Motorhome site costs and infrastructure: where the money really goes (and how to protect your margins)

If planning, licensing and the rules are the admin challenge, costs and infrastructure are the everyday financial one. Many owners open a motorhome site with a simple idea in mind: pitches, electric hook-ups and a service point. Then the real expenses arrive: maintenance, breakdowns, utility bills, waste, cleaning, payments, fees, the unexpected and, above all, seasonality.

This article will help you understand:

• which costs weigh the most
• which investments make a difference (and which often never pay for themselves)
• how to cut waste and hidden costs without making things worse for your guests

1) The "real" cost isn't building: it's maintaining

CAPEX (the initial build) is easy to see. OPEX (running costs) is what eats into your margins month after month.

Typical recurring costs:

• electricity (hook-up bollards, lighting, pumps, equipment)
• water (taps, showers, tank filling, cleaning)
• emptying and waste water (grey water, chemical toilet disposal, upkeep of the Elsan point)
• general waste (collection, recycling, cleaning and extra pick-ups)
• cleaning and hygiene (toilets, showers, shared areas, disinfection)
• routine maintenance (bollards, pipework, drains and inspection chambers, surfaces)
• internet/Wi-Fi and equipment (routers, repeaters, SIMs, subscriptions)
• insurance, inspections and periodic checks
• payment fees and admin costs

Key point: a sustainable site isn't the "prettiest" one, but the one designed to need the fewest call-outs.

2) The infrastructure that matters most: where it pays to invest properly

Some elements, if done badly, generate constant breakdowns and costs.

a) Electricity: hook-up points and available supply

The most common problems:

• cheap bollards that keep failing
• overloads and constant tripping
• guests using power "without limits" (heaters, water heaters, high loads)
• repeated repairs and call-outs

Strategy: treat electricity as a metered resource (or one with a cap), with clear rules and proper control. We go into detail in Electric hook-up on a motorhome site: remote management.

b) Water: leaks, waste and pressure

Water "disappears" because of:

• taps left running
• small but constant leaks
• systems without flow limiters
• more frequent cleaning in high season

Strategy: a simple layout, sturdy taps, leak checks and clear communication.

c) The service point: the area that can become a never-ending cost

If the waste disposal point is awkward or unclear:

• it gets dirtier
• call-outs and complaints increase
• the risk of damage and blockages goes up

Strategy: "foolproof" design: easy access, visible instructions and easy cleaning.

d) Surfaces and drainage: the cost that explodes when it rains

Pitches that flood, mud, potholes and subsidence:

• drag down your reviews
• increase maintenance and repairs
• lead to more refund requests and operational headaches

Strategy: good drainage and the right materials (hardstanding where it's needed) are an investment that protects the business. In a climate as wet as ours, this is rarely money wasted.

3) Extra facilities: they raise the price, but they raise the costs too (and the complexity)

Toilets and showers make a site more attractive, but they bring:

• more frequent cleaning
• water and energy use
• constant maintenance
• vandalism or misuse
• more demanding hygiene management

Rule of thumb: before adding facilities, work out:

• the estimated monthly cost (cleaning + utilities + maintenance)
• the real increase in occupancy or price per night
• the impact on how you run the site, and on your stress levels

4) Staff and time: the cost many people don't count

Even if you don't employ anyone, your time has a value. Tasks that "steal hours":

• answering messages and calls
• dealing with late arrivals
• explaining the same rules to everyone
• chasing payments
• handling problems and complaints

Add it all up and the cost of running the site can be more than a part-time member of staff.

5) Seasonality: the real trap in the accounts

Many motorhome sites are flat out in high season and almost empty in the low season. If you don't plan for it:

• you're left with fixed costs in the empty months
• you invest in things that "never pay back"
• you miss the chance to do maintenance when the site is quiet

A useful approach: separate fixed and variable costs, and organise the site so it can cope with high season without multiplying staff. If you want to see the full picture of revenue and costs, it's all in Motorhome site profitability in 2026.

6) How to cut costs without spoiling the guest experience (practical steps)

These levers work almost every time:

• reduce manual tasks with automation (check-in, access, payments)
• simple rules, communicated before arrival, to prevent misuse
• control electricity and water use with rules and limits
• design "easy to clean" spaces (service point, bins, toilets)
• preventive maintenance: fewer breakdowns, fewer emergencies, fewer bad reviews