When buying a static caravan, it’s important to take a couple of things into consideration to make the entire process as smooth as possible. Although it’s simple enough, there are a couple of potential pitfalls to keep in mind. In this article, we’re going to be showing a couple of the biggest concerns as well as offering a few more tips for buying a buying a static caravan. This will ensure that you have a comfortable holiday with your caravan together with your family.
Tip #1: Why do you want to buy a caravan?
It might seem obvious now, but don’t regret your decision a couple of months down the line because you neglected to think about why you wanted to buy a caravan in the first place. Here are a couple of the most important things to think about when considering why you want to buy a static caravan in the first place:
- Affordable holidays – One of the best things about owning a caravan is the ability to go on affordable holidays whenever you want. For instance, you could easily go on a holiday to a nearby caravan park whenever you feel like it. Don’t worry about buying plane tickets or booking a hotel. The initial investment might be more than a holiday, but it will quickly be paid back.
- Flexible breaks and short holidays – Another great advantage with caravan ownership is that you can have flexible holidays whenever you want. Whether it’s a short weekend break or a longer holiday during half term from school, there are plenty of options available to you.
- Added health benefits – Staying at a caravan park for a holiday comes with many health benefits. You’ll be away from the hustle and bustle of the city, you can de-stress and relax and you’ll also get plenty of social interaction.
- A holiday that suits everyone – Caravan holidays are perfect for the whole family and not just for a certain group of people. You can go for a caravan break to relax and chill out or create adventure if that’s more your style. You can go to a rural environment to indulge in the sites or you can go to one that’s close to a golfing course or zip lines. Whatever your desires, there’s something for everyone at caravan parks.
Consider these as the most common reasons for why you’d want to buy a caravan. If you can’t pinpoint why you want to buy a caravan then it will just make things harder for you in the future.
Tip #2: Pick and choose a location
When buying a static caravan it’s paramount that you pick the right location. Make sure you think about the location because it’s going to completely change the experience you get. There are some fantastic parks in North Wales that all offer activities and attractions to make it worth your time, but it’s just one example of the many locations you could consider for your holiday home.
The location you pick will make a huge difference in how much you’ll end up paying and the overall experience you can expect, so don’t skip this step and don’t just go for the nearest site to you!
Tip #3: New vs used caravans
The next tip we’ll offer is picking between used and new caravans. In most cases, a new caravan is going to cost significantly more but you’ll get far more new advantages and updates to your caravan. For example, there might be more modern amenities and the model or layout of the caravan might be better suited for your needs. However, if you’re not very demanding then you can easily pick an older caravan that still has a workable layout and slightly older appliances.
Investing in a caravan is no doubt expensive, which is why we’d recommend you take a look at some of the caravans we have on offer to help you decide for the future. We also offer finance packages to make purchasing a more expensive caravan still somewhat affordable. However, we do advise that you speak to an independent financial advisor before you enter into any agreement.
Tip #4: Judging your running costs
Estimating your running costs will be the next tip. Running a caravan is fairly straightforward but that doesn’t mean you’ll be exempt from running costs. Here are a couple of the most common expenses to think about when purchasing a caravan:
- Annual sites fees for the park – The park you purchase a caravan at will undoubtedly have annual site fees. The larger the plot of land or caravan, the more you’ll need to pay. Some parks offer site discounts on fees, especially in the first year.
- Insurance payments – You’ll have to insure your caravan at some stage to protect it from damage and theft.
- Utility bills – Much like utilities at home, you’re going to need to pay for water, gas and electricity.
- Gas safety check – You’ll also need to carry out a gas safety inspection to ensure that your boiler and fire services are safe.
- Drain down charges for winter – Caravan owners hate frost damage, especially after a long winter period. These payments will ensure that your caravan stays in good condition over the cold season.
- Travel costs – Don’t forget that you’ll also need to pay to actually get to your caravan. This means any train tickets or petrol fees that it costs to travel to the park itself.
- Maintenance costs – Lastly, we can’t forget about general maintenance costs such as cleaning which is handled by your site. Hopefully, these tips for buying a static caravan have given you enough good advice on what to consider when buying a holiday home. A static caravan is a fantastic investment for the future and it will help you live an exciting life with plenty of happy holiday memories.
Read our post about Maintenance tips for your Static Caravan here
See our previous post “10 Handy Tips For Buying A Static Caravan” here.