Don’t you just love the scene in the movie The Matrix where Tank suddenly breaks into “Spanglish” by transitioning quickly from English to Spanish words and exclaims “. . . this is loco!”?  That’s exactly the same way a lot of people react to someone moving a house or other large building.  What they don’t realize is that moving a house is not so loco or even rare.  It’s also very possible for many buildings with the right amount of time and money.

 

Movers of houses can be individuals, historic committees, community organizations, citizen coalitions, developers, government agencies, philanthropists, and/or professional building movers.  There are varied reasons to move a building, including to avoid demolition or to obtain a better site.  Sometimes new development or the desire for less traffic or more space can trigger a move.  Sometimes moving can cost more than a new building.  However, under the right circumstances and geographic location, moving a house might be less expensive than constructing a new building from scratch.

 

Nonetheless, a structural house move is a major undertaking and a relatively unique experience that not only requires time and money, but also a blending of certain personality traits.  Incidentally, these same traits could be applied to other types of projects.  Here is a simplified listing of each trait, represented as personality types, that lends themselves to this type of adventure:

 

HOUSE MOVING PERSONALITY TYPES

 

Aficionado

 

Admires the quality and craftsmanship of historical buildings.  Has an appreciation for art and/or architecture.  Knowledgeable about architectural styles of buildings.

 

Super Cheapskate

 

Beyond frugal.  Wants to save as much money as possible for a new home.  Thinks that a free house sounds good.  Avoids any extra costs regardless of value.  Upset or annoyed that a free house comes with moving or repair costs.

 

So Clueless

 

Doesn’t realize that a free house involves other costs.  Moves forward without first understanding the process.  Does not seek expert help for problems.  Opposite of expert.

 

The Environmentalist

 

Respects nature.  Encourages the reduction of waste through reuse of historic and non-historic buildings.

 

The Expert

 

Done this before.  Might be a house builder or a professional structural moving company.  Knows the pitfalls and how to cut costs wisely in the process.  Opposite of clueless.

 

Go Getter

 

Might not know the entire process of the house move, but is ambitious enough to find out along the way.  Opposite of procrastinator.

 

Handyman/Handywoman

 

Undertakes the task because knows can save money by performing many of the necessary repairs himself/herself.  Has experience building and/or repairing houses.

 

Practical Guy/Gal

 

Realizes that a free house has additional costs, but also realizes that there might be savings.

 

The Investor

 

Willing to put money behind the house move.  Could be the previous owner, new owner, professional house mover, or an organization.  May be seeking a monetary or cultural return on the investment.

 

The Preservationist

 

Respects history and the past.  Believes in saving worthwhile buildings.  May want to preserve as much as possible or just certain buildings.

 

Mr./Ms. Sentimental

 

Has a connection to the building.  Remembers events that occurred with the house as the backdrop, may have lived in the house, or had relatives/friends that were residents.  The house may remind them of past good times.

 

 

Ironically, these very same personality types could result in foregoing a move.  For instance, a preservationist may want a building with historic value to remain on the same site.  There are also personality types that would almost never attempt to move a house.  Here is a list of those traits:

 

The Cynic

 

This is a combination of the skeptic and the joker.  Tends to be even more sarcastic about moving houses.

 

The Joker

 

Believes that moving a house is ridiculous.  Finds opportunity to make a joke about moving buildings or losing money on the move.

 

The Skeptic

 

Does not believe that moving a building is possible.  Does not realize that buildings can be move either whole or by disassembling the structure.  Does not know that brick buildings have been moved and houses have been transported by water.  Not cynical because willing to consider the possibility of moving a house.

 

Procrastinator

 

This person is not a cynic, joker, or skeptic. Have seen house moves or know that house moves can be done with proper planning.  Would like to move a house.  However, for one reason or another, does not actually embark on the process.  Opposite of Go Getter.

Again, this is a simplified list.  An actual person would have his/her own combination of traits as part of his/her personality.  A person could also gain or lose some of these traits over time.  A person may also may also show more in certain types of projects depending on the person’s interest and motivation for the project.  Regardless, the first step in moving a house is to consider all the factors and make the decision.  Once you have evaluated all the options and made an informed decision to move ahead using proper planning, instead of people exclaiming “This is loco!,” they'll be saying "This is cool!"