Park home surveys: all you need to know

What are park home surveys?

Park home surveys check the condition of the park home, in particular of its chassis. Any maintenance that is needed in the park home and its structure will be listed in the surveyor’s report, as will any recommendations for work that is likely to become necessary in the near future. This includes, for example, potentially replacing an old or inefficient central heating boiler, in the interests of fuel economy.

One company that specialises in park home surveys, Park Home Shield, says a park home survey takes between two and three hours to complete. Chassis and under-home checks include looking for signs of corrosion in the chassis and its supports; leaks in any pipework; insulation that may need to be replaced – and also includes checks on the concrete base on which the home stands, for any subsidence and drainage issues.

External checks include inspection of the roof, walls, fascias, windows and doors.

Park Home Shield also points out that a survey isn’t only recommended at the time of purchase. The company says, “Annual surveys are also quite popular where the home owner requires peace of mind on the condition of their home, ensuring that any defects are assessed quickly, reducing costly repair bills in the long term.”

Park Home Chassis Services offers the following advice, “The condition of the chassis and the supporting structure is crucially important to the stability and lifespan of a park home. Onset of rust and inadequate supporting due to weight changes to the home can cause detrimental effects. If you are also planning major works on your home, it is recommended that the floor structure is checked in order that it can cope with the intended load.” So, if you are planning to install a new bathroom, for example, it’s best to have a survey carried out first.

Surveys for park homes that are less than 10 years old are offered by Park Home Chassis Services, “As the newer home settles or as changes within the home are made, movement occurs. This can disturb the tension of the supports and cause coach bolts to loosen. A PHCS Service will deal with these issues, restoring sufficient tension and stability to avoid any longer-term distortion.”

Subject II Survey is a specialist park home surveyor company whose surveys include skirting, ventilation, kitchen and bathroom fittings, internal doors and joinery, as well as the roof, walls, gutters and downpipes, boiler energy rating, and checks for dampness and condensation.

Do I need a survey?

When you buy a pre-owned park home, a survey will give you peace of mind that the home you are buying is in tip-top condition and that there will be no cost surprises around the corner.

Subject II Survey, for example, lists, in its surveys, urgent and serious issues; recommended improvements; issues to check with the park owners; issues to check with the seller of the home, and also gives a list of recommended specialist contractors.

Some specialist companies recommend a survey, in particular, if the home is sited within 10 miles of the coast; this is because salt-laden air can induce corrosion of the chassis.

Different types of park home survey

Depending on the age and condition, among other factors, of the park home you are buying, you may need one or more types of survey conducted before you sign on the dotted line. Generally, these include a chassis survey or an underfloor survey.

Park home chassis survey

A chassis survey will check for any signs of corrosion in the steelwork of the chassis and in its support jacks, which are important to keep your floor in good condition and your home level. Chassis maintenance, therefore, is integral to the longevity of a park home.

A park home chassis survey may recommend replacement of the support jacks; removal of rust, and coating with a weatherproof chassis paint.

Park home underfloor survey

Over and above a chassis survey, an underfloor survey will reveal any rot in floor timbers, and will recommend that they are replaced and/or strengthened, and may recommend installation of extra insulation under the floor. Some companies, including Park Home Doctors, recommend insulation using an aluminium layer that is designed to reflect heat back into the home. Park Home Doctors uses an inspection camera and monitor that allows the park home owner to view the underside of the home “in the comfort of your armchair”.

How to find park home surveyors

When you go through the process of buying a park home, getting an accurate survey is essential, which means contracting a specialist service. Whether you buy directly from a manufacturer or through the park itself, they may well recommend a service they already work with.

If you need to find one yourself, we can recommend:

• Subject II Survey
• Park Home Doctors
• Park Home Chassis Services
• Park Home Shield
• Blue Chip Park Homes
• Steren Surveyors
• Park Homes Scotland

How much do park home surveys cost?

No matter which surveyor you contract, quotes are usually provided on an individual basis, taking into account the size of the park home and its location in relation to where the survey company is based.

Park Home Chassis Services, for example, quotes £199 for a chassis survey.

Advice from Blue Chip Park Homes on survey costs is that an initial annual inspection survey will cost between £395 and £450. For annual surveys thereafter, the fee would be between £50 and £100. And in Scotland, if you want a park home valuation report, Park Homes Scotland quotes £275 plus VAT. An inspection and structural condition reports costs £250 plus VAT.

The Smart Park Homes Group website quotes £350 for a full survey and report detailing the condition of a park home, and says a first annual inspection survey will cost between £395 and £450 and then between £50 and £100 every year thereafter.

FAQs: Park home surveys

Do I need survey for new park home?

Standard advice is that you don’t need a survey for a new park home. New park homes are covered by warranties, so an inspection of the home that is factory-fresh is not rated as necessary.

Should I use a specialist park home surveyor?

Yes, most certainly. That is because specialist park home survey companies have the expertise to know what to look for in a park home, which is very different from a survey of a bricks and mortar building. You need to get in touch with a specialist park home surveyor, initially via websites, and arrange for a quotation. This will be based on the size and age of the park home.

Final thoughts

Specialist park home survey companies are your best ally if you are buying a pre-owned park home. Their reports will highlight any areas of concern in the home’s condition and potential future rectification costs. And, if something fundamental is uncovered during a survey, you can then consider not buying that park home, but seeking out another – and, of course, having a survey carried out on that one.