I bought a mouldy caravan for £500 & gave it a budget makeover – now we holiday for just the price of petrol

The Sun

15-07-2025

WHEN Hayley Rubery stumbled upon a £500 mouldy caravan on sale she decided to snap it up.
While most people would be put off by its condition, Hayley, 34, decided that with a little TLC it would make the perfect holiday home.
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The 1989 Royce van was riddled with mould and was put on sale on Facebook Marketplace for just £500.
Hayley decided the renovation would be easy as she had previously renovated another caravan she called Joyce.
Now, Hayley spoke to Fabulous about the renovation and how she was able to do it on a tight budget.
'We actually bought our first caravan, which we named Joyce, last year,' Hayley explains. 'It was just a little two-berth, and we picked it up for £500.
"After renovating it, we realised it was a bit too small for our needs, so we passed it on and decided to do it all again—but bigger this time.'
Hayley has transformed the home on wheels with her partner Ben, 41, a recruitment consultant.
Now, Hayley has a new four-berth caravan she has lovingly named Elddis Presley.
And to keep costs down, she gave herself a budget of just £500 to transform her new caravan into something special.
"I was sticking to the same budget structure of spending £500 on the renovation, as the new caravan "Elddis Presley" was a four berth it meant the money had to stretch further as the caravan is bigger," she explains.
Once they picked up the caravan it took about an hour to go home.
I bought a dated caravan & turned it into my family's very own second home for £4.5k - now we holiday for just £10 a day
'We towed it from Norwich—it took about an hour,' Hayley says. Once it was safely parked on their drive, the real fun started.
The caravan was a sight for sore eyes when she got it into her driveway, the outside was covered in mould and green algae that Hayley had to scrub off.
Inside was no better either, some of the white finishings had been stained yellow and mould was seeping into the wood.
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But with a little motivation and some money-saving hacks, Hayley gave it a homely and modern update.
One of the biggest money-saving wins came from a £6.99 pack of green gingham tea towels she picked up from TK Maxx.
Hayley was looking for some small curtains for the bathroom's tiny window and transformed the tea towels into curtains.
"Sometimes I think a little imagination goes a long way, you don't have to buy everything new or the 'best' to make something look nice," she says.
Another great find was a small tub of kitchen paint from Poundstretcher for £3.50.
The small tub may not be enough for a kitchen in a home, but it was just the right amount for the small kitchen in the caravan.
When asked about the DIY process, Hayley says painting was hands-down the easiest and most satisfying part.
'I love a job where you can instantly see the before and after,' she says. But it wasn't all smooth sailing.
She says the flooring was definitely the trickiest part.
"I used individual stick-on planks, and cutting around the furniture was so fiddly. Not hard—just time-consuming," she explains.
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.
Still, it was worth it. 'I genuinely love every part of the caravan,' Hayley says.
'It's so cosy and homely. It's amazing what a bit of creativity and elbow grease can do.'
Hayley also bought plenty of home items on TikTok shop, including some of the stick-on vinyl flooring for the caravan which cost her just £60 in total.
She removed the old cushion covers in the living room and switched them with a white fabric for a more modern feel.
Hayley also bought cheap floral stick-on wallpaper from Amazon for just £8.99 to finish off the room.
Now, all that is left for Hayley is to paint the outside of the caravan.
And she is thrilled to say that she managed to change the caravan while staying below her £500 budget.
'I haven't added up the exact total yet,' she admits. 'Last time I checked, I'd only spent around £350.
"We still need to paint the outside, but I reckon the whole thing will come in at around £450—still under budget!'
Hayley and Ben have already taken their new holiday home on three trips within the UK.
She reveals that 'Elddis Presley' has taken them to two local Norfolk getaways and one to the Peak District.
'We still need to paint the outside, but once that's done, we'll be off exploring more. I'd love to do a European trip in it next year," Hayley says.
While the caravan is perfect for the couple now, Hayley says she is eager to do the renovation process all over again.
Hayley adds: "This is the second caravan I've renovated and I've loved every second.
"A third project is definitely on the cards—maybe even a campervan next time.'