Once you have found the perfect holiday park for your static caravan, the next step is to find the perfect pitch. The pitch is the ground on which your holiday home will be sited long term on the holiday park.
When choosing a caravan pitch, you should consider its location within the park, accessibility to onsite facilities, parking, and both your short and long-term holiday requirements. In this complete guide, we’ll provide you with top tips on choosing a pitch for your static caravan, so that you can select one with confidence, knowing that it will meet your current and future needs.
What Caravan Pitches Are Available?
During your site visit, the sales representative will show you the different pitches available within the park, explain the differences in site fees, discuss the pros and cons of each pitch, and help you make the right choice for your family.
We recommend that you prepare a static caravan pitch checklist, including the following points:
• Does the pitch come with a private parking space or spaces?
• If not, is there sufficient parking nearby?
• Is it close to the main park entrance?
• How far is it from the park facilities, restaurants, and kid’s clubs if this is important to you?
• What pitches are available? Are their quieter areas of the park ?
• Is it in a sunny spot or shaded area?
• Does it have the views that you are looking for in a holiday home?
• How much space is there between your pitch and your neighbours?
• Is it easily accessible for elderly family members and young children?
Selecting a static caravan pitch that meets your needs will significantly improve your holiday experiences, so take your time when viewing holiday parks, and consider the advantages and disadvantages of each pitch before you commit.
Static Caravan Pitches & Site Fees
Did you know that different caravan pitches attract different site fees?
Although many caravan parks will have standardised pitch sizes and fee structures throughout the park there maybe pitches available that command higher site fees.
These include?
• Double size pitches that are required for “lodges” which are effectively a double caravan size and are generally charged at a higher rate for obvious reasons.
• Pitches with great views can often command a premium.
• Certain developments or appealing areas on a park may have a higher site fee cost.
Make sure you ask the sales representative for a complete breakdown for each pitch and choose one that you can comfortably afford.
Near Onsite Facilities – The Pros & Cons
When choosing a static caravan pitch, it can be tempting to go with one that is as close to the onsite amenities as possible, but is it the right choice for your holiday home? Here we’ll look at the pros and cons of choosing a pitch next to the park’s main facilities:
The Pros
• You won’t have to walk far to the onsite supermarket and restaurant
• Your children can head to the kid’s club whenever they like
• You’ll be closer to the main parking areas
• It may be a point that attracts rental income if you decided to sub-let
The Cons
• Caravan pitches close to onsite facilities tend to be noisier than those further away
• You’re more likely to be surrounded by families with young children during school holidays
• These pitches are often closer together than those on the outskirts of the park
• It may put off potential renters who are looking for a peaceful retreat
Pre-Owned Static Caravans – Can I Choose A Pitch?
If you are buying a pre-owned static caravan, you may automatically inherit the pitch that it is on, so consider this when narrowing down your options. If you find a caravan that is the right size and price, and it comes with affordable annual fees, you may be willing to compromise on pitch location. But, if you specifically want a sea view or beachside location, you should only look at used caravans sited in these areas.
If you buy a preowned holiday home that is based on the showground or storage on the park (not located on an actual pitch) you may well have the option of choosing an available pitch on the park as if you were buying a new caravan.
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.