Restoring a campervan is one of the most rewarding projects you can undertake, whether you’re rebuilding a classic T2 Splitscreen, modernising a T6 Transporter, or reviving a T25 or T4/T5. However, without planning and informed decision-making, restoration projects can quickly become expensive, time-consuming and stressful.
In this guide, we share some expert tips to help you avoid common pitfalls, protect your investment and make sure your campervan restoration delivers the results you want, safely, efficiently and without unnecessary cost.
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Before You Purchase Your Campervan Project
Plan Your Project Before You Start!
Understand the True Condition Of Your Campervan
Use Correct, Model-Specific Parts
Protect Your Investment with Proper Insurance During Restoration
Consider Agreed Value Insurance When It’s Finished
Prioritise Structural and Safety Work Before Cosmetics
Keep a Realistic Budget and a Contingency Fund
Use Trusted Suppliers and Contractors
Document the Build Carefully
Don’t Rush – Quality Takes Time
Summary
Before You Purchase Your Campervan Project
One of the most important, and often overlooked stages of restoration happens before you even buy the vehicle. The golden rule is simple: buy the best quality project you can realistically afford.
While it may be tempting to purchase a cheaper camper that “just needs a bit of work”, significant bodywork and structural rust can quickly multiply your restoration budget. Air-cooled campers in particular, especially Splitscreen and T2 Bay Window campers are prone to corrosion in the chassis rails, sills, floors, outriggers and window surrounds. Repairing these areas properly requires skilled welding and quality panels, which can become the most expensive part of the build.
Choosing a camper with:
• Solid chassis rails and structural integrity
• Minimal rust in key areas such as floors, arches, sills, and window surrounds
• Straight body panels
• A largely complete interior
…will almost always make your restoration easier, faster and more cost-effective in the long run.
Mechanical components can be rebuilt. Interiors can be replaced. But extensive structural rust can dramatically increase costs and extend project timelines.
Spending more upfront on a solid base vehicle often works out significantly cheaper than attempting to rescue a heavily corroded example. It also reduces the risk of project fatigue, a common issue when restoration costs spiral beyond expectations.
By planning thoroughly and buying wisely from the outset, you give your campervan restoration the strongest possible foundation, financially, structurally and practically.
Plan Your Project Before You Start!
Before lifting a spanner or stripping a panel, spend time planning your restoration. Establish your goals clearly: are you restoring to show condition, building a daily driver, or creating a custom camper for regular use?
For classic models such as T2 Bay Window or Splitscreen campers, restoration can be more complex due to age-related metalwork, whereas modern T5/T6 Transporters may require different approaches (such as dealing with electronics and panel alignment).
Failing to plan often means:
• Buying incorrect parts
• Having to redo work
• Overlooking hidden issues
A solid plan helps you budget realistically and sets your project up for success.
Understand the True Condition of Your Campervan
Assuming you’ve done your homework and inspected your project before purchasing, campervans, especially older ones, can look good on the outside while hiding serious issues underneath. Hidden rust, warped floors, suspension problems or electrical faults can add significant expense if not identified early.
It’s worth having a trusted professional or a knowledgeable enthusiast inspect:
• Chassis floors and sills
• Suspension mounts
• Brake, fuel and electrical systems
• Engine and transmission
A thorough assessment upfront helps avoid surprises mid-build and stops you from buying a project that costs far more to complete than anticipated.
Why compromise on insuring your precious vehicle when we’ll give you £50* if we are not the cheapest.
Use Correct, Model-Specific Parts
One of the most expensive mistakes in any restoration is using the wrong parts. Classic air-cooled vans, T2 Splitscreens, T2 Bay Windows and T25s, have specific panel profiles, wiring configurations and furniture layouts that differ greatly from modern T4, T5 and T6 Transporters.
Fitting incorrect panels, brackets, interior furniture, or trim can lead to poor fitment, water ingress and structural weakness. Always make sure the parts you buy are designed for your model and your year.
For classic campers, this might include:
• Correct floors and panels
• Model-specific trim and seal kits
• Original-style interior furniture components
Utilising the right VW parts for your model will save time and money in the long run.
Protect Your Investment with Proper Insurance During Restoration
Restoration isn’t just about parts and labour; it’s about protecting your asset while work is ongoing. Traditional motor insurance won’t always cover a vehicle that’s not roadworthy or temporarily laid up.
Consider the following insurance options:
Laid Up Cover covers your campervan while it’s undergoing restoration, particularly if it will be off the road for weeks or months.
This type of cover protects against:
• Fire
• Theft from the premises
• Vandalism
• Storm damage
Laid Up cover is usually cheaper than standard insurance because the van isn’t being driven, but it still safeguards your investment during the vulnerable restoration phase.
Consider Agreed Value Insurance When It’s Finished
Once your campervan is fully restored, its value may be significantly higher than the original market value, particularly for classic T2 Bay Window or Splitscreen models presented in concours or highly finished condition.
This is where Agreed Value Insurance becomes essential.
With an agreed value policy:
• You and your insurer agree on the value of the camper before you finish the restoration
• You don’t get subject to depreciation or low market valuations
• You have peace of mind that the valuation reflects the true worth of your completed build
Agreed value cover is especially important for:
• Fully restored classics
• Highly customised campers
• Vehicles with documented build quality
Speak to the specialist Just Kampers Insurance Team on 01256 44 45 46 to get the best protection for your finished project. Or find out more information via the Agreed Value Insurance section of the Just Kampers Insurance website.
Prioritise Structural and Safety Work Before Cosmetics
It’s tempting to start with paint, upholstery or bespoke interior trim, but the most expensive mistakes often happen when cosmetic work is done before structural and safety issues are resolved.
Before upgrading the interior or exterior:
• Fix all rust and corrosion
• Repair or replace floor pans, sills, chassis rails
• Check brakes, suspension and fuel systems
• Ensure electrics are sound and safe
Working from the ground up not only reduces hidden costs later, but it also ensures your camper van will be safe, durable and more valuable when finished.
Keep a Realistic Budget and a Contingency Fund
Restoration costs are notoriously difficult to estimate, especially for older vans. A sensible strategy is to:
• Establish a base budget – Speak to a specialist / Classic Vehicle Restorer and seek quotes for the work
• Add a contingency fund of 20–30% for any unexpected issues
Unexpected expenses are almost guaranteed, whether it’s hidden rust, parts delays or labour you didn’t anticipate. Planning for these costs upfront prevents work from stalling and keeps your project moving.
Use Trusted Suppliers and Contractors
One of the most common costly mistakes is buying low-quality or incorrect parts. Using model-specific, quality components designed for your exact Transporter variant reduces fitting issues, improves longevity and protects the overall value of your camper. For trusted, vehicle-specific components, explore the full range of VW parts available at Just Kampers Parts, where products are organised by model to ensure correct fitment.
Equally important is choosing the right specialist for bodywork, paint, engine rebuilding or electrical work. Air-cooled models in particular require experienced hands, especially when dealing with chassis repairs, structural welding and engine rebuilds. If you’re unsure where to start, the Just Kampers Garage Finder can help you locate specialist VW campervan restorers across the UK who understand classic and modern Transporters.
Before committing to any vehicle restoration specialist:
• Ask to see previous restoration projects
• Check customer reviews and testimonials
• Confirm experience with your specific VW model
• Request written quotes and clear timelines
Quality workmanship and trusted parts are not just about aesthetics; they directly affect safety, reliability and long-term value. Investing wisely in suppliers and specialists at the outset can prevent expensive rework later and ensure your restoration is completed to a professional standard.
Document the Build Carefully
Good documentation, photos, receipts, and build logs, does three things:
1. Helps if you need to make an insurance claim while restored or under restoration
2. Helps your Insurer establish an Agreed Value – so should you need to make a claim, the Agreed Value is paid rather than market value.
3. Increases resale value because buyers can see exactly what was done and how.
Don’t Rush – Quality Takes Time
Restoration is a marathon, not a sprint. Rushing into repairs, overlooking early warning signs, or skipping steps in the build process are some of the biggest reasons projects go over budget or lose integrity.
Take your time to:
• Assess the overall condition properly
• Source all the necessary and correct parts for your restoration
• Plan your sequence of work
• Review quality at every stage
It’s far better to invest time in doing it right than paying twice to fix mistakes later.
Summary
Restoring a campervan, whether you’re saving a classic Splitscreen, reviving a T2 Bay Window, building a bespoke T25, or outfitting a modern T4, T5 or T6, can be an incredibly rewarding journey. But without careful planning and the right insurance choices, it can also become costly and stressful.
Remember to:
• Buy the best you can afford
• Assess before you start
• Source correct parts for your restoration
• Protect your project with laid-up cover during restoration
• Keep to a realistic budget and set a contingency fund
• Document the Build Carefully – this will come in handy later
• Plan for Agreed Value insurance once complete
• Prioritise structural work before aesthetics
• Don’t rush, enjoy the journey
By following these steps, you’ll avoid common pitfalls and set your campervan project up for success.
Ready to protect your restoration project?
Explore Classic Campervan Insurance options at Just Kampers Insurance to find cover that suits both your journey and budget.
