Transferring a campsite: how to assess the facilities?
Introduction
A campsite is primarily about infrastructure. Unlike other businesses, the value relies less on turnover than on the condition and quality of the physical facilities. For a seller, understanding how to assess these assets is essential before any valuation.
A campsite's infrastructure is multifaceted: reception buildings, sanitary facilities, pitches, electrical and water networks, leisure facilities, fixed rentals. Each element directly influences the site's attractiveness and its ability to generate revenue. A potential buyer will scrutinise these details carefully.
The challenge? These facilities age, require regular upgrades to meet standards, and their value varies according to their actual condition, not just their age. A well-maintained 10-year-old sanitary facility is often worth more than a neglected recent installation.
This guide helps you structure your assessment. We review the main infrastructure items, the technical criteria to check, and the method for estimating their overall value. The objective: to prepare a transparent transfer with reliable data, and avoid unpleasant surprises during negotiations.
📌 Summary (TL;DR)
Assessing a campsite is based on the actual condition of the infrastructure: reception buildings, pitches, sanitary facilities, technical networks, rentals and leisure facilities. Each item must be checked according to precise criteria (age, compliance, capacity, maintenance). A structured method enables the overall value to be calculated and the investments required for the buyer to be anticipated.
📚 Table of contents
Reception facilities: decisive first impression
The reception and communal sanitary facilities form the operational heart of a campsite. Their condition directly influences the valuation during a transfer.
Assess compliance with hygiene standards, reception capacity and the year of the last renovation. A new or recently renovated reception building adds value to the whole. Conversely, outdated sanitary facilities imply costly upgrade works.
Document the general condition precisely: coverings, plumbing, ventilation, disabled access. These elements carry significant weight in negotiations with potential buyers.
Pitches and outdoor facilities
The number and quality of pitches determine the total reception capacity, a major criterion in assessing a campsite.
Analyse the surface area of plots, their clear demarcation, accessibility for motorhomes and caravans. Check the condition of internal roads, night lighting and signage.
Well-maintained green spaces, mature plantings and outdoor communal areas (playgrounds, picnic areas) add value. A well-developed site facilitates the transfer and justifies a higher price.
Number and typology of pitches
Distinguish between bare pitches, serviced pitches (water, electricity) and premium pitches (shade, view, full services).
The ratio between these categories directly influences potential turnover. A campsite with 70% serviced pitches generates more revenue than a site with only bare plots.
Document this breakdown precisely: it constitutes a solid commercial argument for attracting serious buyers on a platform like Leez.
Condition of leisure facilities
Leisure facilities differentiate your campsite and justify higher rates: swimming pool, restaurant, snack bar, grocery shop, games room, sports grounds.
Inventory each facility with its precise condition and legal compliance. Swimming pool safety is subject to strict standards: check compliance to avoid surprises during the transfer.
Calculate the annual maintenance costs for each facility. This transparent data reassures buyers and facilitates negotiations on the sale price.
Technical installations and networks
Invisible systems often constitute the heaviest expense items during a takeover. Their precise assessment is essential for a fair valuation.
Examine the electrical network (power, compliance), drinking water distribution, sanitation and septic tanks, heating if applicable. The obsolescence of these installations can lead to costly upgrades.
A professional technical audit is recommended. You can call upon an expert via the Leez partner network to secure this critical stage.
Electrical network and capacity
The installed power must meet the needs of modern motorhomes, increasingly equipped (air conditioning, electrical appliances).
Check the condition of electrical terminals at each pitch: wiring, circuit breakers, residual current protection. An undersized or obsolete network requires costly upgrading.
Document the total capacity in kilowatts and any necessary works. This transparency avoids unpleasant surprises for the buyer during the outdoor hospitality takeover.
Water and sanitation
Identify the water supply source (public network, private borehole) and verify quality with recent analyses.
The sanitation system must comply with environmental standards: compliant septic tanks, treatment plant if necessary, regulatory wastewater disposal.
There are numerous regulatory points of vigilance. Non-compliance can block the transfer or lead to significant costs. Anticipate these checks with a technical expert.
Rentals and fixed accommodation
Mobile homes, chalets and bungalows profoundly modify the economic model and valuation of a campsite.
Establish a precise inventory: number, condition, year of purchase, residual value. Distinguish between rentals owned by the campsite and pitches rented to third parties (private owners).
Rental or ownership contracts must be documented. This type of accommodation directly impacts turnover and profitability, therefore the sale price during the transfer.
Regulatory compliance and authorisations
Legal compliance determines the feasibility of the transfer. Check operating licences, official classification (stars), ERP compliance (establishment receiving public).
Fire safety standards and disabled access are subject to regular inspections. Non-compliance represents a major legal and financial risk for the buyer.
Call upon a specialised expert via the Leez network to secure this complex regulatory aspect before publishing your listing.
Overall facility assessment method
Adopt a structured approach: create a scoring grid by infrastructure category (reception, pitches, leisure, technical, rentals).
Weight according to the importance of each element and estimate the works required in the short and medium term. This method produces a transparent and defensible valuation.
Use the Leez valuation tool for an overall estimate of your business. Transparency in your listing attracts serious buyers and accelerates the transfer of your campsite.
Assessing a campsite's facilities constitutes a decisive stage in the transfer process. Reception facilities, pitches, leisure equipment and technical installations represent major investments that directly impact the business valuation. A rigorous analysis of their condition, compliance and development potential enables a realistic and justified sale price to be established.
This technical assessment must be accompanied by a strategic vision: which facilities require modernisation? What investments have been made recently? What is the actual and optimal reception capacity? These questions structure the dialogue between seller and buyer, and facilitate transparent negotiation.
Are you considering transferring your campsite or acquiring one? Estimate the value of your business free of charge or explore the opportunities available on our platform. Our network of specialist experts can support you in the technical and regulatory assessment of your facilities.
