While we often talk about relocating or moving to a new home, the houses we live in are stationary structures. However, moving buildings from one location to another isn’t unheard of, especially in relocating historic structures.
Why Relocation?
While relocating buildings isn’t impossible, there is a lot of careful work involved. So if possible, other options like house leveling will be explored first. However, there are a few situations where simply lifting and leveling a house’s foundation won’t solve the problem. When this is the case, some homeowners could choose to simply demolish the structure. However, relocating historic structures offers another option for homes with cultural or historic value.
Causes for Relocation
When is relocating historic structures necessary?
Serious water damage can occur in areas with frequent flooding or heavy storms coming in from the coast. Even a single flood can cause a lot of damage to a house, so if your building is in a location exposed to high levels of water not just once but frequently, relocation may be necessary to protect the structure.
Does Relocating Historic Structures Really Work?
Transporting a historic home, whether as one piece or disassembled, probably sounds like the complete opposite of the attentive care most objects of historic value require. However, relocating historic structures really is for their benefit—and it works! Many historic sites are preserved today because of proactive relocation, including the House of the Seven Gables, designer Frank Lloyd Wright’s Bachman Wilson House, and many others.
Is Relocation Right for You?
Not all homes are good candidates for relocation. If you’re interested in preserving your historic home, give us a call at Hayes House Moving and Leveling to learn more. As fourth-generation house movers, we know the value of history, and we’ll do all we can to help you take care of yours.