DORSET & HANTSMOTORHOMES & CARAVANS

HABITATION CHECKS · DORSET

Motorhome habitation checks, at your door.

A full annual check of the gas, electrics, water and living area of your motorhome, with a damp report, carried out at your home or storage site by NCC-trained technicians.

Est. 2017

Established

4.9 ★★★★★

131 Google reviews

£248

Habitation check

01 — Sample paperwork

The report you keep

Every habitation check ends with completed paperwork. This is a sample set. Click any sheet to see it full size.

Sample motorhome habitation check, page 1, with every line marked

01Click to enlarge

CHECKLIST

Habitation check, page 1

Underbody, electrics, gas and water: every line marked pass, fail, not applicable or rectified.

✓ Every line marked

Sample motorhome habitation check, page 2, with readings and advisories

02Click to enlarge

READINGS

Habitation check, page 2

Ventilation, fire safety and bodywork, plus recorded readings, advisories and sign-off.

✓ Readings and advisories recorded

Sample motorhome gas inspection record

03Click to enlarge

GAS SAFETY

Gas inspection record

Each appliance, its pressure, flue and flame checks, and whether it is safe to use.

✓ Four appliances tested

Sample motorhome damp report with readings marked on diagrams

04Click to enlarge

DAMP

Damp report

Moisture readings marked on diagrams of your motorhome, with our comments.

✓ 81 reading points

02 — How it works

Booked, checked, reported

01

Book a date

Message us with your make, model and postcode. We agree a day and a rough arrival time.

02

We come to you

Our mobile workshop arrives at your home or storage site. All we need is access to the vehicle and, ideally, a mains hook-up.

03

The check

We work through every system with the right test equipment.

04

Your report

You get a written report with the results, the damp readings and anything that needs attention, with a quote if work is needed.

03 — What's checked

62 checks across 9 areas

A habitation check covers the living area of your motorhome. It is separate from the engine service and MOT.

01 Gas system

8 checks

Checked by our SGTW NCC gas-qualified engineers

Pipework and hoses inspected for condition and date
Regulator condition and age
Gas tightness (leak) test with a manometer
Operating pressure check
Hob, oven and grill: ignition, flame picture and flame failure devices
Space heater and water heater: ignition and operation
Flues and terminals secure and unobstructed
Gas locker and drop-out vents clear

02 230V mains electrics

8 checks

Hook-up inlet and lead inspected
Consumer unit, RCD and circuit breakers
RCD trip test
Earth continuity and bonding
Polarity and insulation resistance tests
Every socket tested
Mains charger output
Fridge and water heater on mains

03 12V electrics

8 checks

Leisure battery condition, voltage and security
Battery terminals, fusing and ventilation
Charging from the mains charger
Charging from the engine (split charge)
Solar regulator output, where fitted
Interior and awning lights
Control panel and fuses
Fridge on 12V

04 Water and waste

8 checks

Fresh tank, filler and cap
Pump operation and pressure switch
Taps, mixer and shower
Pipework and joints checked for leaks
Water heater fill, drain and pressure relief valve
Waste pipes, traps, tank and drain tap
Toilet flush, seals, blade and cassette
Water filter, where fitted

05 Appliances

6 checks

Fridge tested on gas, mains and 12V
Hob, oven and grill
Space heating, including blown air
Water heater on gas and mains
Extractor and microwave, where fitted
Air conditioning, where fitted

06 Ventilation

4 checks

07 Fire and safety

6 checks

Smoke alarm tested and in date
Carbon monoxide alarm tested and in date
Fire extinguisher gauge and expiry
Fire blanket present
Escape windows open freely
Safety and warning labels in place

08 Bodywork and interior

8 checks

Windows, catches, stays and seals
Habitation door, lock and flyscreen
Blinds and flyscreens
Furniture, hinges, catches and bed mechanisms
Floor checked for soft spots and delamination
External sealant, awning rail and trims
Locker doors, hinges and locks
Entry step operation

09 Damp report

6 checks

Moisture readings around every window and rooflight
Readings along walls, ceiling and floor edges
Readings inside lockers and cupboards
Readings around the door and service hatches
Every reading recorded on your report
Anything over 15% explained

Not included: engine, gearbox, brakes, tyres and chassis. Those are covered by your vehicle service and MOT.

04 — Where we work

We come to you

Your habitation check is carried out where your motorhome is kept, whether at home or in storage. No driving it to a workshop and no waiting around.

Do we cover your area?

We travel up to 50 miles from Bournemouth.

Towns we visit most often

We are in these towns most weeks, but they are only examples. If you are within about 50 miles of Bournemouth, we come to you.

Poole
Bournemouth
Dorchester
Weymouth
Wimborne
New Forest
Salisbury
Ringwood
Andover
Christchurch
New Milton
Fordingbridge
Highcliffe
Wareham
Swanage
Blandford
Ferndown
Verwood
Lymington
Shaftesbury
Bridport
Southampton
Winchester
Fareham
Portsmouth
Ludgershall

Not sure? Check your postcode above, or message us.

05 — Why have one

Four reasons to do it every year

1

Safety

Gas leaks, faulty electrics and failed alarms are not things you can see. An annual check finds them before a trip does.

2

Damp caught early

A reseal costs far less than a rebuild. Yearly readings show a problem while it is still small.

3

Ready for the season

Everything is tested and working before you set off, so you find a failed pump or a flat battery at home and not on a campsite.

4

Resale value

A file of annual reports tells a buyer the vehicle has been looked after, and helps you ask a stronger price.

06 — Why us

Qualified, insured, established

Est. 2017

Established since 2017

Servicing and repairing motorhomes, campervans and caravans across Dorset.

Fully insured and NCC trained

Brands we work with

07 — Price

One price, everything included

£248

Motorhome habitation check

Carried out at your home or storage site, with travel included within 30 miles.

Included

Got Alde heating? Add an Alde fluid change at the same visit for £295.

If we find a fault

We explain it, show you, and quote before doing anything. Many small repairs can be done on the same visit.

08 — Get booked in

Book a habitation check

Tell us your vehicle and where it is kept, and we will come back with a date.

09 — Questions

Questions owners ask

What is a habitation check?

It is an annual inspection of the living area of your motorhome: gas, mains and 12V electrics, water, ventilation, safety equipment and damp. It does not cover the engine, brakes or chassis, which are part of the vehicle service and MOT.

Do you charge for travel?

Not within 30 miles of Ferndown. The £248 price includes coming to you. For homes and storage sites between 30 and 50 miles away, we add a small £20 travel charge, and we will always confirm this when you book.

How often do I need one?

Once a year is the usual guidance. It is also worth having one before a long trip or after a long lay-up.

What do you need from me?

Access to the motorhome, the keys, and ideally a mains hook-up and some water in the tank so we can test everything properly. Gas bottles should have gas in them.

Does this count as a manufacturer warranty service?

No. Our habitation check is an independent safety and condition check. If your motorhome is still under a manufacturer or water ingress warranty, ask your dealer what they require to keep it valid.

Do you do caravans and campervans too?

Yes. Campervans have a habitation check in the same way, and caravans have a full caravan service that also covers the chassis and running gear.

Which makes do you work on?

All makes of motorhomes and campervans, including Auto-Trail, Swift, Bailey, Elddis, Bürstner, Hymer, Adria, Benimar, Chausson, Rapido, Dethleffs and Knaus. If yours is not listed, just ask.

Can you change my Alde heating fluid at the same visit?

Yes. If your vehicle has Alde wet heating, we can change the fluid at the same visit for £295. Alde recommends a fluid change every two years. More about Alde fluid changes.

Do you offer oversealing?

Yes. Our complete oversealing package protects your existing sealant and keeps water out, without removing windows, panels or fittings, so it costs far less than a full reseal. More about oversealing.

What happens if something fails?

We tell you what we found and what it would cost to put right. Anything safety-critical is explained clearly, and nothing is repaired without your agreement.

Google reviews

What our customers say

Kevan Ward6 months ago

Luke has recently completed a habitation service on our motorhome - fortunately he could fit us in at short notice. He is very knowledgeable, his work is very thorough and he provides a clear explanation of the work he does and the costs. During the service he spotted some issues with work that we had done a while ago - he suggested how these could be put right and we’ve booked him in to do this. We will definitely use Luke again and have no hesitation in recommending him.

Nigel Arthur8 months ago

Very happy with the Habitation Check service. From initial interactions and quote via WhatsApp, to booking then Luke arriving on time as arranged at the motorhome. Very thorough and completed in the expected time. Thanks Luke!

Susanne Herdman6 months ago

I highly recommend Luke! I asked Luke for a habitation check on my camper. He was very efficient and he explained everything he found in detail. Luke is very friendly and helpful. He even managed to squeeze in an appointment, at short notice, for the habitation check due to me going away on holiday. Thank you Luke. Excellent service!