some frequently asked questions

Where can I put a Retreat?

The Retreat may be positioned on any land that has planning consent for a Holiday Caravan pitch or elsewhere where a Holiday Caravan is sited and needs to be replaced.

On a holiday park?

Yes. If you would like to purchase a Retreat on an existing caravan park or a development of Retreat homes, we can provide details of locations where they are available.

In a field or in Open Country side?

Yes. But you will almost certainly require planning permission of some sort.

Abroad?

Yes. The Retreat complies with all relevant European Standards and can be exported around the world.

In my garden?

A Retreat may be sited within the grounds of a dwelling house, without the need for planning consent, provided that:

• - It is legally a ‘caravan’ (ie: it complies with the definitions within the Caravan Sites and Development Act 1960 and the Caravan Sites Act 1968).
• - The caravan is sited within the curtilage of the dwelling house.
• - The caravan is sited for a purpose incidential to the enjoyment of the dwelling house as such.

A customer in doubt as to whether their proposed Retreat meets these requirements should seek professional advice.

With the issue of planning resolved, The Retreat can be installed in a matter of days and requires only a simple concrete slab to support it. Consequently, it does not need expensive foundations.

Does the Retreat meet Building Regulations?

No. As The Retreat is technically a caravan it does not need to be built to Building Regulations. Consequently, a Retreat can be installed on site very quickly without the need for lengthy and expensive Building Regulation applications. However, The Retreat is built to the exacting requirements of British Standard BS/EN 3632. The Retreat is inspected by the National Caravan Council (NCC) to ensure that it does conform to these standards.

We can build bespoke units to Building Regulations standards if required, although a volume of homes will generally, but not always, need to be produced.

Can the Retreat be used by the mobility impaired?

Yes. Although a wheel chair user may require some modifications to be made. It is our policy to make modifications to any of the models to suit the individual requirements of the user. Please contact us with your requirements.

What is included in the price?

The price quoted in the Price List is the ex-works price, meaning the price of the home at our factory gates. You will need to arrange and pay for transport to your land and arrange for the home to be commissioned on site. You will also need to arrange for the provision of services such as electricity, water and foul drainage to be available on your land and provide a suitable base upon which the Retreat may be positioned. Retreat Homes can provide a quotation and arrange for the transport of the home to your site and the commissioning of it. Further information on this can be obtained from Retreat Homes.

Are there any optional extras?

Yes plenty. Some of the many optional extras include a Log burner, oak flooring to the bedrooms, a Brise-Soleil canopy over the courtyard, furniture packs, a hot tub, choice of internal and external finishes. Please refer to the Optional Extras Price List.

Does the Retreat come with a warranty?

Yes. Such is the confidence we have in The Retreat, it is supplied with a ten year manufacturers warranty as standard. Certain terms and conditions apply.

Can I specify the external finish?

Yes. The Retreat is supplied with a standard finish, which comprises high quality tongue and grooved Thermowood timber installed with secret fixings and treated with a high performance protective coating. Other timbers are available at extra cost, such as Cedar, and Larch.

Can I have a pitched roof?

Yes. A pitched roof option is available on all Retreat models.

Can I have a bespoke design?

Yes. Where a purchaser has a need for a bespoke design, we are prepared to assist with this where it will not breach regulatory requirements. Small changes can be accommodated quite easily. However, if a completely new design is required, a volume of homes will generally, but not always, need to be produced.

Can I specify the interior?

Yes. We are pleased to accommodate personal requirements where these do not alter the structural design of the home or breach regulatory requirements.

Should I care about sustainability?

Yes. In due course we will all have to consider the environmental implications of our actions. The government has set a target for a 60% reduction in CO2 emissions. Currently, the construction & occupation of buildings accounts for 50% of the UK’s CO2 emissions. In the future it is likely that buildings will all have to be ‘eco-rated’ and taxed accordingly. Using sustainable materials now will ensure that we are all planning ahead. The use of timber as a building material is central to such planning.

Can I get finance?

Yes. Although this depends upon where you will be siting The Retreat. If you purchase a Retreat on a holiday park it is likely that the park owner or developer will be able to offer finance on the home. However, if you wish to place the Retreat in your garden, you will probably need to approach your own bank for finance.

Building The Retreat to the above mentioned British Standards provides a distinct benefit over building holiday lodges to Building Regulations. Strange though it may sound, where lodges are constructed to Building Regulations, problems sometimes occur where the purchaser wishes to finance the home in the form of a mortgage. Often a bank will be reluctant to fund a building that has a planning restriction for holiday use only. However, a number of the high street banks have specialist Holiday Caravan finance departments that specifically lend on caravans. Therefore, it can sometimes be easier to obtain finance for an approved caravan, than it can be for a Building Regulations conforming, holiday occupancy restricted, dwelling.

Will it last?

Yes. If you maintain it correctly, it should last a lifetime. The Retreat is constructed as a traditional timber framed building. It can therefore be refurbished in years to come. The kitchen accommodates standard size 600mm units, which can be added to or replaced. The rooms accommodate standard size furniture (not undersized items), which can be replaced. Unlike the majority of other manufacturers, we do not line the walls with coated panels that cannot be repaired. Consequently, a Retreat used for rental purposes can be refurnished every 5 years rather than replaced. Thus cost-savings can be considerable, as well as sustainable.

How do I buy one?

If you wish to purchase a Retreat on a holiday park, please inform us of your preferred location and we will inform you of the parks that are offering the Retreat.

If you wish to purchase a Retreat abroad, please let us know which country you prefer. We are currently delivering Retreats to holiday parks in Spain, France, Norway and Ireland.

Alternatively, you may purchase a Retreat direct from us.