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dazco
Original Poster
3,329 posts
58 months
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I have just bought a campsite on the West coast Of Scotland and I need to put the call out to the business people of PH forum.
I need an accountant who knows how to get the best for a sole trader T/A.
I could do with someone who knows about levelling ground/drainage etc.
Anyone who has built a shower/toilet/amenities block. Either all of it or the shell or the interior.
Anyone who knows about fitting hook up points.
Anyone building camping pods, or has the ability to make camping pods (10 of them)
Anyone with a JCB for sale
Anyone with expertise in large septic tanks or waste processing plants
Anyone familiar with the advantages and disadvantages of Gas/electric/heat pump water heating.
All the above are needed and I know they will have to be paid for, so there is work to be had.
Some things I just need advice and favours for is how to run a track or road through the site on the cheap and any hints or tips.
Cheers
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Simpo Two
54,202 posts
134 months
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Somewhere on 'PH Island', a light is flashing... 
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JQ
1,617 posts
48 months
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I can't resist, but surely these are all things you would have thoroughly considered prior to purchase, as the total costs of the works would have been reflected in the price you paid? Otherwise how can you calculate whether it's a viable investment.
I may know someone for the camping pods, I'll make some enquiries at work tomorrow and see if they're doing them.
Good luck.
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dazco
Original Poster
3,329 posts
58 months
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JQ said: I can't resist, but surely these are all things you would have thoroughly considered prior to purchase, as the total costs of the works would have been reflected in the price you paid? Otherwise how can you calculate whether it's a viable investment.
I may know someone for the camping pods, I'll make some enquiries at work tomorrow and see if they're doing them.
Good luck. Thanks for your good wishes. There is a cafe bar included too. I have given it lots of consideration, about five months worth, and I expect all this to cost between 80-100k, which is fine.
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Kudos
2,027 posts
43 months
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Please tell me you used an accountant for the due diligence effort buying?
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Eric Mc
67,253 posts
134 months
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Why are you operating as a sole trader?
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Targarama
13,170 posts
152 months
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From your list of 'wants' it sounds like you bought a field, not a campsite?
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pidsy
1,969 posts
26 months
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Targarama said: From your list of 'wants' it sounds like you bought a field, not a campsite? I was thinking the same. Hope u got it for a good price OP!
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condor
6,252 posts
117 months
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same here.
I thought it was legal to wild camp in Scotland so I'd have thought a lot of campers would do just that. Then there are the midges...
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elster
16,645 posts
79 months
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dazco said: I have just bought a campsite on the West coast Of Scotland and I need to put the call out to the business people of PH forum.
I need an accountant who knows how to get the best for a sole trader T/A.
I could do with someone who knows about levelling ground/drainage etc.
Anyone who has built a shower/toilet/amenities block. Either all of it or the shell or the interior.
Anyone who knows about fitting hook up points.
Anyone building camping pods, or has the ability to make camping pods (10 of them)
Anyone with a JCB for sale
Anyone with expertise in large septic tanks or waste processing plants
Anyone familiar with the advantages and disadvantages of Gas/electric/heat pump water heating.
All the above are needed and I know they will have to be paid for, so there is work to be had.
Some things I just need advice and favours for is how to run a track or road through the site on the cheap and any hints or tips.
Cheers
I have a little bit of experience with lodge/caravan parks, as have set up a fair few. I know a couple up in Scotland (West Loch Shores/Loch Ness Holiday Park) These two guys are running successful owner operator camping/lodge sites and very welcoming. The pods, what are you looking at? Octolodge, Wigwam, Hobbit hole, etc These come in around £10k, but you wont get them this season probably 3 month build time. Any competent electrical engineer can sort out caravan hookup points, but there are lots out there with experience. Can't Help on septic tank, but can find out if desperate If you are going for glamping then a simple bar heater works well in them, if you are going for caravan or lodges then LPG is the way, for a small scale then it is best to use bottles. Any builder could sort you out with some ablutions and something as simple as that could be drawn up by yourself if need be. Groundworks can be fun, buy something yourself and do it yourself, as it will be ongoing. The specialist park 'designer' companies who do installations charge 10 time the going rate for doing any of the works. Also avoid with a barge pole. You need to be limited and VAT registered. Drop me a PM if you need anything.
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elster
16,645 posts
79 months
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pidsy said: Targarama said: From your list of 'wants' it sounds like you bought a field, not a campsite? I was thinking the same. Hope u got it for a good price OP! A camping site that has a licence is worth an awful lot more than a plot of land with nothing in Scotland, get permission for caravans and it is a good earner.
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Targarama
13,170 posts
152 months
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condor said: . Then there are the midges... On the whole I find the Scottish very pleasant 
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dazco
Original Poster
3,329 posts
58 months
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Targarama said: From your list of 'wants' it sounds like you bought a field, not a campsite? Try charging people to camp on an unlicensed field. This place has been run as a cafe bar for many years, it turns a profit and is already incredibly busy. Camping has always been available but has been very cheap due to the poor condition of the facilities, no hook up, old toilets and showers and that kind of thing that was introduced years ago to cater for passing yachtsmen, it is located on the shore of a bay which also has moorings. So it may sound like a field to some (and in places it is not even a field) but to me it is the most beautiful bit of land in the world and has a licence for 24 pitches and planning permission to build a shower block.
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dazco
Original Poster
3,329 posts
58 months
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Kudos said: Please tell me you used an accountant for the due diligence effort buying? Not yet, I have put in an offer and it has been accepted. A regular poster off here, SURVEYOR, has been helping me tremendously, and I must say a big thank you to him. But, yes, a solicitor will be used.
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dazco
Original Poster
3,329 posts
58 months
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Eric Mc said: Why are you operating as a sole trader? Exactly the kind of thing I need to know myself Eric, it is a minefield at this stage and I need an accountant to guide me and give me the best advice.
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dazco
Original Poster
3,329 posts
58 months
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condor said: same here.
I thought it was legal to wild camp in Scotland so I'd have thought a lot of campers would do just that. Then there are the midges... There are many campsites in Scotland and they all get busy
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elster
16,645 posts
79 months
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dazco said: Targarama said: From your list of 'wants' it sounds like you bought a field, not a campsite? Try charging people to camp on an unlicensed field. This place has been run as a cafe bar for many years, it turns a profit and is already incredibly busy. Camping has always been available but has been very cheap due to the poor condition of the facilities, no hook up, old toilets and showers and that kind of thing that was introduced years ago to cater for passing yachtsmen, it is located on the shore of a bay which also has moorings. So it may sound like a field to some (and in places it is not even a field) but to me it is the most beautiful bit of land in the world and has a licence for 24 pitches and planning permission to build a shower block. YGM
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rsv gone!
10,622 posts
110 months
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You need an engineer on board. They can draw up what you need for hardstandings, roads (if you choose to put them in), drainage, foundations for outbuildings etc.
I know of some but they will need paying.
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dazco
Original Poster
3,329 posts
58 months
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I also need a solicitor who is familiar with Scottish leases.
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Eric Mc
67,253 posts
134 months
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I am amazed that you weren't receiving professional advice BEFORE you committed yourself to this project. I hope all goes well and there aren't some nasty surprises lurking for you.
Why on earth have you not set up a limited company yet. I would think that this is an absolute priority where you are running a business of this nature.
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