Three Houses, One Day: Lift N Shift Partners with Habitat for Humanity

On 10 March 2025, the Lift N Shift team accomplished something remarkable – relocating three houses in a single day from Bird Lane to the main road in Wakefield.


A Collaborative Project

This project involved working alongside Habitat for Humanity to relocate structures that will serve as housing in the community. The partnership allowed us to apply our technical expertise to support their work.


The housing situation in New Zealand continues to present challenges, and this project represented a practical solution to a specific need. By combining our house moving capabilities with their housing initiative, we were able to deliver an efficient logistical solution.


Gear That Gets the Job Done

To pull off a move of this scale, we relied on both our expert team and some serious machinery. Our house trailer played a key role in transporting the homes safely, but one standout piece of kit was absolutely essential: our Liebherr LTM 1100-5.1 mobile crane — the 110-tonne workhorse of the Lift N Shift fleet.


The crane was used to lift each house into place on the new site with precision. With its impressive lifting capacity and mobility, the Liebherr allowed us to work efficiently despite the tight timeframes and tricky access points. It was, quite literally, the heavy lifter of the day.


Planning Makes Perfect

When you’re shifting entire houses, there’s no room for guesswork. Every move we make is backed by careful planning and risk assessment.



Ahead of this project, we created detailed Lift Plan books and conducted full Job Safety Analyses (JSAs) to ensure every stage of the move was accounted for. From load weights and lift angles to site access and environmental considerations, these plans are what allow us to execute high-risk jobs with full confidence and compliance.


Our commitment to Health & Safety is something we take seriously — and it's embedded into everything we do, from toolbox meetings to on-site coordination.


Teamwork Makes the Difference

Projects of this scale demonstrate the importance of collaboration. Our crew worked seamlessly together, each person bringing their unique skills to the table. The support from Habitat for Humanity and understanding from the local community were equally crucial to our success.


The coordination required to move multiple structures in such a short timeframe tests even the most experienced teams. Our crew rose to the occasion, maintaining communication and adapting to circumstances as they evolved throughout the day.


Looking Forward

We'll soon release a testimonial video showcasing the behind-the-scenes work and featuring comments from those involved. This will provide insight into the effort that goes into such complex relocations.


This project demonstrates what we do best at Lift N Shift – using our specialised equipment and expertise to solve complex logistical challenges efficiently.


Whether it's working with organisations like Habitat for Humanity, relocating commercial buildings, or handling residential moves across the South Island, we approach each project with the same commitment to excellence and safety.


The successful completion of this three-house move in a single day showcases our capabilities and technical expertise in building transportation.


For more information about our transportation services or to discuss your next project, visit our transportation page or contact the Lift N Shift team today.

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