Moving A House May Be More Than Meets The Eye

Because the price of land often exceeds the cost of construction, many older homes, particularly ones that don’t fill a lot’s building envelope, are vulnerable to teardown. A new house as large as zoning allows often replaces an older, outdated one, both to maximize returns and to provide modern conveniences.

What if a house has value that cannot be quantified? The East End has many historic homes, some more than 250 years old. They are understood to contribute to the aesthetic of the community, connecting the present to the past in a tangible way and offering a reminder of how people lived before “The Hamptons” came to be.

To save homes not protected by landmark designation, third parties sometimes are invited to “adopt” and relocate them. But even if an older house is offered for free, the cost of relocating is often significantly higher than the cost of constructing a new house onsite.

“We are shown free houses all the time,” said Stan Kazel of Dawn House Movers. “The average homebuyer just can’t make it work.” This is due to all the expenses involved in moving a house, the least of which is the physical lift and move.

If consulted on such a project, a house mover would then suggest a general contractor to manage all of the supplementary work. The contractor would employ an architect to assess the structural integrity of the house, an electrician to clear and reinstall all of the wires connected to the house, a plumber to clear and reinstall pipes running into the house, and a mason to clear the original foundation and construct a new one at the destination property.

The adopter would have to secure building permits to place the structure on the new piece of land and oversized load permits from the local municipality for the actual move.

“The height of the house is the main factor,” Mr. Kazel explained. “A house over 16 feet is pushing it.”

Once the house is lifted off its foundation, it is suspended on dollies 4 feet above the ground. A 16-foot house would then rise 20 feet off the ground during the move, interfering with power and cable lines along the route. Utility company crews need to follow a house as it’s moved, cutting and replacing lines along the way.

The price of cutting a cable can be as high as $1,000, according to Mr. Kazel. If the house is to be moved several miles, the cost of clearing lines can quickly add up to more than the cost of lifting and moving the house.

Moving a small wooden farmhouse like the sort typically put up for “adoption” on the East End would cost between $25,000 and $35,000, but with the added work the final cost could be more than three times that. The proximity of the final location is the most important factor, according to Mr. Kazel.