You have found a new pitch, or your park has given notice, and now comes the big question: what will it actually cost to move your static caravan? It is rarely a single number. The headline haulage price is only one part of the bill – and the parts people forget are usually the ones that sting. This guide breaks down what a static caravan move really costs in the UK, by distance and by size, including the charges that catch owners out, so you can budget with your eyes open.
How much does it cost to move a static caravan?
Our static caravan transport starts from £950 for most jobs, and the majority of moves fall between £950 and £4,500 for the haulage. A long cross-country relocation that needs escort vehicles can run to £3,000 or more, and that is before you add siting at the other end. It is sensible to budget for transport plus siting as a whole rather than the headline haulage figure alone.
The reason the range is so wide is that “moving a static caravan” is not one job – it is several. There is the transport itself, disconnecting the unit at the old pitch, and re-siting and reconnecting it at the new one. Distance, the width of your van and how easily a lorry can reach each pitch then push the figure up or down. We break each of those down below.
Static caravan moving cost by distance
Distance is the single biggest driver of the transport price. As a guide, here is what owners typically pay for the haulage leg of a UK move – before de-siting and reconnection are added:
| Distance | Typical transport cost |
|---|---|
| Up to 30 miles | from £950 |
| 31 – 80 miles | £1,100 – £2,400 |
| 81 – 150 miles | £1,400 – £3,500 |
| 151 miles and over | £1,900 – £4,500+ |
You will sometimes see per-mile figures quoted – roughly £2.50–£3.00 a mile depending on width – but in practice a full static caravan move starts from around £950 once loading, securing, a trained crew and the return journey are accounted for. Mileage is only part of the picture: a short move down an awkward lane can cost more than a longer one with clear access.
What makes up the cost – your quote line by line
This is where people get caught out. Owners often picture one figure for “the move”, then find it is really a chain of jobs – preparing and de-siting the unit, transporting it, and re-siting it – plus a couple of things the owner arranges separately, such as certified utility disconnection. Always ask for an itemised quote. Here is what each part covers.
Transport (haulage)
The main cost: carrying the unit on a specialist low loader. A static caravan is classed as an abnormal load and cannot be towed like a touring caravan, so it needs the right vehicle and a trained crew. This scales with distance and the size of the unit, and for us starts from £950.
De-siting and preparation
Before it can travel, the unit is jacked up, separated from its base and made ready to lift onto the low loader, and twin-units are split into their two halves. One important point: disconnecting the services – gas, electricity and water – must be carried out and signed off by a suitably qualified professional, so we ask owners to arrange disconnection in advance, along with removing skirting and decking. We can quote to take on the skirting and decking, but arranging it yourself usually works out quicker and cheaper. Our de-siting work focuses on safely preparing and lifting the unit.
Re-siting and making watertight
At the new pitch we position the unit, level it on its stands, rejoin and reseal twin-units and make it watertight. As with disconnection, reconnecting gas, water and electricity should be signed off by a certified professional, which the owner arranges. Together, de-siting and re-siting commonly add £300–£1,200 – though for larger, twin-unit or specialist homes both jobs can cost considerably more, sometimes £4,000–£5,000 combined.
Escort vehicles
Wider units need one or more escort vehicles with marker boards to move safely on the road. Whether yours does comes down to width – more on that below.
Crane or specialist lift
If a pitch cannot be reached directly, a crane lift may be needed to place the unit. This typically adds £400–£1,200.
Permits and route planning
As an abnormal load, the move must be notified to the relevant authorities and a route planned around low bridges and tight junctions. A reputable mover folds this into the job and handles it for you.
Transit insurance
Your caravan should be covered by the haulier’s goods-in-transit and abnormal-load insurance while it is being moved. Always confirm this is in place before you book.
How caravan size and width affect the price
Size matters as much as distance. A single-unit caravan (usually 10–12ft wide) travels as one load. A 12ft van costs roughly 20% more per mile than a 10ft one. A twin-unit home is built in two halves, so it travels as two separate loads with two sets of permits – which is why a twin-unit move can cost close to double a single. If you are unsure of your dimensions, our guide to static caravan sizes, widths and weights explains how to measure up and what the thresholds mean. Anything over about 3.5m wide will usually need an escort, which adds to the bill.
The factor most people underestimate: access
Ask any transporter and they will tell you the same thing: a question that comes up again and again is “can the lorry actually reach the pitch?” On soft ground, across a field, or down a narrow country lane with overhanging branches and tight gateposts, access often drives the price more than the mileage does. A heavy articulated low loader needs firm standing – it cannot cross a waterlogged field. Telling your mover about access at both ends up front is the single best way to get an accurate quote and avoid a nasty surprise on the day.
Region, season and timing
Where you are moving from and to makes a difference. Moves in and around North Wales can start from a few hundred pounds, while moves into the South West or London tend to sit higher. Timing matters too: the season runs hot from spring through to early autumn, so dates fill up and prices firm up. We hear from a lot of owners who are moving because their park has brought in an age limit and asked older vans to leave – if that is you, booking early and being flexible on dates is the easiest way to keep the cost down. Although we are based in Rye, East Sussex, our trusted national network of transport and siting teams means even a long-distance move is priced competitively rather than as a one-off special.
Can you move a static caravan yourself or for free?
Realistically, no. A static caravan is far too large and heavy to tow, and moving an abnormal load on the public road needs the correct vehicle, permits, escorts and insurance – none of which a DIY move can provide safely or legally. When you see a caravan moved “for free”, it usually means a dealer or park has built the cost into a sale. The cheapest safe route is a professional transporter combined with smart timing and good preparation.
How to get an accurate quote and avoid surprises
A good quote depends on good information. To get a price you can rely on:
- Measure your caravan – overall length and width, and whether it is a single or twin unit.
- Check access at both ends – lane width, gateposts, low branches, ground conditions and turning space.
- Get at least three itemised quotes so you can compare like for like, not just the headline number.
- Be flexible on dates where you can – off-peak and mid-week slots are often cheaper.
- Arrange disconnection and prep – book a qualified professional to disconnect gas, water and electrics, clear skirting and decking, and empty and secure the inside before the crew arrives.
- Confirm what is included – transport, de-siting, re-siting, permits and insurance – and what you arrange yourself (certified utility disconnection and reconnection).
When you contact us, tell us the collection and delivery locations and your caravan’s dimensions and we will give you a clear, itemised quote – with the de-siting, transport and re-siting all set out, so there are no surprises. See our static caravan transport service for what is included, or read our step-by-step guide on how to move a static caravan.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to move a static caravan in the UK?
Our transport starts from £950, and most moves fall between £950 and £4,500 for the haulage. The final figure depends on distance, the size and width of the unit, access at both pitches, and the de-siting and re-siting work involved.
Is it cheaper to move a static caravan or replace it?
It depends on the age and value of your van. A newer or well-kept caravan is usually worth moving; a very old unit close to a park’s age limit may cost more to relocate than it is worth, in which case selling for removal can make more sense.
Who disconnects the services at the old site?
We ask owners to arrange this themselves, because gas, water and electrical work must be disconnected and signed off by a certified professional. Removing skirting and decking is also best arranged by the owner – we can price for it, but it usually adds more time and cost than doing it yourself. Our de-siting focuses on preparing and lifting the unit.
How much does siting a static caravan cost?
De-siting and re-siting together commonly add £300–£1,200, but larger, twin-unit or specialist homes can cost considerably more – up to £4,000–£5,000 for both. Our siting work covers positioning, levelling, reassembling twin-units and making the unit watertight; certified gas, water and electrical connections are arranged separately by the owner.
Does the width of my caravan affect the price?
Yes. A 12ft van costs roughly 20% more per mile than a 10ft one, and anything over about 3.5m wide will usually need an escort vehicle, which adds to the cost.
Can I move a static caravan myself?
No – it is an abnormal load that must be carried on a specialist low loader under the correct permits, with escorts where needed. It cannot be towed or moved DIY on the public road.
Will I need an escort vehicle?
It depends on the width of your unit. We assess your caravan’s dimensions and the route and arrange any escort vehicles and marker boards required as part of the move.
How far in advance should I book a move?
As early as you can, especially during the busy spring-to-autumn season. Booking ahead gives you the pick of dates and the time to arrange permits and access at the new site.