House Removal Process at Ipswich House Removals
What you can expect when relocating a house
The processes involved in moving a house can be as varied and unique as the houses themselves. All homes are different and before removal there are many things to be taken into consideration including the size of the building, number of stumps, the structural integrity of the building and locations of loadbearing structures. It is also important to consider accessibility to the site, suitable routes for transport and quite importantly what local government laws and approvals will affect the removal process and works to be completed after the house has been reinstated.
1. Do your home work
One of the most common complications we encounter at Ipswich House Removals is when clients are unaware of what approvals and processes are required by local councils. It is especially important when the building is moving from one council area to another as both councils will have their own processes and requirements. It is vital to make contact with governing bodies both where the building is coming from and going to understand exactly what they require, this can include bonds, engineering and soil tests and various approvals. This should be done as your first step so you are fully aware of any costs and requirements outside of our work and can gauge the viability of the potential move for you and your budget.
2. Sometimes, you get what you pay for
It can be tempting to select a house that is very cheap or offered for free as a way of saving some money. Certainly sometimes you can find an absolute bargain but be aware of what kind of repairs or improvements may be required. In the case of free houses, it is often the case that the house is in the way of a development. You must be aware of what time limit you may have to have the building off the site and if it is achievable to do the work in that time frame. You should take into consideration what repairs may be required, building inspections prior to purchase can help you understand what works may be needed. Who will be doing any potential repairs? If you have qualified trades people working on your house for extended periods the costs of labour and materials soon add up, in some cases it is cheaper to spend more on a good quality home with little to no repairs required. Again, do your homework and you may save yourself trouble down the track!
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3. Time for a Quote
Once you have an understanding of what will be required from yourself and have found a suitable home, you’re ready to get a quote for the removal process. The removal process can be quite involved depending on the circumstances. Moving a house from one location on a single property to another on the same block is usually straight forward, however once the home has to leave the block there are a lot of factors to consider. There are bridges, trees, signs and powerlines to contend with to name a few so the house will usually need to be visited and inspected by us to understand our requirements. Will it need to be separated into pieces? If so, how many and where are the suitable locations to separate? Our work normally involves dismantling and reinstating the roof, in some cases it may be required to build support structures to maintain strength and integrity during transport. The number of stumps required and any adjustments such as steel beams for increasing spans must also be known. These variables among others mean we cannot simply answer the phone and tell you a price, a proper understanding of the individual job is vital to provide an accurate costing.
4. Let’s get started!
Once you’ve got your house, are happy with the quote and have everything signed sealed and approved the process can begin. There is no one set method or order as each job is different and something as simple as weather can dictate the order of works. Usually however the process begins by supporting the home and raising it off the existing footings. We use heavy gauge steel I beams which span under and support the load bearing points and sit on timber blocks. Low set homes will need to be raised to a suitable height for the trailer with the use of bottle jacks. Once the building is safely supported the separation process can begin. This is where the cowboys are separated from the true tradesmen. We take the time to select locations where cut lines are concealed and in many instances can separate portions of the house by simply cutting nails. We aim to minimise the amount of cut timber and have a range of specialised tools to ensure we do not jeopardise the aesthetic appearance of your home. Once sections are separated or close to we usually dismantle the roof structure piece by piece and stack it ready for transport. We have heavy duty vinyl tarpaulins to protect the exposed home for the weather and prevent water damage until the roof can be rebuilt.
5. Getting ready to hit the road.
Once the separation work is complete its time to prepare the pieces for safe transport. Firstly the old stumps will need to be removed and the trailer backed under and load taken, sometimes this will happen before the separation, sometimes after. Once loaded the sections must be securely tied down to prevent movement, as well as checking the building has been sufficiently supported and making any necessary adjustments. Each piece is inspected for potential hazards on the road and all portions are made secure including things such as swinging doors or blinds that can be damaged during transport. It’s required to add signage and lights to each load in line with transport regulations and in some cases temporary walls may need to be built to support ceilings.
6. On the move
Once all is secured and ready it is time to take your new home on a little road trip. The move requires a whole team, it is not just the truck driver driving this load! We use drivers with decades of experience in transporting houses but they are only one piece of the puzzle. Most loads require pilot vehicles to warn and direct oncoming traffic and direct and manage traffic following behind to ensure everyone’s safety on the road. We have a ground crew that follow behind in most cases which allows us to make adjustments along the way and ensure the bumps and vibrations of the road don’t lead to any damage to your home. When going through urban areas and tight spots like bridges we have spotters and guides on hand to ensure all obstacles can be safely and promptly navigated so your home can arrive in the same number of pieces it left in.
7. The arrival
Once the journey has come to an end the job is still far from over. The drop off can be as simple as back in and unload on the same beams and blocks it was first raised on or it can be a whole lot more involved. Some jobs have involved the building of temporary roads with timber blocks across boggy terrain and others have required winching up steep hillsides so the new owners can appreciate a million dollar view. Our team has had experience on countless difficult and testing sites and have the ability to problem solve and find solutions to the unexpected.
8. Back together again
Coming soon
If you have any questions in regards to moving a house, please do not hesitate to contact us. One of our experienced team members will be able to guide you and assist with any queries. We have over 40 years experience moving houses, raising and restumping in Brisbane, Ipswich, Toowoomba and South East Queensland.
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House removals Ipswich
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House relocation Ipswich