Buying a static caravan to live on site

[Elouera]

I've never stayed in a static caravan, so any advice appreciated. We are planning on getting one while we do up a derilict house, and live on-site. Any tips on things to look for, things they should include etc?

If you are planning on staying on the static caravan site, some of them have restrictions on how long you can live on site.

My understanding (relatives lived in one) is that they depreciate faster than were they built of gingerbread, & then you can be hoofed off site if you don't buy a lovely new 'van - from the site's approved sellers ie: the site.

Also endless issues with deliveries - again, expected to buy stuff from on-site shop at inflated prices.

I'd rent one if I needed a temporary home for a time limited period, but never buy one.

Oh & yes check which months you are allowed on-site. Lots of parks expect you to break up your occupancy by making yourself scarce in January, say. I know one retired couple who are cool with this as they head off for some winter sun/visit dc, but you could fall foul of it if your build gets behind schedule.

I think OP meant the site of their building works @Zebrahooves

I haven’t OP but a friend lived in one for a year for similar reasons. I think the winter months were pretty grim. They didn’t have a WC plumbed in so they had to leave the caravan and walk to a neighbouring building to use the toilet, as I recall this became a massive pita. Other than that they got though it. It was before their dc were born though, so just the two of them.

Oh hang on - you're putting it on the site of your build? Ignore me then!

Except the depreciation thing. I think you'd lose quite a lot when you were done & re-sold it (unless you pat rock bottom for a knackered one & scrap it after?!)

Oh sorry maybe we are all at cross-purposes here.

Do you mean on a caravan site op? Or on the site of your building project?

I also understood the OP to mean the caravan is going in the grounds of the derelict property whilst the property is renovated.

OP, will it be possible to have it plumbed in? Or connected to electricity? Are you having gas bottles? I would try to avoid having a galley kitchen if possible. And one with a door between the kitchen/living area and bedroom area would be much better for living in for a while.

Get one with central heating. Buy a dehumidifier or lots of condensation in winter.

My parents did this. The main problem was that they used a pipe connected to a stand pipe in the main building. The pipe froze in winter so they had no running water to the van

Sorry, I now realise my initial OP wasnt too clear. I want to buy a 2nd hand static caravan, and have it moved into the garden of the derelict home we have bought and need to do up. We'd plan to connect it to the mains water, waste water for the toilet and electrics.

I've been reading about 'winter ready' vans which I assume have heating and double glazing? I wasnt looking at brand new, top of the range, but warm enough incase we are still in it over winter. No kids to consider, just DH and myself.

My parents own a caravan on a holiday site, they can access it until late October but don't bother. It has heating and double glazing and it still gets absolutely bitter, like colder than I have ever been in my life. The wind seeps through and sounds like its going to take the caravan off with it.

If its short term whilst your house is being built then 1 winter wouldn't be the end of the world, but be prepared that even "Winter ready" caravans are not that Winter ready. Don't be surprised if the pipes freeze too.

I'm banging on about it because my parents caravan is reasonably new and quite high end for a caravan and I cannot express how cold it gets. Double up on duvets, stock up on blankets and heaters. Caravans these days can be lovely and its only temporary so one cold Winter isn't the end of the world but just be prepared!

Extra duvets and heaters is a good idea!

I did this in a really cold winter with 2 kids under 4. It was an old van. It cost a grand in 2008, had issues reselling , eventually after hassle with time wasters we put it on eBay and sold it for scrap ( we got a pound).
For a van that provided accommodation , somewhere safe for kids to play and the accessibility of us being able to work on the house every spare minute we had, the £1000 and lack of comfort was worth it.
Just make sure you have lots of friends that you can tap up for showers/baths/ washing/ comfort and repay them by hosting them when you have a lovely home.
Also whilst converting our derelict house we also managed to get time away to destress as we were working full time and working in the house. It was hard work for a year but oh so worth it. Good luck

Yeah we stayed in one at Easter one year and it was so cold that DS cried the whole time and we came home early! XH lives in one at the moment and it’s lovely over the summer, but as it’s on a park he can’t use it in winter anyway. But when he leaves it locked up he has to move all the soft furnishings away from the walls in case they get damp and go mouldy. Not a problem if you’re staying in it and heating it over winter though.

Just make sure you have lots of blankets, heaters etc and it will be fine - for centuries/millennia people have lived in uninsulated homes, it’s a relatively modern thing to need central heating! If you can pick a sheltered spot that would probably help though.

We did it for 18 months , it was fine. So handy being on site could work late into the night if needed . Our only advantage was that we already had a brick built shed which we used for storage of coats (bought a clothing rail), shoes , site work clothing and washing machine etc which was handy. We did it with an 18 month old and a 6 year old - just the two of you will be a doddle- good luck !

We did it over the winter last year,whilst our house was built,but we bought a tourer instead. DH and I slept in it and used a relative's kitchen and bathroom. It was only for 7 months,so doable,the worst thing was the wind as we are in an exposed position and the storms just kept on coming. I sold ours for £100 less than I paid for it, so was very pleased.