How Much Does It Cost to Convert a Van?
Total costs related to complete DIY van build.
Van build deliveries are piling up! Time to get to work!
Since we have discovered that Planning is Different Than Doing, it's possible that this is going to take a while.
We also have work, homeschool, covid delays, Northern California 2020 wildfires, stress (!!), and financial issues impacting the speed of our build. Please be patient as you watch our build. And, please lift prayers for the healing of our nation!
Check out our Van details here.
For the live, running total, scroll below...
Yes, you can do a build for cheaper than this. This is what we are spending to accomplish our goals. We originally estimated $10,000 as a realistic number (but were hoping for $7,000 - don't think we're going to make it). Update: We are starting to think it might not happen at 10 either. We've blown through half our budget but don't have half of our materials.
NOTICE: THIS IS AN IN-PROGRESS BUILD WITH AN IN-PROGRESS LIST.
NOT ALL MATERIALS NECESSARY FOR A FULL BUILD ARE LISTED HERE YET.
General Tools and Supplies
*we started with nothing; the average person may already have many of these tools - or have access to borrow them
Dust masks 16.98
3M Safety Glasses 15.98
3M Scotchgard Anti-Fog Safety Glasses 24.98
Mad Grip Thunderdome Safety Gloves 14.48
Jig saw 59.00
Lithium Battery Kit with Charger (for the cordless tools) 99.00
V20 Cordless Hammer Drill 129.00
V20 Shop vac 89.00
6 ft ladder 69.98
Center punch (3 pack) 9.78
1/8 in drill bit 3.18
3-in-1 fluid 3.98
48 in level 9.98
Fluid Film Rust Protection 9.99
3 pack Scotch Blue painter's tape 19.98
50 pack of microfiber towels 24.99
Magnetic tray 5.99
Sharpie two pack 2.38
SmartSaker 19.99
Total for miscellaneous items $628.64
for links to tools and supplies go to our Cutting a Hole in the Van page
Detailing
(Our splurge; optional)
Total for detailing our van $350
Insulation - Walls
Havelock Wool Insulation (3 bags) 391.81
- for walls and doors
Spray foam insulation 7.97
Vent Fan
See our vent choice here
Vent fan- $269.23
Window seal 6.38/ea x 2 = 12.76
3M Marine Grade Silicone Sealant 13.06/ ea x 2 = 26.12
Total for supplies for vent fan install $308.11
for links to tools and supplies go to our Cutting a Hole in the Van page
Windows
2 - 24 x 15 RV Windows with Trim Kit 259.95
Auto Body Installs
Two windows and the Maxxair vent fan $600
Floor
Polyiso insulation (two sheets) 40.89
Reflectix tape (to seal floor insulation)
- two rolls 19.98
(Technically, we ran out of the first roll of Reflectix and Lowe's was out of stock, so our second roll was 3M insulation tape and cost a couple of dollars more.)
Access Doors
Chrome Universal Access Door 34.89
White Universal Access Door 23.63
Silicone Sealant - already purchased, see above
Required tools - already purchased, see above
Under the Bed
Small vents for under bed and battery storage 8.99/ ea x 2 = 17.98
Plumbing
46 and 50 Gallon Tanks (combo pack) 255.00
33 Gallon Black Water Tank 140.00
2 Grommets 14.19/ea
Tank and Battery Monitor System 139.95
Bathroom
Aqua Magic High Profile Toilet $249.95
Toilet Assembly Kit 19.99
Waterproof Toilet Paper Holder 17.99
Shower Squeegee with Hook 4.25
Bamboo bath mat 27.49
Kitchen
Backsplash Mosaic Tile (Birch Lane) 82.00
see or buy it here
LED Lighting
TORCHSTAR Ultra-Thin Recessed Ceiling Light with Junction Box 100.21
Fold Out Bed / Chair
Article Simplis in Gale Gray 498.00
see or buy it here
Miscellaneous / Décor
*Most of these items are optional / aesthetic, but they sure make for more comfort & enjoyment!
Honeywell portable heater 24.99
Twinkle Star String Lights 14.44
Canopy for Fold Out Bed 17.99
Mini String Lights 2 @ 7.99
Mini Clothes Pins (for photograph display) 4.99
Mongolian Oatmeal Pillow 40.09
see or buy it here (we got ours at Nordstrom Rack and they were sold out right after, so our link is to Target)
Road Pal (head rest for Katelyn) 43.98
see or buy it here
As of September 2020
The live, running total to date is $4,488.66
* Some items listed above had taxes included in the prices. Taxes are NOT included in some of the above items.
Taxes in California are 7.25%
Go to Resources
Go to The Build
We also have work, homeschool, covid delays, Northern California 2020 wildfires, stress (!!), and financial issues impacting the speed of our build. Please be patient as you watch our build. And, please lift prayers for the healing of our nation!
Check out our Van details here.
For the live, running total, scroll below...
Yes, you can do a build for cheaper than this. This is what we are spending to accomplish our goals. We originally estimated $10,000 as a realistic number (but were hoping for $7,000 - don't think we're going to make it). Update: We are starting to think it might not happen at 10 either. We've blown through half our budget but don't have half of our materials.
NOTICE: THIS IS AN IN-PROGRESS BUILD WITH AN IN-PROGRESS LIST.
NOT ALL MATERIALS NECESSARY FOR A FULL BUILD ARE LISTED HERE YET.
General Tools and Supplies
*we started with nothing; the average person may already have many of these tools - or have access to borrow them
Dust masks 16.98
3M Safety Glasses 15.98
3M Scotchgard Anti-Fog Safety Glasses 24.98
Mad Grip Thunderdome Safety Gloves 14.48
Jig saw 59.00
Lithium Battery Kit with Charger (for the cordless tools) 99.00
V20 Cordless Hammer Drill 129.00
V20 Shop vac 89.00
6 ft ladder 69.98
Center punch (3 pack) 9.78
1/8 in drill bit 3.18
3-in-1 fluid 3.98
48 in level 9.98
Fluid Film Rust Protection 9.99
3 pack Scotch Blue painter's tape 19.98
50 pack of microfiber towels 24.99
Magnetic tray 5.99
Sharpie two pack 2.38
SmartSaker 19.99
Total for miscellaneous items $628.64
for links to tools and supplies go to our Cutting a Hole in the Van page
Detailing
(Our splurge; optional)
Total for detailing our van $350
Insulation - Walls
Havelock Wool Insulation (3 bags) 391.81
- for walls and doors
Spray foam insulation 7.97
Vent Fan
See our vent choice here
Vent fan- $269.23
Window seal 6.38/ea x 2 = 12.76
3M Marine Grade Silicone Sealant 13.06/ ea x 2 = 26.12
Total for supplies for vent fan install $308.11
for links to tools and supplies go to our Cutting a Hole in the Van page
Windows
2 - 24 x 15 RV Windows with Trim Kit 259.95
Auto Body Installs
Two windows and the Maxxair vent fan $600
Floor
Polyiso insulation (two sheets) 40.89
Reflectix tape (to seal floor insulation)
- two rolls 19.98
(Technically, we ran out of the first roll of Reflectix and Lowe's was out of stock, so our second roll was 3M insulation tape and cost a couple of dollars more.)
Access Doors
Chrome Universal Access Door 34.89
White Universal Access Door 23.63
Silicone Sealant - already purchased, see above
Required tools - already purchased, see above
Under the Bed
Small vents for under bed and battery storage 8.99/ ea x 2 = 17.98
Plumbing
46 and 50 Gallon Tanks (combo pack) 255.00
33 Gallon Black Water Tank 140.00
2 Grommets 14.19/ea
Tank and Battery Monitor System 139.95
Bathroom
Aqua Magic High Profile Toilet $249.95
Toilet Assembly Kit 19.99
Waterproof Toilet Paper Holder 17.99
Shower Squeegee with Hook 4.25
Bamboo bath mat 27.49
Kitchen
Backsplash Mosaic Tile (Birch Lane) 82.00
see or buy it here
LED Lighting
TORCHSTAR Ultra-Thin Recessed Ceiling Light with Junction Box 100.21
Fold Out Bed / Chair
Article Simplis in Gale Gray 498.00
see or buy it here
Miscellaneous / Décor
*Most of these items are optional / aesthetic, but they sure make for more comfort & enjoyment!
Honeywell portable heater 24.99
Twinkle Star String Lights 14.44
Canopy for Fold Out Bed 17.99
Mini String Lights 2 @ 7.99
Mini Clothes Pins (for photograph display) 4.99
Mongolian Oatmeal Pillow 40.09
see or buy it here (we got ours at Nordstrom Rack and they were sold out right after, so our link is to Target)
Road Pal (head rest for Katelyn) 43.98
see or buy it here
As of September 2020
The live, running total to date is $4,488.66
* Some items listed above had taxes included in the prices. Taxes are NOT included in some of the above items.
Taxes in California are 7.25%
Go to Resources
Go to The Build