Coastal Shoreline Home Relocation

Protect Your Home from Coastal Beach Erosion

Living near the water offers unmatched beauty—but it also comes with serious risk. If your home is threatened by shoreline erosion, relocating it inland is often the smartest and most permanent solution. At DeVooght House Lifters / House & Building Movers, we specialize in moving coastal homes away from receding shorelines safely, efficiently, and with expert precision.

From North Carolina’s Outer Banks to the coasts of South Carolina, Virginia, and beyond, our team has helped homeowners reclaim peace of mind by moving their homes away from rising waters and collapsing shorelines. 

Why Choose Structural Relocation?

• Avoid total loss of your home from bluff or dune collapse
• Preserve your home’s structure and investment
• Maintain property use further inland on your lot
• Comply with insurance and FEMA flood zone guidance
• Gain long-term peace of mind

The Shoreline Crisis Is Real

Coastal beach erosion is accelerating due to:

• Rising sea levels
• Stronger, more frequent storms
• Extreme rainfall and flooding
• Loss of protective dunes and natural buffers

Entire neighborhoods—from Rodanthe, NC, to Folly Beach, SC and beyond—have experienced home collapses, road damage, and dangerous conditions due to shoreline retreat. For many, relocation is not just a precaution—it’s a necessity. 

Erosion Hotspots in North Carolina

North Carolina is one of the most erosion-vulnerable states on the East Coast, especially due to its long barrier islands and dynamic inlets.

High-Risk Areas:

• Rodanthe (Outer Banks)
  • One of the most severe erosion zones in the U.S.
  • Homes have collapsed into the Atlantic in recent years
  • Erosion rates exceed 6–10 feet per year in some locations
• Buxton & Avon (Cape Hatteras National Seashore)
  • Rapid shoreline retreat threatens infrastructure and homes
  • Ongoing dune loss and overwash during storms
• Nags Head & South Nags Head
  • Chronic erosion and beach loss
  • Large-scale beach nourishment projects conducted repeatedly
• Topsail Island (North Topsail Beach)
  • Erosion worsened by inlet migration and storms
  • Infrastructure and rental properties at risk
• Oak Island, Ocean Isle Beach & Holden Beach
  • Barrier island communities facing moderate to severe erosion
  • Managed retreat and beach nourishment strategies in use

 Erosion Hotspots in South Carolina

South Carolina experiences widespread beach erosion across its coastline, especially along its barrier islands and inlet zones.

High-Risk Areas:

• Myrtle Beach & Grand Strand
  • Regularly nourished but remains vulnerable to storms and wave energy
• Folly Beach (Charleston County)
  • Frequently targeted for federal renourishment due to chronic erosion and hurricane impacts
• Isle of Palms & Sullivan’s Island
  • Erosion driven by storms, inlet migration, and longshore drift
• Edisto Beach & Hunting Island
  • Hunting Island loses 10–20 feet of shoreline per year—among the fastest erosion rates on the East Coast
• Pawleys Island & Litchfield
  • Narrow beachfronts and aging infrastructure increase vulnerability even to moderate erosion events

Erosion Hotspots in Virginia

Virginia’s coastal erosion risk is often underappreciated, but it’s especially serious along the Eastern Shore, Chesapeake Bay, and oceanfront areas.

High-Risk Areas:

• Chincoteague & Assateague Islands
  • Facing long-term erosion and sea-level rise
  • Habitat and recreational areas are under threat
• Tangier Island (Chesapeake Bay)
  • Rapid land loss threatens the population and infrastructure
  • Projected to become uninhabitable within decades without intervention
• Cape Henry & Sandbridge (Virginia Beach area)
  • Subject to beach erosion and frequent storm surge
  • Sand replenishment used extensively to protect the shoreline
• York River & Rappahannock River Banks
  • High erosion due to wave action and steep, exposed bluffs
  • Impacts homes and historically significant properties

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can any beach house be moved?

Most wood-frame and pier-and-beam structures can be relocated. We’ll evaluate your site and structure to confirm feasibility.

What permits do I need?

We help navigate coastal development, zoning, and FEMA compliance. Most projects require local and/or state environmental and construction permits.

Is it more cost-effective to move than rebuild?

Yes—in many cases. Moving can preserve the existing structure and avoid the full expense (and delays) of demolition and new construction.

Will my homeowners insurance still cover the property?

Relocation can help meet insurance requirements and reduce risk classification—improving your insurability.

What’s the process for moving a house away from the shoreline?

We start with a site evaluation. From there, the home is lifted using a hydraulic jacking system and moved to a new, safer foundation location on your property.

How long does the relocation process take?

Every project is different, but many shoreline relocations are completed in just a few weeks from permitting to final placement. We’ll give you a realistic timeline during the initial assessment.

Take the First Step Toward Securing Your Coastal Property

If your home is within 50–100 feet of a receding shoreline—or if you’re in a FEMA high-risk zone—now is the time to act.

Contact DeVooght to schedule your free consultation.

Call DeVooght today to talk about moving your home landward, away from the actively eroding shoreline or bluff wall.