Would you stay here?

[janetlane]

Not AIBU, but need high traffic so here goes...

Husband has been unsatisfied in his job for a while now and looking for a career change and he wants to set up his own business.
He has always wanted to run a campsite kind of thing and has recently got into the tiny house craze.

So i was wondering would people like to stay in tiny houses? An alternative to camping pods, so you get a bit of home comforts while still kind of camping haha/

I would love that if the bathroom is inside. I dont want to walk across a field in the middle of the night for a wee, ever.

You should not be basing a business on mate's rates; if the work is worth paying for, then pay the going rate.

yes I would - sounds lovely

I am a camper so anything non tenty is luxury - I often go away alone so 2 beds would be fine but also family style would be nice.

I love Snowdonia - let me know if you need people to trial them for you!

I dont want to walk across a field in the middle of the night for a wee, ever

The times I had to do this with our camper. I remember once, it snowed during the night and the sheer horror of having to talk across a lawn in the snow - I just peed behind the van and that was bad enough. Never again.

Has to be cheaper than actually just renting somewhere. Or has to have something unique about it. So I can see the attraction of say gypsy caravans because of the romance of it.

I dont want to walk across a field in the middle of the night for a wee, ever.
Yes this is what I hate about camping, also that it is so bloody uncomfortable especially when it’s raining. We would be out most of the day walking etc even in the rain so it’s nice to be dry and comfortable In the evening.

Actually agree also with comment against paying mates rates. I actually think it is unfair to ask for mates rates for a business.

Do you have planning permission?

Janet it did have a shower and loo (thankfully as it was torrential rain the night we stayed!).

Have you spoken to anyone who has already done this, for advice on pitfalls?
Waste and removal of foul water are a big issues on camp sites. There are lots of legalities involved in removing waste water in rural areas where there are no drainage systems.
Composting toilets and reed bed cleaning might have to be looked into.

For these kinds of ‘experience’ stays I think you need a beautiful setting, and plenty of space: not cramped in and next to each other like caravan sites/ holiday parks.

Possibility for a fire to sit by, with a tripod to cook over it. What about warmth? You will need to attract visitors Easter - Oct half term?

A tarp to sit out under.

Glamping and ‘wild camping’ (pitch where you like, have a campfire, lots of space) will be a better fit than touring caravans.

Lots of the lovely ‘wild camping’ sites we use have various versions of huts / pods / tiny houses.

With all the gorgeous (an inexpensive) properties available through Airbnb, I can't see any advantage to staying in a tiny and less luxurious property. It's a no from me, I'm afraid.

Hi all thanks for the replies - i disagree with the comment about being a caravan boring holiday, it is like a luxury camping pod.

Look at some of the quirky places on Under The Thatch - lovely ideas including trains, huts and caravans

it will have its own shower and loo yes.
I understand the mates rates comments too.
The land is 35 acres and we wouldn't cram anyone in i assure you.
The plan is for them to be bigger then camping pods which many on MN like, have own showers and cooking facilities and a mini sofa etc. I think it is a bit better then glamping which tbh is overpriced for a cold tent normally. These would be solidly built mini houses.

so he hopes they will offer mates rates to help him.

Just as people often fall on their arses with this thought/hope - what will he offer to them in return? It's unlikely to be free accommodation whilst he gets the business off the ground.

Anyway, in response to your original question - no - but I love camping so am not a good person to ask.

thanks ghostyslovesheets

I would like to say thank you so much so far, for all the answers / opinions. This has been a great experience so far and i look forward to more of your replies!

We run our own business, not in the same field as you are planning but still somethings you need to bear in mind>

1. get a really good business plan written so you know what things are going to cost, how much you are going to spend on advertising, cleaning, what you are going to provide etc. Its tough to do but really worth it.
2. check out the planning situation. even if you apply and are likely to get it, it will always take twice as long as you think. Planners should be able to give you a scoping reply on the likelihood.
3. is it really a year round business?
4. how are you going to take bookings and let people in.

I love running my own business but it is 24/7 in terms of answering e mails, doing quotes, getting the info out and taking calls and being available all the time. Its also a lot more expensive for things like on costs than you think - business rates, commercial refuse disposal and recycling, water and sewerage, utilities etc.

I am not trying to put you off just making sure that you go into this completely with your eyes open and realise that you will probably work twice as many hours in your own business as you do in someone elses and most likely, initially anyway, earn a lot less money.

SockMobster
Thanks for the criticism, i understand your worries. DH has offered them mates rates for his work before, and will continue to do so, so hopefully they would be willing to offer him this as well.

But like DH, the lads are all easily bribed by alcohol and like i said Dh hopes they will repay some mates rates favours.

mummymeister Lovely bit of advice thank you.
Hubby is disattisfied with just being a 'joiner' he says and wants to branch and has been thinking of this for a while, and has done some research in to the work involved.

Money wise, we know we will lose quite a bit of his income however i am in a flexible and well paying job, so his wage loss wouldn't be detrimental.

is the 35 acres designated as farm land? does it fall within the development boundary of the nearest settlement? I would think finding out about planning permission and what conditions they will put on will be your very first starting point. not easy near to a national park ime.

Lots of the RV parks here (US) have them already, usually called cabins (loo & mini kitchen) or cabinettes (no loo or kitchen). If you look at the RV parks on the KOA Kampground website (especially near the Natl Parks or oceans) you can usually see pictures of them. I think they're a pretty neat idea. The ones a West Glacier KOA were adorable, with fire pits and a deck.

But he needs to be aware that running a Campground is extremely labour intensive and time consuming. At least it is if you're going to keep it to an acceptable standard. If it hasn't already been suggested I suggest that he speak to a few CG owners. I know the owners we've spoken to (we RV a couple of months a year all told) seem to be run off their feet and very busy with projects about the CG.

off for food be back in abit haha

Its not just the wages, its the time. guests will arrive at all sorts of strange times and will want to be shown in. unless you are looking to pay staff then that will be you doing that. have a chat with your chamber of commerce or business group - someone running a tourism business or similar set up to get the real picture.

do you think its year round? are other places that people could visit and eat open locally?

It is unlikely to be year round business. People book these places when they want to go walking and spend time outdoors.