The Ultimate Guide to Moving a Static Caravan

The vast majority of static caravans, park homes and luxury lodges can be moved, provided they're structurally sound and suitable for transport.

Factors that affect whether a home can be moved include:

• Age and condition

• Structural integrity

• Overall dimensions

• Access at both locations

• Route restrictions

• Destination requirements

Many people assume older caravans can't be transported, but that's not always true. We've successfully relocated many older homes after carrying out the necessary checks.

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Paul's Tip

Don't assume a home can't be moved because of its age. In our experience, condition is often far more important than age alone.

Transporting a static caravan, park home or luxury lodge is very different from ordinary haulage. Every move requires careful planning, route assessments, specialist trailers, purpose-built transport equipment and a thorough understanding of the legal requirements involved.

Depending on the size of the home and the proposed route, movements may require notifications to the Police, National Highways, local highway authorities and bridge owners. As an experienced specialist haulier, we manage this entire process in-house, giving our customers complete peace of mind and ensuring every move is planned safely, efficiently and in full compliance with current legislation.

Since 2002, we've successfully completed thousands of transport and installation projects throughout the UK, including:

• Holiday park relocations and large-scale new developments

• Removal of residential park homes over 50 years old and installation of brand-new replacement homes

• Luxury lodge transport and installation

• Twin-unit lodge transportation and assembly

• Multi-section residential park home installations

• Self-build and annexe installations

• Challenging and restricted access projects

• Complete site relocations for major infrastructure projects, including work for Crossrail and the London Development Agency (LDA)

• Specialist transport projects for local authorities, including Essex County Council, Kent County Council, and Brighton & Hove City Council

• Projects completed from Land's End to the Scottish Highlands

No two projects are ever the same. Every move presents its own challenges, whether that's navigating narrow country lanes, planning a complex transport route, overcoming restricted access, positioning a home on a difficult plot or installing a multi-section lodge.

It's this experience—built over more than 24 years and 6,000 successful projects—that allows us to approach every move with confidence, professionalism and meticulous planning.

• Initial enquiry

• Measurements

• Site survey (if required)

• Route planning

• Movement notifications

• Collection

• Transport

• Delivery

• Positioning

• Siting & Installation

One of the questions we're asked most often is, "How much does it cost to move a static caravan?"

The honest answer is that there isn't a fixed price.

Every transport project is different, and the cost depends on the size of the home, the distance involved, the access at both locations and the equipment required to complete the move safely.

When preparing a quotation, we consider a number of factors, including:

• The size and weight of the home

• The total distance to be travelled

• The estimated time required to complete the project

• Access at both the collection and delivery locations

• Whether specialist equipment or additional siting vehicles are required

• Route planning and legal movement notifications

• Police escorts, where required (many homes over 14ft wide require an escort)

• Whether positioning, siting or installation is required after delivery

• Ferry crossings, overnight accommodation or other project-specific requirements, where applicable

Every quotation is individually prepared to ensure the correct equipment, personnel and planning are allocated to your move.

While it may be tempting to compare prices alone, it's important to remember that transporting a static caravan, park home or luxury lodge is a specialist operation. Careful planning, experienced operators and the right equipment are essential to ensuring your home arrives safely and without unnecessary delays.

If you're planning a move, we're always happy to provide a free, no-obligation quotation based on your individual requirements.

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Paul's Tip

The cheapest quote isn't always the cheapest move. Poor planning or inadequate equipment can end up costing far more than choosing an experienced specialist in the first place.

One of the most common questions we're asked is:

"Can you tell if my home will fit just from a few photographs?"

The honest answer is yes... to a point.

After more than 24 years and 6,000 successful moves, we can often identify potential problems from photographs, videos and satellite imagery. In many cases, this allows us to provide an accurate quotation without visiting the site.

However, photographs don't always tell the whole story.

While the width of an entrance is obviously important, there are many other factors that determine whether a home can be delivered safely.

Things we assess include:

• Entrance widths and gate openings

• Overall access dimensions

• Tight bends and turning areas

• Trees, hedges and overhanging branches

• Overhead cables and low bridges

• Road widths and passing places

• Ground conditions

• Slopes and cambers

• The final positioning area

• Space available for our transport and siting equipment

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It's Not Just About Measurements

One of the biggest misconceptions is that access is simply a matter of measuring an entrance.

In reality, the lay of the land can be just as important.

A steep camber, soft ground, an awkward approach angle or a hidden dip in the road can completely change how a home needs to be delivered.

These are the details that only experience teaches you to look for.

Our specialist transport and siting equipment allows us to manoeuvre homes with incredible precision—often working to within millimetres—but successful deliveries rely on good planning. The more information we receive at the quotation stage, the better prepared we can be on the day.

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Why a Site Survey Can Save Time and Money

If you think access might be tight, we always recommend arranging a site survey.

A site survey allows us to:

• Confirm the safest delivery route

• Identify any obstacles before transport day

• Recommend any preparation that may be required

• Decide which vehicles and equipment will be needed

• Reduce delays and unexpected costs on the day

Quite often, after visiting a site, we'll identify an alternative approach that the customer hadn't considered. A different route, a different angle of approach or a small amount of preparation can often make a difficult delivery far simpler than first expected.

Our aim isn't just to deliver your home.

It's to make the entire process as straightforward, safe and stress-free as possible.

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Paul's Tip

Send us as many photographs and videos as you can when requesting a quotation. Wide-angle photos, videos of the access road, entrance, final position and any potential obstacles give us a much clearer picture and help us provide the most accurate advice from the very beginning.

Preparing your static caravan, park home or luxury lodge correctly is one of the most important parts of a successful move.

Although these homes are built on a steel chassis with wheels, they are designed to carry the weight of the structure itself—not the additional weight of furniture, personal belongings and household items during transport.

Taking the time to prepare your home properly helps reduce unnecessary stress on the structure and minimises the risk of damage while in transit.

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Before Transport, We Recommend:

Remove Personal Belongings

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All personal possessions should be removed from the home before transport. Additional weight can place unnecessary strain on the chassis and running gear, while loose items can move during transport and cause damage.

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Secure Internal Furniture

To help protect the interior:

• Tape or secure all cupboard and wardrobe doors.

• Lay mirrors, pictures and shelving safely on the floor where possible.

• Remove or secure ornaments and loose items.

• Place drawers on the floor or remove them completely if practical.

• Secure any freestanding furniture.

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Disconnect All Services

Before transport, all services should be safely disconnected, including:

• Electricity

• Water

• Gas

• Drainage

• Telecommunications (where applicable)

If you've booked our de-siting service, we'll advise exactly what needs to be completed before we arrive.

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External Preparations

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The following items should normally be removed before transport:

• Decking

• Steps

• Skirting

• External pipework

• Aerials or satellite dishes (where required)

• Any loose external accessories

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If We Are Providing Transport Only

If you've booked transport only and not our de-siting service, the home should be prepared and ready for loading before our arrival.

This includes:

• Tyre's inflated to the correct pressure and in a roadworthy condition.

• The home pulled clear of its pitch and positioned where it can be safely loaded onto our trailer.

• All services disconnected.

• Decking, skirting and steps removed.

If you're unsure about any of these requirements, please contact us before transport day—we're always happy to offer advice.

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Photographs Before Transport

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We always recommend taking photographs of both the interior and exterior of your home before transport begins.

These provide a useful record of the home's condition and can offer peace of mind for both you and your transport provider.

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Insurance

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We understand that insurance is an important consideration when moving a static caravan, park home or luxury lodge.

Essex Mobile Homes carries Goods in Transit insurance for the services we provide. Subject to the terms and conditions of our policy, cover applies while your home is loaded onto one of our transport trailers or attached to one of our specialist siting vehicles during transport or siting operations.

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Our insurance does not cover:

• Personal belongings or contents left inside the home.

• Theft or damage to contents.

• Homes while in storage or not under our control.

• Any items not covered under the terms of our insurance policy.

For this reason, we strongly recommend that all personal belongings are removed from the home before transport.

If you have any questions regarding insurance or would like clarification on what is and isn't covered, please contact us before your move. We'll be happy to explain the extent of our cover and answer any questions you may have.

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Paul's Tip

The better prepared your home is before we arrive, the quicker and smoother the move will be. Spending an hour preparing beforehand can often save several hours on transport day.

After weeks of planning, transport day has finally arrived.

We know this can be an exciting but sometimes stressful day, which is why we aim to keep you informed throughout the process.

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Before We Arrive

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A few days before your scheduled move, we'll provide you with an approximate arrival time.

The evening before, once our route and schedule have been finalised, we'll normally be able to give you a much more accurate estimated time of arrival (ETA).

On the day of transport, we'll also send you the live location of your home, allowing you to track its progress and see exactly where it is throughout the journey. This helps you plan your day and removes the uncertainty of waiting for your delivery.

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Arrival on Site

Once we arrive, our experienced team will assess the site one final time before unloading begins.

We'll confirm the planned route into position, check that access is clear and ensure everything is ready before carefully unloading your home.

Every delivery is different, and we never rush this stage. Careful planning and communication are essential to a successful installation.

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Positioning & Siting

If you've booked our Transport & Siting Service, our specialist team will then:

• Position your home accurately on its pitch or base.

• Manoeuvre the home using specialist siting equipment.

• Level the home correctly.

• Adjust doors and windows where required.

• Carry out final positioning checks.

• Ensure the home is left safely and securely positioned.

Where appropriate, we'll also discuss any further commissioning work or follow-on services required to complete the installation.

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Final Checks

Before leaving site, we'll carry out a final inspection to ensure the work has been completed to our usual high standards.

If we've been instructed to complete the full siting and installation service, we'll ensure the home is positioned correctly and ready for the next stage of the installation process.

Our aim is simple:

To leave every customer with the confidence that their home has been transported and positioned safely, professionally and with the care it deserves.

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Paul's Tip

Please try to be available by phone throughout the day. Occasionally traffic conditions, police movements or abnormal load restrictions can affect arrival times. Good communication helps ensure everything runs as smoothly as possible.

One of the questions we're asked most often is:

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"Will my home fit?"

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The honest answer is that every site is different.

Over the past 24 years, we've delivered homes into locations that many people believed were impossible. From narrow country lanes and tight holiday parks to steep slopes, soft ground and awkward access routes, experience is often the difference between a successful delivery and one that never gets off the ground.

Restricted access isn't always about the width of an entrance.

Other factors can include:

• Tight bends

• Overhanging trees and hedges

• Overhead cables

• Steep slopes and cambers

• Soft or uneven ground

• Limited turning space

• Bridge restrictions

• The final positioning area

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Our specialist transport equipment, modified siting vehicles, winches and ground protection systems allow us to manoeuvre homes with incredible precision, but every successful move starts with careful planning.

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Quite often, customers assume a delivery isn't possible because of the route they've chosen. In many cases, our experience allows us to identify an alternative approach or a different method of delivery that requires far less preparation than expected.

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If you're concerned about access, we're always happy to review photographs and videos, or arrange a site survey where necessary. A little planning beforehand can often save significant time, cost and stress on delivery day.

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For more information about our specialist siting equipment and installation services, visit our Siting & Installation page.

Paul's Tip

If you think access is tight, send us as many photos and videos as possible. We've often found a solution simply by looking at a site from a different angle.

Can you move any static caravan?

Most static caravans, park homes and luxury lodges can be moved, provided they are structurally sound and suitable for transport. Factors such as the age, condition, dimensions and construction of the home will all be considered before a quotation is provided.

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How much does it cost to move a static caravan?

Every move is individually quoted. The cost depends on factors including the size of the home, distance travelled, site access, specialist equipment required, police escorts (where necessary), route planning and whether siting or installation services are required.

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How long does a static caravan move take?

The transport itself may only take a few hours, but every project is different. The overall timescale depends on the distance involved, route restrictions, access at both locations and whether the home also requires siting and installation.

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Do you arrange movement notifications and permits?

Yes. Where required, Essex Mobile Homes manages movement notifications in-house. Depending on the dimensions of the home and the proposed route, this may include notifications to the Police, National Highways, local highway authorities and bridge owners.

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Can you move a static caravan onto private land?

Yes, we regularly transport static caravans and park homes onto private land for self-build projects, annexes, temporary accommodation and replacement homes. We always recommend checking planning requirements with your local authority before purchasing or moving a home.

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Can you transport twin-unit and multi-section lodges?

Yes. Twin-unit lodges and multi-section homes are one of our specialities. We've installed everything from standard twin units to large multi-section residential park homes measuring approximately 100ft long by 24ft wide.

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How wide a home can you transport?

Our specialist transport equipment allows us to transport homes up to 16ft wide under STGO regulations. Wider or more complex projects can often be accommodated following an individual assessment.

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What happens if access is difficult?

Restricted access is one of our areas of expertise. We've completed projects involving narrow country lanes, steep cambers, soft ground, tight holiday parks and restricted access where many believed delivery wasn't possible. We can often assess access from photographs and videos, or arrange a site survey where required.

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Do I need to empty my static caravan before transport?

Yes. We strongly recommend removing all personal belongings before transport. Loose items should be secured, cupboard doors taped shut and mirrors, pictures and shelves laid safely on the floor to reduce the risk of damage during transport.

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Do you provide siting and installation?

Yes. In addition to transport, we provide professional siting and installation services, including positioning, levelling, joining twin units, adjusting doors and windows and preparing your home for the next stage of installation.

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Are you fully insured?

Yes. Essex Mobile Homes carries appropriate Goods in Transit insurance for the services we provide. Subject to our policy terms and conditions, cover applies while your home is loaded onto one of our transport trailers or attached to one of our specialist siting vehicles. Personal belongings and contents are not covered, so we recommend removing these before transport.

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How far do you travel?

We provide nationwide transport throughout England, Scotland and Wales. Over the past 24 years we've completed projects from Land's End to the Scottish Highlands, working for private customers, holiday parks, manufacturers, local authorities and major infrastructure projects.

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Why choose Essex Mobile Homes?

Established in 2002, we've personally transported and installed more than 6,000 static caravans, park homes and luxury lodges. With over 24 years of specialist experience, a purpose-built fleet, in-house route planning and movement notifications, NCC & CITO training and a Standard International Operator's Licence, we're trusted to deliver projects of every size safely and professionally.

Moving a static caravan, park home or luxury lodge doesn't need to be stressful.

With careful planning, the right equipment and experienced professionals, the process can be straightforward from collection through to final installation.

If you'd like advice about an upcoming move, our team would be delighted to help.