Building a van for you... on your budget
If you are thinking of a campervan to take you round UK/Europe but are put off by crazy prices or can't quite find what you are looking for or maybe you just want something practical and comfortable that is not going to break the bank...
You are in the right place.
You are in the right place.
How it works
1. Contact me by email stating your basic ideas e.g., size of van, number of people and what you plan to do with the van. jenningscampervans@gmail.com
2. Consultation (by phone, zoom, Whatsapp or in person) discussing budget, layout, specifications and suggestions on type of van needed.
3. You find and purchase a van that suits your needs. See finding a van section below
4. We enter into a contract to build your van. The agreement will cover detailed costings of materials, labour and estimated build time.
5. 25% material costs paid up front. Building starts and we update you weekly on progress, then agreed monthly payments as the build proceeds.
Rough Price Guide for parts and labour
Van for one: £6,000
Van for two: £10,000
Van for four: £20,000
1. Contact me by email stating your basic ideas e.g., size of van, number of people and what you plan to do with the van. jenningscampervans@gmail.com
2. Consultation (by phone, zoom, Whatsapp or in person) discussing budget, layout, specifications and suggestions on type of van needed.
3. You find and purchase a van that suits your needs. See finding a van section below
4. We enter into a contract to build your van. The agreement will cover detailed costings of materials, labour and estimated build time.
5. 25% material costs paid up front. Building starts and we update you weekly on progress, then agreed monthly payments as the build proceeds.
Rough Price Guide for parts and labour
Van for one: £6,000
Van for two: £10,000
Van for four: £20,000
Finding a van
How many people are likely to travel and sleep in the van?
How much living space do you need?
Are you likely to use the van for regular transport or just holidays and weekend trips?
My advice is... keep it small
You are more likely to regularly use something that is easier to drive and park and more economical on fuel.
Plus, some of the best places (e.g. small coves in Cornwall) are only accessible down little country lanes, with the hedgerows brushing both mirrors, not to mention meeting someone coming the other way.
You can always add on an awning and utility/toilet tent for extra space at the campsite.
The other side of the coin is choosing fully contained
With everything built into the campervan, you will not have to set up extra tents and you will have a home from home, but that is going to mean bigger.
Single traveler
The VW Caddy (or similar size van) with a bench seat folding out to a bed on one side, a spin-round driver's or passenger seat to extend the bed and a small kitchen on the other side gives you a great compact, stylish, go-anywhere, cheap travel. In a van which is not much bigger than a car.
Couples
The Vauxhall Vivaro or similar van, with a short wheel base and low roof offers ample living space for two.
It's long enough for a bench seat folding out to double bed behind the driver's seat. A kitchen on the other side between the sliding door and the rear doors leaves room for a removable table just inside the sliding door. Also a spin-round passenger seat gives a good amount of interior space.
These vans are under two meters high and five meters long, making them easy to drive. Older ones are good value. Parts are reasonably priced and readily available. Another option is a Ford Transit, which is of similar price and size.
Family of Thee or Four
I would recommend the above van again but this time with a high roof, for an up-top single or double bed. For three, the van's double passenger seat is retained for all three to sit up front whilst travelling. For four a rock and roll type seat/bed would be needed with a different kitchen layout.
Alternatively, for a family of four the Peugeot Boxer van or similar with long wheel base and high top (not the super long or super high models) gives a good amount of interior space that is wide enough to sleep widthways and has enough standing room for a shower (see previous builds). Other layouts e.g. with bunk beds are possible. Just bear in mind with this size van you are losing some of that go-anywhere freedom and costs are substantially increased.
Once you have decided on the type of van...
Buying privately is always cheaper than a dealer but comes with no guarantees, so choose wisely.
Buying from an auction probably involves similar prices to buying privately but with more choice on the day. You are not able to road test but should be able to have a pre-auction look around and any known faults should be listed.
If buying from a van dealer you should have a good choice, a chance to road test and maybe a short term guarantee, but expect to pay quite a bit more.
Beware that most, not all, vans will come with the VAT on top of the advertised price.
Don't accept anything with body damage. Even a small dent will be expensive to put right.
Don't worry too much about age. Low mileage (under 100,000 miles) and condition are most important.
Metallic paint will keep its good looks for longer.
Other considerations..
The ultra-low emission zones might be a consideration for you if you intend to travel into central London or some other low emission cities. A Euro6 engine might be required for non-charged entry, which would be found on newer vehicles.
Avoid petrol engines or automatic transmissions particularly for a heavy van, as miles per gallon will be significantly reduced compared to a diesel with a manual transmission.
I would advise steering clear of VW transporters as they are more expensive to buy, have less useable interior space and are very costly when they go wrong.
You may consider other vans but check the internal dimensions and economy figures.
Please note
Since 2019 DVLA have changed its requirements for a van to be reclassified as a motor caravan.
You want your van to be your pride and joy when finished. So, it's worth spending more on the initial purchase price rather than trying to put things right later.
How much living space do you need?
Are you likely to use the van for regular transport or just holidays and weekend trips?
My advice is... keep it small
You are more likely to regularly use something that is easier to drive and park and more economical on fuel.
Plus, some of the best places (e.g. small coves in Cornwall) are only accessible down little country lanes, with the hedgerows brushing both mirrors, not to mention meeting someone coming the other way.
You can always add on an awning and utility/toilet tent for extra space at the campsite.
The other side of the coin is choosing fully contained
With everything built into the campervan, you will not have to set up extra tents and you will have a home from home, but that is going to mean bigger.
Single traveler
The VW Caddy (or similar size van) with a bench seat folding out to a bed on one side, a spin-round driver's or passenger seat to extend the bed and a small kitchen on the other side gives you a great compact, stylish, go-anywhere, cheap travel. In a van which is not much bigger than a car.
Couples
The Vauxhall Vivaro or similar van, with a short wheel base and low roof offers ample living space for two.
It's long enough for a bench seat folding out to double bed behind the driver's seat. A kitchen on the other side between the sliding door and the rear doors leaves room for a removable table just inside the sliding door. Also a spin-round passenger seat gives a good amount of interior space.
These vans are under two meters high and five meters long, making them easy to drive. Older ones are good value. Parts are reasonably priced and readily available. Another option is a Ford Transit, which is of similar price and size.
Family of Thee or Four
I would recommend the above van again but this time with a high roof, for an up-top single or double bed. For three, the van's double passenger seat is retained for all three to sit up front whilst travelling. For four a rock and roll type seat/bed would be needed with a different kitchen layout.
Alternatively, for a family of four the Peugeot Boxer van or similar with long wheel base and high top (not the super long or super high models) gives a good amount of interior space that is wide enough to sleep widthways and has enough standing room for a shower (see previous builds). Other layouts e.g. with bunk beds are possible. Just bear in mind with this size van you are losing some of that go-anywhere freedom and costs are substantially increased.
Once you have decided on the type of van...
Buying privately is always cheaper than a dealer but comes with no guarantees, so choose wisely.
Buying from an auction probably involves similar prices to buying privately but with more choice on the day. You are not able to road test but should be able to have a pre-auction look around and any known faults should be listed.
If buying from a van dealer you should have a good choice, a chance to road test and maybe a short term guarantee, but expect to pay quite a bit more.
Beware that most, not all, vans will come with the VAT on top of the advertised price.
Don't accept anything with body damage. Even a small dent will be expensive to put right.
Don't worry too much about age. Low mileage (under 100,000 miles) and condition are most important.
Metallic paint will keep its good looks for longer.
Other considerations..
The ultra-low emission zones might be a consideration for you if you intend to travel into central London or some other low emission cities. A Euro6 engine might be required for non-charged entry, which would be found on newer vehicles.
Avoid petrol engines or automatic transmissions particularly for a heavy van, as miles per gallon will be significantly reduced compared to a diesel with a manual transmission.
I would advise steering clear of VW transporters as they are more expensive to buy, have less useable interior space and are very costly when they go wrong.
You may consider other vans but check the internal dimensions and economy figures.
Please note
Since 2019 DVLA have changed its requirements for a van to be reclassified as a motor caravan.
You want your van to be your pride and joy when finished. So, it's worth spending more on the initial purchase price rather than trying to put things right later.
.....