How to prepare a mobile home for moving

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The crew does the heavy part of a move. They release the tie-downs, jack the home off its piers and put the running gear back under it (MobileHomeMovingCompanies.com, moving checklist). Your share is the utilities, the inside of the home, the paperwork and the new lot. Ask your mover early which jobs they cover, because it varies from company to company.

A few weeks out

• Get quotes and book a mover. The cost guide has typical prices.
• Find the home's registration. Louisiana DOTD rules say a home moved from a Louisiana starting point needs a valid Louisiana registration certificate (Louisiana DOTD, Regulations for Trucks, Vehicles and Loads (2026)).
• Check the permits at the new address. In Lafayette Parish that means LCG's Mobile Home Permit Application and, on some lots, a Floodplain Development Permit (Lafayette Consolidated Government, building permits). The permits page covers the rest.

Utilities

Call the power, gas or propane, water and internet providers at least two weeks before the move to end service at the old address and start it at the new one (The Good Men Project, what to check before moving a manufactured home). Power and propane companies set their own schedules, so don't leave this to the last few days (World Link Transportation, transport prep checklist).

Don't disconnect a gas or propane line yourself. A line that looks closed can still hold pressure, and a leak under the home is a fire risk. Leave it to the supplier, a licensed technician or a trained mover, and have a licensed electrician or the utility handle the power (World Link Transportation, transport prep checklist; The Good Men Project, what to check before moving a manufactured home). Before anything is unhooked, take a photo of each connection so the hookup at the new lot goes faster.

Inside the home

• Take fragile items, electronics, valuables, documents and medicine with you (MobileHomeMovingCompanies.com, moving checklist).
• Empty the upper cabinets. Latches can pop open on rough roads.
• Tape cabinet doors, drawers and the refrigerator and oven doors shut (World Link Transportation, transport prep checklist).
• Take down mirrors, wall art and ceiling fans or light fixtures that could swing.
• Move heavy furniture out if you can. Extra weight strains the floor and frame on the road (MobileHomeMovingCompanies.com, moving checklist).
• Empty and clean the refrigerator, then prop the door open once it's unplugged.

Outside the home

Skirting, decks, porches, steps, awnings and satellite dishes all come off before the home is lifted (The Good Men Project, what to check before moving a manufactured home). If you want to reuse the skirting, stack the panels flat and label them by side. Warped or cracked panels often won't seat right a second time (World Link Transportation, transport prep checklist). Clear the area around the home so the crew can get to the tie-downs and piers.

Frame, axles and tires

Many homes had their axles, tires or hitch taken off after the last setup. If yours did, the mover will need to supply or reinstall them, so mention it when you ask for quotes (The Good Men Project, what to check before moving a manufactured home). It's worth a look underneath for rust, cracks or old weld repairs on the steel frame, and inside for soft floors or roof leaks, since weak spots tend to get worse in transit. Take dated photos of the home inside and out before moving day.

A double-wide is split along the marriage line, and each open side is sealed with heavy plastic for the road (MobileHomeMovingCompanies.com, moving checklist). The double-wide page has more on that.

The new lot

A home that shows up before the lot is ready can sit on its wheels for days, and you may pay standby fees for that (The Good Men Project, what to check before moving a manufactured home). Before you set a date:

• Level the pad and make sure water drains away from it.
• Walk the route in with the mover. Trees, fences, power lines, tight turns and soft ground can all stop a long, wide load (MobileHomeMovingCompanies.com, moving checklist).
• Have water, sewer or septic and electric service run to the pad.
• Mark where the home should sit so the crew can place it the first time.

Setup in Louisiana

Louisiana law treats the transporter who hauls the home and the installer who blocks, levels and anchors it as separate licensed jobs. The installer, or a homeowner doing their own setup, gets the state installation permit and sticker (Louisiana manufactured home installation and transportation law (R.S. 51:912.21 and following)). Ask the permit office for the new address which inspections it needs before you move in.

Quick answers

Can I disconnect the gas and power myself before the move?

Don't disconnect gas yourself. Have the gas or propane supplier, a licensed technician or a trained mover do it, and have electric service handled by the utility or a licensed electrician. Ask your mover which disconnects they handle.

Do I have to take the skirting off before a mobile home move?

Yes. Skirting, decks, porches, steps and awnings come off before the home is lifted. Label skirting panels by side if you plan to reuse them, though warped or cracked panels may not fit again.

How far ahead should I call the utilities?

Call each provider at least two weeks ahead to schedule the shutoff at the old address and service at the new one. Power and propane companies set their own schedules.

This page is a plain checklist, not legal advice. Your mover and the local permit office have the final word on your move.

Sources: MobileHomeMovingCompanies.com, moving checklist; The Good Men Project, what to check before moving a manufactured home; World Link Transportation, transport prep checklist; Louisiana DOTD, Regulations for Trucks, Vehicles and Loads (2026); Lafayette Consolidated Government, building permits; Louisiana manufactured home installation and transportation law (R.S. 51:912.21 and following).