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.
Check out our Van details here.
For the live, running total, scroll below...
Yes, you can do a build for cheaper than this since you might have more knowhow and greater hands-on abilities. We originally estimated $10,000, but were hoping for $7,000. We soon realized that we were under-estimating... and engaging in wishful thinking!
Update April 2021: We over-bought in the plumbing department. Our tanks were too big and after living in an unconverted van for three months, we decided that we didn't want to take up space with a shower or plumbing anyway. As such, our plumbing related purchases were deleted from our list below. The amount deleted was approximately $1,000. We'll have to see if we can sell these items online!
NOTICE: THIS IS AN IN-PROGRESS BUILD WITH AN IN-PROGRESS LIST.
NOT ALL MATERIALS NECESSARY FOR A FULL BUILD ARE LISTED HERE YET AND YOUR BUILD MIGHT LOOK DIFFERENT THAN OURS.
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 5.99fl
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
Passenger Swivel Seat
Base $374.00
Windows
2 - 24 x 15 RV Windows with Trim Kit 259.95
Auto Body Installs
Two windows and the Maxxair vent fan labor $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.)
Vinyl plank (three boxes) $123.00
Caulking $5.37
Mallet $4.99
Tapping block $12.00
Total for floor $ 206.23
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
Walls and Cabinets
Lumber $700
Kitchen
Alpicool 36 liter 12 v fridge $249
4 ft Butcher block counter top $124.99
Weather Wash Stain for counter top $24.97
Backsplash Mosaic Tile (Birch Lane) 82.00
Single burner stove top $24.99
Ceiling
see lumber for wood ceiling
Pine Stain 9.96
Clear Satin Polyurethane 31.92
TORCHSTAR Ultra-Thin Recessed Ceiling Light with Junction Box 100.21
Solar
4 Renogy panels 352.00
Branch connectors 10.00
Charge controller 135.00
Converter 133.00
Circuit Breaker 19.98
Shore Power Adapter 25.00
Battery Kit 114.97
Lithium battery 1174.24
Total Solar equipment: $ 1963.99
Air Conditioner
13,500 BTU Roof Top AC 631.00
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 April 2021
The live, running total to date is $7,661.60
*Taxes are NOT included in some of the above items.
Taxes in California are 7.25%
Go to Resources
Go to The Build
Check out our Van details here.
For the live, running total, scroll below...
Yes, you can do a build for cheaper than this since you might have more knowhow and greater hands-on abilities. We originally estimated $10,000, but were hoping for $7,000. We soon realized that we were under-estimating... and engaging in wishful thinking!
Update April 2021: We over-bought in the plumbing department. Our tanks were too big and after living in an unconverted van for three months, we decided that we didn't want to take up space with a shower or plumbing anyway. As such, our plumbing related purchases were deleted from our list below. The amount deleted was approximately $1,000. We'll have to see if we can sell these items online!
NOTICE: THIS IS AN IN-PROGRESS BUILD WITH AN IN-PROGRESS LIST.
NOT ALL MATERIALS NECESSARY FOR A FULL BUILD ARE LISTED HERE YET AND YOUR BUILD MIGHT LOOK DIFFERENT THAN OURS.
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 5.99fl
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
Passenger Swivel Seat
Base $374.00
Windows
2 - 24 x 15 RV Windows with Trim Kit 259.95
Auto Body Installs
Two windows and the Maxxair vent fan labor $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.)
Vinyl plank (three boxes) $123.00
Caulking $5.37
Mallet $4.99
Tapping block $12.00
Total for floor $ 206.23
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
Walls and Cabinets
Lumber $700
Kitchen
Alpicool 36 liter 12 v fridge $249
4 ft Butcher block counter top $124.99
Weather Wash Stain for counter top $24.97
Backsplash Mosaic Tile (Birch Lane) 82.00
Single burner stove top $24.99
Ceiling
see lumber for wood ceiling
Pine Stain 9.96
Clear Satin Polyurethane 31.92
TORCHSTAR Ultra-Thin Recessed Ceiling Light with Junction Box 100.21
Solar
4 Renogy panels 352.00
Branch connectors 10.00
Charge controller 135.00
Converter 133.00
Circuit Breaker 19.98
Shore Power Adapter 25.00
Battery Kit 114.97
Lithium battery 1174.24
Total Solar equipment: $ 1963.99
Air Conditioner
13,500 BTU Roof Top AC 631.00
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 April 2021
The live, running total to date is $7,661.60
*Taxes are NOT included in some of the above items.
Taxes in California are 7.25%
Go to Resources
Go to The Build