Our new Conversion book provides a start to finish guide on building your very own campervan

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Thinking about converting a van into a campervan? You’re not alone. Thousands of people are embracing the van life dream, but knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re planning to go off-grid, travel full-time, or create a weekend adventure vehicle, the foundation of your project is crucial. Our conversion book and this guide will help you every step of the way.

Table of Contents

1. Why Convert a Van Into a Campervan?
2. Where to Start: Laying the Groundwork
3. Setting Your Van Conversion Design Objectives
4. The Three Essential Planning Lists
5. Turning Your Lists Into Actionable Goals
6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
7. Downloadable Resources & Support

Why Convert a Van Into a Campervan?

Converting your own campervan gives you full creative control, a potentially lower cost than buying pre-built, and the joy of crafting a home-on-wheels that perfectly suits your lifestyle. Whether you’re a solo digital nomad, couple, or family, van life can provide freedom, flexibility, and unforgettable memories.

Benefits of a Self-Built Campervan:

• Custom design tailored to your needs
• Save money vs. buying a ready-made campervan
• Learn new skills in electrics, carpentry, and design
• Create something uniquely yours

Where to Start with a Van Conversion

Many people ask, “Where do I start when converting a van?” Here’s your starting checklist:

1. Choose Your Base Vehicle

• Consider size: SWB, MWB, LWB
• Fuel efficiency and mileage
• Reliability and service history
• Legal payload vs. your intended fit-out

2. Budgeting and Planning

• Determine your budget for the full build
• Decide what you can DIY vs. outsource
• Create a timeline based on your availability

3. Get the Right Tools & Workspace

• Safe place to park and work on your van
• Essential tools: jigsaw, drill, measuring tape, clamps, safety gear

Setting Design Objectives

This step is vital. As Feta Brown from Vansformation wisely suggests, setting clear objectives will:

• Keep your project focused
• Help avoid expensive mistakes
• Make decision-making easier throughout the build

Ask yourself:

• What do I need this van to do for me?
• What kind of travel will I be doing?
• Am I prioritising comfort, storage, off-grid capability, or aesthetics?

The Three Planning Lists Every Van Converter Needs

The first part of setting your design objectives is to write three lists. This requires no special equipment, but does require some time without distractions for intentional focus.

It may be helpful to look back over your inspiration boards before starting. But, it isn’t essential, and sometimes surprisingly unhelpful right at the start of list making. If you are like me and particularly sensitive to the gravitational pull of staring at gorgeous vans, it is actually better to just crack on with the process. A slot of uninterrupted time is a fragile and precious thing. There’s work to be done here!

Examples are provided here to illustrate the process in my own van, undoubtedly yours will differ as you create your own unique camper.

1. The ‘Must Have’ list

As the title implies, this is a list of the essentials in your campervan-to-be. The ‘Must Have’ list contains all the elements your van needs for the work, expense and sacrifices of building a campervan to be worth it.

An excellent way to arrive at your ‘Must Have’ list is to consider what a typical day looks like when you are using the van. Envisage in detail exactly what you would do from waking up all the way through to falling back asleep. Consider:

• What would I use every time I go on a trip in the van?
• What have I used previously on similar experiences (e.g. camping, campervan hire, experiences in unfamiliar locations)
• What is needed for activities which are directly linked to why I’m converting a van? (e.g. outdoor activities, long distance travel, work activities)
• What is required for my daily personal maintenance?
(e.g. sleeping comfortably, eating, personal hygiene)

Examples:

• Cooking facilities
• Comfortable bed
• Way of keeping food cold
• Good storage space
• First aid kit easy to hand
• Light space we can see out of even if it is raining
• Toilet
• Woodburner, if at all possible
• Solar powered system
• Space to write/draw/use a laptop

2. The ‘Want to Have’ List

A foggy zone exists around the ‘Must Have’ list. Here live those features of your future campervan which would make your campervan more fun, beautiful or unique but aren’t quite really critical enough to make the ‘Must Have’ cut.

Fear not! Those features have a home in the ‘Want to Have’ list. The beauty of a hand-crafted campervan is the ability to add cool features you love – at least some of them.

It’s easy to forget a campervan is one compact room. The ‘Want to Have’ list is the place to write down campervan features important enough to live in that room with you. These are the features you genuinely hope to build into the van, but could compromise on if needed.

Let’s do this. Questions to ask when making the ‘Want to Have’ list:

• What would make the van more fun, comfortable or cool in some way?
• What would you use regularly if it were there but could travel without, in a pinch?
• What could you add gradually as the van build progresses if time, money or materials run out?

EXAMPLES

• Flip up ‘biscuit table’ with just enough room for a cuppa and a biscuit
• Dedicated art supply storage
• Powered running water
• Method of showering in the van
• USB charging points
• Custom storage on doors

3. The ‘Fringe’ List (Dream Features)

Some UK Festivals have a ‘Fringe’ festival which has become almost more popular than the primary festivals which spawned them. Fringe festivals feature performances that are too wacky, underfunded, edgy or otherwise outside of the main festival focus.

Having a ‘Fringe’ list for your van design features is the place to dream. Here is the place to write down what your van converting heart desires, unbound by the practicalities of money, time or your skillset.

Since those two more practical lists are done, now it’s perfectly acceptable to have a little cheeky gander of all those van inspo collections. You’ve earned it. Then scribble down what you would love to have, if you could.

Please don’t skip this step. It can seem a waste of time to allow yourself to wish a bit. However, the ‘Fringe’ list informs the ultimate design objectives by giving us a sense of what we really love. The ‘what if…’ musing on the Fringe also may inspire an idea to make some aspect of a fringe item come to life.

Examples:

• Copper sink or fridge panels
• Hammock bed for kids
• Projector screen
• Mini woodburner

Your fringe list might include a patinated copper fridge front!

One of my ‘Fringe’ list items was a bathtub. Despite what you may have seen in articulated-lorry sized American motorhomes, a full bath is a completely impractical thing to put in a campervan. It takes up a huge amount of space, is perilously heavy when filled and – being too huge to fill with onboard tank water supply – would require obnoxious amounts of water from a hook up.

But, in thinking about my imaginary bath I came up with a portable, lightweight design which provides a good clean using items that stow away when out of use. This was the direct result of dreaming of a rolling spa.

Whoop! That’s most of the work done. These lists usually shift a little during the course of a van build: new possibilities, priorities and limitations tend to emerge. What doesn’t change is the Design Objectives we’ll do in the next section – those function as a compass through the entire build.

Turning Lists Into Design Objectives

Review your lists and note common themes. Use them to draft 2-3 design objectives. These will act as your North Star throughout the build.

Sample Design Objectives:

• Include safe heating system for year-round travel.
• Maximise natural light and spacious feel.
• Prioritise cooking and food storage.

Don’t worry if you’ve gotten this far and you don’t have time to do this section, it can be beneficial to have some time to reflect and revisit. Set a time in your diary to come back to it! (Bonus points if you set an alarm on your trusty mobile device as well.)

But, if you do have time there is momentum in setting at least the draft objectives right away. I think it is powerful to review them IN the van. Aside from being an excuse to hang out in your beloved van, being surrounded by the vehicle itself is a powerful way to envisage it’s future transformation and remind you of what you like about it as a base vehicle.

Look back over your lists and take notes on the following:

• What you want the build to accomplish.
• What themes unify the lists of what is most important to you?
• What do you know you want to have in your campervan conversion?
• What drew you to the base vehicle? Is there something about it you want to preserve?

Those notes are the basis of your objectives. Looking back over them bring them together into 2 to 3 unifying goals for the campervan conversion. It may be useful to draft them and then have another look later to confirm they capture what is most important to you.

They need to be open enough to act as guiding themes but specific enough to help rule out anything that contradicts with the design objectives.

Once the objectives are reviewed and feel right, I find it’s best not to change them. Trust yourself, you’ve worked hard to do a proper analysis and put these together!

The objectives for my current campervan build were:

1. Feeling of spaciousness, despite being only a mid-wheelbase sized van
2. Very good kitchen facilities
3. Woodburner, installed to a safe standard (A relatively specific one, but the van design essentially revolved around it, so it was used as an objective)

During the course of my build these objectives have helped several times when making tough decisions about how to allocate space, what to put in and what to leave out. There are still many things I want to add and tweak with the van but overall I feel invested and satisfied with how it came out because of the careful consideration of what was really important.

Your work in making a thoughtful van conversion makes the world a little cooler for everyone. I appreciate all you are doing.

Head over to the Vansformation blog for articles on the entire process of creating a conceptual plan from a van conversion dream.

Van Conversion FAQs

How much does it cost to convert a van?

It varies. DIY conversions can range from £3,000 to £15,000 depending on materials, tools, and complexity. Professional builds can cost upwards of £25,000.

What van is best for conversion?

Popular models include the Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer, Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit and VW Crafter. Consider size, reliability, and parts availability.

Do I need to register my van as a campervan?

Yes, for insurance and DVLA classification. To register, you must meet specific criteria including fixed cooking, sleeping, and seating facilities.

Can I live in my van full time?

Absolutely! Many people are full-time vanlifers. You’ll need to consider heating, insulation, internet access, and legal parking.

Is it hard to wire a campervan electrical system?

Not necessarily, but it requires learning. Our guide explains electrics in a beginner-friendly way, or you can hire a certified professional.

Tools & Resources to Help You Start

When you purchase our Campervan Conversion eBook, you’ll gain access to:

• Over 20 chapters of step-by-step advice
• Printable planning sheets and checklists
• Access to our exclusive Van Conversion Facebook Group
• Video tutorials and wiring diagrams

You’ll also get direct insights from converters, examples from real builds, and troubleshooting tips for common conversion problems.

Building your own campervan is one of the most rewarding DIY projects you can undertake. With clear design objectives, realistic planning, and a bit of dream-fuelled inspiration, you can create a mobile home that brings your van life goals to life.

Need help getting started? 👉 Download our Van Conversion Guide today and take the first step towards life on the road.

Related Articles

• Best Vans to Convert in the UK
• Campervan Cooking Setups for Every Van Size
• How to Insulate a Campervan for All Seasons

Still have questions? Why not check out the Quirky Campers Conversion Bible Today – all you need for the perfect conversion in one place!