VAN BUILD PROCESS
CONSULTATION
The very beginning of any project will involve a consultation to find out what stage of the process you are currently at. We will discuss your needs, timeline, and budget. Have you started shopping around for a van or camper but need help deciding what will best fit your lifestyle? We can help weight the pros and cons of vans to decide what van will best fit your travel needs (whether it’s diesel versus gas, make and model, or low roof versus mid or high roof). Maybe you already own a vehicle and feel overwhelmed by the building process... we will happily come up with a plan of action, design and build your camper for your needs.
SCHEDULE
After the consultation process, we discuss general scheduling details. At this time, we ask for a deposit of $1,000 to secure a spot on our full build schedule. This deposit is non-refundable but it does count towards the Final Payment of your build. From there, we will give you an estimated start-date. Most builds take anywhere from 2-3 months or longer, based on the complexity of the build.
DESIGN
After discussing your needs with a consultation, we design a layout that suits your vehicles intended purposes. Do you want a custom camper that has all the comforts of home? We love getting creative! In our design process we will help you to choose everything from materials to systems (i.e. secondary power systems, plumbing, solar, etc.) to best suit your lifestyle and level of comfort. We love seeing what other travelers and creatives are coming up with for design concepts, and we have learned some tricks of our own along the way. We think through every piece of the van puzzle when it comes to designing a layout. Do you value the “hang-out” feel of a bench-to-bed layout? OR Do you hate the idea of having to make the bed after a long drive, and would rather opt for a fixed bed scenario? We will walk you through the ins and outs of the decision making process. We know every detail is important!
COST
Cost is very dependent on materials as well as design, but the time involved in these builds makes up the bulk of the cost. The more intricate the build, the higher the cost, as with any building project. This is often one of the first questions we are asked, and we know it’s a doozy. Most full builds take anywhere from 300-500+ hours to complete depending on details. Most full builds will start around $20k (for labor, not including materials costs). The addition of components like refrigerators, power systems, etc. will also bring up the final costs since these accessories are generally costly, and installation can be time-consuming. This being said, we are more than happy to work within realistic budgets, and try to keep everything as close to your target as possible. We can build no-frills or all-the-frills, all dependent on your budget and the level of comfort you desire. Reach out and let us know your wants and needs, and we can give you a general expected cost for your project.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
We are a time and materials shop.
Our hourly shop rate is: $100/hr
After discussing layout, cabinetry, etc a price estimate is calculated. The first payment is due prior to or at van drop-off and is 40% of the total estimated cost. At the halfway point, another 30% of the estimated total cost is due. We will send updates as well as invoices along the way.
BUILDING
After we start on your project, we will keep you posted along the way of where we are in the process. We will send photos upon request, and if you’d like to schedule a visit, you can do that as well. Updates are as frequent as you’d like them.
*The entire building process is a beast of an undertaking, and we ask for your patience with this… sometimes it’s hard to grasp just how much work has gone into a particular part of the process just by looking at a photo. We are always thinking ahead to the next part of the building process to ensure that everything is built with purpose and intention.*
BUILD COMPLETION AND PICKUP
This is the day we’ve both been waiting for! When the build is finalized, we reach out with a date for you to pick up your dream van. When you arrive, we walk through all of the features, and answer any questions you may have. At this point, the final 30% of the total estimated cost minus the $1,000 scheduling fee (or total remaining balance minus $1,000) is due. .
EXPLORE
Whether it’s traveling in your own hometown or beyond state lines, we encourage everyone to draw lines on maps, and see as much of this world as you can. After all… that’s what we are really in the business of: facilitating a comfortable form of travel for exploration on the open road!