Habitation check costs

[TJoyce]

Hi, what sort of price should I expect to pay for an annual habitation check please (NO damp test required)? I’m struggling to get a price due to lockdown but I’m keen to get this sorted as soon as places open up. Carado T132. Thanks

 

[Mickey1]

I use a mobile one that does it on my drive for £119, check around.

 

[Tombola]

habcheck.co.uk
efficient . 150 i think it was

 

[CazPaul]

You just need to know the gas system is safe especially if no damp check is required so I certainly wouldn’t bother.

 

[Lenny HB]

Never had a hab check on a van nothing you can't do yourself, I have the damp check done for the warranty that's all.

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[Killy]

I had my first Hab check in 5 years, couldn't believe what actually happened. The guy who did was very competent and pleasant but the actual Hab check was so simple I thought I must have missed something. A basic walk around with a damp meter you can buy these for about £30 thankfully showed no damp. The van doesn't use wood in the outer shell so hopefully this won't be an issue going forward. They then went about opening the cupboard doors and all the windows and moved the blinds up and down. They turned on the Hob and Oven and made sure they worked and I don't think they checked the Fridge.

Most importantly, the check I would have going forward, was to check the gas system for a leak.

I think I can check the windows open and the blinds work, can easily check around for damp. Unfortunately you need this doing for the warranty on most vans. I missed a Hab check as I purchased a 10 month old van and the dealer never explained the need and by the time I realised this needed doing I was 6-8 months after the due date so my warranty was gone.

What I don't get though is why you can't get a Hab check with no issues and restore the warranty? I get the annual need as the manufactures wouldn't want to repair something that has been getting worse over a number of years and add tremendous costs to put right. But if you can show a clean bill of health why walk away from the warranty, I think we all know the answer to this as it's a useful bonus pot for the dealers who no doubt will share some of the cost of a warranty claim if it arises. Typically they are getting £2,000 to £3,000 per van for a 10 warranty plan.

I'm just going to get the Gas checked every year now and do the rest myself.

 

[Tombola]

If your vehicle is new, it can be compulsory to keep the warranty valid.

 

[mushy]

If you bought a new van and ignored the hab check, then had an engine fault would the warranty be invalid?

 

[Killy]

If your vehicle is new, it can be compulsory to keep the warranty valid.

Yes it is and would advise to get it done but if you miss one by accident it is voided then I’d suggest it’s a waste it time.

 

[Tombola]

If you bought a new van and ignored the hab check, then had an engine fault would the warranty be invalid?

no the hab check is just to ensure safety etc of the habitation area. The engine warranty will be on the vehicl, fiat/mercedes etc

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[Lenny HB]

. Unfortunately you need this doing for the warranty on most vans. I missed a Hab check as I purchased a 10 month old van and the dealer never explained the need and by the time I realised this needed doing I was 6-8 months after the due date so my warranty was gone.

Most if not all German vans do not require a hab check for the warranty.

If you bought a new van and ignored the hab check, then had an engine fault would the warranty be invalid?

Hab check is only for the conversion, the engine is covered under the base vehicle warranty i.e. Fiat/Ford/Merc/Iveco.

 

[wuzzlewood]

What amazes me about habitation checks is the difference is the time quoted (taken ?) to undertake the work!
i have a very good friend who does them as part of his job, he is a tradesman and not afraid of work! He tells me that to do everything specified on the NCC list properly, he cant do it in less than about three hours! He takes the time and does everything specified! He charges the normal amount and no more!

He has done mine, he found things missed my previous professionals and when i paid him i felt i was paying for a good service and felt reassured!

I have phoned around since for quotes and asked each roughly how long they take and been told 1.5 hours by almost everyone! They may give me the paperwork to satisfy the warranty, but is probably not the test i am paying for!

Reminds me of when i used to work in a local steelworks ( long time ago) and needed an MOT, i used to leave £20 and reg number on a desk , 24 hours later i would pick up my MOT certificate! Met the requirements but no checking or testing was done!!

I feel most if not quite all habitation services are like my bent MOT, paperwork and no real checking or testing!

 

[TJoyce]

Never had a hab check on a van nothing you can't do yourself, I have the damp check done for the warranty that's all.

And that sounds like an excellent plan, I’ll do that to keep the warranty (on damp ) current, thank you

 

[TJoyce]

I had my first Hab check in 5 years, couldn't believe what actually happened. The guy who did was very competent and pleasant but the actual Hab check was so simple I thought I must have missed something. A basic walk around with a damp meter you can buy these for about £30 thankfully showed no damp. The van doesn't use wood in the outer shell so hopefully this won't be an issue going forward. They then went about opening the cupboard doors and all the windows and moved the blinds up and down. They turned on the Hob and Oven and made sure they worked and I don't think they checked the Fridge.

Most importantly, the check I would have going forward, was to check the gas system for a leak.

I think I can check the windows open and the blinds work, can easily check around for damp. Unfortunately you need this doing for the warranty on most vans. I missed a Hab check as I purchased a 10 month old van and the dealer never explained the need and by the time I realised this needed doing I was 6-8 months after the due date so my warranty was gone.

What I don't get though is why you can't get a Hab check with no issues and restore the warranty? I get the annual need as the manufactures wouldn't want to repair something that has been getting worse over a number of years and add tremendous costs to put right. But if you can show a clean bill of health why walk away from the warranty, I think we all know the answer to this as it's a useful bonus pot for the dealers who no doubt will share some of the cost of a warranty claim if it arises. Typically they are getting £2,000 to £3,000 per van for a 10 warranty plan.

I'm just going to get the Gas checked every year now and do the rest myself.

Thanks for that info, I’ll just get the damp check done to keep that warranty valid as I’m out of the electrical warranty period. Cheers

 

[TJoyce]

If your vehicle is new, it can be compulsory to keep the warranty valid.

Out of habitation warranty, but will just get the damp levels checked as that warranty is fit 6 years. Thank you

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[TJoyce]

If you bought a new van and ignored the hab check, then had an engine fault would the warranty be invalid?

We have the Fiat engine /chassis serviced every year as you would for a car, the ‘living part’ is separate apparently. Thank you

 

[TJoyce]

If your vehicle is new, it can be compulsory to keep the warranty valid.

Out of habitation warranty but damp warranty still valid so I’ll get it checked for damp levels only, thank you

 

[Ade S]

Have you checked your vehicle insurance?, I am via Caravan and Motorhome Club and it specifies must have annual habitation certification can you imagine a fire caused without a gas safety certificate or a water system leak without a check certificate? Insurance companies are always looking for a get out route, not critical of anyone saving money but just another thing to consider. Stay safe everyone we will get out there again one day

 

[thidwick]

to do everything specified on the NCC list properly,

I don’t rate hab checks as being much more than a gas safety check, and keeping the warranty “live”. They always seem expensive for what is involved. However, it surely makes some sense to have a checklist of other stuff to have a look at every now and then. Now that our van is coming to the end of the warranty period, I’m thinking I’ll do the hab check myself.
I can use the checklist which is the output of the last few hab checks I’ve paid for. But I’m interested to know if “the NCC list” is something better or different. Is the NCC list available somewhere?
And can I do the gas safety check myself? What gear would I need?

 

[wuzzlewood]

I don’t rate hab checks as being much more than a gas safety check, and keeping the warranty “live”. They always seem expensive for what is involved. However, it surely makes some sense to have a checklist of other stuff to have a look at every now and then. Now that our van is coming to the end of the warranty period, I’m thinking I’ll do the hab check myself.
I can use the checklist which is the output of the last few hab checks I’ve paid for. But I’m interested to know if “the NCC list” is something better or different. Is the NCC list available somewhere?
And can I do the gas safety check myself? What gear would I need?

I don’t have mine any longer as I sold the van with all paperwork!

I will ask my friend if he can send me a copy and if he does post it here!

it was quite a comprehensive list and covers things like testing and examination of the hook up lead! Obviously fridge and boiler and all normal stuff was on there but there was a great deal more!

my had service took him 3 hours of more, remember that as it was a Bailey, ONLY the floor has to be damp tested! On other vans all the walls and roof has to be tested!

how often is it done properly I wonder, from my experience the answer is NOT very often! Bit like my bent MOT!

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[Conrad J]

If you're still in warranty, my tip is check the inspector can check your 'van. I went to Ford for habitation and first engine service, as it was cheaper and more convenient. They found damp, so I went to the dealers who told me Chuasson only accept checks done by authorised inspectors. Turned out Ford wasn't. Cut a long story short, Ford gave me a refund and the dealers did a cab check, then (eventually) Chausson agreed to them doing the repairs.

Prices? Ford charged £149, 3A's (the dealers) £228. Cost of not having a check and finding damp yourself, and warranty not being valid because you tried to save 0.5% of your investment?............Lots.

(Sorry about the apostrophe in 3A's, it's their spelling, not mine. Bit like the clothing company, Lands' End!)

 

[Lenny HB]

I am via Caravan and Motorhome Club and it specifies must have annual habitation certification

Never heard of that before it makes the insurance very expensive.

 

[Lenny HB]

And can I do the gas safety check myself? What gear would I need?

A water gauge.

Monument Tools 30mb Gas Test Gauge - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Tests installed pipework for leaks prior to introduction of gas, checks and sets correct gas pressures on domestic and commercial appliances. Scale adjusts to zero water level. Marked in millibars. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.

www.screwfix.com

I always carry one of these in the van.
Amazon product ASIN B008ASXV8W
A lot of dealers just use a sniffer for the gas test but to do it properly you should use a water gauge.

 

[Michael Gaylor]

We used Habcheck 0800 111 4299. only for the first 3 years, Cost about £130. less than half price of the dealership. took about 21/2 hours and they come to your house,

 

[Plumb]

A water gauge.

Monument Tools 30mb Gas Test Gauge - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Tests installed pipework for leaks prior to introduction of gas, checks and sets correct gas pressures on domestic and commercial appliances. Scale adjusts to zero water level. Marked in millibars. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.

www.screwfix.com

I always carry one of these in the van.
Amazon product ASIN B008ASXV8W
A lot of dealers just use a sniffer for the gas test but to do it properly you should use a water gauge.

30 MB manometer is for natural gas purposes, LPG propane requires a minimum of 37MB it's sometimes easy to oversimplify a tightness test for gas installations they do have to be carried out correctly and to a set procedure.
Regards john

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[Lenny HB]

30 MB manometer is for natural gas purposes, LPG propane requires a minimum of 37MB it's sometimes easy to oversimplify a tightness test for gas installations they do have to be carried out correctly and to a set procedure.
Regards john

They haven't used 37mb since 2002, a 30mb gauge will still show up a leak.

 

[Plumb]

They haven't used 37mb since 2002, a 30mb gauge will still show up a leak.

Sorry Lenny I have to disagree propane has a different working and dynamic pressure to natural gas altogether

 

[TrevChrizy]

Part exchanged our motorhome in 2019 for a new motorhome from a well known dealership, had all my habitation checks handed over, some years missing and hadn’t been updated, they didn’t even look at what I had!
Because of the first lockdown 2020, I couldn’t get the first habitation check on time, so after lockdown I had a 100mile trip. I had a list of issues which I assumed would be covered by the warranty (£240.00 habitation check) the list include
1/ the internal folding window blinds fallen apart from the frame, after having my old m/h for 11years never had a problem, told I must be gently with them!
2/ the front roof light which has a turn knob to open and the side catches, one or the catches had cracks appeared around it.
3/ the radio, satnav didn’t work, I was told I need to attach the Ariel, I said do think I’m stupid? I have detached for transport!
4/ I had mould on the outside, growing between the main body and the rear plastic mouldings, I was told that the manufacturer ( Spanish/ French build) they do not cover this because of the English weather! Told to throw bleach over it!
The list has a few other remedy issues, but you get my drift......
I did get a smoke alarm replaced, which was sent to me to fit, of coarse it wasn’t the same.....
So the gyst is, what good is it to waste time, petrol and expensive habitation checks? The sales pitch was there is no wood (5%) used in construction, so no damp issues, winter protected, etc.... I will hold them to that in the future, I guess if you exchange your m/h on a regular basis then fair enough, but ours is long term, I will get a mobile habitation check done on the gas and a service on the Ford....

 

[Lenny HB]

They haven't used 37mb since 2002, a 30mb gauge will still show up a leak.

But surely if the water level doesn't move there is no leak.

 

[lorger]

We have a new Knaus an according to the dealer we only need damp check to keep the 10 year warranty, we have contacted a mobile guy who is Knaus approved and charges £130 which includes full jab and damp check. I’ve still to ask the difference for just damp, we have a couple of very minor warranty issues which he said he’ll look and will contact Knaus to get approval before fixing, this would save us a 500 mile round journey.