Does a habitation check include the chassis?

A habitation check covers the living area only. A full habitation service adds the chassis: brakes, bearings, hitch and running gear. For a touring caravan, a combined service is usually recommended.

Is a habitation check the same as a service?

The terms are often used interchangeably. Strictly, a habitation check covers the living area; a full service adds the chassis. At Blue Sky Caravans, a habitation service covers both unless you specifically want the habitation check only.

Will my insurance be invalid without a habitation check?

Many caravan insurance policies require an annual habitation service, check your policy document. Even where it's not a policy condition, a written service report protects you if you need to make a claim.

What is a Caravan Habitation Check, and Do I Need One?

Q: How much is a caravan habitation service in Somerset?

At Blue Sky Caravans, a full habitation service is from £225 for a single-axle touring caravan and from £250 for a twin-axle. A motorhome habitation check is from £175.

If you own a caravan, motorhome or campervan, you've probably heard the term habitation check, but a lot of owners aren't sure what it actually involves, how often they need one, or whether it's worth the money. Here's the plain-English answer from someone who does them for a living.

1. What is a habitation check?

A habitation check is a safety and condition inspection of the living quarters of your caravan or motorhome. It covers the bits you live in, not the bits you drive. We test for damp, check gas tightness, inspect the 12v and 240v electrics, pressure-test the water system, and verify all safety equipment like smoke alarms and fire blankets.

An NCC Approved habitation check follows a published checklist of over 200 individual items. You get a written report at the end, useful for insurance and for resale value.

The full checklist covers: damp testing on every panel, gas tightness and appliance checks, 12v and 240v electrical inspection, water system pressure test, fire and smoke alarm checks, door, window and roof light inspection, and tyre and spare inspection.

"A habitation check catches damp before it becomes a write-off. That's the value, in one sentence."

2. Habitation check vs. full service: what's the difference?

A habitation check covers the living area only. A full habitation service adds the chassis side: brakes, bearings, hitch, and so on. Most touring caravan owners want a full service, most motorhome owners only need the habitation check, because their cab-side mechanicals are covered by the vehicle service.

Check	Habitation check	Full service
Damp test (all panels)	✓	✓
Gas tightness & appliances	✓	✓
12v & 240v electrics	✓	✓
Water system	✓	✓
Safety equipment	✓	✓
Brakes & chassis	-	✓
Bearings	-	✓
Hitch & breakaway	-	✓

Need a habitation service in Somerset?

NCC Approved · from £225 single axle

Book now →

3. How often should I have a habitation check?

Annually. Most insurance policies require it, and most issues we catch (damp, gas regulator wear, water heater faults) develop over 12–24 months. Even if your insurer doesn't insist, an annual check is the cheapest possible way to keep a caravan healthy.

If you've bought a second-hand caravan, book a service before your first trip, especially if you don't have a recent service record. A one-off damp check or gas safety check is available too if you just want peace of mind before the season starts.

4. What does it cost in Somerset?

At Blue Sky Caravans, a full habitation service is from £225 for a single-axle touring caravan and from £250 for a twin-axle. A motorhome habitation check is from £175. Mobile, on your driveway, across Somerset, Bristol and Bath.

Single-axle habitation service

from £225

Twin-axle habitation service

from £250

Motorhome habitation check

from £175

5. What to expect on the day

We come to you. No need to tow your caravan anywhere. We'll need a flat surface with reasonable access around the van. Allow 4–5 hours for a full service; a habitation check only is 3–4 hours.

At the end of the service you'll get a written report detailing every check carried out, any issues found, and our recommendations. We'll talk you through anything we've found and explain the options, there's no hard sell.

We accept cash, card and bank transfer. No VAT charged.