Deitz House Moving Engineers, Inc. Celebrates 80 Years of Excellence

A Letter from CEO Daniel Deitz Marking Eight Decades

​To Those Who Have Supported Our Family Business Across Generations,

Walter Deitz had a knack for knowing how machines worked. If he wasn't sure, he'd take the thing apart, figure it out, and put it back together like new. He had an unwavering willingness to tackle any challenge. When he was just 13 years old, he built a motorcycle from parts he found or bartered from around the family farm. His little sister was amazed when it started, and Walter rode it until his interest turned to cars and trucks.

​In 1945, with a wife and six children to feed, Walter was contacted about a house that needed to be moved. Using his 1936 International semi-truck, a homemade lowboy trailer, and his mechanical wits, Walter and his 13-year-old son, Richard, successfully moved the house for a very happy customer. Deitz House Moving Engineers was born. It is a thrill for me, Daniel Deitz, to announce the 80th anniversary of this still family-owned Muskegon, Michigan business started by my grandfather and father.

Walter Deitz moving the first home by Deitz House Moving in 1936 in Muskegon, Michigan.

​Deitz House Moving Engineers Inc. has a long history of excellence and innovation. In the early years, they used wooden timbers as main support beams. As homes and other buildings grew in size, it became necessary to evolve from transporting on a trailer to using componentized dollies. The first set of Laplante steel-wheeled dollies Walter used made crossing soft ground slow and time-consuming due to a lack of substantial traction material. Additionally, the steel wheels would damage asphalt pavement during the summer heat.

​To solve those problems, Walter built the first set of rubber-wheeled dollies in the 1950s. We still have that set today, a tribute to my grandfather's ingenuity. Throughout the '50s, houses were jacked up with mechanical screw jacks. The crew would turn the screws using 5-foot-long steel bars inserted into the screw jack heads. This was a long and labor-intensive process that could take days to complete. In the early 1960s Walter purchased a unified hydraulic jacking unit, allowing houses to be lifted evenly through the use of a remote pumping unit. This state-of-the-art system was the first of its kind in Michigan.

Award winning solid brick building move weighing over 1,150,000 pounds.

Walter Deitz operated the company until his untimely death in 1971. His son, Richard Deitz, purchased the company at that time and continued growing it. I helped during the summers and joined him full time after graduating high school. We have increased our capacity for moving larger and more fragile buildings. We purchased several hydraulic dollies which allow us to float large and fragile historic buildings on a cushion of hydraulic oil. We also purchased tons and tons of massive steel beams to add support and stability to the buildings we are entrusted to move. We continue to be innovators in the industry. We have had the honor of moving several buildings that exceed the 1,000,000-pound gross load. The largest building we have moved to date came in at a whopping 1,150,000 pounds.

​​We are proud to be charter members of the International Association of Structural Movers, an elite group that brings the best and brightest people in the industry together to advance new methods and increased safety measures around the globe. Richard Deitz served as president of the IASM in the 1990s and I was honored to serve as president in 2001. Richard retired after serving nearly six decades in the industry. Today, as CEO of Deitz House Moving Engineers Inc., I bring 50 years of experience in structural moving. It's still a thrill to see a project through, saving a beautiful home or business from tumbling into Lake Michigan or being destroyed for new construction.

It's still a thrill to see a project through, saving a beautiful home or business.

​The early 21st century has been an exciting period for technological advancements. Not only do we have new tools available to perform physical work, but the viability of computers and the internet have presented opportunities to engineer and implement all types of projects. Computer-aided drawing and three-dimensional design have allowed projects to be completely engineered virtually. Marketing has quickly evolved from newspaper ads and the phone book to Facebook pages and websites. Emails and texts have replaced phone calls and faxes. Information technology now allows for constant real-time communication with the entire team.

Relocating the historic Lilley Mansion Bed in Breakfast in Spring Lake, Michigan, August 1, 2019.

​At DHM, we embrace all available technology and utilize it to its greatest capacity. The 21st century has also marked a period of growth and expansion for our company. We diversified our services so we not only move houses, we provide under-house excavation, building leveling, straightening, stabilization and lifting. As a licensed Residential Builder, we also offer general contracting services including structural moving, excavation, foundation work, flatwork, and carpentry. For those who prefer a hands-off experience, we provide Turnkey Services.

​In 2019, we relocated the 150 year old Francis Lilley Mansion in Spring Lake, Michigan. As we moved the historic building along tightly tree-lined streets, we were joined by a massive gallery of appreciative spectators. It was gratifying to hear their cheers and applause as we navigated our route. Being partners in preserving every building we move is something we take very seriously. It is a privilege to be involved with saving pieces of the past.

Iconic Nelson House move down Third Street in Muskegon, Michigan on July 17, 2024.

In 2024, we completed another historic project in Muskegon, Michigan, which showcased the expertise of our talented crew. With perfect accuracy, a 1800s Italianate Home was maneuvered through several downtown Muskegon city blocks. We were grateful, again, to have spectators cheering and videotaping along the way. 

​As we celebrate 80 years of Deitz House Moving Engineers Inc. I am proud and blessed to lead a talented and hardworking team dedicated to upholding our legacy of quality service and innovation. We continuously refine our methods, expand our equipment, and take on increasingly complex projects. Together, we still pride ourselves on our unwavering willingness to tackle any challenge and look forward to strengthening, protecting, and preserving homes and businesses for many years to come. 

​Sincerely, 
Daniel Deitz
CEO Deitz House Moving Engineers, Inc

Deitz House Moving Through The Years

To learn more about the Deitz House Moving legacy, please visit About Us. Want to know how our team can assist you? Contact Us today,