Blog - The Van Life Fam

A common question when looking at a self conversion is "How Much Does It Cost To Convert a Van into a Campervan?" A van conversion can be an expensive undertaking, especially if you aren't looking to do much of the work yourself. Labour costs can blow out a conversion budget substantially, so let's look at what a self conversion might set you back. The average van conversion is going to set you back $15,000 - $20,000 (not including the cost of your van). This is a pretty standard cost for a medium - high spec build with fitouts to allow for fully-off-grid travel. Of course there are ways to do it much cheaper but if you're looking at a full build out with appropriate insulation and climate control, a decent electrical system and a well kitted out kitchen and living space then you should be prepared for a build cost in this range. In this article we will explore each area of your van and what you should budget for each area, along with some of the decisions you are likely to face. Item / CategoryAverage CostInsulation $850 - $1300Electrical system$3500 - $5000Kitchen / Living $4000 - $5000Water / Plumbing$1000 - $2000Hidden Costs$5000 - $6500Total Build Cost One of the first costs you'll need to consider when building a van is insulation. DO NOT skimp on insulation; you will thank us later. Many van owners that we speak to who didn't put a lot of time into researching insulation regret it, especially on those cold winter nights. Why Is Insulating A Van Important Insulating a van may seem like a small detail, but it is not one you should overlook. A well insulated van will not only protect you from cold nights but will also reduce the heat in summer. When looking for insulation for your van be sure to pay attention to the R-Value; this is a measure of the material's resistance to heat transfer - the higher the R-Value the more efficient it is in resisting heat transfer. There's a lot more to research when talking about insulation, however we will cover this in another article. How Much Does Van Insulation Cost A popular insulation material for van conversions is 3M Thinsulate Acoustic/Thermal Insulation SM600L. This product will set you back between $700 - $1000 depending on the surface area of the van. There will also be sections that Thinsulate will not be suitable for. In some of the thinner sections of your van where you want to save space you may prefer to use an item such as Low-E® Reflective Foam Core Insulation which should set you back between $150 -$300 depending on the surface area you need to cover. There are cheaper options available if you are looking for a budget van build but make sure you consider the climates that you might be taking your van to, not just the climate that you are in now. Total Insulation Cost $850 - $1300 Insulation Cost What Do I Need For an Electrical System in a Van Conversion Most people looking to convert a van aim to build a self sufficient "off grid" camper, meaning they don't have to plug into "Shore Power" (or as little as possible). As such, a solar panel set up is key. Alongside solar panels you will also need an invertor, a battery bank, battery charger, charge controller, B2B (alternator) charger, wire (correct gauge for your power requirements) plus all the connectors, switches and fuses. How Much Does an Electrical System Cost for a Van Conversion The total cost of an electrical system can be a significant portion of a van build budget. Most van builds with a decent solar panel set up come in at around $400 - $700, an inverter over 1000w (recommended especially if you have any high draw electronics like a blender or induction cooking) between $200 - $500. You should also consider at least a 200 amp hour battery set up (Lithium 2x 100 amp hour batteries between $700 - $1000 each) to ensure you have enough power storage to keep you off grid. Your requirements will depend on how many electronic devices you need to power. Further details on electrical system options will be explored in a future article. A B2B charger will set you back between $300 - $400. Battery monitors will add an additional $150-$300 and charge controllers will usually set you back between $150 - $300. All your wiring, fuses, bolts etc will add an additional $800 - $1000. Total Base Electrical Cost $3500 - $5000 Electrical cost What Do I Need to Consider For Living Space in a Van One of the most important questions when building your van is: what are the must-haves in your layout? Do you want a permanent bed or a fold-away? Do you want a fixed shower and toilet? There are a lot of variables when it comes to choosing the best layout for your van! How Much Will It Cost To Convert a Van's Living Space The average cost of converting a van's kitchen and living space is around $4000 - $5000 (not including a shower or toilet). This figure does include building materials for the bed, cabinetry and flooring. The main components that will eat into this budget are a fridge (depending on size and brand) $500 - $1000+, and your choice of cooking appliance, whether that be gas or inversion and subsequent fittings and installation. An area that we highly recommend investing in is a good quality fan. We recommend the Maxx Air 00-07500K MaxxFan Deluxe as we are yet to meet a van lifer who regretted paying that little bit extra for a Maxx Air Fan. Often two of these are best, so you can set one up at the front and one towards the back on alternate suck / blow functions to get optimal airflow through the van. These will set you back between $350 - $450 each. Swivel seats are another popular addition to a van conversion and can set you back around $400 each. You then have your sink, taps, counter and table tops, plus all the incidentals. Total Kitchen / Living $4000 - $5000 Living and Kitchen cost What Do I Need to Carry Water In My Campervan? When deciding which water set up you need for your van, take into consideration these key factors: how are you going to store your water? How much water storage do you require i.e. do you have a shower which will require larger tanks and more regular fill ups? And how are you going to dispose of the grey water when it's been used? If you don't have a shower and only need water for your sink (if you have one at all) then you can use water containers (usually stored directly under the sink). You will have to manually manoeuvre these to refill and dispose of grey water. If you are looking for a more permanent solution then larger water tanks can be stored under most vans or within cabinetry. The water tank option will come with some extra install costs (more plumbing and gauges) but can be well worth the extra effort, cost and back ache. How Much Will It Cost To Install Water Tanks In My Van An average water tank set up with at least 25 gallons fresh water storage and 15 gallons grey water storage with all the pumps, hoses and fittings should set you back around $1000 - $2000. There are manufactures that make them specifically to fit certain types of vans which is well worth investigating as it will make installation that much easier, especially if you are going for the under-van mounted system. Further to this if you are adding a permanent shower into your build you will need to allow for extra costs. Total Water tank costs$1000- $2000 Water Set up cost What Other Costs Should I Consider When Building A Van There are many little hidden costs when building a van such as any labour costs that you are unable to do yourself (in some countries you need a licensed electrician to sign off on electrical fit outs above 12v). You may also need a licensed professional to install and sign off on any gas fittings. Further to this, you need to factor in your mattress and all upholstery, paint, additional windows and window covers, and any extra components like a WIFI booster, TV or toilet. Not to mention all the fittings, screws, adhesives and sealants. Allow yourself a healthy budget for all these little items that will help you get the job done! The Hidden Costs$5000 - $6500 Other costs The figures above are based on an average fully-off-grid build, you can however complete your build on a smaller budget. We have certainly seen some nifty builds for less than $5,000, however if you are looking to spend an extended period of time on the road you will thank yourself for adding some extra comforts. Now get building and hit the road! What is the Best Van for Camper Conversion https://thevanlifefam.com/which-is-the-best-van-for-camper-conversion/