In order to get started you will need a lot of tools and resources that give step by step detailed instructions on each part of the build. You can DIY or hire out as much as you’d like. We did about 60% of our build and 40% hired out. We decided to hire out for certain aspects of the van so that we wouldn’t fall behind our deadline to be living full time on the road. Our main resource during our build was Youtube. The truth is you can get most of your information here however there were times we did something wrong because the YouTube video failed to mention certain things. So keep in mind it’s not always 100% correct and you will make mistakes. However it’s obviously better to avoid the mistakes if possible so diving deep into research is the best way to avoid costly mistakes. Things to think about before build begins.

COST: What is your overall budget for your van conversion? Can you afford to hire labor for some of the work, like the framing of the van and the electrical, etc? Or does your budget allow for only DIY?

HIRE OUT: If you dedicate part of your budget to hired labor, be sure to hire the right person. Although it’s best if you can hire someone who’s worked on van conversions before, it’s not necessary. The truth is, while van conversion specialist are the safest way to go, they are very expensive ($135+/hr). We couldn’t afford that and ended up hiring our family’s handyman who had 20+ years experience being a contractor and had a portfolio of beautiful craftsmanship and work. Even though our hire never worked on a van before, he was an expert in building and did an excellent job framing our van.

TIMELINE: What is your timeline to finish the van? Do you have a deadline where you need to move out of your current housing or would like to be living on the road? Set yourself up for success and don’t rush the process if you’re doing it all by yourself. Our build took 3 months while we worked full time day jobs which is why we hired some help so we could reach our deadline.