Free van build cost estimator

What might your van build cost?

Pick your van, who does the work, and the systems you want. You’ll get an itemized parts list with a low-to-high range, plus labor in hours or dollars. Every price is an example you can change.

Free to useNo signupMade for the road

01 / Your build

Pick a van and your systems.

Every price is an editable example from a public listing or a published build. Check current prices before you buy.

Who does the work?

Units

CurrencyLabel only. Example prices are in US dollars.

01Your vehicle

The inside size sets how much insulation, paneling and flooring you need.

TypeVan, bus, truck, trailer or truck bed.ModelThe make and model family.Size and years

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, 144″ WB · High roof (2019+)Inside: 11′ 1″ long × 5′ 10″ wide × 6′ 7″ tall. About 65 sq ft of floor and 249 sq ft of walls and ceiling to cover.

02Systems

Choose what goes in. Each choice adds its parts to the list below.

Electrical (lithium batteries)Basic charges from solar only. Mid and big also charge from the engine and add an inverter for 120 V outlets.WaterJugs are simplest. A tank and pump give you a running tap.HeatSealed, vented heaters that send exhaust outside. Fit a CO alarm too.BathroomA wet bath is a toilet and shower in one small room.BedA fixed platform leaves room for storage underneath.Kitchen (galley) sizeSmall: fridge, stove and one cabinet. Large adds more storage.

Windows you’ll addUse 0 if your van already has the windows you want.

Roof fansA roof fan moves air and moisture out.

03Labor and extras

Hours come from one couple’s published build log. Pick a speed that fits you.

Your speedFor the hours you do yourself. FarOutRide logged 640 hours and think the real total was nearer 1,000.

Tools you need to buy (USD)Saws, drills and clamps you don’t own yet.

Anything else (USD)Awning, swivel seats, roof rack, shower walls.

Add the van’s price (USD)Optional. Leave at 0 to see the build alone.

Change the example prices

These are example prices from the listings named under each item, checked November 2026. Prices change, so check current prices and put in your own.

Insulation (Thinsulate-type)

USD 12 per 5 sq ft roll foot; FarOutRide paid USD 1,050 for about 319 sq ft of walls and ceiling. Source: 3M Thinsulate SM600L, FarOutRide.

Budget example (USD per sq ft)

Premium example (USD per sq ft)

Wall and ceiling panels (1/4 in plywood)

USD 36.94 a sheet, ±25%. Cedar or upholstered panels cost more. Source: 1/4 in × 4 × 8 ft sanded ACX plywood.

Budget example (USD per sheet)

Premium example (USD per sheet)

Subfloor and flooring

FarOutRide’s two floors: USD 565 and USD 1,225 for about 84 sq ft. Source: FarOutRide.

Budget example (USD per sq ft)

Premium example (USD per sq ft)

Windows

Van Windows Direct and CRL listings. Source: CRL Sprinter T-vent window USD 737.20.

Budget example (USD per item)

Premium example (USD per item)

Roof fans

FarOutRide paid USD 360; MaxxFan Deluxe listed at USD 475.35. Source: FarOutRide, MaxxAir MaxxFan Deluxe 7500K roof fan.

Budget example (USD per item)

Premium example (USD per item)

Lithium (LiFePO4) batteries, 100 Ah each

LiTime and Battle Born list prices. Source: LiTime 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 battery, Battle Born 100Ah 12V LiFePO4 battery.

Budget example (USD per item)

Premium example (USD per item)

Solar panels, 200 W each

Rich Solar 200 W: sale and regular price at one retailer. Source: Rich Solar 200 W 12V panel.

Budget example (USD per item)

Premium example (USD per item)

Solar charge controller

FarOutRide paid USD 225, ±25%. Source: FarOutRide.

Budget example (USD per item)

Premium example (USD per item)

DC-DC charger (charges from the engine)

Renogy 40A list price; FarOutRide paid USD 400. Source: Renogy 40A DC-DC charger with MPPT, FarOutRide.

Budget example (USD per item)

Premium example (USD per item)

Inverter, 2,000 to 3,000 W

Renogy 2000 W inverter to a Victron MultiPlus 3000 inverter-charger. Source: Renogy 2000W 12V pure sine inverter, Victron MultiPlus 12/3000/120 inverter-charger.

Budget example (USD per item)

Premium example (USD per item)

Battery monitor

Victron SmartShunt; FarOutRide paid USD 205. Source: Victron SmartShunt 500A battery monitor, FarOutRide.

Budget example (USD per item)

Premium example (USD per item)

Wire, fuses, breakers and switches

FarOutRide paid USD 600 for a mid-size system, ±25%. Source: FarOutRide.

Budget example (USD per set)

Premium example (USD per set)

Water tank, pump, sink, faucet and plumbing

FarOutRide’s water system, USD 1,100, ±25%. Source: FarOutRide.

Budget example (USD per set)

Premium example (USD per set)

Fuel-fired air heater (diesel or gasoline)

FarOutRide’s Webasto (USD 1,300) and Espar (USD 1,650). Source: FarOutRide.

Budget example (USD per item)

Premium example (USD per item)

Cassette toilet

Thetford Porta Potti 365 at USD 174.68, ±25%. Source: Thetford Porta Potti 365 cassette toilet.

Budget example (USD per item)

Premium example (USD per item)

Mattress

Foam mattress to a van-specific mattress. Source: Zinus 6 in memory foam mattress (full), Flatline Van Co Sprinter van mattress.

Budget example (USD per item)

Premium example (USD per item)

Bed platform with storage under

FarOutRide’s two bed platforms. Source: FarOutRide.

Budget example (USD per item)

Premium example (USD per item)

12V fridge, 30 to 45 liters

BougeRV 30 qt to Dometic CFX3 45. Source: BougeRV 30 quart 12V fridge, Dometic CFX3 45 powered cooler.

Budget example (USD per item)

Premium example (USD per item)

Portable stove

Iwatani 35FW at USD 129.99, ±25%. Source: Iwatani 35FW portable butane stove.

Budget example (USD per item)

Premium example (USD per item)

Sink and stove cabinet with counter

FarOutRide’s cabinet materials, USD 280, ±25%. Source: FarOutRide.

Budget example (USD per item)

Premium example (USD per item)

Fridge and electrical cabinet

FarOutRide, USD 230, ±25%. Source: FarOutRide.

Budget example (USD per item)

Premium example (USD per item)

DIY estimateUSD 9,314–13,349

See details ↓

03 / Itemized

Your parts list.

Parts in USD, using the budget-to-middle half of each example price range. Hours are the listed hours.
Item	Parts	Hours
Insulation, walls and floor	1,284–1,735	69
Insulation (Thinsulate-type)249 sq ft × 2.40–2.85	598–710
Wall and ceiling panels (1/4 in plywood)9 sheets × 28–37	249–333
Subfloor and flooring65 sq ft × 6.73–10.66	437–693
Windows and fans	1,560–1,755	16
Windows2 × 600–669	1,200–1,337
Roof fans1 × 360–418	360–418
Electrical	2,415–4,094	86
Lithium (LiFePO4) batteries, 100 Ah each2 × 360–654	720–1,309
Solar panels, 200 W each2 × 199–284	398–569
Solar charge controller1 × 169–225	169–225
DC-DC charger (charges from the engine)1 × 206–303	206–303
Inverter, 2,000 to 3,000 W1 × 372–935	372–935
Battery monitor1 × 100–153	100–153
Wire, fuses, breakers and switches1 set × 450–600	450–600
Water	825–1,100	40
Water tank, pump, sink, faucet and plumbing1 set × 825–1,100	825–1,100
Heat	1,300–1,475	30
Fuel-fired air heater (diesel or gasoline)1 × 1,300–1,475	1,300–1,475
Bathroom	131–175	1
Cassette toilet1 × 131–175	131–175
Bed	605–1,130	20
Mattress1 × 155–522	155–522
Bed platform with storage under1 × 450–608	450–608
Kitchen (galley)	750–1,250	70
12V fridge, 30 to 45 liters1 × 270–610	270–610
Portable stove1 × 97–130	97–130
Sink and stove cabinet with counter1 × 210–280	210–280
Fridge and electrical cabinet1 × 173–230	173–230
Parts total	8,870–12,714	332

How much does a camper van conversion cost?

Mostly it depends on three things: how big the van is, which systems you add, and who does the work. A DIY build trades money for hundreds of hours. A professional build adds paid labor. This estimator puts example parts prices and published hours together so you can see where the money goes. It isn’t a quote, and the van itself isn’t included unless you add it.

How the estimate works

Floor area = inside length × inside width. Walls and ceiling = 2 × length × height + length × width + width × height (both sides, the ceiling and the rear). Windows aren’t subtracted.
Insulation and flooring are priced per square foot. Wall panels = walls and ceiling × 1.15 for waste ÷ 32 sq ft per 4 × 8 sheet, rounded up.
Each item has a budget and a premium example price. Where we found two listings, they’re the two ends. Where we found one, the range is that price −25% to +25%.
DIY uses the budget-to-middle half of each range. Mid-range and professional builds use the middle-to-premium half.
Fasteners, glue, sealant and finishes = 5% of parts. That’s FarOutRide’s “Others” line (USD 850 of USD 20,150, about 4.2%), rounded up.
Labor: DIY shows your hours. Mid-range pays for the electrical and heater hours at your shop rate. Professional = all hours × shop rate. The USD 100 an hour starting rate is only an example; ask local builders.
Total = parts + 5% small parts + paid labor + tools + anything else + the van’s price if you add it.

Where the hours come from

FarOutRide published the hours they logged building out a 2016 Ford Transit 148″ EL high roof. We use their figures for insulation (20 h, scaled to your wall area), flooring (30 h, scaled to your floor area), roof fans (8 h each), a mid-size electrical system (86 h), the water system (40 h), a fuel-fired heater (30 h), a propane heater (8 h) and propane system (40 h), a composting toilet (20 h), a bed platform (20 h) and cabinets (30 to 40 h each). Wall paneling (0.12 h per sq ft), windows (4 h each), basic and big electrical (40 h and 120 h), hot water (8 h), a cassette toilet (1 h), a shower pan (40 h), jugs (1 h), a simple or convertible bed (2 h and 30 h) and a table (8 h) are RME planning allowances, not measured figures. FarOutRide logged 640 hours in total and say the real number was closer to 1,000, so a first build may take longer. The speed you pick changes only the hours you do yourself; paid shop hours use the listed hours.

What isn’t included?

The van, sales tax, shipping, mistakes, tool rental, shore-power wiring, swivel seats, awnings, roof racks, shower walls and grey tanks aren’t included unless you add them under “Anything else”. Professional shops price builds their own way and often add a margin on parts; this tool doesn’t claim to show any shop’s price. Get written quotes for a real build.

Safety

Propane, fuel-fired heaters and 120-volt wiring can cause fires or carbon monoxide poisoning if installed wrong. Follow the maker’s instructions, fit smoke, CO and propane alarms, and use a qualified installer if you’re unsure. In the US, RV propane and fuel-burning appliances are covered by NFPA 1192, and RV electrical wiring by NFPA 70 (the National Electrical Code) Article 551.

Sources

Prices were checked on November 1, 2026. Listings change, so check current prices.

Plan your layout in 3D →Check your payload →Size your solar and battery →Can I afford vanlife? →Planning a van build layout →See van builds →

The plan is just the beginning

Find places. Meet your people.

Use RME to discover road essentials, connect with travelers and keep a map of your journeys.

Get RME See how RME works →