Once you have decided on the location and holiday park, it’s time to arrange a sales visit.
It is an essential part of the caravan buying process and you should plan carefully to ensure you get the most from it.
The sales process may seem daunting, especially if you have never purchased a holiday home before, so we have prepared this detailed guide to help you get the most out of the experience.
We'll provide you with top tips on when to go, what to ask and what you should expect to receive during your site visit, to help you get one step closer to owning your dream static caravan.
If you do not know the area you may wish to make an extended visit to allow time to check out the local area. Some parks offer discounted stays to those who are seriously considering caravan ownership this is definitely worth investigating with your selected park.
Visiting A Holiday Park To Buy A Caravan
The first part of the caravan sales process is setting up an appointment with a holiday park sales representative who will explain everything you need to know about buying a static caravan in the UK. Making a prior appointment will ensure they are available and have time to give you a full park tour and allow you to view available holidays homes. You should contact the park directly to arrange this.
All holiday park sales representatives should take their time to answer your questions and explain everything in detail. It is their role to ensure that ownership is right for you, for the long term to ensure potential buyers become contented owners. To do this they must establish if the park is a good match and find a holiday home that meets your needs and you can comfortably afford.
To assist them it very much helps if you are clear on your requirements and budget from the start.
It is common for sales team to cover affordability early on to ensure you have detailed breakdown of all costs and that they holiday home options they will show you are appropriate. This will include site fees, utilities, insurance and the purchase / finance costs.
They will also lay out the steps of the process should you wish to complete that day.
Park Tour
The sales visit allows you to get acquainted with the holiday park and see if it is right for you.
Even if you know the park well and have stayed there before, a park sale tour will be useful to explain the park from an owner’s perspective.
This tour is often completed in an electric buggy (which is always fun!) to allow you to cover the whole park in a short period of time.
A tour will cover the main areas of the park showing you the facilities and different areas of the park. It is also a great opportunity to view available pitches that may be perfect for your new caravan holiday home.
Holidays Homes
The next step is to view new or preowned holiday homes located on the showground or on a pitch on the site.
Once this is complete you will return to the sales office to discuss the next step.
Preparing A Checklist For Your Sales Appointment
Once you have scheduled your appointment, you should prepare a checklist to ensure you don’t forget to ask any important questions and to help you communicate your expectations to your caravan sales team.
It also helps you clarify your needs and discuss with other family members.
While everyone’s checklist will be different, here are some options that should feature on every list:
Your checklist before you go
• How do we feel about New or used caravan?
• How much do we spend currently on Overseas holidays & UK holiday accommodation / how does this effect our budget?
• What is your maximum budget per month for caravan and running costs?
• Are you buying outright or on finance?
• What deposit are you comfortable with?
• Do you intend to sublet or rent out your caravan when you are not using it?
Your checklist during visit
• Will the area keep you coming back for holidays and short breaks?
• Are you happy with the drive?
• Does the park “feel” right
Questions for sale representative
• What are the annual running costs (site fees, utilities, rates, water, insurance etc.)?
• How and when do you pay these annual fees?
• What are the owner benefits and discounts?
• Are there owner events?
• What is the average rental earnings on the park
• Does the holiday park run a letting scheme?
• Are you allowed to sublet it privately?
• Does the park offer cleaning services, and if so, how much do they cost?
• Is the park open all year round?
• Are any of the facilities chargeable, if so, how much do they cost?
• Will you have WIFI access in your caravan or lodge, is there a fee?
• Does the park offer winterisation, if so, how much does it cost and is it obligatory?
You are going to have a captive audience for a good two or three hours during your sales visit, so make the most of it by asking as many questions as possible.
How Often Will You Be Able To Use It?
How often will you be able to use your static caravan? Weekly? Monthly? Twice per year? To capitalise on your investment, you should be able to use it as often as possible, with some owners suggesting that you should use it at least ten times per year to make it a viable holiday option. Of course, you don’t have to use it yourself; you can give it to friends and family, or even rent it out to cover some of your annual fees. But the whole concept of this type of holiday home is that you use it regularly for weekend breaks, family holidays, or even as your out-of-office office.
Most UK caravan parks are open 8 – 10 months per year, although some operate all year-round which extends your available time, and whilst you cannot live in a static caravan permanently as your primary residence, you can visit it as often as time allows and take extended holidays such as during the summer school holidays. Choosing the right location is essential. If you can access your static caravan in just 1 or 2 hours, you are far more likely to use it than if it is at the other end of the country, so consider this when browsing holiday parks.
Will You Be Able To Share It With Family & Friends Or Rent It Out?
One of the benefits of owning a static caravan is that you can share it with family, friends, loved ones, or even work colleagues when you are not using it. It allows smaller families and support-bubbles to holiday together, couples to escape with their friends and endless opportunities for last-minute breaks. Much of your essentials will already be at the caravan so packing should be a breeze.
If you have a large family and friends’ network, a caravan holiday home could be a perfect investment. If not, you should consider the option of renting it out when you are not using it, either independently or via your holiday park’s rental scheme, to ensure maximum financial returns to offset your running costs.
Many parks will manage the rental processes in return for a commission on the rental charges or you can choose to do this yourself. From our experience managing bookings, key handovers and cleaning can be intensive so consider these options carefully based on your own circumstance.
Also remember subletting reduces your own time using the caravan and can lead to increased wear and tear.
Is It Affordable?
Perhaps the biggest consideration of all is affordability. Most of us love the idea of buying a caravan or holiday home in the UK, but they come at a price, and if you cannot commit to the ongoing running costs, it might not be the right choice for you. When budgeting for a static caravan, you should consider:
• Initial Sales Price: This can be anywhere from £10,000 to £500,000 plus depending on the size and location of your caravan. This can be paid in full from savings or alternatively many owners choose to pay a deposit and then finance the purchase cost paying a monthly payment.
• Annual Site Fees: These range from £2,000 to £10,000 per year, with averages around £3,000 to £5,000. Some parks offer the option to pay side fees via a monthly payment. This payment covers the fee to use the pitch, maintenance and free use of parks facilities for your family and guests.
• Gas & Electricity: Most holiday parks work on meter systems, so you’ll only pay for what you use, but if you intend to stay in your static caravan in winter or over the Christmas and New Year period, you will inevitably have higher heating costs. You will also have to factor in a annual boiler service.
• Rates, Water & Drainage: Influenced by the size, facilities, and location of the holiday park, these fees range between £300 and £1,500 per year.
• Caravan Insurance: Just like your home, you’ll need to insure your static caravan against risks such as fire, theft, and flood damage; this is essential and required by all UK holiday parks. Fully comprehensive caravan insurance packages range from £125 to £475 per year.
• Cleaning: This is an optional service offered by most caravan parks and costs around £25 per clean.
• Winterisation: This is an annual service designed to keep your static caravan in perfect condition throughout winter when your holiday park may close. It includes draining down the water system and reconnecting, and other essential maintenance. Some insurance companies insist you do this, others don’t, so check your policy carefully. It costs around £70 per year.
Have You Weighed Up The Pros & Cons?
Static caravans are a luxury lifestyle investment that allows you to escape everyday life without the hassle of overseas travel. They are suitable for young families, older couples, and everyone in between, and they are ideal for those who love to get away at the weekends and take impromptu trips. But they are not for everyone.
Take time to consider the pros and cons and the advantages and disadvantages of buying a holiday home in the UK before you commit. If you can afford it, use it regularly, and see a future of holidays for you and your loved ones, caravan ownership will add value to your life. If not, explore all options available before committing, and only sign on the dotted line if you are sure that it is the right choice for you.