In 1960, a dam in Egypt required the Abu Simbel temple, composed of 30-ton bricks,to be moved brick by brick to a new location. Rather than destroy the temple, the thousand or more blocks were individually marked and numbered before being reassembled. In this way, the building was preserved.
Historic preservation is one of the top benefits of structure relocation.
Buildings might have to be moved because of a civic need or simply because someone wants to bring the structure to a new environment. For instance, the wealthy buyers of Captain Cook’s cabin dismantled it in the US and had it rebuilt in Australia.
Moving a structure can have lots of great benefits. Here are the top four reasons to consider a structure relocation.
1. Structure Relocation Preserves History
If you have a family history or if something significant took place at the location you’re planning on moving, you can preserve all of it with a relocation. Relocation allows for a structure to be kept intact but moved to another geographic location. Even the London Bridge has been moved around.
While this can be an expensive prospect, there’s no way to recreate history in an authentic way. Keeping a structure together can ensure that a certain house always feels like home, no matter where the foundation is located.
2. Save Materials from Landfills
Building materials, especially from older buildings, can have difficult-to-recycle or toxic elements contained within them. As global warming reaches a fever pitch, it’s incumbent upon all of us to think about ways that we can limit our impact.
Keeping construction materials out of the landfill and continuing to use those materials in a building reduce the carbon footprint a the project. Keeping a structure intact could also spare unnecessary waste from piling up.
3. Save Cost of Building
Building a new structure in the contemporary economy could cost a small fortune depending on what you’re building. Properties made of brick or stone could last for centuries and cost relatively little to construct.
Due to current pricing and municipal codes, it might not be possible to build the structure that you’d be moving. In fact, relocation might be the only viable option.
4. Resolve Property Issues
Perhaps there’s a small property issue that’s got a building up for demolition. Rather than move it three feet to where the actual property line is, someone has suggested demolition.
If a strong case can be made for keeping a structure, relocation might be the way to keep that building intact. Moving just a few feet could even be cheaper than building it all over again.
Structure Relocation Can Be Affordable
With the cost of new construction, relocating a structure just might be the cheapest option. With all of the historical benefits of relocation, it might be worth considering, not only for the price but for fewer hassles too.
If you’re looking for a way to move a heavy load like a structure, contact us for tips on what sorts of equipment you’ll need to get the job done.
