How Do I Start My Own Motorhome Hire Business?

December 30, 2023 in About Hiring Out and Tips for hiring out

You're thinking about starting your own motorhome hire business. That's great! You wonder what factors to consider and how to get started. There's insurance to think about, potential income, and a risk of damage,  but don’t worry, setting yourself up for hiring out isn't as complicated as it seems. We’ve broken down the entire process, with our top tricks and tips for starting a motorhome hire business from home. 

How do I start a motorhome hire business?

Before starting any business, you have to do some market research. This helps you to get a good overview of the market you’re hoping to enter. It also highlights whether it makes financial sense to set up this business. It’s important to never miss this step, no matter how excited you may be. To start, simply make a list of all the motorhome hire companies in your area. These are going to be your competitors. 

Explore their websites to discover how much they charge, and see if you can find information on what they earn. How many vehicles do they offer for hire? Where are they located? By answering these questions you gain insight into the demand and how it is being met. This will also help you later when you’re determining what you’ll offer and charge. 

It’s vital to see if you can find something that your competitors aren’t offering. This will allow you to distinguish yourself on the market and stand out from the rest. What gap in the market can you fill? What will cause someone looking to hire to choose you over them? 

Where should I start my motorhome hire business? 

You can start a motorhome hire business from anywhere. You just need to be accessible. So you can open your business right from home, as long as people can get there to pick up the motorhomes. All you need is a garage or designated parking space. You need to be able to store the motorhomes, and potentially the car of whoever picks up the vehicle for the duration of their trip. All the admin can happen right in your living room or at your dining room table. If your business grows,  you could invest in more motorhomes to hire out. Then you might need a larger storage area, but there are many possibilities across the UK.

What does starting a motorhome hire business cost? 

Now that you’ve done your thorough market research and considered where you’ll locate your business, it’s time to buy the motorhome! Unless you already have one, in which case you can skip this step. The cost of buying a motorhome depends on the model, year of production, brand, number of sleeping places, size, amenities etc. You also need to consider whether you’ll buy a new motorhome or go for second-hand. Generally, you can expect to pay between £15,000 and £150,000 for a motorhome. It depends on your budget and intended investment. Buying a more expensive and luxurious motorhome means you can ask for a higher daily hire rate later. But if you want a small compact van, you can still earn a good amount with a smaller investment. 

What logistics do I need to think about for hiring out? 

There are a lot of practicalities to consider in a campervan hire business, such as the arranging of cleaning. After each booking, the motorhome will need a thorough and professional cleaning. You might also need to make some minor repairs every once in a while or get larger repairs done. Consider whether you’ll do cleaning and repairs yourself, or outsource them, and to where. 

What accessories and equipment do I need to hire out my motorhome? 

To ensure that your travellers have a carefree holiday, you’ll need to fit the motorhome with some specific accessories and equipment. We recommend purchasing the following:

-Kitchen tools (pots and pans, cutlery, cooking utensils, bowls, cups, mugs, glasses)

-Linens (sheets, pillows and duvets)

-Cleaning products and tools for your hirers 

-GPS

-First-aid kit

-Fire extinguisher

-Gas bottles

-Electrical cables and/or adapters

-Ramps

-Bike rack

How do I get bookings for my motorhome hire business? 

Instead of immediately investing in a website, advertising costs and a marketing specialist, you can start by listing your motorhome hire business on Goboony. This will allow you to utilise our advanced booking system rather than creating your own. Goboony is suited to private owners and small businesses, and we allow you to customise your listing(s) to your specifications.

Benefits of using Goboony as a small motorhome business

-Hiring out through Goboony is free

-You decide how, to who and when you want to hire out 

-Hire out safely and with peace of mind by opting for our Goboony Day Insurance

-We provide support throughout the whole process

-We offer a secure third-party payment system

-Benefit from our leading position on Google which brings travellers to your listing(s)

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