How much does it cost to renovate a van?

Love the idea of renovating a van but concerned about the cost? Totally understandable. Between buying the van and kitting it out, there’s definitely a risk of your savings taking a hit if you’re not prepared, so we spoke to a few of our experienced van owners (and renovators) about how much their conversions cost, how they managed to keep their budget from blowing out, and what is and isn’t worth skimping on.

Andrew and Queensie

Andrew bought Queensie, a 2017 Mercedes Sprinter, for around $60,000. He then spent approximately $25,000 on a luxury renovation. It sounds like a lot, but Andrew says he learned a lot of clever ways to save monecy without impacting the quality of the end result. ‘Simple things like buying a table so you can cut down all your wood, and using Gumtree for things like bed frames.’

Though renovating a van can be intimidating, Andrew believes that anyone who’s a little handy can do it. ‘Though you do need to be patient,’ he says. ‘Don’t be afraid to start a section again if it’s not quite right. You also need to like problem solving and watch lots of YouTube videos for inspiration and guidance.’

If that $85,000 outlay sounds like a daunting figure, keep in mind that Sprinters tend to be one of the more expensive vehicles suited to renovation and there are plenty of more affordable options on the market. That said, Andrew has already taken about $15,000 in bookings since listing Queensie on Camplify four months ago, so he’s well on his way to recouping the initial costs.

Georgia, Joel and Terry the Transit

Terry – Georgia and Joel’s Transit – was an ex-trade vehicle in really good nick. ‘The van cost about $22,000,’ says Georgia, ‘then the build was a further $20,000 in materials, power and setting it up to live on the road.’

They’ve done well to keep their costs down to $42,000, but Georgia says they could’ve saved more money had they wanted to. ‘Ours obviously has a few more luxuries, so you could definitely do something simple for a lot less, but we wanted it to feel cosy and homely. We splashed out on things like solar power and bed lift.’ And once you see the bed lift they’ve installed, you’ll be desperate to add one to your van plans.

Julia, Josh and Yotchi(s)

When it comes to van conversions, Julia and Josh aim to bring luxury to what has long been perceived as a budget holiday option for backpackers. ‘Our conversions range from $60,000–110,000, depending on the power system, quality of materials and whether there’s a short or long wheelbase. We’ve chosen to build, to date, solely with brand-new Mercedes Sprinter vans because the quality and capability is unbeatable, in our opinion. We felt there was a market for luxury adventure that was raw and authentic, allowing people to reconnect while still having modern-day luxuries in all the right places.’ Again, it can be costly to build with a Mercedes Sprinter, but Julia and Josh’s vans are each earning $1,000–2,000 per week, depending on location and season.

Rocky and Dizzy Miss Lizzy

How much does a van renovation cost? ‘You better ask my wife, the Minister for Finance,’ says Rocky. ‘But it’s very hard to put a figure on the total cost. I was lucky to find Dizzy for an absolute bargain off an older guy, who lived not far from me and had had her for 25 years. I paid $6500 and it needed a full restoration. I’ve probably spent in the region of $15,000 on it, but its value has increased dramatically. My advice would be to give the renovation a go and remember that Bunnings is your friend. And don’t whack a load of money down on the table either. Do it week by week, bit by bit, so the financial burden doesn’t feel as bad.’

Having now restored two Kombis, Rocky has been surprised at how well he has done from hiring the vans out on Camplify. ‘I’ve been on Camplify since 2020 and it’s certainly a great way to top up your wage. And I’m sure people are making a good living off just Camplify alone. It’s a fantastic platform and most of the hard work is done for you.’

Want to learn more about renovating a van? Check out the rest of our van renovation series for inspiration and advice from those who have already been on the journey.