While many people living in the UK have heard of park homes, how many of us really know how manufacturers build park homes? Plenty of people find the idea of retiring to a quiet, secluded community to be very appealing. Therefore, there is naturally going to be a lot of effort put into getting these properties just right.
Many new buyers can find the process of finding a park home daunting. While all park properties promise to offer luxury and comfort, how do you know if a property and park are really right for you? Here at SellMyGroup, we present properties to you which are appealing, well-built, and wonderfully maintained. What’s more, we want to give you the best advice possible on what to look for from the perfect park home.
As well as helping you find the best park home for you, SellMyGroup will help you to relocate. Additionally, if you would prefer a bespoke home, with unique fixtures and fittings, we will help you find a park that helps to facilitate this need. It’s worth noting that modern park homes arrive with full furnishings. This can include everything from white goods in the kitchen to carpet on the floors! Therefore, it is one less problem you won’t have to worry about.
In this guide, we’ll take a quick look at what goes into the building of a park home and a park community itself for example. Before you find the perfect property and make an offer, it makes sense to know a little bit about what to expect!
What is a Park Home?
A park home is a property that can look a lot different from your everyday bricks and mortar property. Park homes differ from traditional housing not only in the way that they are built but also in the materials used. Mobile home properties often have a lot more flexibility to work with during design and manufacture. On top of this, people build park homes for a very specific purpose. This purpose is obviously very different from that of your average suburban townhouse!
It is worth remembering, too, that there are differences between static caravans and mobile homes. Both types of property are available at residential parks. However, residential lodges and homes arrive in better quality build and specification. That’s because, for the most part, people buy park homes for permanent, residential living. Static caravans are more popular with holiday homeowners. However, in either case, it may surprise you how high-quality construction and finishing actually is.
What Are The Homes Made Of?
While traditional properties are made from brick, cement, mortar and tile, park homes use strong and alternative materials for a long-term purpose. While there is nothing wrong with brick housing, there is a specific look to park homes which is only possible through using steel and timber. Both materials help to give off a luxury aesthetic, as well as plenty of reinforcement and support. Park homes in steel and timber are easy to maintain and are resistant against much of what the weather and the outside world throws at them.
What Are Park Home Walls Made of?
As we mentioned, park homes are made of a combination of materials, but a popular question is about the walls inside and outside of the home. Initially, we will start with the exterior walls which add the structure to the home. The frame is made of timber stud work and the interior walls combined with plasterboard interior walls and external cladding to create a sturdy and weatherproof shell. Insulation is then used between the upright joists. Depending on the manufacturer you choose, will result in the specific measurements and make-up of the internal and exterior walls.
How Long Does It Take to Build a Park Home?
All in all, park homes actually don’t take too long to build. The process can change depending on the size of the factory making them. What’s more, building the perfect park home takes a lot of care and attention. The luxury properties will take time and effort to perfect! And indeed, mobile home building is a meticulous process. This means that designers and builders use only the best professional tools and standards.
The Park Home Building Process
In light of this, let’s look at the actual building of a park home. At the very start of the process, the manufacturer will normally start with the floor of the home. This is important, as not only will it supply the base for the property, but it means that they can work on simple electrics and plumbing. Before installing walls, manufacturers will make sure to fully insulate the floor.
From here, builders will use cranes to erect and install walls onto the park home, before moving onto the roof. Park home roof building normally takes place at ground level for ease and for quality manufacture.
Once the outer shell is complete, builders will then focus on the park home interior. This means that they will finish installing electrics and will install insulation as homeowners expect. Once the interior is complete, prospective owners can then ask builders to coat and finish the exterior property. This is subject to planning permission and site owner approval. A homeowner might ask for cladding, for example, in external timber or stucco.
Bespoke Park Homes
A homeowner can then ask builders to personalise the interior of their home a little further. In the first place, this means that they will fit furniture, carpets and even change the layout of some rooms if a buyer requests it. Secondly, this also means that builders will focus on en-suite features in bedrooms and bathrooms. At the end of the process, builders will focus on installing any carpets, flooring, or more electrics that a buyer or homeowner desires.
Finally, once everything is up and running, a buyer will be able to check over the home before signing off. This means that if there is anything they would like to change; they will need to speak up now! If they are happy to move forward, property inspections will then make sure the home is fit for purpose. This is always a good thing, as it means that buyers can then move into their home safe in the knowledge that it is safe, and that it passes all checks.
The best thing to remember is that park home manufacturers work closely with all buyers and owners. This means they keep owners right at the heart of the process. From insulation to bespoke design choices and furniture fittings, park home builders will make sure everything is completely perfect.
What Are the Benefits of Living in a Mobile Home?
As you can see, park home building means that buyers can specify exactly what they want from their new property. While you would need to move into a pre-existing space or design outside of a park community, in many cases, you can choose how everything looks and performs.
There are also many more benefits to living the park home lifestyle. After the building of a park home, buyers can move into an idyllic location. Residential parks are often exclusive to retirees and semi-retirees, which means that anyone moving in gets the reassurance of a slower pace of living.
Gated communities and residential parks benefit from wonderful surroundings. Not only do park homeowners get access to a beautiful, luxury, and bespoke property, but they get to move into landscaped grounds. Not to mention that park site owners work hard to make sure that residents have access to incredible convenience as well as a close-knit neighbourhood.
Also, there is plenty of security and reassurance. Park owners watch and patrol gated communities to ensure that their residents are safe and protected all year round. This also means that you have complete control over your own personal security at your park home. There will be lots of questions about whether park home living is the right choice for your next home, it is best to research and visit parks where you can talk directly with residents.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Buying A Park Home?
Although we have outlined the advantages of park homes above, there are also disadvantages to consider. One of the main differences between a mobile home and a house is that the value will not increase on the home. In fact, it is most likely that the value will decrease in time.
Finance is another area that must be considered when buying a park home. All in all, you cannot get a mortgage on a park home. There are, however, opportunities to obtain park home finance and we have written a post that will guide you through the various options.
Park homes will require maintenance to keep them in shipshape condition. For the most part, they will require exterior attention, keeping the walls cleaned and painted, clearing the gutters and air vents, and keeping the roof in good condition for example. The agreement with the park operator will specify what is expected of their residents.
Lastly, it is worth knowing that when a park home is sold, the park owner is entitled to receive a commission from the sale. This is usually 10% of the sale price. For retired residents, who are not considering moving again this is not usually a problem, however, for those who are not at that stage in their life, the cost must be a consideration.
Flexible and Ideally Located
There are plenty more benefits to living the park home lifestyle. For one thing, take a look at some of the brilliant locations of some of the UK’s best park communities! Popular locations such as Devon, the Lake District, and the Norfolk Coast have several mobile home park communities ready to welcome you. Why not take a look at some mobile home parks by the coast here.
Certainly, park home building is meticulous and exact. It’s important that residents have access to functional luxury all year round! However, many people choose park homes on their surroundings as much as the buildings themselves. There is a wonderful balance!
Many residential parks benefit from local country walks or views of the coast. Park home living appeals to people who are tired of the hustle and bustle of towns and cities. Therefore, these homes offer stunning, bespoke luxury, as well as peaceful, idyllic surroundings.
Not all park homes are bespoke, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look for them! You might want to move closer to the South coast, for example, or you might simply be looking for a quiet home close to family. Building the perfect park home takes time and effort; however, it is certainly worth it!
How Long Do Park Homes Last?
When you invest in a park home, it is obvious that you will want to know how long it will last. Furthermore, what steps you will have to take to keep it in good working order. As with all property, maintenance is key. It is true that a park home will not last as long as a conventional property, but owners can expect a lifespan of 60-70 years. Brand new homes will also come with a warranty, so any snagging issues can be quickly resolved by the manufacturer. It is important that this should all be checked with the park owner.
Why Are Park Homes So Cheap?
Another key point to remember when buying a mobile home is that you are not buying the land. The land will always belong to the park owner. This will impact the price you pay for your home, hence why they are always cheaper than traditional bricks and mortar property. Another factor is that the homes do not last as long so that is considered in the price. Consequently, this type of property is a popular choice with older people and those looking for an easy, one level home to look after.
Finding Your Ideal Home
Are you looking for the perfect park home in your area? Maybe you’d like to move somewhere quiet and peaceful in your region. Many mobile home locations across the UK are close to the picturesque countryside to relax and unwind, whilst also having access to amenities that may be needed. For those that do not drive, it is worth discussing local transport links to local towns and villages with the park owner. Whatever you are looking to achieve from your park home, there are plenty of parks across the UK to satisfy your needs.
If you are considering buying a brand new home, you’ll even be able to have a say in how your park home looks! Take a look at some of our guides on park home living, such as our guide to park home myths or why buy a new park home and start looking for your perfect home today.