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Last Updated on August 23, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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How Much Does it Cost to Install RV Hookups?
Installing RV hookups at home can transform your property into a convenient and personalized campground. However, the cost of such an installation can vary significantly based on several factors. This article aims to provide a comprehensive breakdown of these factors to help you estimate the potential cost of installing RV hookups.
- Types: water, electrical, and sewage hookups.
- Water hookup: $300-$500, including line and labor.
- Electrical hookup: $1200-$2500, including parts and labor.
- Sewage hookup: The most expensive is $3000-$7000 for a septic tank.
- Municipal sewer connection: Usually $1000 or more.
- Additional costs: Permits, inspections, landscaping, and repairs.
- Average cost: $5000-$8000 for complete RV hookup installation.
RVs are moving home on wheels with essential utilities, i.e., enough voltage for necessary appliances, a water hose, and a sewage tank. Hence, for most people, the reason to own an RV is to travel. However, wouldn’t it be nice if you could also use your RV on your land?
You might want to turn it into a temporary guest room or an office. But how would you do that? Consider installing RV hookups on your land. Of course, this process won’t be cheap and might cost you a hefty amount. However, this investment is worth the money.
This article will help you understand how to install your RV hookups and mention the estimated costs. But before we move further, you might want to know why you need RV hookups.
Why Install RV Hookups?
Many picnic spots have installed RV hookups for water, electricity, and sewerage. One can attain advantages from that, but this will cost you more. The longer you stay at the campsite, the more expensive it will become. So, it is time to roll up your sleeves and buckle up yourself for some real task!
You can keep your RV near or beside your home to make it a secondary living space or as a workplace, a place for your friends to stay, a business meeting room, and much more. Without necessities, your idea can not work efficiently and become trouble.
So, it is essential to integrate some utilities into your RV for complete home-like living.
These utilities include an electricity hookup for continuous power supply, a water hookup for direct water supply, and a sewage hookup for dumping sewage directly. Let us look at how you can install these hookups with an estimated cost for each.
These hookups can be directly attached to your home if you plan to install your RV nearby. Suppose you have intended to store an RV at some distance.
In that case, you might need local authorities’ permission to connect there. These connection charges will not cost you much, but it will take to get you a permit.
Once you get the permit, your job starts here. Firstly, locate the specific sites where you want to install the hookups. Make a rough estimate of the operational costs for these hookup installations and spare some money for them.
Of course, the installation requires budgeting before jumping into the pool. Below are some suggestions that might help you if you want to store an RV.
Build A Concrete Parking Pad
Initially, you are required to build a concrete bed for your RV. This concrete bed will help your RV rest on a smooth surface without damaging the ground. Parking your RV on the ground may seem alright initially, but the tires will submerge into the ground sooner or later.
The concrete pad should be big enough to cover your rig.
One can also use gravel to park an RV in the ground. Before choosing a place to park your RV, look for any wires passing over the RV. Avoid parking your RV under the electricity cable, as this will induce electric current over the metallic part of the RV.
Design a parking pad 4 feet wider and 4 feet longer to leave a sitting place for you. If you use gravel, use at least a 6-inch thick layer above the ground. This thickness can vary depending on the weight of your RV. A more massive RV needs a more adhesive gravel pad.
It is essential to use a filter cloth under the gravel. It will keep the dirt from eroding the parking pad. If not used, this will eventually destroy the gravel pad’s balance, and your RV will no longer be leveled. At this point, keep some of your concrete bags spare for installation hookups.
Estimated Cost
In this case, the cost depends on the size of the concrete pad and the RV weight. $100 to $300 for 8 x 12 pad and $600 to $1800 for a 24 x 24 pad. A weighted RV will require a thicker layer of concrete pad, increasing the cost.
Install A Water Supply Hookup
The next step is to install the water supply hookup. Before installation, remember the spot on the right side of the RV.
You do not need to attach long pipes, which will take up unnecessary space in the area. Use approximately 4 feet allowance height for hookups, which will be the most suitable position relative to your RV.
Dig a 30 inches deep and 8 inches wide hole to install the water hookup. Fill the sides with the spare left-over concrete mixture from the concrete pad. This will secure the hookup in position and give strength to the poll. Ensure you install these hookups on the driver’s side of the RV.
The foremost step in water hookup installation is to dig a trench from the primary water source to the RV parking site. It will not be challenging if the RV is parked near your home.
But if it is located at some distance, you will surely need to hire a laborer. Make sure you hire an expert to check the area for previously installed water or gas pipes.
If you live in harsh climates, you must cover the pipes with suitable insulation to protect water from overheating or freezing. This will undoubtedly add extra expenses to your budget, but this would be a one-time investment, and it’s worth it! Later, attach the pipe to the post with clamps and fill the trench with concrete.
Cheers to you for getting the labor-intensive job done! This step is the biggest and the most time-consuming one.
Estimated Cost
This installation is the cheapest one with an overall budget of ~$50, including digging and pipes.
Install An Electric Hookup
Now, the next step is more straightforward regarding labor but requires some expertise. It would be best if you calculated first the required amperes your RV will need. Most RVs have 30-amp or 50-amp amperage counts.
Reading the RV manual before connecting it to the power supply is essential. Hiring an electrician for this job is best to avoid any power outage or damage.
Make sure to add compatible electrical components during electric hookup installation. Use proper insulation around wires and secure them by placing them out of reach of children.
Avoid using long cables to prevent tripping over as they form clusters. This procedure requires expert handling for safety purposes. It is not the job of a Joe!
If you are planning to avail of internet services in the RV, this is the stage where you can ask the electrician to connect cable and telephone lines along with the power lines to the RV.
Make sure to list requirements and do proper homework before installing hookups. Secure the electric wiring with appropriate safety jackets to keep them unaffected by the climatic changes.
Estimated Cost
The overall cost for electrical hookup installation is approximately $1200, including components purchasing and electrician fees.
Install A Sewage Hookup
This process is the simplest one among the rest. It is as simple as putting the sewage pipe from your RV to the local sewerage hole in the ground. You only need to buy a longer sewerage pipe. But dumping the sewage pipe anywhere is considered illegal in some areas.
In this case, you will need permission from the local jurisdiction to avoid any fines later. If your house is nearby, the problem is entirely solved, as you will only need to connect the sewerage pipe from your RV to your house sewage tank. This will not cost you much, and you don’t need labor.
Another option is to dig out the ground for a septic tank. The RV hooks up to this septic tank for disposing of grey and black water from your RV. This requires an additional pumping machine to attach to the septic tank to pump out the waste.
A sewerage pipe is a 4-inch wide pipe attached from the RV to the septic tank. Hire an official contractor to install the septic tank. The contractor will add chemicals to the tank to avoid a pungent smell entering your RV.
This is the last possible option due to its expensive and demanding nature. Installing an RV-dedicated septic tank is a challenging task but the last resort.
Estimated Cost
Installing an RV-dedicated septic tank is expensive and will cost around $3000 to $7000. It will cost less than $100 if you have installed a septic tank in your backyard.
Do I need a Surge Protector to Plug my RV into my house?
Yes, using a surge protector when you plug your RV into your house is highly advisable.
A surge protector plays a crucial role in safeguarding the electrical system of your RV from any potential damage caused by power surges or voltage spikes.
Unexpected power fluctuations can harm the sensitive electronics in your RV, leading to costly repairs or replacements.
Final Words
The cost of installing RV hookups can vary greatly, depending on the type of hookup and what is included in the installation. The water hookup typically costs between $300 and $500, including the line and labor.
The electrical hookup is more expensive, ranging from $1200 to $2500, including parts and labor. The most costly type of hookup is sewage, particularly for a septic tank, which can cost between $ 3,000 and $ 7,000.
A municipal sewer connection, on the other hand, usually costs $1000 or more. In addition to these costs, there are also additional expenses to consider, such as permits, inspections, landscaping, and repairs.
Thus, the average cost to install full RV hookups ranges from $5000 to $8000. It is essential to factor in these components to understand the total expenses involved comprehensively.
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