Thinking About DIY Van Conversion?
Consider This Comprehensive Checklist First
So, you’re dreaming of hitting the road in your own customized camper van, envisioning endless adventures and the ultimate freedom of van life. We get it – the allure of building your own van is undeniable. But before you dive headfirst into the world of DIY van conversions, let’s take a moment to consider what you’re signing up for.
Building out your own van is not for the faint of heart. It’s a labor-intensive process that requires a hefty dose of time, effort, and expertise. From sourcing the perfect van to designing and executing the build, every step along the way comes with its own set of challenges and decisions to be made.
To give you a glimpse into the magnitude of what you’re getting yourself into, we’ve put together a comprehensive checklist of all the tasks and considerations involved in DIY van conversion:
Choosing the Right Van: Researching and selecting the ideal van for your needs can be overwhelming. Factors to consider include size, make, model, age, mileage, and budget.
Designing the Layout: Planning the layout of your van is like solving a complex puzzle. You’ll need to consider your living space, storage solutions, sleeping arrangements, kitchen setup, and bathroom facilities.
Sourcing Materials and Components: Finding quality materials and components for your build can be time-consuming and expensive with no guarantee that it’ll be an enduring quality or that it’s been road-tested. And not just for appliances, but these same challenges can apply to every element of your build from the insulation and flooring to your cabinetry and furnishings, and the list goes on.
Building Skills and Tools: Unless you’re already a skilled carpenter, electrician, plumber, and mechanic, you’ll likely need to acquire new skills or enlist the help of professionals along the way. Plus, you’ll need a wide array of specialized tools to get the job done.
Navigating Regulations and Codes: Depending on where you live and plan to travel, there may be legal requirements and safety regulations that govern van conversions. Ensuring compliance can be a daunting task.
Time and Patience: Perhaps the most significant investment of all is your time and patience. DIY van conversion projects can take months or even years to complete, testing your perseverance every step of the way.
Now, before you start feeling overwhelmed, let us offer you an alternative – enlisting the help of an expert. At Adventure Life Vans, we specialize in professional van conversions that take the stress and guesswork out of the equation. (If you’re ready to chat, schedule a consult here! We will apply up to $250 of consulting fees paid towards labor costs of any installation over $2,000 if scheduled within 30 days. Learn more here.)
Our experienced team of builders and designers will work closely with you to bring your van life dreams to life, from concept to completion. We handle everything from sourcing the perfect van to designing and executing the build, giving you the peace of mind that comes from our guaranteed work and leaving you free to focus on the excitement of hitting the road.
Still not convinced and you want to try the DIY approach? Well, no worries.
We’ve also created a handy checklist for Van Life 101 to help you get started. After doing your research, if you decide against embarking on the arduous journey of DIY van conversion, consider the value of entrusting your vision to the experts. With our help, you can skip the headaches and hassles and dive straight into the adventure of a lifetime. Ready to make your van life dreams a reality? Contact us today to learn more! 🚐✨