the Right Contractor

Asking for quotes from multiple contractors is done to get the most affordable mobile home demolition cost. It’s all about finding the right contractor in terms of pricing to patronize.

This step is where you compare and choose your preferred demolition contractor.

  • Obtain Permits For Old Trailer Removal

Most times, a demolition contractor should be able to obtain applicable demolition permits for a job. You’ll need to make inquiries about this from the onset.

  • Dismantling the Mobile Home Piece by Piece

As stated earlier, deconstruction is a much slower process that involves tearing down the mobile home piece-by-piece. This is followed by the separation of salvaged materials.

  • Hauling Away Debris

With salvaging or sorting completed, what remains is debris that needs to be hauled off. Here, your roll-off dumpster comes in handy and makes the process much easier.

ii. Mobile Home Relocation

Mobile home relocation is another alternative available to you. This removal method follows multiple steps too.

Such will include receiving quotes from desired contractors, picking your preferred demolition contractor, and getting applicable permits.

Before the house is relocated, certain components like porch roofs, stairs, and decks have to go. Next, utility lines will need to be disconnected. Such include gas, water, and electric lines.

Also, the mobile home skirt is taken off.

If the mobile home is fairly large, it will need to be separated in two for onward transportation and disposal. Now, a flatbed trailer is used for such relocation. To lift the mobile home, a crane attached to the flatbed trailer does this job.

Before the mobile home is relocated, a destination needs to be picked. It’s taken to its new location and disposed of. Some mobile homes may be relocated for purposes of reusing them.

ii. Mobile Home Demolition & Trailer Removal

Here, a teardown of the mobile home or trailer is intended.

This is mostly performed without the need to salvage any parts. Heavy machinery such as bulldozers and excavators are used for such projects.

Plus, it takes lesser time to complete compared to the others.

For demolition to begin, the area needs to be secured. This is followed by tearing the house down cleaning up debris.

  • Securing the Area

First and foremost, safety measures need to be taken.

This involves establishing a safety perimeter around the job site. Such perimeter includes the use of caution tapes, signage, and barriers to warn people of ongoing work.

  • Tearing the Mobile House Down

Tearing the house begins with the use of an excavator’s arm that descends on the roof first. This is the best way to demo a mobile home.

With the roofs demolished, the walls are targeted next and knocked over before floors are caved in. Smaller-sized mobile homes are faster to demolish.

  • Cleaning Up After Demolishing A Mobile Home

With demolition complete, it’s time to empty the debris into a dumpster.

Most times, instead of using a wheelbarrow which can be laborious, demolition tools are used to scoop debris for emptying in the dumpster. With debris hauled off, the site is graded or leveled up.

Mobile home demolition, removal, and trailer disposal are processes aimed at getting rid of a mobile home that has long exceeded its usefulness. The good news is there are now companies that buy old mobile homes for scrap.