BUYING a house can be expensive, so many people are thinking outside the box to find more affordable options.
One woman shared how she managed to buy a 1997 static caravan for just £5,000, and is now transforming it into her dream tiny home.
Loz Russell shared how she had found the tiny home from Sambeck Caravans in Essex and viewed around 20 before finding this one, which she was able to put on private land.
In a clip on her @loz.russell account which has racked up over 126,000 views, she shared how they have already transformed the dining area on a budget to look brand new.
She shared: “Our first project is the dining area. We are completely stripping out the existing banquet seating, removing the panels on the walls, and then insulating, battening, and re-boarding.
“This was actually really funny for us because even though we knew the caravan wasn’t winterised, we were not expecting to find literal polystyrene in the walls.”
She shared how they stripped and insulated all of the walls, replacing them with V-groove panelling.
Loz continued: “Next week, we cut and sanded all of the new walls. We were able to borrow a workshop for this because the weather was so bad we couldn’t do it outside.”
They then painted the walls a bright white shade, which gave the place an instant face list.
She added: “This is when I really started to get excited, and it was really starting to come together with the new walls and some paint.”
They then added a bench for seating and painted it the same colour as the walls – and then added a Swithland Roman Blind from Dunelm .
Perfect for storage, the benches also lift up to reveal some extra space underneath.
She added: “We still have the backrest to do, a little cabinet at the end to add, and the window to double glaze. But this is how it’s looking now, and I honestly love it so much.”
Her next jobs include adding a media wall and electric fire to the lounge.
Many viewers were impressed with her caravan renovation project, and rushed to the comments to praise Loz’s hard work.
One said: “Beautiful, great job, this was always my dream to do this.”
Another added: “Currently debating doing this … TikTok is a bad influence.”
How much does it cost to live in a caravan?
LIVING in a caravan can be an economical and flexible lifestyle choice in the UK. Here's a breakdown of potential costs:
Initial Costs
- Caravan Purchase: £8,000 – £40,000 (depending on size, age, and condition)
- Caravan Insurance: £200 – £800 per year
Ongoing Monthly Costs
- Pitch Fees: £150 – £600 (varies by location and facilities)
- Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water): £40 – £120
- Maintenance and Repairs: £20 – £80
- Internet and TV: £20 – £50
- Gas for Heating/Cooking: £15 – £40
Other Potential Costs
- Waste Disposal Fees: £8 – £25
- Transport Costs (if moving locations): Variable, depending on distance
- Optional Add-ons (Awning, Solar Panels, etc.): £400 – £1,600 (one-time)
Sample Monthly Budget
- Pitch Fees: £400
- Utilities: £80
- Maintenance and Repairs: £40
- Internet and TV: £40
- Gas for Heating/Cooking: £25
- Total: £585
Annual Estimated Cost
- Total Monthly Costs: £585 x 12 = £7,020
- Insurance: £500
- Maintenance and Repairs: £480
- Total Annual Cost: £8,000
Tips to Save
- Off-Peak Pitch Fees: Look for lower rates during off-peak seasons.
- DIY Maintenance: Handle minor repairs yourself.
- Energy Efficiency: Invest in solar panels to reduce utility costs.
While initial setup costs can be significant, ongoing expenses for living in a caravan can be relatively low, making it a viable option for those seeking an affordable and mobile lifestyle in the UK.
