"I bought £500 damp caravan from Facebook - it will be a dream tiny home"
- 5 days ago
A woman bought a "damp" caravan on Facebook Marketplace for just £500 and is transforming it into her dream tiny holiday home.
Hayley Rubery, 33, and her partner, Ben, 40, had always loved the idea of van life but couldn't afford a £30k price tag on a big van renovation.
But after spotting a 30 year old caravan on Facebook the couple decided to buy it - and bargained the seller down to £500 from £1.5k after they discovered damp.
Hayley has a £500 budget to renovate the two berth caravan - and has spent £300 so far taking out the damp wood and re-doing the kitchen.
The couple have transformed it all themselves by "winging it".
Hayley, a full time influencer, from near Norwich, Norfolk, said: "We've always loved the idea of van life.
"The dream is to own a van but it costs £30k. It's not feasible at the moment.
"It's a 30 year old caravan.
"We expected a bit of damp. We didn't let it put us off.
"It's to give us the experience of van life for the price of £1k rather than £30k."
Hayley and Ben, who works in recruitment, moved to Norfolk three years ago and have slowly been renovating their house.
She said: "It's a massive renovation project.
"We're having to do it quite slowly because of the cost of everything."
The cost of their house project didn't leave much wiggle room to buy a tiny home to holiday in but the couple decided to go for it went they spotted a caravan on Facebook in February 2024.
Hayley said: "It was originally on for £1.5k.
"I messaged asking if they would accept £1k.
"Then they said 'there is a little bit of damp - we're happy to do it for £500'."
The pair set themselves a tight £500 budget and started by refilling the outside to stop any further damp.
They then removed any damp wood and bought new wood from a timber yard for £5 per piece of plywood.
Hayley upcycled the kitchen around £60 - by using budget hacks such as stick on tiles costing £11.89 and using left over paint from previous renovations.
She has also bought vinyl adhesive flooring for £20 - which she will lay down last.
She sources decorations from budget shops such as The Range and Matalan.
Hayley said: "Everything we could keep, we have kept.
"We only replaced what we had to."
She will tackle the bathroom next and is planning to use a waterproof adhesive to decorate.
Hayley said: "It's surprising what a difference you can make on a small budget.
"I've just been winging it. We're the kind of people that give it a go.
"I'm looking forward to seeing the whole thing finished."
The pair also have the bedroom and living area to reinsulate but hope to complete the project in time for their summer road trip to Scotland in August.
She said: "I want to put a mini projector in and have all the home comforts.
"I love a country vibe.
"Caravans get a bad reputation sometimes but I don't think it's a waste of money.
"I hope we can get a few summers out of it."
Follow Hayley on TikTok @hayleyrubery_
Hayley Rubery, 33, and her partner, Ben, 40, had always loved the idea of van life but couldn't afford a £30k price tag on a big van renovation.
But after spotting a 30 year old caravan on Facebook the couple decided to buy it - and bargained the seller down to £500 from £1.5k after they discovered damp.
Hayley has a £500 budget to renovate the two berth caravan - and has spent £300 so far taking out the damp wood and re-doing the kitchen.
The couple have transformed it all themselves by "winging it".
Hayley, a full time influencer, from near Norwich, Norfolk, said: "We've always loved the idea of van life.
"The dream is to own a van but it costs £30k. It's not feasible at the moment.
"It's a 30 year old caravan.
"We expected a bit of damp. We didn't let it put us off.
"It's to give us the experience of van life for the price of £1k rather than £30k."
Hayley and Ben, who works in recruitment, moved to Norfolk three years ago and have slowly been renovating their house.
She said: "It's a massive renovation project.
"We're having to do it quite slowly because of the cost of everything."
The cost of their house project didn't leave much wiggle room to buy a tiny home to holiday in but the couple decided to go for it went they spotted a caravan on Facebook in February 2024.
Hayley said: "It was originally on for £1.5k.
"I messaged asking if they would accept £1k.
"Then they said 'there is a little bit of damp - we're happy to do it for £500'."
The pair set themselves a tight £500 budget and started by refilling the outside to stop any further damp.
They then removed any damp wood and bought new wood from a timber yard for £5 per piece of plywood.
Hayley upcycled the kitchen around £60 - by using budget hacks such as stick on tiles costing £11.89 and using left over paint from previous renovations.
She has also bought vinyl adhesive flooring for £20 - which she will lay down last.
She sources decorations from budget shops such as The Range and Matalan.
Hayley said: "Everything we could keep, we have kept.
"We only replaced what we had to."
She will tackle the bathroom next and is planning to use a waterproof adhesive to decorate.
Hayley said: "It's surprising what a difference you can make on a small budget.
"I've just been winging it. We're the kind of people that give it a go.
"I'm looking forward to seeing the whole thing finished."
The pair also have the bedroom and living area to reinsulate but hope to complete the project in time for their summer road trip to Scotland in August.
She said: "I want to put a mini projector in and have all the home comforts.
"I love a country vibe.
"Caravans get a bad reputation sometimes but I don't think it's a waste of money.
"I hope we can get a few summers out of it."
Follow Hayley on TikTok @hayleyrubery_