Owning a static caravan has never been more popular, it offers an affordable and practical solution for holidaying at home. This trend has seen a significant rise during the last couple of years due to the global pandemic, when travel abroad was heavily restricted, highlighting the many great benefits of holidaying at home. At present there are several hundreds of thousands of UK residents that own a static caravan.
When considering buying a static caravan, the sheer choice can be somewhat overwhelming and it is often difficult to know where to start looking – however, as with any type of important purchase it is a good idea to have a step-by-step checklist to help you decide what you want to buy and what is financially viable.
One point that should always be stressed is that whilst the payment for the static caravan itself is the bulk cost, ownership incurs annual running costs that must be factored in.
We recommend evaluating the following when looking to buy a static caravan:
Nobody can deny the attraction of owning a brand-new static caravan, its gleaming all new exterior, pristine interior, the latest fittings, fixtures and technological features, coupled with the knowledge that you are the only one ever to have used its facilities. It is also generally easier to shop for a brand-new static caravan, there are fewer to choose from, listings are easy to view, and salespeople are typically very eager to help.
The downside, however, is inevitably reflected in the price. New static caravans are not only always more expensive but also depreciate in value in much the same way as new cars do, losing a significant amount of value in its first year and continuing to depreciate with each year that passes.
Buying a pre-owned static caravan will get you more for your money and the rate of depreciation in value will be considerably less following purchase. Not only this, but shopping for a pre-owned static caravan will offer a greater range of choice as there will be endless places to look and locations to shop – in some ways this may make the process more confusing, therefore we recommend evaluating the following when looking at the asking price:
How many people does your static caravan need to accommodate and what are the storage facilities like? As with any type of property, the greater the number of bedrooms and more spacious the model, the greater the cost.
Where your static caravan is sited will influence the price of not only the park rates but also of everything in the surrounding area, from the supermarket to the local activities.
On average, most static caravans incur an annual running cost of between £2000 to £5000 – some parks may be less and in other more exclusive, luxury parks, annual running costs may exceed £10,000.
The running costs typically include the following:
To have your static caravan sited on a functioning park, fees will be charged for the use of the park and their facilities.
Pitch fees will vary depending on the park, its facilities and the location. The better the park’s facilities, the higher the pitch fees are likely to be in order to fund the park’s maintenance. Location is also a factor, much like with brick-and-mortar properties, in some regions of the country land and property are more expensive than in others.
If this is not included in the site fees, this is something else to investigate, different councils have different rates and offer varying services depending on the location. Council tax covers services such as waste collection, water supply and drainage and sewage.
Gas and Electricity
These are other costs to be factored in, electricity is typically connected to the mains supply and will be chargeable at the energy provider’s rates. Gas bottles are purchased separately from either the park owners or another supplier.
Whilst insurance for a static caravan is not a legal requirement, it is a major investment and protection against the unexpected is always a good idea. Some parks may require insurance as part of the site’s terms and conditions. There are a number of different types of insurance available for static caravans, however, the average insurance plan will offer cover against fire, storm damage, contents, theft and accidental cosmetic damage, even when the caravan is left unoccupied during the winter months for example. The price of your insurance plan should be factored into the overall price.
We offer a wide range of static caravans for sale, both new and pre-owned, sited on our expansive 47-acre park located in one of the most scenic valleys in Mid Wales. The park encloses beautiful forest walks and is rich in wildlife, it also offers a range of facilities including a social club, football pitch, tennis courts, a children’s play area and more which are all included in the pitch fees. For more information, get in touch today.
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