I gave my house an extra room with NO planning permission thanks to a 1970s caravan I bought on Facebook for £300
WHEEL NICE I gave my house an extra room with NO planning permission thanks to a 1970s caravan I bought on Facebook for £300
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A SAVVY woman has been able to extend her home without needing any planning permission.
Sarah, from the UK, decided to buy herself a cheap caravan to create an extra room for her house instead of doing an extension.
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Sarah transformed this old stinky caravan she bought off Facebook Marketplace
Credit: tiktok/@imtheproblem
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Despite having no previous experience, she transformed it into a luxe spare room
Credit: tiktok/@imtheproblem
Taking to social media, Sarah revealed that she purchased a pre-loved 1970s caravan from Facebook Marketplace for just £300.
She said: "It only cost me 300 quid but it smelled really bad.
"Practically everything was broken. But I could still see the potential, even though I could smell urine."
Sarah got to work over the next week chucking out the old interiors and giving it a spruce-up.
The foldable caravan was in dire shape when she got it, even the brakes had rusted and fallen out, but it didn't put her off.
The benches inside the caravan were just as bad, in fact, they couldn't even be sat on as there was nothing to let them hold weight.
"Things often fell on me and at times I couldn't tell if it was going to be any good, because at some points it actually looked worse than it did at the beginning," she added.
"I'd pretty much trashed it. And somehow I also managed to trash my parents' garden in the process."
Sarah was almost ready to give up on the transformation but after being encouraged by her TikTok followers managed to pull through.
And it seems to have paid off, the caravan looked incredible once she was done.
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People were floored by her skills
Credit: tiktok/@imtheproblem
I bought a £26k caravan, trolls say it's a mistake but my bank account disagrees
She stuck with the 1970s theme, using a mix of warm woods and orange hues inside.
She was able to fix the benches with some extra foam from Dunelm and some curtains from Home Sense that she stapled onto the seats.
Sarah ripped out the floor and used some vinyl flooring for a more modern touch before adding a lick of coral paint to the walls.
For final touches, she added a wooden scalloped table, a 70s-style mushroom lamp and some rattan storage.
She finished the video saying: "I never in a million years thought I'd be capable of doing all of this work myself."
The clip soon went viral on her TikTok account @imtheproblem with over 72k views and people were quick to praise her DIY skills.
One person wrote: "You've done a stellar job. It's a dream caravan."
How much does it cost to live in a caravan?
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)
£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)
£150 - £600 (varies by location and facilities) Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water): £40 - £120
£40 - £120 Maintenance and Repairs: £20 - £80
£20 - £80 Internet and TV: £20 - £50
£20 - £50 Gas for Heating/Cooking: £15 - £40
Other Potential Costs Waste Disposal Fees: £8 - £25
£8 - £25 Transport Costs (if moving locations): Variable, depending on distance
Variable, depending on distance Optional Add-ons (Awning, Solar Panels, etc.): £400 - £1,600 (one-time)
Sample Monthly Budget Pitch Fees: £400
£400 Utilities: £80
£80 Maintenance and Repairs: £40
£40 Internet and TV: £40
£40 Gas for Heating/Cooking: £25
£25 Total: £585
Annual Estimated Cost Total Monthly Costs: £585 x 12 = £7,020
£585 x 12 = £7,020 Insurance: £500
£500 Maintenance and Repairs: £480
£480 Total Annual Cost: £8,000
Tips to Save Off-Peak Pitch Fees: Look for lower rates during off-peak seasons.
Look for lower rates during off-peak seasons. DIY Maintenance: Handle minor repairs yourself.
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.
Another commented: "Caravan goals, seriously."
"Looks fab, great job and I love the lamp," penned a third.
Meanwhile a fourth said: "Wow, this is such a beautiful glow up!"
"That looks absolutely stunning! You've done an amazing job,' claimed a fifth
Someone else added: "I'm suitably impressed."
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