DIY campervan conversions: ultimate complete guide

Who’s up for a DIY campervan conversion? We think this is one of the best projects anyone can get stuck into… and it can make you plenty of money too!

Maybe you’ve had many happy campervan holidays that have inspired you to finally build your own van. Or perhaps you want to make extra income – up to £10,000 per year – by building the perfect van for future hires. Whatever your reasons for buying and converting a van into your own home on wheels, your new-build campervan will be at the heart of many future outdoor adventures.

Live on the road or help others to enjoy their own epic adventure – it’s all yours for the taking! But you’ll need a comfortable base to do it in, and what better way to ensure your van is kitted out with all you need than to do it yourself?

This is a big project if you’re completely new to self build campervan conversions. Where to start? What tools to use? How much will it cost? From starting with the right van to adding the finishing touches, we’re here to help. Our step by step campervan conversion guide tells you all you need to know about DIY campervan conversions.

Disclaimer: we’re not certified builders, carpenters, electricians or plumbers; make sure you do your own in-depth research after reading this introductory van conversion guide. Use or consult the appropriate professionals before you start your own.

Step-by-step guide to DIY campervan conversions

1. Buying your van

A van to be converted is a blank canvas – once you’ve bought it, that is! As this will be the foundation of your build, it’s essential to spend plenty of time finding a van that’s in good condition and that can accommodate your needs.

Things to consider include the number of berths you’ll need and how many people will be using the van – these don’t always have to match, as most kids will jump at the chance to spend the night in an adjacent tent! Also think about your camping style: for example, will you go off-grid or stay at campsites most of the time? It’s also important to consider your vehicle maintenance skills, so you don’t buy a van where the upkeep will be beyond your abilities.

And of course you’ll need to know your budget too! Don’t stress too much if this only stretches to a small van, as these will still give loads of leeway on what you can do and fit. Just have a look at the converted VWs on our campervan for hire listings to get plenty of inspiration on small campervan layout ideas.

This guide covers converting a panel van into a campervan, in other words taking an empty van (such as an old ambulance or work van) and making it into a campervan. Ourmotorhome conversion tips guide discusses the difference between panel vans and custom-built.

1. Designing your layout

This is our favourite bit of self-build campervan conversions… and yes, it’s easy to get carried away at first! Considering the living space and what you want to include in your camper van conversion interior is probably the most exciting part of your DIY build, but it also needs a lot of careful planning. Again, no worries if you’ve bought a smaller van, as our many listings will give you lots of small campervan storage ideas.

You’ll need to work out what your must-haves are and what’s the best way to arrange them all in one compact space, while keeping everything comfortable and functional too. If you’re planning to rent your converted campervan out, you’ll want to seriously consider overall style and finish too.

It can all be a bit overwhelming, but we’ve put together steps to help. First up, gather information and inspiration on campervan layouts ideas and what your floor plan should include. Pinterest, Instagram, campervan conversion Facebook groups and our van conversion ideas andcampervan interior ideas should start you off, or take a look online for conversion van floor plans. Browse our campervans for hire listings too – plenty of our owners have had genius ideas on campervan layout ideas and small van conversions.

Next, look at campervan bed ideas and decide whether you want a 2- or 4-berth van conversion layout, and a fixed bed or one that packs away during the day. Think about the bathroom you want (and have space for) – full shower or just a camping toilet? Campervan kitchen ideas are next – convertible dinette or cab-side (or even outdoor) kitchen? What size of fridge – countertop or needing floor space?

What else will you use the van for? If you’re going full # vanlife, you might need campervan table ideas so you have office space, for example. Make a list of everything you want in your van, then sketch a floor plan to see how it will all fit together. Use masking tape or cardboard cutouts in your newly purchased van to check it all fits.

If your head is spinning from all the options and measurements, consider buying a campervan conversion kit – there are loads to pick from.

Now the real work begins…

3. Building your bathroom

Feet firmly back on the ground now for a more... functional part of your campervan conversion interior – the bathroom. The main thing to consider here is whether you want to add a shower or not (we’re assuming you’ll want a toilet!).

If the thought of not having round-the-clock shower access leaves you cold, and you’re willing to compromise on living space, then a campervan conversion with shower is your answer. A van conversion shower is also a great addition if you want to wild camp or go off-grid, or just save a bit of money on caravan park fees.

Look online for plenty of inspiration and ideas on conversion vans with bathrooms. The types of shower you can install include portable hot water systems, glind heat exchangers, solar showers, pressure showers and compact camping showers: get a feel for what will best suit you and your van.

There’s plenty of choice for campervan toilet types too. The most basic option is a Porti Potti-type camping toilet, which you then empty at a campsite with chemical disposal. But you may prefer a built-in campervan toilet, in which case you’ll need to factor in the plumbing space as well as space for the grey water tank.

Still not sure? Hire a van with shower and toilet to help you decide.

4. Adding your insulation

We wish we could say this isn’t needed in your new van… but it’s the UK, so think realistically. (And even if you’re hoping to travel only in warmer climes, having an insulated van is recommended for cooler nights or sudden changes of temperatures. It’ll make your van much more attractive to potential hirers too.)

The most common materials for van conversion insulation are those used in normal housing insulation. Sheep’s wool, glass wool, foil, fibreglass, and rigid foam (PIR [polyisocyanurate] and PUR [polyurethane] boards are the main options: have a look at the many ideas out there for van conversion insulation to see what best suits your van and needs.

Don’t forget to keep warmth in around windows too, by taking a look at campervan curtain ideas.

5. Installing your lighting

Don’t think of this as a mere necessity – campervan lighting is one of the simplest, most effective and most affordable ways to put your own stamp on your campervan conversion. It’s likely you’ll want to consider two systems of lights in your conversion: the basics and the ornamental (again, making your van as stylish as possible will greatly help when it comes to renting it out).

Because they’re affordable, energy efficient and long lasting, we strongly recommend LED lighting for your van conversion. You can install dome lights, spotlights and/or strip lights for the practical aspect of your lighting, then add in things like fairy lights or reading lamps to make your van interior pretty and atmospheric. Ourcampervan lighting ideas guide has plenty of examples for inspiration.

6. Sorting your ventilation

Damp and mould are huge things to avoid in a finished campervan conversion, even in the UK where the weather isn’t scorching hot. Install a campervan ventilation system to keep your van properly aired and free from condensation at all times.

The easiest way to install a campervan ventilation system is probably by fitting louvred air vents to the van walls, cutting holes in the side of your campervan where you want to fit the vents. Another option is to ventilate the van via a roof vent to let air in when you need it. You could also go for a pop-up feature in your new van, which has the added effect of adding more space; researching campervan roof conversions will give you all the info you need.

7. Planning your electrical system

The most basic DIY campervan conversion could fit a gas stove, mattress, portable toilet and a couple of water canisters into the back of a panel van.

But setting up a proper electrical system means you can have lighting, ventilation, refrigeration, charging abilities and pretty much anything that makes your van a proper home on wheels. Van conversion solar panels are well worth thinking about as well, so you can power endless adventures off grid.

This is the one area where you may need to call in the experts, hiring a professional electrician to take care of your campervan electricals once you’ve done the basics like calculating your energy needs. S/he can sort out the essentials for your van, including choosing the correct wire gauge, mounting solar panels and wiring up your batteries, solar regulator and inverter, lighting and vent fan. They’ll also be able to issue an Electrical Installation Certificate, showing that your van is good to go.

8. Fitting your fridge

Fridge before cooking system? Absolutely. Choosing your fridge correctly should give you more refrigeration space as well as more overall space in the van. Factor in space for your fridge when doing your floor plan, and install your fridge before any other kitchen bits and pieces for maximum effect.

To choose a fridge that’s right for your van, first consider whether you want a fixed (upright), chest or countertop model. Then think about capacity and how much food your fridge will need to store, and energy efficiency – the more efficient your refrigeration, the lower your energy demands and the longer you can camp off-grid.

Next, decide whether you want a compressor or three-way fridge, or even to save money by using a thermoelectric coolbox. Compressor fridges are the most popular for vans as they’re very energy efficient, only drawing power from batteries once the fridge rises above a specific temperature, and then only for a minute or two a few times an hour. These fridges also work on either a 12V or 240V electrical system.

While more expensive, a three-way fridge is another excellent option for a campervan conversion because of its versatility – it can run on a 240V mains supply, 12V electrics or on LPG gas. They’re best suited to bigger vans as they come in bigger sizes, and are quieter when running off gas, perfect for light sleepers! Caution: a three-way fridge (or anything running off gas) in your campervan conversion must be fitted by a qualified gas engineer.

The third option for campervan refrigeration is to use a thermoelectric coolbox. These work exactly as their name implies, by using electricity to power a coolbox and keep food and other items cold. They’re an option for budget fridge systems or if you’re only planning to travel in your van for a short period of time.

Budget is the final final thing to consider when choosing a campervan conversion fridge system, remembering that a lower cost item will probably be less energy efficient. Although they’re more expensive, a compressor fridge is our top pick for fridge van conversions.

9. Choosing your camping stove and adding your kitchen

For home-style cooking at any campsite, your van needs a solid cooking setup. But with so many options on the market, it’s tough to pick the best stove for your campervan.

First, decide whether you want a built-in or portable camping stove, or better yet a fully-equipped slide-out kitchen. If you’re happy to dedicate extra time and effort to your build, install an inset stove so that you can release your inner chef no matter the weather. Otherwise, save on space and money with a portable gas stove for use beyond your van.

Think about camp stove fuel types. Lightweight gas canister fuel, eco-friendly liquid fuel, affordable alcohol fuel and efficient induction cooktops all have their own pros, cons and setup instructions.

Once you know what you want, it’s time to install your kitchen. Make sure you leave plenty of space for this when designing your layout: more is always better when it comes to food prep!

10. Setting up your water system

Just as you need electricity for a myriad of uses, you also need water. From drinking up to wiping down, van life demands a lot of water, so a van plumbing system delivering enough water daily needs is essential – and without blowing your budget.

Whether basic or sophisticated, most campervan water systems will have a fresh water tank for drinking and washing-up water, a grey water tank to hold used water from sinks and the shower, and a main sink for washing up or filling a drinking glass. All systems will have a water pump, to supply a water flow with either manual or electric stimulation, and tubing to connect all the components together. To be really swish, add a campervan gas hot water system to travel in style.

Look at different kitchen designs and campervan sink ideas to source some inspiration for your conversion's water systems and to figure out the fundamentals of where everything goes. You’re then ready to plan and install a proper plumbing setup in your campervan if you feel confident enough; if not, set aside some of your budget to hire a plumber instead.

11. Laying your floor

Again, you could go basic with this, but there’s no fun in that! Get inventive and add whatever floor suits your budget – from eco cork tiles to retro vinyl, there are countless campervan flooring ideas to pick from.

Install a plywood subfloor first, then lay a floor of any style you want. You can either install your floor and mount your fixtures on top, or build your furniture directly onto the subfloor, laying the floor around them; it’s up to you. But make sure you take your time over this, so you don’t have to tear any misfitted pieces – or the entire floor – out after all your hard work.

12. Lining your walls and ceiling

Although there’s loads of choice for van conversion wall and ceiling ideas, timber is one of our favourites. Affordable, quick and simple to install, timber is a timeless classic to effortlessly make your van look cosy, comfortable and stylish. Add it to the ceiling too for a sophisticated look.

Thin plywood sheets are an easy and affordable way to line your van’s walls and ceiling, as these bend to your van’s contours for ultimate convenience. Alternatively, transform your van into a relaxing retreat with tongue and groove panels. Add them to your walls, ceiling or both, remembering to think about how your storage cupboards will fit.

Hanging a campervan ceiling is slightly different from hanging a ceiling in a house. Your van will likely curve as it reaches the ceiling, tapering at the top of your wall. The simplest way to follow the arc is to cut your pine stud into three sections, placing them beside the van’s metal studs. Alternatively, you can double up the studs on the highest sections of your ceiling to even out the surface. While this will make lining your ceiling easier, bear in mind that you’ll also lose some valuable height and headroom.

Once your studs are in, hang your panels one row at a time, switching between the driver’s side and passenger’s side as you go.

For a finishing touch that will take your campervan to the next level, apply a timber stain to your walls and ceiling. Then sit back and admire the enhanced grain patterns and contrasts of each panel!

Time to test your unique DIY campervan conversion!

Once your DIY campervan conversion is finished, it’s time to hit the road to check it all out! Even if you’re planning only to rent out your van rather than use it for your own holidays, initial road trips are essential to check everything works as it should and to iron out any problems that might arise.

The best way to check and double check all the features of your van is to go for a weekend road trip or two, or one weekend road trip and one longer trip of about a week. You’ll probably want to tweak a few things and make a few final updates and changes.

Once these are done, that’s it – you’ve officially completed your campervan conversion! Welcome to van life; it’s great to have you on board.

How to earn a return on your DIY campervan conversion

How can you quickly make back the money you spend on a DIY campervan conversion? By hiring out your campervan when it’s not in use!

Van owners around the UK earn up to £10,000 a year by hiring out their campervan through Camplify. It provides a quick and easy way to generate long-term passive income and earn a return on their investment. With the average UK owner only using their van four times a year, sharing it on Camplify is the perfect way to help cover your expenses and turn your van into a new source of income.

And the best part is, Camplify takes care of many of the expenses involved in hiring out your vehicle. We offer:

• Comprehensive hire insurance

• 24/7 AA nationwide breakdown cover for hirers

• Dedicated customer support.

If you’re interested in joining Camplify as an owner, try our earnings calculator and see how much income you could generate each year by renting out your unused campervan!