A house on wheels, just the way you want it. No standard layout, no sky-high price. Building your own campervan gives you the freedom to arrange everything to your own taste. Whether you start with an empty van or convert a campervan: with guts, time and good information you'll get there.
Build or convert what do you choose?
Before you start sawing and screwing, you need to make a choice: will you start with an empty van or will you convert an existing campervan? Building your own gives you total freedom. You decide on the layout, materials and finish. It takes more time and work, but you get exactly what you want.
Converting an existing campervan is faster. The basis is already there and you make it better, smarter or more your style. Ideal if you want to get on the road faster or are less handy.
What you choose depends on how handy you are, how much time you have and what your budget is. But in all cases, you build something unique.
What it costs to build your own campervan
The big question: what is the approximate cost of building your own campervan? The short answer: it all depends. But on average you can think of around €5,000 to €20,000, depending on your wishes and whether you do everything yourself.
The biggest expense is the van itself. For a good used van, you can easily spend between €3,000 and €10,000. Then come the materials: insulation, electricity, furniture, water installation... Add to that tools and any extras, such as a solar panel or parking heater, and you're heading toward €10,000 or more.
Want to save money? Shop second-hand, use leftover materials and do as much as possible yourself. But don't skimp on safety or quality. You don't want to miss those when you're camping in the mountains or when you decide to go wild in Europe.
Choose which bus to convert into a campervan
Not every bus is a good campervan in the making. So think carefully about what you're looking for. Popular models are the Fiat Ducato, Renault Trafic and Volkswagen Transporter. All with enough space, easily available and pleasant to work with.
When choosing, pay attention to length and height. Length is often referred to as L2 or L3. The higher the number, the longer the van. The height is called H1, H2 or H3. You usually can't stand in an H1, you can just about stand in an H2, and an H3 feels like a tiny house on wheels. Great if you're looking for a little more living comfort.
Also, always check the condition of the engine, rust spots and maintenance history. A bargain can turn out to be expensive later. And choose a model whose parts are easy to find. Saves a lot of hassle if you need to replace something along the way.
What materials do you need to get started?
Once your van is at the door, the real work begins. The right materials make the difference between a wobbly construction van and a comfortable campervan that will last for years.
You start with the construction. For insulation, you often use Armaflex or XPS sheets, because they insulate well and are moisture-resistant. Then you work with wood slats and plywood to build walls and furniture. Choose lightweight wood such as poplar or birch plywood. That saves weight and therefore fuel.
For the floor, first use an insulating layer, such as PIR boards or a foam mat, with plywood over it and a hard-wearing floor covering, such as vinyl or PVC.
In electrics, you're quickly moving toward a household battery (AGM or lithium), a fuse box, wiring, switches, LED lights, an inverter and possibly a solar panel. Think about how much power you need and how many days you want to be off-grid.
For water, a clean and dirty water tank are needed, with hoses, a submersible pump, faucet and possibly a water heater. A fixed gas system is not required, but useful if you want to cook on gas or use a gas stove.
Finally, ventilation. Windows with a folding mechanism, a roof hatch with fan or even a maxxfan provide fresh air and comfort, especially in summer. You really don't have to do everything perfectly at once. Build modularly, test what works along the way, and adjust accordingly. That way your campervan grows with your adventure. And don't forget to check this camping packing list before your first drive.
What are the legal requirements if you build your own campervan?
Do you want your campervan to be officially recognized as a campervan? Then you have to meet the requirements of the RDW. This is not only necessary for the inspection, but also if you want to make use of tax advantages, such as the low motor vehicle tax rate.
Furnishing requirements:
- Seats and a table (the table may be removable)
- Fixed berth (can be a conversion of the seat)
- Cooking facility
- Storage space
- All facilities should be securely attached and accessible from the living area
Technical requirements:
- The construction must be safe (no cutting load-bearing parts without reinforcement)
- Approved attachment of extra seats
- Everything must be technically in order: lights, tires, mirrors, brakes
- Often a minimum headroom is required
After the conversion, your campervan has to be approved by the RDW. Only after approval will your bus be registered as a campervan. Want to know more? View all official info on the RDW website
Ready to build? Then it's time to turn those dreams into action. Good luck with your DIY campervan adventure!
