Forde Brothers is an Auckland local company specializing in the buying, selling, and removal of second-hand houses with over 30 years of professional experience in the industry. We offer a “one-stop” service to help you plan your development projects and solve issues related to the buying and selling of second-hand houses and house relocation. Our expertise extends to navigating the complexities of local regulations, securing necessary approvals, and ensuring that each phase of your project is executed to the highest standards. We understand the local market dynamics and provide valuable insights to help you make informed decisions. Our team is dedicated to simplifying the process, from initial consultation to the final steps of relocating your house, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and efficiently.
In the context of New Zealand’s high-density development environment, high demolition costs, and detailed construction scheduling are critical aspects that homeowners and developers need to plan carefully. “Selling an old house” is often a better choice for many developers and homeowners compared to “demolishing”. By choosing to sell an old house rather than demolish it, clients can significantly reduce their environmental impact and contribute to sustainable development practices. This approach not only saves on demolition costs but also preserves historical architectures and reduces landfill waste. Forde Brothers plays a pivotal role in facilitating this process by providing a marketplace for these homes and ensuring they find new owners who appreciate their value and heritage.
Forde Brothers adheres to the principle of “No Surprise”, ensuring that clients are thoroughly informed of common issues related to house relocation in advance. We strive for comprehensive communication to avoid mistakes that could delay project progress, allowing clients to experience our professional “house relocation” service and achieve mutual satisfaction and enjoyment. We take pride in our proactive customer service approach, which includes regular updates and consultations with our clients throughout the relocation process. Our detailed planning and risk management strategies ensure that all potential issues are addressed before they become problems, thereby maintaining the integrity of the project timeline and budget.
The Forde Brothers team believes it is crucial for clients to clearly understand the house relocation process. To aid in this, we provide detailed documentation and access to our client portal where all aspects of the relocation process are tracked and updated in real-time. This transparency helps build trust and allows clients to feel more in control of their projects. Furthermore, our team conducts workshops and seminars to educate clients about the nuances of house relocation, from legal requirements to the final setup at the new location.
What Homeowners Need to Know About Selling a House:
Feasibility of House Relocation:
Evaluate whether the relocation of a second-hand house is feasible. First, consider access issues such as whether the driveway is wide enough for house trailer to enter if there is sufficient space on-site for vehicles and house maneuvering and if there is enough room on the driveway and its sides for the house-carrying vehicle to exit. Typically, house trailer are 3m wide with a 3m long cab, requiring at least a 6m width for maneuvering.
If the driveway or space is insufficient, you can negotiate with neighbors to temporarily use part of their driveway or space. This can be arranged through a Written Agreement detailing construction specifics and the responsibility for repairing any damage to fences or lawns. Sometimes a crane may be used to move the house from the rear or the front, but the high cost and permit applications often make this option impractical.
It’s essential for homeowners to also consider the structural integrity of the house. Forde Brothers provides a preliminary assessment to determine if the house can withstand the stresses of relocation. This includes checking the foundation, frame, and overall condition of the house. Advanced technology and experienced engineers are employed to simulate and plan the entire lifting and moving process, ensuring that every precaution is taken to protect the structure.
Reasonable Timing and Preparation for House Relocation:
Normally, house relocation from the time the house is vacated to its transport to Forde Brothers’ storage site takes 2-3 weeks (assuming no gas pipeline is involved). During this period, detailed preparation work is required.
Homeowners must first apply for permanent disconnection of electricity and gas (if the house has a gas pipeline). The process for electricity disconnection to receiving the completion report usually takes 10 working days. For Vector Gas customers, early preparation is essential as permanent gas disconnection can take 1-3 months to complete. At the same time, an asbestos survey for house relocation should be arranged as soon as possible. The asbestos survey report can be obtained within a few working days, followed by the asbestos removal process which typically takes 1-2 weeks.
Proper management of hazardous materials such as asbestos is critical. Forde Brothers ensures that all health and safety regulations are strictly followed during this process. Specialized teams are deployed for the safe removal and disposal of asbestos, providing peace of mind for homeowners and reducing environmental impact. This thorough approach underlines our commitment to safety and sustainability in every project.
Additionally, temporary safety fences need to be installed and obstacles such as trees and roots must be cleared, which also requires scheduling. Forde Brothers’ carpentry team will reinforce the house or perform other necessary work before relocation. Although the preparation work can be complex, rest assured that the Forde Brothers operations team will fully assist you throughout the process, including obtaining permits for house transportation, ensuring a seamless “one-stop” service experience.
Complexity of House Relocation Construction:
For whole house removal, single-story houses with wooden pile foundations and solid wood or panel exterior walls are the easiest to construct and transport. If your house is split-level, multi-story, has a high roof, or other exterior wall materials (such as brick), the feasibility and cost need to be evaluated based on your house’s specific situation.
Complex relocations, especially for multi-story or architecturally unique homes, require advanced planning and specialized equipment. Forde Brothers employs state-of-the-art technology to ensure that even the most complicated relocations are managed with precision. Our engineers and architects work closely to devise custom solutions that accommodate the specific needs and challenges of each project. This may involve creating bespoke lifting gear or adapting transport methods to handle unusual house shapes or sizes safely.
For any questions about whether your house is suitable for relocation, please contact us for a free consultation and evaluation.