Frequently Asked Questions - Moving a structure
Q:
What is a lot move?
A: A lot move is a building that needs to
be moved around on its existing property.
Q:
Why do people do them?
A:
The most common reason is when
a property is large enough to subdivide, and the house is situated inappropriately
to execute the subdivision. Other reasons may include the property has been rezoned,
or a building is to close to property lines and due to the desire to renovate the
home the building authorities require the building to be made to conform to property
setback regulations.
Q:
What do we need to do before we
get started?
A:
Your first step is to investigate
your local by-laws and building restrictions to see if it is possible. Have a plan
drawn up showing the new location of the building, and the desired renovations and
elevations. Then call us to do a site analysis and quotation on the move. At this
time we would be happy to provide you with a list of qualified contractors who have
had experience in this area.
Q: Is it possible to get a budget/ball park
price prior to agreeing to do it?
A:
Yes. If you can provide us with
some details about the building and the property such as, building square footage,
height of crawlspace or basement, perimeter dimensions, site accessibility and slope
of the property.
Q:
Does it matter what time of year
it is?
A:
Generally, weather conditions
must be extreme to hinder a move, but certainly good weather is preferable.
Q:
Can you move the porches as well?
A:
In most cases, yes.
Q:
What about the front porch that
is supported by columns, can they be moved in tact?
A:
Yes.
Q:
How do you know what can be moved
and what can't?
A:
There are really no physical limitations
to what can be moved, only financial.
Q:
Will our architect know this when
he draws up our new plans?
A:
Not necessarily, but he may call
us to confirm any information he needs.
Q:
Can the house be moved with the
chimney & fireplace?
A:
We used to raise the fireplaces
& chimneys with the buildings but recent changes to various municipal regulations
have made it prohibitive. We now recommend that the fireplaces and chimneys are
removed prior to the lift.
Q:
What if it's a gas insert?
A:
Yes.
Q:
Do we need a moving or building
permit?
A:
A moving permit for a lot move
is not required, but a building permit is. Contact your local building dept. to
acquire their procedures.
Q:
Can we use part of the existing
foundation for new construction?
A: It is possible in some cases to do this,
but we do not recommend it. Differences in the age of sections of the foundation
will cause future settling to be un-equal. As well the cost and hassles of tying
the old foundation to the new can be prohibitive.
Q:
Can the house be turned without
removing the foundation?
A:The moving of the house can be done while
the existing foundation is in tact, but this is not always the best method. It depends
on site conditions and future accessibility to remove the old foundation.
Q:
Does the landscaping get ruined?
A: For most lot moves, the majority of landscaping
is excavated out of the way.
Q:
Do we need to point out to you
what gardens we would like to see undamaged?
A: Yes. If there are some plants you would
like to be saved, they can be transplanted prior to the move or in some cases we
can work around them.
Q:
Do you have to put the house on
a trailer to move it, or do you slide it over on steel?
A: Every job is different, but the determining
factor is the distance the building needs to be moved. If it is being moved less
than 30', we will usually move it on skates ( not steel to steel ). If more than
30', usually on wheels.
Q:
Can we have the new foundation
ready before the move?
A: If there is not an overlap between the
existing location of the house and the proposed location, it is possible. This method
is suggested for moves where the distance from our yard to the job, is more than
2 hours away. The increased travel cost makes it more economical for you to pre
build the foundation.
Q:
How long does it take to move
the house?
A: An average building of 1200 square feet,
will usually take 1 - 2 days. A 3rd day is required to come back and lower onto
the new foundation.
Q:
What kind of prep work is required
to do prior to it being moved?
A: Generally speaking, you must have all services
disconnected, clean and strip out the basement/ crawlspace of the house, including
the fireplace/ chimney, and have the new excavation completed. There are many other
requirements that are more job specific. After viewing your project, we provide
you with a written quotation, and list all of your requirements.
Q:
Do we need permits to remove trees?
A: Check with your local building department.
Q:
Is it possible to move the house
if there is a ditch between the original location and the new location?
A: When you are excavating and preparing the
new site, at that time you would also prepare the access from where the building
is situated now.
Q:
What do we do with all the debris
leftover from the original location?
A: We recommend that you recycle as much of
the material as you can, disposing of the rest. Concrete can now be recycled as
well as many other construction materials. The Excavation Company you chose will
be able to help you out in this area.
Q:
Is there much cracking when the
house is moved?
A: The majority of cracking in a house is
caused by settling over the years of it's current foundation, and when we begin
to lift it back to level it shifts back to its original state. If your house has
not settled, the amount of cracking will be minor.
Q:
Do we need to remove all the furnishings
from the house before it is moved?
A: We do not require you to for moving purposes,
but you may want to check with your insurance company to insure they will still
cover your contents while the house is being moved.
Q:
Does the distance of the move
affect the cost?
A: Not necessarily. The majority of the work
is in the preparation for the move. The distance becomes relative to the cost when
site conditions are difficult.
Q:
What are some of the variables
that increase the estimate for the cost of the move?
A: Site conditions, size, weight and the geometry
of the building.
Q:
Can you move anything?
A:
We maintain that the only restrictions
to moving any building are economic. If men can build it, we can move it.
Q:
What about the attached garage,
can that be moved with the house?
A: Yes.
Q:
What about detached garages, does
that cost a lot more to have it moved as well?
A: An average double car garage is usually
between $2-3,000 to move, if we are on the site already doing other work.
Q:
What about a glass sun room. Can
that be moved with the house?
A: Yes.