Your complete guide to converting your campervan on a budget

The campervan conversion craze has steadily grown more popular in recent years. Since the pandemic, many are looking for cheaper and quirkier alternatives to traditional holidays, whether that be in the UK or abroad. However, undertaking a DIY conversion project is a feat that takes time, effort, and money.

Whether you’re a seasoned campervanner or about to embark on your first campervan conversion journey, this guide will provide a world of inspiration and highlight some of the most important things to look out for, with some helpful suggestions on how you can keep your costs down throughout the process.

We’ve also caught up with campervan conversion expert Lucinda Norris (@vanlifewithluci) to get her insider knowledge and expert tips on converting a campervan on a budget.

 

 

Choose your campervan for conversion carefully

Arguably, one of the most important parts of the van conversion process is selecting a van that suits your needs and budget. Consider factors like size, fuel efficiency, and reliability. You might not need a large van if you’re only doing short trips, and it’s easy to get creative with your storage ideas, so set out the necessities from the start.

Popular choices include:

• Mercedes Sprinter
• Ford Transit
• Fiat Ducato
• Volkswagen Transporter

At this point, you should also research the insurance you'll need for your new vehicle.

 

 

When searching for a new van, don't forget to inspect it for rust and mechanical issues before you make or agree a purchase. Get as much information as possible on the van's previous life, too. For example, service delivery vehicles can often have suspension issues from being parked on kerbs and can also have problems with the gearbox and clutch due to their mileage and excessive use in short periods.

After purchasing your van, check whether you'll need to reclassify it. For example, if it's a commercial van but you're adding a bed, you may need to reclassify it as a campervan with the DVLA.

Lucinda:

“Choosing which van to buy can be overwhelming. I found it useful to be guided by my budget, as this cut down the potential number of models to sift through. Specific vans also suit different needs. For my first van, I wanted something small that was easy to drive but still liveable for trips and holidays.

"My second van needed to be bigger, as I wanted to take a year off to travel in it, but also a good size to park anywhere—especially in central spaces like supermarkets. Based on this, I decided a Sprinter would be the best option and bought one at an auction."

 

 

Start with a floor plan for your campervan layout

Before you begin working on your van, outline your goals and vision for it. Will it be for short trips or long-term travel? Are you travelling mostly solo? Who will be travelling with you, and what are their needs?

Create a detailed floor plan, considering factors like sleeping arrangements, storage, and cooking facilities. Don't forget to think about spaces for dirty washing, hanging wet clothes, and if you want a toilet or washing space as well.

Planning will save you time and money in the long run. You can also have a look online for some creative solutions that help you make the most of the space whilst not breaking the bank. At this stage, devise a list of materials you might need, so you can preorder them easily once you've purchased your van.

It's also worth considering where you'll be travelling. For example, if you want to travel in Europe, you'll need to ensure your van complies with EU regulations.

Lucinda:

“My biggest influence was campervan forums, which became a knowledge hub I still use today. They were invaluable when it came to planning the layout in particular. They helped me understand how to maximise space, the best furniture options and how to set up.”

 

 

Learn how to insulate a campervan

Proper campervan insulation is essential to regulate the temperature inside the vehicle. Use sound-deadening materials after you've stripped the van back to its original panels and treat any rust with iron oxide first.

When you're on a budget, buying the cheapest form of insulation can be tempting, but you may spend more money in the future when your van isn't retaining enough heat for you to be warm and comfortable.

Many different types of insulation materials are available on the market, so it's best to thoroughly research which materials will work best for you and your budget.

Use materials like foam boards, spray foam, or lambswool to insulate the walls, floor, and ceiling. Insulation foil over the top can also help prevent a build-up of excess moisture.

 

 

Ensure your campervan has good ventilation

Your van will need to be ventilated to stop any potential mould. Install good-quality windows and roof vents to provide ventilation and avoid condensation, especially when cooking or showering inside.

Elevating your mattress onto springs or cutting holes in the ply under the bed can also stop the excess build-up of moisture and let the mattress breathe.

4 ways you can prevent damp and mould in your campervan:

1. Ensure you utilise windows, roof vents, and extractor fans throughout your van to increase the flow of air
2. Insulate your campervan properly
3. Buy dehumidifiers to help reduce the amount of condensation
4. Regularly clean and check your ventilation systems to check for blockages or leaks

If you’re converting a campervan on a budget, it’s important to make sure you’re taking appropriate steps to prevent damp and mould from forming, as this can become an expensive issue in the future.

Lucinda:

“One key lesson is that ventilation is far more important than you might think, especially if you’re going to have a toilet on board. Planning the best areas for ventilation in the early stages will save a lot of time, mistakes, and money later down the line.”

 

 

Plan out your campervan electrical installation

Install a reliable electrical system to power your appliances and devices. A leisure battery can store energy from solar panels or the van's alternator.

Using solar power is also a great way of recycling energy. Proper wiring and safety measures are crucial to prevent electrical issues and fires, so if you feel unsure about this part of the build, outsource the installation to a qualified electrician.

Alternatively, consider other power units that come in power banks, as these are easier to use throughout your van. Researching how much power you need and working out what electrics you need to buy to supply that power is a great place to start and will give you a good idea of how much of your budget will need to be spent on this part of the process.

Lucinda:

"For the electrics, I did the physical labour myself but hired a consultant to help me along the way. I also got them to provide the technical hardware, such as my inverter box and leisure batteries.

"You have to be smart when doing a conversion and understand your limits and knowledge. Although I had studied YouTube videos and spoken to others on forums, some things felt beyond my capabilities and the tools I had available. It's better to be safe than sorry."

 

 

Remember to prioritise campervan security

Whilst putting together the finishing touches to your campervan conversion, it’s a good idea to consider what security measures you may want to install to help protect your newly revamped space!

There are several campervan security measures to think about. Some of the most popular options are:

• Steering wheel and pedal locks: As you might have guessed, these locks can be added to your steering wheel or pedals to prevent anyone from being able to drive away immediately, even if they manage to get inside your van.
• Deadlocks: Adding an additional lock to the doors of your campervan provides an extra level of security. Deadlocks require a key to open them on top of the button on your keys that usually opens your van door.
• Motion sensor alarms: Including motion sensor alarms inside your vehicle is a good way to deter thieves, especially if you include stickers on the outside of your van that warn them that there is an alarm present. Potential thieves will look for the easiest vans to steal, so it helps to have a mix of visible and non-visible security measures.
• GPS trackers and immobilisers: Having a tracker installed on your vehicle can help ensure that you have a chance of being able to locate your campervan if it’s stolen, and an immobiliser will be able to prevent it from being driven away in the first place. Depending on your insurance policy, you may be required to have a tracker and/or alarm system installed in order to be covered, so it’s always worth checking to make sure.

Remember, taking steps to deter thieves can save you from having to make a claim on your insurance or covering the costs yourself if someone attempts to break into your vehicle. So it’s often better to add some security measures to vehicle from your current budget than to have to pay repair costs later if the worst were to happen.

 

 

Costs to consider when planning your campervan conversion on a budget

Understanding your budget is an important step to converting your campervan. We've compiled a list of the key costs you may want to factor into your budget to give you an idea of some of the key materials you may want to invest in.

 

 

What should my starter kit include?

If you’re completely new to DIY, you might need to invest in some of the basics, such as:

• A tape measure
• Screwdriver
• Pocketknife
• Claw hammer
• Protective gloves and goggles

Take a look at the table below which features a list of some of our top product recommendations (with pricing) for your campervan conversion project:

 

Please note that these prices are a rough guide and will vary depending on the retailer and any promotional offers applied.

 

Essential building materials

Once you have your tools together, you will need to collect some building materials to start working on your conversion. Some materials you may need include:

• Cable ties
• Screws
• Wood
• Adhesive spray
• Thermawrap
• Plywood
• Insulation wool
• Hose clips

The costs of all the above will vary by retailer, but you can also use recycled or repurposed materials in some instances. Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace are great places to look for scrap materials from someone in your community. They may have just finished a renovation themselves and have some material left over that they're giving away for free, so make sure you have a look around before you buy anything!

 

 

Electrics: DIY or hire an electrician?

Installing the electrics correctly in your campervan requires a lot of pre-planning and careful execution to get right. That's why one of the most important decisions you'll need to make in your campervan conversion journey is whether to carry out the work yourself or hire an electrician.

Of course, this is where your budget will also be an important factor. If you're installing the electrics yourself, you'll only be paying for the cost of the materials you use, whereas if you hire an electrician, you'll need to pay labour costs on top of this.

There's such a wide range of variables in this case that it's difficult to give a definite cost. Still, you can expect to pay a few hundred pounds for just the materials, whereas hiring an electrician will take your budget into the thousands.

However, paying more for an electrician may still be the better option if you don't have experience with installing electrics. That way, you can ensure the job is done correctly and safely, but the choice is up to you.

The best place to start is by calculating the amount of power you'll need to power your lighting and appliances, factoring in your daily power usage, how many days you want to spend off-grid, and going from there.

It's also a good idea to have a habitation check carried out before your first trip, as this will identify any faults just in case there's anything you've not spotted.

 

 

Decorating

Now for the really fun part! Once your campervan conversion has come together, it's time to add the finishing touches, and there are plenty of campervan interior ideas online if you're looking for inspiration. This includes painting, varnishing, and any other decorative pieces you would like to include to make your new camper feel more homely.

This final part of your conversion can be completed without spending too much of your total budget, as it's entirely up to you how much you spend to have it looking its best!

Lucinda:

“Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest were great sources of inspiration for colour schemes and décor especially. My first van had a rustic theme as everything was repurposed, while my current van has a cleaner and more open aesthetic. Social media had lots of ideas for both.”

 

 

Top tips for an affordable van conversion

There are several ways that you can make your DIY campervan conversion more affordable, and there are three key lessons to learn that can help you stay within your budget.

 

Reuse, repurpose, recycle

One of the easiest ways to save money throughout your build is by using repurposed and recycled materials as much as possible. Of course, this approach isn't suitable for everything as some things are better bought new, but buying used materials can shave a large amount off your costs.

You could also join any campervan conversion or DIY groups in your local area on sites like Facebook, as other members may be able to provide advice or even offer materials they're throwing away.

You can really get creative with some of the materials you find, too. You might find some scrap fabric that you can turn into curtains, or old floorboards could be your new wood panelling! The possibilities are endless.

 

Don't be afraid to ask for help

DIY might stand for Do It Yourself, but you shouldn't take that too literally. You may have friends or family with some DIY experience who won't mind lending a hand or providing advice if you're looking for ideas. You may even find you know someone with the right tools you can borrow to save buying them brand new.
A campervan conversion can be a big project, so the more helping hands you have along the way, the less daunting the task will feel. You'll also have more people to bounce ideas off as you work on your camper; as they say, three heads are better than one!

 

Decide which amenities aren't essential for you

When you start planning your campervan conversion, you might think you want all the bells and whistles, not realising the costs this may entail. However, if you're on a budget, it's better to separate your plans into 'must haves' and 'wants' so you can plan to spend the least amount possible first.

For example, you might decide you don't need a kitchen with a small hob and fridge but instead opt for a camp stove and cool box, which will work just fine for shorter trips.

Adjustments like this will greatly impact your budget and ensure you also have enough left over to purchase all your necessities.

Lucinda:

“Campervan conversion teaches you resilience. You can sometimes feel like a failure when things don't turn out as intended. It's a very humbling experience! However, the key is to not give up or be afraid to make mistakes. Ultimately, this is a project for you; it should bring you joy.

"Finally, always seek advice. The people on forums are your best allies, as often, they've been through or are going through the same things as you. I've learnt that I should trust myself, and it is okay to make mistakes and learn from them."

 

 

Insuring a campervan conversion through Ripe

Carrying out your campervan conversion can be a big investment of your time and money, so you may want to consider campervan insurance for financial protection and peace of mind should the worst happen.

A specialist campervan and motorhome insurance policy through Ripe can protect your vehicle against theft and fire damage, plus the cost of repairing your vehicle if you're involved in an accident.

It can also cover you and your passengers for personal injury and protect you against third-party claims if you're involved in a traffic accident and damage another person's property.

The cover you choose is up to you, but Third Party Liability is the minimum cover you need to legally drive your campervan on UK roads.

It's not easy to give an average cost for campervan insurance. As with car insurance, your quote is based on your circumstances, such as:

• The age and price of your campervan
• Your personal circumstances (e.g. age, driving experience)
• Security measures (e.g. lockable garage, alarms)
• Where you live
• Additional drivers
• Annual mileage
• Your no claims bonus

The quickest way to determine how much it will cost to insure your campervan is to get a quick online quote through us today.