Hello my name is Eric!
In this video about van conversion,
I will talk about van conversion cost and van conversion steps!
Here are the 4 questions I will cover:
How much does it cost to do a van conversion project?
How can I reduce my van conversion cost?
How can I invest gradually in my van conversion?
And finally: What would be the best steps?
I will use my van conversion as an example,
but this video is not specific to my van.
My idea is to help you figure out your project
and how it may cost...
All the principles explained are good for minivan conversion
as well as a full-size Van conversion.
First thing to mention is that you can split your project into several sub-projects.
That way you don’t have to spend all your budget at one time!
Second thing to share is what my grand-father used to say:
calculating is as good as working.
What he meant is that it’s better to think twice before beginning.
You will save time and money!
This may be the most important advice to save cost.
If you build, change your mind, unbuild, rebuild, it may cost you a lot!
This is what they explained to us in the guided tour at
Hearst’s castle in California.
Lots of money could have been saved if the castle would have
been built straight to its end result.
In fact, you can built a few castles if you
do not change your mind and redoing things...
The third thing that I would like to share here is to be money wise.
The idea with a converted van is to travel and enjoy earth!
If you spend too much money on the van, and cut on travels to pay it,
you have missed the point!
You can choose expensive or inexpensive materials.
This is another way to save money and get almost the same result!
So, You can split your project into several sub-projects!
When I built my van, I decided to build it all in one shot.
But, for different reasons time, money, or whatever...
you can split your project in a few sub-projects.
If I had to go through a few steps to build the whole thing,
here’s how I would do it
Step #1: For windows: 318 $us.
After step #1 you can already use your van and go on van life trips!
My van was already enough insulated, and I didn’t modify any walls of the Van.
But if you use a full-size industrial Van, I would do the insulation
between step #1 and step #2.
Step#2: flooring, cabinets, water and bed,
1456 $us
With step #2 you now have a converted van!
It is really easy and enjoyable to travel!
Step #3: a movable table for 124 $us
With step #3 your van is now very comfortable!
Having a table to eat, plan you trip, play, is quite enjoyable!
Step #4: fridge and solar power:
2068 $us
You now have complete autonomy!
Step #5: electric devices:
238 $us
You now live with ease!
Step #6: add some decorations and useful stuff for 60 $us
This place feels like home!
Step #7: a solar shower for 92 $us
100% autonomy!
You can clean up when you want!
Step #8: make extra space with a roof box for
734 $us
Now you can bring everything!
All that being said, if you have the money,
I recommend you do the whole conversion at once.
When you are motivated and focused into something,
it is more likely that you will achieve your end goal.
Here’s a summary of the total cost for the various van conversion systems.
This 5089 $us is for materials only.
Now, let’s do a comparison:
Here’s the expensive optional features.
They are more than half of the whole conversion!
3094 $us out of 5089 $us
this is more than 60%.
...and here’s the must do features.
As you can see the cost of the must do features
are less than half of the whole conversion cost, 38%.
So you can smooth your expenses in time!
I really enjoy and use every aspects of my van conversion.
If I would have to do it again, I would do it with all the same features,
not just the must do features that I just mentioned.
The fridge, the electric running water and the table are my favorite features!
When you look at the total conversion cost,
it is not really high if you compare to
the cost of buying a small camper trailer.
Also, you may compare the conversion cost
to hotel nights or all-inclusive vacations.
I think that my van conversion is really not expensive.
It is the equivalent of 51 hotel nights or 6 weeks all-inclusive vacations.
With my design-concept, you can remove everything
from one van
and put it into another van of the same model.
When the van is too old, you must replace it.
But, you do not lose your investment!
With my van conversion, the payback was pretty fast.
In my case, I travel enough, that in less than a year,
the cost of the van conversion was paid off!
Of course, it's not the same luxury as in a hotel,
in an all-inclusive vacation,
but if you enjoy the outdoors,
traveling in such a converted van is less expansive
and you are always outside.
The smaller the van is, the more outside you will be!
...and in pretty remote area if you like!
5089 $us is pretty cheap for a van conversion that includes:
a real fridge, running water, a fan, 2 USB charger,
a lightening system of 300 led with a dimmer,
an inverter, a solar shower,
a solar system that provides 100% autonomy,
a roof rack, a roof box, a sofa bed,
flooring, cabinets, a table and a few other things.
If you did not subscribe to my channel, I invite you to do so.
You will find videos in which I show the technics
that I used to realize my van conversion.
Plus, much more videos are coming about this topic,
also about van life and, of course, adventures.
Be my guest and live me a comment!
I always enjoy reading your comments
and really like knowing where you are from!
Also, you may let me know your video suggestions.
For me, it is quite stimulating to know that I may help
and can share my van life passion
with people from every corner of the world!
YouTube is so awesome to allow that!
Don’t forget to like if you appreciated the video!
See ya!