Are you dreaming of transforming your ordinary van into a cozy, customized home on wheels? With the rise in cost in the housing market, van conversions have become increasingly popular for those seeking the freedom of the open road or a compact, mobile living space. In this article, we'll explore the cost factors associated with hiring a van builder, the expenses involved in DIY van conversions, and important considerations to help you determine how much a van builder will cost.
How Much Does a Van Cost to Buy?
A new van can range from $35,000 to $65,000 or more, while used vans can be more budget-friendly, starting at around $10,000. For example, the price of a Ford Transit van will be different from the price of a Mercedes Sprinter van. The good thing is that all vans hold their value well. Overall, the brand and type of van you buy will determine the price most heavily.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Van Home?
A van home is not a cheap investment. You can expect to spend a minimum of $15,000 on a DIY van conversion beyond the investment of the cargo van itself. The following sections will describe some factors that influence the cost of a van conversion:
Van Conversion Cost Spreadsheet
To get a better understanding of your overall expenses, it's a good idea to create a van conversion cost spreadsheet. This spreadsheet should include the purchase price of the van, as well as estimates for conversion materials, labor (if hiring a builder), and any additional features you want to include in your customized van. Things to consider:
Example products:
Espar heater, Maxxair fan, A/C Unit, wall panels, ceiling panels, floors, after-market seats, speakers, trim, upholstery, custom cabinetry, roof racks, tire ladder carriers, lagun tables, b pillar mounts, and more.
Having a spreadsheet allows you to stay organized and know exactly how much you will need to spend for your van conversion to be successful. Here is a Reddit chain that gives a van conversion cost spreadsheet. This is a pretty conservative build out, but provides some insight to the needs that go into a conversion.
Professional Van Conversion Cost
If you opt for a professional van conversion, expect to invest anywhere from $60,000 to $200,000 or more, on top of the van's purchase price. Professional builders, like our shop, have the experience and expertise to create customized van interiors with high-quality materials and craftsmanship. The final cost will depend on the complexity of the conversion and the features you choose. This type of conversion is a much more expensive route, but having a professional do this job is beneficial for a few reasons.
- Van builders stay up to date with the game: When thinking about complexities like power systems, audio, and style custom campervan builders stay up to date with the latest and greatest. Without having intense understanding of these conversions it can be challenging to ease into the game of van conversions.
- You're going to mess up: Making mistakes like cutting your wall and ceiling panels at the wrong lengths can be expensive when you are not a workshop. To ship and create custom cabinetry is ridiculously expensive, and if this is your first time it is likely to make a mistake.
- Influence on the build: Most builders like ourselves allow our clients to have some influence on the aesthetic of the build. We want to build your dream van and want you to guide us how.
In our builds, we offer a few layouts for a more affordable and efficient approach to maximize the space of your vans interior. For example, if you are traveling with a husband, wife, and one kid our Le Col is a great option.
For our solo campers or couples our Bivy model is for you. This is a functional livable space that sacrifices extra sleeping space for a better cooking and dining experience.
If you have an extended van and wish for a cross country added seats configuration, consider our Talus layout with a pop-top. This van style allows for the functionality needed for seatbelting long trips, and the capability for sleeping a full size family.
Each van conversion style has a different cost based on the features in the design and the cost of materials per layout. For more questions, please reach out to us directly!
DIY Van Conversion
A DIY van conversion can be a cost-effective alternative to a professional build out. DIY conversions typically range from $10,000 to $20,000, depending on the materials and amenities you include. Keep in mind that while DIY conversions can be more affordable, they may require significant time and effort on your part, especially if you lack construction skills. This type of conversion is worthwhile if you are on a tighter budget but may not allow you to customize your van the same way a professional could. Many DIYers tell us this is about a year's timeline from start to finish.
Converted Van for Sale
If you're looking for a more affordable option, consider exploring the market for pre-converted vans for sale. VanLife Trader is a great source for used camper vans. These vans are often priced competitively, and you can find a range of layouts and features that may suit your needs. It is tough to build a van on your own and even adding a professional costs the time of planning a build. We do not sell pre-owned vans, but if your budget is more lucrative, you should consider our team for a custom build out.
Conclusion
The cost of hiring a van builder or building a van home yourself depends on your preferences, budget, and the level of customization you desire. Whether you choose a professionally converted van or a DIY project, it's important to carefully plan your expenses and create a budget that aligns with your financial goals, or plan a budget with a custom campervan builder. A van is a home, and van life can be a rewarding and adventurous lifestyle, and understanding the costs involved is the first step toward making your dream of van travel a living reality.
