How to scrape and dispose of an old mobile home

One question we get from homeowners constantly is, “what do I do with an old mobile home?”. Well, there are multiple options, from deconstruction and demolition to donation and selling. Which option is right for you? Learn the pros and cons of mobile home disposal methods and decide which one sounds the best for your old home!

The Homeowners’ Guide to Disposing of Old Mobile Homes

Mobile homes can be a great investment for people searching for affordable living. Depending on how you maintain the home, it can last upwards of 50 years! But, what do you do when it’s time to move on? We’ll help you scrap and dispose of your old mobile home safely, legally, and without too much difficulty.

Related: How Much Do New Mobile Homes Cost?

From deconstructing and demolishing your old mobile home and selling the salvageable materials to relocating it to another property, donating it to your local fire department, or selling it through a mobile home dealer, here’s how to scrap and dispose of an old mobile home:

Mobile Home Disposal Option 1: Selling

The process for selling your old mobile home includes:

• Finding a buyer. This could be an online listing site like Craigslist or a local mobile home retailer.
  
  

The best part of selling your old mobile home is that you can make much more money than with other scrap and disposal options. But, it can also take longer than other methods. The time it takes depends on the local market and your price; it takes about the same amount of time as selling a stick-built house.

Mobile Home Disposal Option 2: Deconstruction

The process of deconstructing a mobile home includes:

• Obtaining quotes from a mobile home deconstruction contractors

• Choosing the right contractor

• Getting the necessary permits

• Your contractor will disassemble your old mobile home piece by piece

• Any salvageable materials get set aside

• Any remaining debris gets hauled away

You’ll likely need to get a deconstruction permit before you can start on any disassembly. Luckily, regardless of where you live, these permits are relatively affordable and typically range from $100 to $300. When choosing a contractor, it’s crucial that you discuss with them who is responsible for getting the permits and whether or not the price will get included in their fees.

Mobile home deconstruction can be expensive—upwards of $10,000 in some cases. It could take a few days to fully deconstruct the home, depending on how many salvageable materials there are. If there is a decent amount that you can salvage from the mobile home, it can offset many of the costs. Another option is to find a company that will deconstruct your home for charity—not only will you save some money and help out your community, but it’s also considered a tax write-off.

Related: Home Nation vs. Other Mobile Home Dealers

Mobile Home Disposal Option 3: Relocation

The process of relocating a mobile home includes:

• Getting quotes from movers

• Choosing the right company

• Getting any necessary permits

• Removing stairs, porch roofs, and decks, underground ties, and skirting

• Disconnecting utilities

• The movers will lift the mobile home onto a trailer and haul it away

• They will then set it up at the new destination
  
  

The first thing you’ll have to do is get the proper permits stating that your mobile home is in good enough shape and fit for transporting on the highway.

The costs for moving your mobile home vary wildly depending on how far you’re moving and the size of the home. The costs could be anywhere from a few thousand to over $10,000. 

After prepping your old mobile home for transportation, the relocation process takes about as long as the time needed to get it to its new destination. Remember, they’ll likely pass through checkpoints to ensure the home is secured, and they’ll drive at much slower speeds than normal traffic.

Related: How Much Is it to Move a Mobile Home?

Mobile Home Disposal Option 4: Donation

The process for donating a mobile home includes:

Donate mobile home to fire department:

Calling your local fire department. Many of them offer a tax-writeoff because they use old mobile homes for burn exercises

• They will come to your property and (safely) burn your mobile home as a training exercise

Donate mobile home to a charity or individual:

• Ensuring your home meets local building codes (donation is not an option for mobile homes that don’t meet them)

• Finding a charity or person that is interested and can make good use of your old home

• Arranging for them to move it from the property

Donating your old mobile home is completely free, and sometimes the tax write-off can be worth more than scrapping it, depending on how much salvageable materials are left on your home. It typically takes no more than a single day to donate your mobile home once you confirm that it meets building codes.

Mobile Home Disposal Option 5: Demolition

The process for demolishing a mobile home includes:

• Getting quotes from different contractors

• Choosing who you wish to work with

• Getting a demolition permit

• Tearing down the mobile home

• Your contractors will separate salvageable material

• They will then haul away any remaining debris
  
  

Demolishing your old mobile home requires the necessary permits and has similar prices to the permits you would need for deconstruction. 

Typically, demolishing a mobile home costs between $4 and $6 per square foot. However, several things affect that price. For example, mobile homes with shingle roofs require more labor to demolish, so the disposal fee will be higher. Homes that are already emptied will cost significantly less to demolish, and the location also affects pricing. An average mobile home can be worth $300 to $800 in recycled metal.

Demolition is the quickest (and usually most inexpensive) way to get rid of your old mobile home. Typically, it will only take a few hours to tear down the home.

Mobile Home Disposal Option 6: Repurposing

Consider repurposing your structurally sound mobile home for a new purpose. It's a creative and practical approach to giving new life to an old structure. From transforming it into a charming guest cottage to converting it into a functional home office or studio space, repurposing offers endless possibilities. Not only does this approach minimize waste by avoiding demolition, but it also presents a sustainable alternative that aligns with eco-conscious living.

However, it's important to acknowledge that repurposing a mobile home can be both expensive and time-consuming. Depending on the scope of renovations needed and the complexity of your vision, significant investments of both time and money may be required. Structural modifications, updating utilities, and enhancing amenities are just some of the potential challenges you might encounter. Despite these obstacles, the process of repurposing can yield rewarding results, offering a unique and personalized space tailored to your specific needs and preferences.

Interested in selling or trading your old mobile home? Get in touch with Home Nation—Your local mobile home dealer!