In 2022, 568 single-family homes were demolished in Calgary, while 27 were moved. In 2023, 524 homes were demolished, and 34 were moved, bringing the total number of demolished homes to 1,092 and the number of moved homes to 61 since 2022. According to Jaylene LaRose, co-owner of Wade’s House Moving, there is a high demand for recycled homes in Calgary’s inner city. She attributes this to the increasing cost of building new homes and the desire for quality, unique properties.
The process of moving a house involves stripping the basement, inserting beams, and lifting the structure off its foundation using a hydraulic jack system. The house is then placed on beams and transported to its new destination. LaRose said that an average 1,200-square-foot bungalow weighs approximately 35 tonnes and requires careful planning and preparation to ensure a smooth move.
In one notable case, a house in Cambrian Heights was moved to a community near Taber, Alberta, requiring workers to rotate the structure to save a city tree. The house was successfully relocated and is now home to a new family.
House moving not only preserves heritage structures but also diverts significant waste from landfills. LaRose believes that incentives should be offered to homeowners to encourage them to recycle homes, especially considering the environmental benefits and cost savings. She noted that the pricing of services related to house moving has been rising, leading to increased costs for her company.
Many recycled homes are finding new life in smaller towns in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and eastern British Columbia. This trend helps address the housing crisis in these areas, as recycled homes are often replaced with multi-family dwellings in Calgary and Edmonton. LaRose emphasized that not every home is suitable for moving, and a thorough assessment is conducted before each project to determine its feasibility and cost-effectiveness.
