Should You Convert Your Van into a Campervan?

Given the price hikes of holidays abroad, it’s unsurprising that many people are preferring to stay at home and choosing to take control of both their travel and accommodation options by investing in a campervan.

A campervan gives you the freedom to drive whenever and wherever you want, and to sleep under the stars, next to lakes or high up in the mountains. It offers flexibility as well as a considerable saving on the cost of a hotel or B&B – but comfort and space often have to be compromised. Furthermore, the cost of buying a new campervan can be surprisingly high, depending on the number of modifications and extras you choose to add on.

So if you’re keen on the campervan lifestyle, is it worth doing your own conversion, and turning a standard van into your own, uniquely designed home on the road?

Why convert?

DIY conversions are nearly always more affordable than buying pre-made, and the good news is that when it comes to campervans the main work is already done. The vehicle itself has been manufactured, the bodywork and interior structures are in place – all that’s required, essentially, is decoration.

While the thought of such an undertaking might worry some van owners, there are plenty of advice sites out there to talk you through every step. For those seeking a little guidance, Build A Campervan have a full range of videos and how-to pages covering every major aspect of campervan architecture, whilst for the uncertain, inexperienced or meticulous, The Vanual guide to campervan conversion has support and suggestions in spades.

Another benefit of creating your own mobile masterpiece is that additional costs such as insurance can be dramatically reduced, especially once you reclassify a vehicle from commercial to domestic use. It’s also worth using a comparison tool to research which features are likely to increase or decrease your premium, such as additional security measures.

Doing your own renovation work also allows you to customise your campervan to suit your individual needs. If you’re planning on taking kids out on the road, being able to build extra beds is a definite bonus, whilst those who adhere to the old adage ‘cleanliness is next to godliness’ will appreciate making space for adequate washing facilities.

Before you convert your van

Before jumping into any decision, there are a few aspects you need to sit down and discuss with anyone else involved. Even if you’re planning on going solo, it’s still worth chatting about these key areas to get a different perspective, as well as suggestions and ideas you might not have considered.

• The vehicle

The success of any conversion relies heavily on the choice of van you begin with. Consider everything you’re going to want to include, and bear in mind that when you see the space inside any van, you’ll lose some of that when you add in insulation and interior wall surfaces.

Also think about height – if you’re going to spend a lot of time inside your van cooking, dressing or other domestic tasks that require you to be upright, is there space? After all, doing all those things outdoors is fine in the Mediterranean but perhaps less so in the Western Isles of Scotland.

• The budget

You need to be realistic about what you can afford. This should include the cost of your van (anywhere between £500-£10,000 is usual, depending on the quality, size and age of the van), as well as all the materials, tools and equipment you’ll need to complete your conversion.

You should make sure you budget for any repairs your van might need, as well as insurance – there’s nothing worse than creating a masterpiece only for it to sit on the drive, immobile. To help you find the best deals, use a comparison website such as comparevaninsurance.com that check campervan insurance specialists in order to find the most competitive quotes to suit your individual van and driving requirements. They have a handy comparison tool that enables you to work out the best premiums based on your usage and the vehicle itself, so you’re more likely to get a competitive, realistic price on your insurance package.

You may also find that you need to get your campervan inspected before it can officially be declared road-legal, given that you’ve completed the conversion yourself. This can be an added expense, so research the costs before you begin. For details on making your campervan conform to legal requirements, the UK Government has issued guidance on Converting a Vehicle into a Motorhome.

• The time frame

If you’re going to do all the work yourself, be realistic about how long it’s going to take. If you can only work on your project at weekends, it’s unlikely to be finished in a month or two. If it’s something you’re keen to get cracking with, consider booking a week or two off work to really get things started.

 

Also think about where the work is going to take place. You’re going to need somewhere with good electrical supply so you can plug in all your tools, lots of space so you can access all sides of the vehicle and manoeuvre awkward items or materials, and preferably somewhere under cover, so bad weather doesn’t prevent you continuing work.

• The look

What kind of atmosphere do you want to create in your campervan? Minimalist and modern, or traditional? How about some vintage chic? Outdoors-indoors or cosy and warm? To some extent this will be limited by budget, but there are plenty of ways to create any kind of look with limited funds, as long as you get creative with your techniques

For some interior inspiration, check out these creative campervan conversions.

Can I get someone else to do it?

If you’re convinced about owning a campervan and customizing it to your own specification, but you’re still wary about undertaking the venture yourself, there are plenty of companies who specialize in converting vans.

This will obviously cost you more at the outset, as you’re paying for labour as well as materials, but may be worth it in the long run as doing the work properly first time around avoids having to pay out for repairs to botched jobs later on.

For an idea of what is involved with getting the professionals in, as well as the kinds of services on offer, check out Vanworx (who specialize in VW campervans) and Convert Your Van who work on a wider range of vehicles.   

Converting ideas into reality

Whether you think DIY conversions are the way forward, or you’d rather get the experts to do all the hard work, we’re sure that you’ll love spending time in your campervan, being the master of your own adventure.

But if converting a van into a campervan is something you’re seriously considering doing, then make sure you’ve deliberated on every aspect of the work involved – and then enjoy every minute of making your dream come true, because that’s where the real magic happens.