Relocating an entire building—whether it is a historic home, a classic barn, a cabin, or a modern residential structure—is one of the most effective ways to preserve architectural history, avoid costly demolition, and maximize land value. While lifting and moving a building may sound daunting, modern structural engineering and hydraulic jacking technology make house moving a safe and highly controlled process. When considering house moving Minnesota, contact Prodger House Movers, they are your local experts.
However, successfully relocating a structure involves careful planning, precise logistics, and strict regulatory compliance.
Choosing an experienced partner like Prodger House Movers guarantees that every detail—from foundation disconnects to road route clearances—is executed with precision and care. Serving property owners across Scandia, the Twin Cities metro, and every corner of Minnesota, our 5th-generation family team brings decades of structural moving expertise to every project.
Before lifting your home off its foundation, here are the most critical factors you must consider.
1. Structural Integrity and Feasibility
Not every building is constructed the same way, and evaluating its structural soundess is the very first step in any relocation project.
An experienced structural mover will evaluate several structural components:
- Framing and Floor Joists: Determining how weight is distributed across support beams and load-bearing walls.
- Foundation Access: Inspecting crawlspaces or basement layouts to plan where heavy steel unified hydraulic jacking equipment and unified dollies will be positioned.
- Building Additions: Assessing whether past room additions or masonry chimneys need structural reinforcement,shoring, or separate bracing before the lift.
2. Route Planning and Overhead Obstructions
Moving the house off its current footprint is only half the battle; transporting it to its new destination requires navigating public roads, bridges, and local right-of-ways.
Route logistics involve detailed coordination:
- Utility Clearance: Coordinating with power, telephone, and cable companies to clear low-hanging overhead lines along the route.
- Tree Trimming & Road Widths: Identifying narrow country roads, sharp turns, or low tree branches that require municipal trimming or route adjustments.
- Bridge Weight Limits: Working around local county bridge load capacities to plan an approved transport route.
3. Municipal Permits and DOT Regulations
Transporting a wide, heavy structure across city, township, or state roads requires strict regulatory approval.
Working with an established, fully licensed structural mover ensures all paperwork is handled seamlessly:
- State & Local Moving Permits: Securing oversize/overweight load permits through the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and local county road authorities.
- Police & Escort Detail: Arranging required law enforcement escorts and pilot vehicles for public safety during transit.
- Utility Disconnects: Scheduling certified shutoffs for gas, electric, sewer, and water lines before lifting begins.
4. Destination Site Preparation and New Foundation Work
While your home is being prepared or transported, the new receiving site must be engineered to welcome it.
Proper site setup includes:
- Soil Testing & Excavation: Preparing stable, level ground to support the new foundation footprint.
- New Foundation Construction: Pouring concrete footings, full basement walls, or a crawlspace matched to the exact dimensions of the structure.
- Placing & Lowering: Precision alignment of the house over its new foundation, carefully lowering it onto new sill plates before final tie-ins are completed.
Why Minnesota Property Owners Trust Prodger House Movers
In business since 1925, Prodger House Movers (PHM) is a trusted 5th-generation family business specializing in structural moving, house jacking, building shoring, and foundation replacement. Mainquartered in Scandia, MN with yards in Saint Paul, we serve residential, commercial, agricultural, and historic property owners throughout the entire state of Minnesota—from Ely to Moorhead and down to the southern borders.
The Prodger House Movers Advantage:
- 5th Generation Expertise: Nearly a century of hands-on structural moving experience passing down time-tested techniques combined with modern equipment.
- Comprehensive Capabilities: We handle residential homes, historic structures, barns, commercial buildings, and garages.www.prodgerhousemovers.com
- Turnkey Project Management: From initial rigging, lifting, and shoring to permits, route navigation, and lowering onto new foundations.
- Fully Licensed & Insured: Fully compliant with USDOT (#787502) and Minnesota Structural Movers licensing (#136830).
Plan Your Structural Moving Project Today
Relocating a house preserves value, saves historic architecture, and transforms property layouts. Partnering with an experienced, safety-focused structural mover ensures your project proceeds smoothly from initial site evaluation to final foundation placement.
Have a building you need lifted, moved, or shored?
Contact Prodger House Movers today at (651) 248-4111 or visit our website to schedule your site consultation and project estimate!
