How to Dispose of a Mobile Home: Options and Costs

How to dispose of a mobile home is a bigger job than most dump runs, because no landfill takes a whole house on wheels. An old single-wide or double-wide either leaves in one piece, sold or given to someone who will move it, or it gets taken apart, with the metal sold for scrap and the rest hauled off as construction debris. Which way you go depends on the home’s condition, its paperwork, and what is inside the walls. The steps below cover the decisions in order, so you can get quotes that make sense.

First, can it still be moved?

A home with a sound frame, axles or a way to fit them, and a roof that does not leak may still be worth something to a buyer, a park, or a dealer who refurbishes used homes. Even an older unit can sometimes go for little or nothing to a buyer who pays the transport. That can cost you far less than demolition. Moving a home takes a licensed transporter and, in most places, a moving permit. Many counties also want proof that the property taxes are paid before a home leaves.

Age matters here. Homes built after the federal HUD code took effect in June 1976 are called manufactured homes and are built to a national standard. Older units, the true mobile homes, can be harder to sell or relocate, because some parks and local rules will not accept them.

Sort out the title and taxes

In many states a mobile home is titled like a vehicle until it is attached to land and converted to real property. Find out which applies to yours. If it carries a title, the state agency that issued it can tell you how to cancel or surrender it when the home is scrapped. If it was converted, it is part of the land record, and the county assessor and recorder are the offices to ask. If the title is lost, ask the agency about a duplicate before you look for a buyer or a scrapper, since many will not take a titled home without one. Clear any lien first, since a lender’s interest can block a sale or demolition. If the home sits in a park, read the lease, because many parks set rules and deadlines for removal.

Check for asbestos before tear-out

Older homes can contain asbestos in floor tiles and their adhesive, ceiling texture, roof coatings, sealants, and duct wrap. Breaking those materials apart can release fibers, and many landfills will not take suspect debris mixed in with regular loads. Rules on testing and removal vary by state, so call your state environmental or air quality agency before demolition starts, and ask any removal company how they handle it. Our guides on where to dump asbestos and suspect asbestos floor tiles explain what to look for.

Your removal options

1. A mobile home removal or salvage company. These crews either tow the home to their yard or take it apart where it sits, then sell the metal and dispose of the rest. It is usually the simplest choice, and the scrap value may lower the price.
2. A general demolition contractor. They knock the home down, load the debris into roll-off containers, and haul it to a landfill. A home produces a lot of debris, so more than one large container is common.
3. Doing part of it yourself. Some owners strip the appliances, metal, and fixtures first, then pay a crew only for the shell. This takes time and tools, and it is not safe if asbestos is suspected.

Where the pieces go

• Steel frame, axles, and hitch. These are the most valuable part for scrap. Aluminum siding and roofing can also go to a scrap yard, sorted from the steel. See scrap yard versus landfill for clean metal.
• Refrigerator, freezer, and air conditioner. The refrigerant must be recovered before these are scrapped. The appliance guide covers drop-off options.
• Water heater and furnace. These usually go for scrap metal once drained; see how to dispose of a water heater.
• Tires. Most landfills charge extra for tires or refuse them in mixed loads, so haul them separately.
• Wood, paneling, drywall, insulation, and carpet. This is the bulk of the debris and normally goes to a construction and demolition landfill. How to dispose of construction debris explains how those sites charge.
• Leftover paint, cleaners, and fuel. Keep them out of the debris and take them to a household hazardous waste drop-off.

What drives the cost

Quotes vary widely, and removal often runs into the thousands of dollars, so it pays to get at least two or three. The main factors are:

• Size. A double-wide is two sections and roughly twice the debris of a single-wide.
• Access. Tight lots, soft ground, and trees around the home slow the work.
• Disposal fees. Landfills usually charge by the ton, and the distance to the nearest site that accepts demolition debris adds hauling time.
• Asbestos. Testing and any required removal are often the biggest add-on.
• Scrap credit. The steel and aluminum can offset part of the bill, depending on metal prices.
• Permits and extras. Demolition permits, removing decks, steps, and skirting, and capping a septic line all add up.

To check a quote, ask how many tons of debris the crew expects and where they will take it, then compare with the local landfill’s rate in our dump cost calculator.

Before the crew arrives

• Have the power, gas, water, and sewer disconnected by the utilities, and ask the propane supplier to pick up any tank they own.
• Get the demolition or moving permit your city or county requires.
• Tell the park manager, the lender if there is one, and your insurer.
• Remove personal belongings, and plan separate trips for furniture you are not keeping; the furniture guide can help.
• Get the final price, what it includes, and the cleanup standard for the lot in writing.

How to dispose of a mobile home FAQ

Can I take a mobile home to the dump?

Not as a whole home. Landfills take the debris once the home is taken apart and the metal, appliances, and hazardous items are pulled out. Call ahead, since many sites send demolition debris to a separate area or landfill.

How much does it cost to get rid of a mobile home?

It varies widely and often runs into the thousands of dollars. Size, access, landfill fees by the ton, asbestos testing, and permits drive the price, while scrap metal can offset part of it. Get several written quotes.

Can I get money for scrapping a mobile home?

The steel frame and aluminum siding have scrap value, which can lower a removal bill. It rarely covers the full cost of labor and disposal unless the home can be sold to someone who will move it.

Do I need a permit to demolish a mobile home?

Often, yes. Many cities and counties require a demolition permit and proof that utilities are disconnected. Some also want the property taxes paid and the title handled before the home can be removed.

What happens to the title when a mobile home is scrapped?

If the home is titled like a vehicle, the issuing state agency will tell you how to cancel or surrender the title. If it was converted to real property, ask the county assessor or recorder how to update the record.

The bottom line

How to dispose of a mobile home comes down to whether it can leave in one piece. If it can, selling or giving it away is usually cheapest. If it cannot, a removal crew takes it apart, sells the metal, and hauls the rest to a demolition debris landfill. Settle the title, taxes, and any lien first, test for asbestos in an older home, and get written quotes that say where the debris is going.