Park Homes Blog

Are park homes a good investment?

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 13:53:36 Z

For some, switching to life in a park home is one of the best investments they’ll ever make.

Park home living is super-appealing to those of a certain age, and by the end of this article, you’ll see why. Who knows, you may also even weigh up the switch yourself.

But, as with everything, it’s important to consider the pros and cons of investing in a park home, and as great as life in a park home can indeed be, there are, of course, some disadvantages of park homes, too.

So, are park homes a good investment? Let’s delve deeper.

The benefits of living in a park home

If you’re relocating and downsizing for your retirement, you want to be sure you’ve made the right decision. Here are a few advantages you can expect from park home living.

Increased security

Park home sites are often gated communities with round-the-clock security. Entry to most sites is often granted via a key fob and is therefore restricted to residents only.

This means you can rest easily at night or while you’re out, safe in the knowledge that your home and possessions are sound. Most park homes are single-storey, too, which makes all the standard home security procedures a lot easier. There’s a lot less space to worry about for a start!

Accessibility

The single-storey nature of park homes makes them highly accessible—especially for older residents.

Mobility becomes a greater concern as we age, so large homes with several floors, stairs, and high-up storage can become problematic and no longer feasible to live in.

However, you won’t have any of these issues living in a park home, as everything can be kept within reach on a single floor. New park homes can also be built to your exact specifications.

Easier maintenance

Less space means fewer things to worry about when it comes to maintaining your park home, right? Well, certainly from a cleaning perspective, anyway. With park home living, gone are the days of lugging the hoover up the stairs and tackling the upstairs bathroom.

Paying utility bills also comes under the maintenance umbrella. However, on many sites, bills are paid directly to the site owners, who’ll handle all the boring admin and supplier management for you—making it easier for you to maintain and leaving you with more time to enjoy yourself.

Like-minded community spirit

Loneliness can be a big problem in old age, too. However, one of the advantages of living in a park home is that everyone on site is there for similar reasons to you.

Most park home sites have minimum age limits (usually no lower than 50), so you’ll be surrounded by people of a similar age and with a similar outlook on life. Park home sites are sociable spaces; many have regular community activities and social events to get involved with.

Everyone tends to know everyone on site—you’re bound to make friends with shared interests.

Intimate spacing

We’ve touched on this already, but there’s so much to be said for downsizing for retirement, and living in a park home is arguably the best way to do that.

If your kids have grown up and moved out with homes of their own, the empty space they leave behind can trigger those lonely feelings we talked about earlier. But when you live in a park home, the space is entirely your own. With custom-built park homes, in particular, you’re in complete control of designing and utilising your space exactly how you imagined. Empty rooms, be gone!

Cost-effective

Though mortgages aren’t an option (more on that later), buying a park home is generally much cheaper than buying a traditional, brick-and-mortar home.

Park home life can also be relatively cheap compared to that in a traditional home.

As outlined earlier, utilities are often managed by the site owners, who can only charge the market rate, which not only saves you unnecessary admin but also provides peace of mind that your bills are fair.

Park home sites are almost always located in the lowest council tax bands, too.

Freedom to move

Park homes are mobile and are hence covered by the Mobile Homes Act 1983. When you buy a park home, you’ll normally agree on a land lease with the site owner for a period of time. However, you are free to relocate your park home to a new site once that period has passed.

The disadvantages of living in a park home

As appealing as they are, it’s only fair we look at some of the disadvantages of park homes, too. Here are a few things you should know before making the switch.

Stagnant value

Unlike in the traditional housing market, the value of a park home doesn’t change over time.

Most traditional homeowners are likely to see the value of their property increase or decrease over time, depending on various factors such as refurbishments. However, this is not the case with park home ownership. In fact, many park homes go the opposite way, decreasing in value as the years go by, although carrying out refurbishments on your park home may be able to help.

The majority of new-build park homes are built to last 70-80 years if properly maintained. While this is, of course, more than enough for your retirement years, it’s worth remembering that park homes aren’t made to last like bricks and mortar.

So, if selling for profit is your goal, a park home probably isn’t for you.

You can't get a mortgage on a park home

One of the most commonly stated disadvantages of buying a park home is that mortgages aren’t available, so the standard buying process differs from that of a traditional home.

If you want to buy a park home, you must fund it by alternative means. The most common ways are:

taking out a park home loan
buying outright with cash
using a part-exchange finance scheme

Check out the mortgage section on our park homes guide for more information on these options.

Selling-on fees

Selling-on fees are another downside to park home ownership. Should you decide to sell your park home in future, you’ll need to pay commission to the site owner. The commission is usually 10% of the sale price (though this may vary at the time of sale).

So, let’s say you sell your park home for £80,000—that’s £8,000 you’d owe to the site owner. This is because although you own the park home, you do not own the land it sits on.

Of course, selling-on fees won’t be an issue for you if you plan to live out the rest of your days in your park home, but you should be aware of this if your plans are likely to change.

The advantages and disadvantages of buying a park home

In summary—like buying any home—buying a park home is a big life decision. It’s important to weigh up the pros and cons before making the switch.

We’re here to help. If there’s anything else you’d like to know that this article doesn’t tell you, get in touch via our social media channels. Our expert team is on hand.

Specialist park home insurance through Ripe

Switching to park home living? Specialist park home insurance through Ripe can help provide financial protection for you and you park home. Learn more about specialist park home insurance through Ripe and get an online quote today.

A complete guide to site fees for residential park homes

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 12:00:25 Z

Moving to a residential site can be an exciting opportunity to live in a beautiful location and enjoy a lower-maintenance lifestyle. But getting your head around site fees for residential park homes can be confusing when you’re new to it all.

How much are site fees, how do they work, and what exactly do they cover? These are just a few of the questions that regularly crop up among park home newbies.

In this blog, we’ll cover everything you need to know about site fees for residential park homes in the UK so you can focus on finding your ideal property and settling into your new life.

What are park home site fees?

Before we get into the ins and outs in more detail, let’s look at what park home site fees actually are.

Site fees are recurring charges that park home residents must pay to the park owner in exchange for housing their property on their land.

Think of it like a traditional leasehold property. These fees are similar to the ground rent homeowners pay the freeholder if their property is leasehold.

What do site fees cover?

Park home site fees cover the various services and amenities the park provides, such as the maintenance of communal areas, access to on-site facilities and, in some cases, utilities such as water or sewage.

In addition to this, site fees can also often include the cost of street lighting, waste management and disposal services, general landscaping, and even 24-hour security. These services combine to help maintain the park’s appearance and general functionality, contributing to a safe and peaceful living environment for residents.

How much are site fees for residential park homes?

Park home site fees in the UK can vary depending on several factors, such as:

your site location
the size, type, and spec of park home you have
your park facilities and amenities
the inclusion of utilities and services

That said, fees typically range between £150-£500 per month, which can equate to around £1,800-£6,000 annually. However, your fees could well be more or less than this depending on the factors outlined above.

Some parks offer all-inclusive pitch fees that cover utilities such as water, energy, and sewage.

This can help simplify your budgeting, as you’ll have a clearer picture of your monthly expenses, but it’s worth looking at your options before going for a deal like this.

It’s also important to carefully review the terms of your agreement with the park owner before signing anything, ensuring you understand what is and isn’t covered by the fees.

You’ll typically be responsible for arranging and paying for utilities separately if they aren’t included.

Remember, park home site fees can also increase on an annual basis. They are usually calculated in line with inflation, along with the cost of any agreed park improvements or maintenance that has taken place. However, the park owner must give you 28 days’ written notice if your site fees are changing.

An example of residential park home site fees

Here’s a quick example of two different locations to show how much site fees can vary.

At Cosawes Park, a residential site based in Truro (Cornwall), the fees are as follows*:

You can pay annually, quarterly, monthly, or weekly, which isn’t often the case.

Water, sewage, and electricity costs are paid directly to the park and are set at a fixed rate. However, the cost of heating oil is variable.

Let’s compare this to Red Deer Village, another residential site based in Glasgow.

Here, residents can choose their own energy suppliers, and the cost of mains water is included in the council tax (Band A). There’s also the option to pay site fees either in monthly instalments or in an annual lump sum.

These site fees typically vary based on the type of park home you have, but are normally in the region of £150-£240 a month.

As you can see, the site fees at both of these parks differ hugely. However, each site has a different system in place regarding energy bills, and they’re set in completely different locations (and countries!)

These examples demonstrate just how important it is to research each site individually before making any decisions regarding your park home.

How often do you pay park home site fees?

Site fees for residential park homes in the UK are usually paid monthly. The instalments you pay will be shown on your agreement documentation and are typically paid each month for the month to come.

However, some park owners may charge an annual or quarterly site fee instead, so always research this before entering into an agreement.

Mobile Homes (Pitch Fees) Act 2023

The Mobile Homes (Pitch Fees) Act came into force on 2 July 2023 and changed how site fees for residential park homes are calculated in the UK.

The changes meant that the inflationary index used in annual pitch fee reviews must be CPI (consumer price index) rather than RPI (retail price index). This is good news for residents, as RPI inflation is typically higher than the former.

As part of the act, site owners are also not allowed to pass on any loss of income to residents. Instead, they must fill out an official pitch fee review form demonstrating how any increases have been calculated, giving full transparency to park home owners.

If you spot that your site owner has included an amount representing a loss of income, you do not have to pay this and can continue paying your current pitch fee. Cases like this can even be taken to a First-Tier Tribunal.

Park home site fees FAQs

Are park home site fees worth it?

While site fees are an ongoing cost, many residents consider them good value when compared to the hidden costs of traditional homeownership.

When you factor in the cost of things like private garden upkeep, repairs to driveways or communal infrastructure, and access to on-site amenities like clubhouses or green spaces, site fees can actually work out cheaper, especially for those looking for a low-hassle lifestyle.

Can I negotiate park home site fees?

Site fees are usually set by the park owner and are not negotiable on an individual basis, especially in well-established parks. However, the fee amounts can vary between plots depending on size, location, or what’s included in your agreement. It’s always worth asking for a full breakdown so you can understand what you’re paying for.

Do site fees include council tax?

No, park home site fees and council tax are separate. Most residential park homes fall under Council Tax Band A, which is typically the lowest band, but you’ll still need to pay it directly to your local authority.

What happens if I fall behind on my site fee payments?

Falling behind on your fees can lead to late payment charges and even legal action in more serious cases. If you’re struggling to keep up with your payments, it’s important to communicate this with the park owner, as they may be able to work with you to set up a payment plan.

Are site fees the same for all residents in the same park?

Not necessarily. While some parks apply a standard fee across all homes, others may vary their fees based on plot size, location within the park, or the terms of your agreement. Newer agreements may include different rates or services compared to older ones, too.

*All information correct as of September 2025.

Specialist park home insurance through Ripe

Now you’re more clued up on site fees for residential park homes, you may want to consider protecting your park home investment with specialist insurance.

At Ripe, we arrange specialist park home insurance that can cover your property, including fixtures and fittings, up to the value of £500,000 and your contents up to the value of £75,000. The cover can also be built around your requirements, so you’ll never pay for cover you don’t need.

Get a quote online today.

Park Homes: the ultimate guide

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 16:36:16 Z

Living in a park home full time is pretty straightforward and low maintenance once you’re into the swing of things, but park home ownership can throw up all sorts of questions at first.

Many people are unaware of what a park home actually is, how living in a park home works, and how you go about buying one in the first place—for example, can you even get a mortgage on a park home?

The questions go on. But here at Ripe, we know a thing or two about park homes and everything that comes with owning one.

Whether you’re actively weighing up the pros and cons of living in a park home now or perhaps some time in the future, we’ve got all the essential information you need to know.

Read on for our ultimate guide to park homes.

What is a park home?

By official definition, a park home is a detached ‘bungalow-style’ home permanently located on a private site or estate.

Park homes are typically manufactured off-site and then placed on land owned privately either by a park or local authority. So, buying a park home means you own the building, but not the land it sits on. Instead, the plot of land is leased to you, and your site fees cover general maintenance.

A property must be moveable in either one or two pieces (whether it be on its own wheels or attached to another vehicle) to be classed as a park home. The maximum dimensions are:

20 metres (65 ft) long
8 metres (22 ft) wide
05 metres (just over 10 ft) internal floor-to-ceiling height

Who lives in a park home?

Around 180,000 people currently live in a park home in the UK.

Park homes are particularly popular with the over 50s, as they offer a sense of security and peace of mind in a like-minded, calm community.

Every park has its own individual rules on who can and can’t live there, so in a sense, residents can choose the types of people they live around. For example, some parks are strictly adult-only and don’t allow children on site. In fact, some parks even have a minimum age limit of 55!

Generally speaking, park homes are also cheaper and easier to run than conventional houses, making them particularly attractive as retirement homes.

They’re also seen as a good downsizing option for those whose kids have long left home.

Where are park homes located?

There are more than 1,700 park home sites in the UK, and they’re usually in beautiful, often rural, locations.

Park home sites are very secure and are often gated communities, which require a key card or fob to enter. Parks have CCTV installed throughout and will often have on-site security staff, too.

Check out this tool to find parks near you.

Can you live in a park home all year round?

The simple answer is yes—you can live in a park home all year round. Residential park sites normally have special licences granted by local authorities that allow you to live there.

Park homes are designed to be your permanent place of residence, but, of course, rules on this may differ between sites—so always check and get confirmation in writing before purchasing your home.

The construction quality, comfort, insulation, and weather resistance features in park homes make them perfectly capable of year-round living.

Modern park homes are double glazed and have high-quality central heating systems, too—so they’re by no means merely a summer holiday home.

How much does a park home cost?

New park homes can cost anywhere between £70,000 up to £500,000 for the highest-spec models, so they can work out substantially cheaper than buying a traditional house.

However, there are several other things you need to consider besides the cost of the building itself. Things like plot deposits, site and reservation fees, surveys and moving costs may also add a few extra quid to the upfront costs of buying a park home.

Unlike conventional homes, the value or price of your park home will not increase over time. So, while traditional homeowners may benefit from rising house prices in their area when they come to sell, the same won’t typically apply to a park home owner.

Instead, park homes tend to lose value as time goes by. This is because they aren’t designed to have the same level of longevity as a bricks and mortar home.

Taking out a park home loan

Although there aren’t any standardised loans specifically for buying a park home, many banks will still offer loans to get the ball rolling. The rates aren’t typically as competitive as a standard mortgage, but it’s likely to be your next-best option if you don’t have thousands in savings.

Buying outright with cash

Buying your park home outright can be financed via personal savings or release equity on your current home. Park homes tend to be cheaper than houses, so if you’re in a position where you can sell for more than you owe on your mortgage, you’ll likely acquire the funds you need this way.

Using a part-exchange finance scheme

Part-exchanging can save you time if you’re looking to buy using equity as outlined above. This is where you sell your home to a part-exchange company which will then deduct the value of it from the price of your new park home.

How long do park homes last?

As you’d expect, park homes are a substantial, long-term investment. Newly-built homes can last 80 years or more if maintained and looked after properly.

However, this doesn’t mean your park home must always stay on the same site or plot of land. When buying a park home, the plot of land it sits on is leased to you for a fixed period of time. Once that period has passed, park homes can be relocated to new sites.

So, this is an option should you fancy a change of scenery.

Living in a park home full time

Living in a park home is becoming increasingly popular, and there are various reasons for that.

Full-time park home life differs hugely from life on a conventional street. For a start, park sites are usually in the countryside, so life tends to be much quieter. They also allow residents to become part of like-minded communities where they feel safe and secure. And, while this may not be everyone’s cup of tea, a sense of ‘everyone knows everyone’ certainly helps residents feel more integrated and maintains a friendly, inclusive atmosphere across sites.

Living in a park home is different from living in a normal house in other ways, too. Park homes are single-storey, again making them more attractive to the elderly who perhaps struggle climbing stairs.

Then there’s the ongoing cost of living, too, of course. Aside from your usual outgoings like shopping and leisure spending, there are several other things for park home owners to consider. The most common consistent outgoings for park home residents include:

pitch or site fees
utility bills
council tax
maintenance and repair costs

However, there shouldn’t be anything too ‘new’ here. With the exception of pitch or site fees, you’ll already be familiar with this kind of outgoings. You’ll no doubt have been already paying them for most, if not all, of your adult life!

But some things are, of course, somewhat exclusive to park home ownership.

For example, you may need to weatherproof your park home in the winter. Remember—park homes aren’t designed to have the overall strength and longevity of a house, so your maintenance must adapt accordingly.

If you’re serious about park home ownership, it’s definitely worth checking out what care schemes might exist on your site, too, as these can be very helpful.

What are the benefits of living in a park home?

There are many benefits of living in a park home, some of which we’ve already discussed. Here are the most notable benefits of living in a park home:

Accessibility

Park home residents are typically of retirement age, so reduced mobility is a common consideration. However, with everything on one floor in a single-storey park home, residents needn’t worry about getting up the stairs to bed or the bathroom every night.

Safety and security

Park sites are often gated communities with round-the-clock security and CCTV, meaning your safety and security is the utmost priority. There’s also a deep-rooted community spirit on most parks, with social events and activities commonplace.

Downsizing

Need a more manageable-sized home for your retirement? Are your kids grown up with homes of their own, leaving you with unnecessary spare rooms at yours? Buying a park home is a perfect way to downsize your living space and bring things under more control.

Cheaper to buy and run

Though park home mortgages aren’t an option, park homes are cheaper to buy than conventional houses. As they’re smaller, too, they also tend to be much cheaper to run and maintain. This is another important consideration, particularly for your retirement. It’s also worth mentioning that many park home sites are situated in the lowest council tax band areas.

Freedom

Park homes are mobile homes. They are covered by the Mobile Homes Act 1983. Once you have honoured the period of time agreed on your land lease, you are free to relocate your park home.

What is the difference between a park home and a static caravan?

By now, you might be wondering what the difference between a park home and a static caravan is.

Several things set the two apart. For example, static caravans are normally around half the width of a park home and are hence less spacious (but, of course, cheaper).

Static caravans also tend to only be suitable for holidays, with access to parks often limited merely to the traditional holiday season instead of the year-round stability a park home provides.

Park homes can also be built entirely bespoke based on your requirements, whereas static caravans are normally designed from a set list of available features.

In a nutshell—static caravans are not designed with year-round living in mind, unlike park homes. As a result, they are not built to the same standard.

When choosing whether to buy a static caravan or park home, your decision ultimately boils down to how you intend to use it. Are you living there permanently, or just staying for a holiday?

Selling or moving a park home

When selling your park home, the Mobile Homes Act 1983 states that the site owner (whoever manages the park) is entitled to a share of the sale price (maximum 10%).

As the seller, you’ll also need to:

hand over relevant information regarding site fees, commission, and so on
inform the park owners
transfer your pitch agreement to the buyer

The government website has a useful page detailing all the dos, don’ts and legal requirements of selling a park home. Check it out here.

When it comes to moving, most park home owners tend to sell up and buy new. However, if you ever decide you want to move sites but keep your existing park home, you can do so, providing you have honoured your initial land lease period.

Park homes are not easy to move, though, and there are various things you need to consider beforehand. For instance, how old your park home is, how accessible it is for moving vehicles, how much said manoeuvre will cost, and so on.

If you do decide to move your park home, it’ll likely be towed by an HGV before being safely ‘planted’ into the new site.

Best park home manufacturers

Park homes are a chunky investment, and there’s a fair amount of choice on the market when it comes to manufacturers. You want your park home to be the best it can be, so here are a few renowned brands and manufacturers to look out for when shopping the showgrounds:

You might be pleasantly surprised at the number of options available when planning your park home purchase.

Specialist park home insurance with Ripe Park Homes

With Ripe, your specialist park home insurance can be tailored to your exact requirements quickly and easily, meaning you’ll never pay for cover you don’t need.

Our building and contents cover, in particular, protects your park home, including fixtures and fittings up to the value of £500,000 and your contents up to the value of £75,000.

What’s more—all of our policies are underpinned by the Ripe Guarantee, meaning you receive great cover and service at a price you can afford.

Learn more about specialist park home insurance through Ripe and get a bespoke quote today.

The ultimate guide to park home insulation

Wed, 31 May 2023 13:08:52 Z

Just like bricks and mortar homes need insulating, park homes also require some ‘padding’ to preserve warmth in the winter and keep cool in the summer.

Park home insulation is important for temperature regulation and energy conservation, the latter of which has arguably never been more important in light of the cost of living.

This article will answer your park home insulation questions.

1. Can you insulate a park home?
2. What is the best way to insulate a park home?
3. Wall insulation vs loft insulation
4. Internal and external park home insulation
5. How much does it cost to insulate a park home?
6. The benefits of park home insulation

Can you insulate a park home?

Yes—you can, of course, insulate a park home, and there are several different types of park home insulation to choose from. The most common are:

Fibreglass insulation

Fibreglass park home insulation consists of fine glass fibres woven together and usually laid out in rolls. Fibreglass is cheap and easy to install, which makes it one of the most common types of park home insulation.

Spray foam insulation

Foam insulation is normally sprayed directly onto walls, floors or ceilings to provide a layer of insulation. This type of insulation is a good way of reaching difficult areas and can help prevent air leaks and excess moisture build-ups.

Cellulose insulation

Cellulose insulation is made from recycled paper and treated with fire-retardant chemicals. This can be a good one to use for small, tight spaces. It’s also an eco-friendlier choice than some of the others.

Reflective foil insulation

Foil insulation consists of a layer of aluminium foil sandwiched between two layers of plastic.

Rigid foam insulation

Rigid foam, as opposed to spray foam, comes in panels or boards and is usually made from either polystyrene or polyurethane foam—both of which are super-lightweight but durable.

If you’re unsure what type of park home insulation you need, you can arrange for a professional insulation contractor to come and assess your property and give advice.

What is the best way to insulate a park home?

How you insulate your park home is entirely up to you, and as we’ve already discussed, there are several insulation options available for you to choose from.

Every park home is different and will require different levels of attention when it comes to insulation. More often than not, your choice of insulation will boil down to budget, too, as some types are cheaper than others to install.

Wall insulation vs loft insulation

Wall and loft insulation serve slightly different purposes.

Wall insulation is installed inside the walls of your home to reduce heat loss through said walls. Wall insulation can also help reduce noise transition between rooms.

Roof or loft insulation is typically installed in the ceiling or attic area to reduce heat loss through the roof of the property. Loft insulation can also help keep your home cooler during the summer as it helps to prevent heat ‘gain’ through the roof.

Internal and external park home insulation

Park home insulation can be internal (i.e. inside the property) or external.

External insulation is applied to the exterior walls of the property, usually by fixing insulation panels and covering them with an extra protective layer, such as cladding or render.

Internal insulation involves adding insulation to the inside of the walls before covering them with plasterboard (most of the time).

Internal insulation is usually the cheaper option of the two, but external insulation often provides better quality insulation. Of course, your final decision may be determined by budget, but you should read up on the pros and cons of each before choosing your park home insulation.

How much does it cost to insulate a park home?

The cost of park home insulation depends on multiple factors—such as what type of insulation you have, how much you have, and where you have it.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to pricing, and we couldn’t put a set figure on it here—you are much better off getting a bespoke quote for your park home. However, data from the Eco Experts suggests that insulation typically costs between £1,400 and £10,000, depending on what you have.

Cavity wall insulation is often the most expensive type of insulation. For context—the Energy Saving Trust estimates the average cost of external wall insulation to be £14,000 for a three-bedroom, semi-detached house. These costs could rise to £20,000 for detached homes.

However, good quality roof or loft insulation can be installed for as little as £500 in smaller properties.

The benefits of park home insulation

Park home insulation has heaps of benefits, including:

Lower energy costs

One of the largest benefits of insulating your home is the reduced amount of energy you’ll use. Having proper insulation in your home could shave as much as £300 off your annual energy bill.

Increased comfort

Insulation will help to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer, meaning you’ll be comfortable all year round.

Reduced noise

Wall insulation won’t block out all noise, but it’ll help make your home a bit quieter, at least.

Good environmental impact

The less energy you use, the lesser your environmental impact. As well as improving your home’s energy performance, park home insulation helps you manage your own carbon footprint.

Increased property resale value

Insulation is a big plus when it comes to selling your park home further down the line. Advertising quality insulation and low running costs to prospective buyers is a good selling point.

Specialist park home insurance through Ripe

Park home insulation may not be the most ‘glamourous’ of topics or purchases, but you’ll thank yourself in the future for taking the time to sort it. Similarly, making sure you have the right park home insurance in place will also give you peace of mind and protection should the unexpected happen.

At Ripe, we arrange bespoke park home insurance that covers your property, including fixtures and fittings, up to the value of £500,000 and your contents up to £75,000.

Learn more about specialist park home insurance through Ripe and get an online quote in minutes today.

7 essential tips for park home maintenance

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 08:40:39 Z

Proper maintenance is essential for protecting your park home against the elements and keeping it in great condition.

Fortunately, maintaining a park home is considerably easier than looking after a brick-and-mortar property. They last around 70-80 years when maintained well, and there’s the added benefit that you’re usually only responsible for the home itself rather than the area surrounding it.

Here you’ll find our top tips for park home maintenance, so you’ll know the common issues to look out for when checking over your property and be able to boost its lifespan.

1. Check windows and doors regularly

You should check the seals on your windows and doors at least once yearly, ideally before winter arrives. They’re one of the biggest causes of heat loss in park homes, so checking they’re properly sealed will prevent soaring energy bills during colder periods.

Broken seals are also usually the cause of mould and mildew on your property—another reason to keep an eye on them.

Be sure to check the interior and exterior of every window and door frame to see if the weather stripping is in good order. If you find any small gaps, fill them with caulk or use draft excluders on doors where this isn’t possible.

Remember that cleaning your windows and doors is also another important aspect of park home maintenance.

You only need a bucket of warm soapy water and a soft sponge (scouring pads can damage the glass). Finish off with a quality glass cleaner like Windolene to give your windows extra shine.

2. Check and maintain the chassis

The chassis is essentially the foundation of your property, so looking after it is an important part of park home maintenance. It is a framework typically constructed from galvanised steel, and it supports the entire property by anchoring it to the ground.

While galvanised steel is particularly sturdy, it’s not completely immune to the elements—especially when used on park homes located near the coast where the air is salty.

Most metals suffer from some degree of rust and corrosion over time, but when regularly maintained, they last much longer. Corrosion-resistant chassis paint can work wonders for increasing its lifespan.

At times, your chassis may also need new axle stands or benefit from further insulation—it’s a good idea to get a professional to check this out every couple of years to ensure everything is in good order.

3. Check the gutters and facias

If left unmaintained, gutters and facias can cause many problems, particularly on older park homes where the facias are made from timber boarding rather than uPVC—they can be vulnerable to dampness and rot. If you notice this, arrange for them to be replaced.

Clean your guttering regularly and ensure there are no holes or any debris build-up. If you spot any of this, either repair it or call a professional to fix it and prevent any further damage.

Since most park homes have downpipes that dispense water straight onto the ground, this can cause a range of issues for your property, yourself, and any visitors, including:

flooding around the property (creating a slip hazard)
landscape damage
damp on the skirt
flooding inside the base

You may want to arrange for soakaways to be installed as part of your park home maintenance to prevent these issues. This means the water from the gutters flows through them instead, leading it away from your property.

If you have an older park home, you may want to replace the timber facias with uPVC alternatives, as they are practically maintenance-free and don’t rot.

4. Assess the pipes each winter

Uninsulated pipes are a concern for those buying second-hand park homes, as they can cause huge issues if they freeze during winter.

Not only could this leave you without water, but a burst pipe could cause thousands of pounds worth of damage if water gets into your park home.

Don’t worry! All it takes is a quick check of your pipes to ensure they’re properly insulated and in working order. If they need some work, call out a professional before winter sets in to avoid any disasters.

5. Don’t forget the roof

It’s easy to forget this step when maintaining your park home, especially since it can seem inconvenient. But many people don’t realise the dangers of unresolved roofing issues.

At least once per year, preferably before winter, carefully inspect your roof for any loose tiles, moss growth, or other signs of damage.

Spotting and repairing damage to your roof is essential for preventing issues inside your park home, such as water ingress, dampness, or mould, which are all costly but easily preventable.

If you cannot safely inspect or repair your roof, enlist a professional’s help.

6. Check and clean exterior walls

It’s a good idea to check for any cracks or chipping on the exterior walls of your property at least once every three months.

That way, you can monitor their condition and arrange repairs as soon as you notice any deterioration. This could prevent further damage to your park home and the more serious and costly repairs.

Cleaning the walls is a great excuse to check them while keeping them in great condition. Here’s how to do so:

wait for a dry day without direct sunlight
dilute a mild cleaning detergent in a bucket of water
use a soft sponge to carefully clean away any dirt, moss or mildew

No matter how tempting, steer clear of power washers, as they could damage the coating on the exterior walls

To properly maintain your park home, giving the exterior a fresh coat of paint every two years is also a good idea. Not only will it look great, but it will last longer thanks to increased weather resistance.

7. Maintain your park home’s garden

Creating a beautiful outdoor space for your park home has many benefits, but issues can crop up if left unattended.

Bushes, shrubs, tree roots and branches must be monitored and never allowed to grow too close to your property. They can cause a range of problems, from attracting pests to causing mould growth inside the walls.

Keep bushes, shrubs and hedges properly trimmed, and avoid positioning future plants near your park home. Some sites provide this for an extra fee if you’re struggling to maintain your garden.

Specialist park home insurance through Ripe Park Homes

Following our tips on park home maintenance, another is to consider protecting your home through specialist insurance.

At Ripe, we arrange bespoke park home insurance that covers your property, including fixtures and fittings up to the value of £500,000 and your contents up to the value of £75,000.

Get an instant online quote today.

Top tips for park home refurbishments

Mon, 05 Sep 2022 16:09:07 Z

Perhaps you’ve just purchased a second-hand park home, or you’re looking to update the one you’re living in.

Park home refurbishments can make a huge difference to the overall atmosphere of the living space, turning it from a project into a home. But it isn’t easy to know where to start when most guides focus on brick-and-mortar houses.

Here you’ll find some great tips on this process and a breakdown of how much it costs to refurbish a park home.

1. Choosing a new bathroom

Before refurbishing your park home bathroom, there’s one thing to consider—water ingress.

You may only discover this once you’ve hired a company and they’ve extracted your old bathroom suite. But it pays to be aware of this, as it could incur extra costs if your chipboard floor needs to be replaced with a water-resistant material.

You may also opt to move your window apertures to allow for layout changes. Just another thing to be aware of.

Now that’s out of the way, we have a few tips on refurbishing your park home’s bathroom. The first one is to decide on what you need from this process.

The main areas to consider include:

walls – waterproof panels are the most durable
flooring – non-slip vinyl is a popular option
ventilation – you may opt for an extractor fan alongside your window
lighting – is one cost-effective LED bulb enough, or do you want accent or floor lighting?
the bathroom suite itself – this is down to your budget and personal taste

If you’re working with a small space, which is typically the case in park homes, you should carefully consider your layout.

Where will your sink, toilet, shower, and bath go? Do you need a bath, or will you go for a walk-in shower to save on space? Asking yourself these questions early on will make the process much easier.

Finally, it’s good to have an idea of the cosmetic elements of your bathroom. If a modern, stylish bathroom is a priority for you, that’s great.

But if you simply want a minimalist and cost-effective bathroom, it’s good to establish this before getting a quote. Then, you won’t be swayed into going over your budget.

Check out this Pinterest board for some inspiration.

2. Updating your kitchen

As with a brick-and-mortar home, this can be as simple as replacing your cupboard doors, or involve a complete transformation.

If you’re hiring a single company to refurbish your park home and have enough in your budget, we recommend an open-plan kitchen/living room.

It can make your home feel larger and less cramped, especially when working with limited space.

Have a limited budget and can’t afford to spend around £8,000 on a new kitchen? A set of cupboard doors alone would only cost around £600 (depending on your kitchen size), yet they can instantly brighten up an old kitchen.

If you have a kitchen that adjoins your living room, you may also want to invest in some new furniture to help pull the space together. A new dining table can work wonders for this, or a breakfast bar with accent lighting.

Here are some park home kitchen examples to help you get the most out of your space.

3. Insulating the property

Depending on the age and current state of your park home, you may want to enhance its insulation through additional cladding.

This can be expensive, but it’s a great way to retain heat in your park home and reduce the cost of your energy bills, saving you more money in the long run.

The process involves installing heat-retaining materials to the exterior of your park home before covering it with an outer layer. This provides even more insulation and makes a noticeable difference, especially in those harsh winter months.

CanExel cladding is a popular solution, but it can be costly.

If you don’t have room for insulation in your budget, it may be worth looking into park home insulation grants to help you cover the cost. You can contact YES energy solutions to see if they can access this for you.

Another thing to consider is windows. The most popular windows used in park home refurbishments are double-glazed uPVC, as they’re incredibly durable and insulating compared to single-glazed alternatives.

4. Chassis refurbishment

The chassis is essentially the foundation of your park home.

Before you purchase a park home, you should ensure the chassis is in good condition, or at least get it inspected to gather how much reparation work is needed.

If you live in a park home, you should get it inspected regularly to ensure its upkeep. They can deteriorate with time or if significant internal refurbishments occur, which can alter the weight distribution.

Signs of deterioration include:

corrosion
gaps spearing below the skirting
uneven flooring inside your home
damp flooring

When planning any park home refurbishments, it’s useful to have your chassis checked by professionals. That way, you can ensure that your home remains in good shape and has a strong foundation.

5. Roof, gutters and fascias

As with a brick-and-mortar house, re-roofing a park home is costly but necessary if it needs to be replaced.

They typically last well over 25 years when properly installed, so it’s a worthy investment.

Gutters and fascias cost significantly less, with fascia boards being the most expensive to replace if they’re rotten. This occurs mostly on older park homes, as they’re usually made from timber rather than uPVC, which is more weather-resistant.

If you have a newer park home with uPVC boards but no soakaways installed on the downpipes, you may want to consider spending £700-850 to get this done.

This protects the skirting from dampness, which can spread to and damage the rest of your park home.

How much does it cost to refurbish a park home?

This isn’t easy to pinpoint for several reasons. But we’ve done our research, and the typical costs look something like this:

Bathroom: £8,000
Kitchen: £9,000
Insulation with Canexel cladding: £12,000
uPVC windows: £8,000
Re-roofing: £7,500 Cleaning gutters: £100
Fascia board replacement: £1,400
Chassis restoration: £3,800

Please consider, however, that the cost to refurbish a park home can vary depending on the property’s size and current condition.

Going off these averages, it looks like fully refurbishing a park home can cost around £50,000.

It sounds steep, but this, combined with the price of a second-hand park home, typically costs significantly less than paying for a brand-new park home. Plus, you get more choice over the final product.

If you’re looking at refurbishing the interior of your park home, it may only cost around £20,000.

The most effective way to price up how much it costs to refurbish a park home is to request a quote from multiple companies and hire the one you feel offers the best quality service at a price within your budget.

Specialist park home insurance with Ripe

Following our tips on park home refurbishments, another is to protect your home through specialist park home insurance.

At Ripe, we arrange bespoke park home insurance that covers your property, including fixtures and fittings up to the value of £500,000 and your contents up to the value of £75,000.

Learn more about specialist park home insurance, or get an instant online quote today.

Park Homes Blog

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The benefits of living in a park home

Increased security

Accessibility

Easier maintenance

Like-minded community spirit

Intimate spacing

Cost-effective

Freedom to move

The disadvantages of living in a park home

Stagnant value

You can't get a mortgage on a park home

Selling-on fees

The advantages and disadvantages of buying a park home

Specialist park home insurance through Ripe

A complete guide to site fees for residential park homes

What are park home site fees?

What do site fees cover?

How much are site fees for residential park homes?

An example of residential park home site fees

How often do you pay park home site fees?

Mobile Homes (Pitch Fees) Act 2023

Park home site fees FAQs

Are park home site fees worth it?

Can I negotiate park home site fees?

Do site fees include council tax?

What happens if I fall behind on my site fee payments?

Are site fees the same for all residents in the same park?

Specialist park home insurance through Ripe

Park Homes: the ultimate guide

What is a park home?

Who lives in a park home?

Where are park homes located?

Can you live in a park home all year round?

How much does a park home cost?

Taking out a park home loan

Buying outright with cash

Using a part-exchange finance scheme

How long do park homes last?

Living in a park home full time

What are the benefits of living in a park home?

Accessibility

Safety and security

Downsizing

Cheaper to buy and run

Freedom

What is the difference between a park home and a static caravan?

Selling or moving a park home

Best park home manufacturers

Specialist park home insurance with Ripe Park Homes

The ultimate guide to park home insulation

Table of contents

Can you insulate a park home?

Fibreglass insulation

Spray foam insulation

Cellulose insulation

Reflective foil insulation

Rigid foam insulation

What is the best way to insulate a park home?

Wall insulation vs loft insulation

Internal and external park home insulation

How much does it cost to insulate a park home?

The benefits of park home insulation

Lower energy costs

Increased comfort

Reduced noise

Good environmental impact

Increased property resale value

Specialist park home insurance through Ripe

7 essential tips for park home maintenance

1. Check windows and doors regularly

2. Check and maintain the chassis

3. Check the gutters and facias

4. Assess the pipes each winter

5. Don’t forget the roof

6. Check and clean exterior walls

7. Maintain your park home’s garden

Specialist park home insurance through Ripe Park Homes

Top tips for park home refurbishments