The Different Types of Holiday Homes
When you start looking for a holiday home you’ll soon realise there are a lot of different types to choose from. Each style and location has its own unique charm and different things to offer, which is why it’s so important to begin with a clear idea of what you’re looking for. It makes sense to spend some time drawing up a list of your desirable and essential requirements so you don’t waste your time looking at the wrong places. For example, if you want to bring your dog away with you, you’ll have to eliminate parks that don’t allow pets.
A common issue that holiday home hunters encounter is that a lot of websites don’t differentiate by the types of homes available. You might find caravans, lodges, chalets and even tent pitches all together in one category, which makes searching for the right option seem like an endless task. Even when they are in separate categories, how do you know which one is right for you? This short guide will help you make the right choice.
Caravan Holiday Homes
The go-to choice for a lot of first time holiday home buyers, caravans usually cost between £30,000 and £100,000 depending on the age, size and specification. In most cases you’ll be looking at a static property, so don’t expect to be moving it from one location to another every time you want to go on holiday. This means that you’ll have to love the holiday park just as much as the caravan itself to make your purchase a sensible one.
The caravan is a single unit, built to a maximum o 14 feet wide and, in most parks, to the same specification. They come fully furnished, which is always nice, but you can of course add your own furniture if you want a more personal touch. Modern caravans come with an ample supply of mod cons and features as well as double glazing, cooker, fridge/freezer, electricity supply and hot/cold running water. The interiors of the newer models will be fresh and modern, and thanks to an ever-increasing standard of quality they’re rapidly becoming just as attractive as traditional brick and mortar homes. However, unlike your permanent address they’re built to the Holiday Home Specification EN 1467, meaning they’re best suited for occasional use.
Lodge
At between £100,000 and £200,000 lodges are more expensive than caravans, but the higher price tag goes hand in hand with some really luxurious features. They offer all the convenience of a caravan, but with enough space to make them feel more like high end apartments. Sizes are variable from 40ft x 16ft to 45ft x 22ft, so there’s plenty of room for all the family to enjoy a summer break or Christmas meal together.
Build wise, modern lodges are what’s known as “dry build” constructions. This means they’re built using the same fundamental methods as traditional bricks and mortar buildings, but use sustainable materials such as wood, gypsum board and plywood. This makes them an attractive option for anyone looking for a more environmentally friendly holiday home.
Park Home/Lodge
The most expensive of the three options, park homes/lodges can come in at anywhere between anywhere 42×14 ft and 45×22 ft, with a value of between £200,000 and £500,000. As you’d expect, this means they’re built to a superior standard and come with some really impressive design features. Park homes/lodges are usually “wet build” constructions, meaning they include plasterboard walls, tongue and groove wall boards and other techniques you’d expect to find in the family home. Not only does this help to make the place feel more like a home away from home, it offers superior protection from the elements and is likely to be more economical to heat during the colder months.
Which Is Best for Me?
Each option has a range of benefits and it really depends on what you’re looking for from a holiday home. The caravan is more than enough for occasional holiday use, with all the mod cons you need and plenty of space for a short-term stay. If you want to spend more time in your holiday home you might want to consider one of the other two options, and obviously the more money you spend the more luxurious you can expect it to be.
There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing the right holiday home for you. It all depends upon what kind of holiday you enjoy, how much money you want to spend and who you want to bring along with you on your adventures.
