04 March 2025
How much does a static caravan cost?
6 minutes
If you’re considering purchasing a mobile home, you’ll want to be up to speed on the various associated fees before you buy. So, how much does a static caravan cost?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about upfront and ongoing static caravan costs.
What is the cost of a static caravan?
Let’s talk about the cost of purchasing a static caravan itself. There’s a real range of prices on offer, which should hopefully mean you’re able to find something within your budget.
Factors influencing static caravan costs
There are a variety of factors affecting the price of a static caravan. These include:
- Location: costs vary hugely depending on where caravan parks are based and what they offer. And even within parks, prices can differ depending on the plot of land you’re renting, for example if it has great views.
- Size and berth: as a general rule of thumb, the bigger the caravan and the more people it sleeps (the berth), the more expensive it’ll be.
- Fixtures and fittings: things like central heating, double glazing, and ensuite bathrooms may bump up the cost of your caravan.
- Age and condition: a brand-new version of a make and model is going to cost more than a pre-loved version, although there are other costs to consider when choosing second hand…
New vs. used static caravans
Based on our research, the cost of a new static caravan can range anywhere between £15,000 and £125,000. A luxury lodge (which is essentially a larger static caravan) could cost £250,000+. With used static caravans, prices can range from £5,000 up to £55,000.
But it’s worth bearing in mind that second-hand static caravans may come with additional costs depending on their condition. Some maintenance or repair work might be needed. And check carefully for issues such as damp [for Howden: link to new caravan damp wall article] before you buy, as these can really bump up your costs. Also remember that many sites have a 15 year rule for static caravans — once a caravan reaches this age, it needs to be removed or replaced.
There are plenty of websites listing new and pre-owned static caravans for sale, so check out what’s on offer and find the best option within your budget. Parks will also be more than happy to show you their range and help you find something suitable.
Other upfront costs of static caravans
Now let’s talk about the other costs associated with purchasing a static caravan, including a couple more upfront charges.
Static caravan delivery and installation
Many people choose their static caravan based on its location, which means the caravan is already sited at purchase. In fact, some parks state that you can’t move their caravans to other locations, so be sure to check this before you buy.
But if you’re looking to locate your caravan elsewhere, you’ll need to pay for transport and installation. Costs depend on the distance, the size of the caravan, and how easy the location is to access. Once your caravan arrives at its destination, it’ll also need to be positioned, levelled, and connected up to utilities. This could cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand pounds.
Static caravan furnishings and customisation
Most static caravans come fully furnished. But you’ll still want to kit out your second home, for example with soft furnishings, kitchenware, appliances, outdoor furniture, and personal touches.
What is the average static caravan site fee in the UK?
The biggest ongoing charges to consider are what you pay to the holiday or residential park where your caravan is located. These are known as site, pitch, or park fees. Of course, if your caravan is pitched on private land you own yourself, you won’t need to cover these costs.
What do static caravan site fees include?
You can expect site fees to cover:
- Ground rent: this pays for the pitch of land your caravan sits on. The price can vary considerably between and even within parks, depending on the desirability of the location.
- Services and facilities: parks offer a wide variety of services and facilities, for example maintenance and security. More on this below.
- Your share of business rates: caravan holiday parks must pay business rates to the local council to help fund services (such as schools and waste collection). They’ll also owe the council money for things like water supply and sewerage. Most park operators will pass on a percentage of this cost to caravan owners. Note that this might be billed separately to site fees but at the same time.
How much do static caravan site fees cost?
Aside from location, the biggest variance to site fees is determined by the services and facilities parks provide:
- Basic (around £1,000 to £3,000 a year): this might include a park manager and general site maintenance but no facilities. The attraction is the peace and quiet!
- Premium (around £3,000 to £5,000 a year): these parks will offer a bar or club house, perhaps a gym, swimming pool, and/or sports courts, and probably some activities for kids.
- Luxury (around £5,000 to £15,000 a year): these are all-singing, all-dancing. They’ll provide swimming pools, multiple restaurants and leisure activities, entertainment programmes, a spa and/or golf course, and so on.
Note that a small number of parks may charge additional fees for services such as winterising and storing your caravan, rather than including them in the site fee.
What is the cost of insuring your static caravan?
You’re not legally required to insure your caravan, but most caravan parks will require you to do so. And even if they don’t, or your caravan is on your own land, it’s still worth taking out an insurance policy for peace of mind. After all, a static caravan is an investment!
On average, you can expect to pay around £150 to £300 a year for specialist caravan cover. Prices will vary depending on the age and condition of your caravan and the level of cover needed. Parks will often require you to include public liability insurance in your policy.
Read more: What does caravan insurance cover?
How to save money on your static caravan insurance
Here are a few tips for how to get the best value for money:
- Choose a higher excess — you’ll pay more in the event of a claim, but it could save you money overall by lowering your premiums.
- New for old vs. market value — if you’d like to save a bit of money, choose market value cover over new for old cover.
- Use a trusted broker — expert brokers can help you compare different options to find the best deal for you. Find out more about static caravan insurance and speak with our team today.
What bills do you pay on a static caravan?
Last but not last, there are a few bills to budget for. These are other running costs, although generally much lower than pitch fees.
Utility bills
You’ll need to pay for electricity, gas, and water. As mentioned above, you might be charged for water as part of your site fees. With electricity, most caravan parks will bill you based on meter readings, for example quarterly.
Gas costs may also be based on meter readings, or you might need to pay for individual gas canisters. These can usually be bought on-site, or you can source them from external suppliers, which could potentially work out cheaper. It’s worth budgeting a few hundred pounds for utility bills each year.
Council tax
You only need to pay council tax on your static caravan if it’s being used as a person’s sole or main residence. If you’re using your caravan for recreational purposes only, as is the case for most owners, you don’t need to worry about council tax.
One easy way to tell is where your caravan is located. If it’s in a holiday caravan park, it’s recreational. If it’s in a residential park, it’s more likely you’ll need to pay council tax. If you do need to pay, caravans are usually Band A which costs around £1,000 to £2,000 per year on average.
Find out more about paying council tax on static caravans [link to new council tax article].
TV licence
If you have a TV in your caravan, you’ll only need a licence if your main TV — i.e. the one you have at home — will be in use at the same time. So, for example, if you have family members who won’t come on trips, or if you plan to rent out your caravan while you’re at home, then you’ll need to take out a separate licence. A TV licence costs around £170 a year.
Is owning a static caravan worth it?
So, those are all the costs to consider before purchasing. But you may still be wondering: is a static caravan worth it? One thing you’ll often hear is that static caravans are a lifestyle investment, rather than a financial one. This is because their value depreciates quickly, at about the same rate as a car (around 15% a year).
But you could easily save money overall when you consider the cost of brick and mortar holiday homes or the average price of a package holiday. Ultimately it’s about your personal preferences and what’s right for your situation.
Financing options for static caravans
One way to help with the financial burden is to make use of financing options. Many parks will allow you to pay a deposit (usually around 10-25%) when purchasing your caravan and then pay the rest through monthly payments. Be sure to check with them about interest rates, repayment periods (often 7 years), and so on.
You can usually choose to pay site fees in instalments as well, although keep in mind that paying annual fees sometimes comes with a discount. Some parks might offer reduced or even free site fees for a period after purchase.
How to get value for money on your static caravan
One of the best and easiest ways to get value for money is to consider renting out your caravan to others. You could earn up to £10,000 a year doing this. Some park owners will even offer to arrange rentals for you and then credit the income to your account.
If you’re planning on doing this, consider the location and size of your caravan as this can affect how popular it is with other holiday-goers. And make sure you take out the relevant insurance.
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