A Converted Campervan

How Much Does a Campervan Conversion Cost?

What is the cost of a campervan conversion? This is the question everyone asks when they think of taking off into the sunset in the campervan of their dreams. It’s a difficult question to answer, as cost is affected by so many factors, from vehicle dimensions, finish quality, and the size of your budget.

It’s possible to spend as little as a few hundred pounds on a basic campervan conversion if you use second-hand materials and do the work yourself. Alternatively, a full, luxury camper conversion performed by professional fitters involving brand new materials and top-of-the-range products can run into tens of thousands of pounds.

While a camper van conversion varies between relatively cheap to extravagantly expensive, we’ve broken down the estimated costs according to the work that’s carried out. So, before you hit the open road, here’s what you are likely to pay for a typical campervan conversion.

The Cost of Converting a Campervan

Campervan Costs

Estimate: £1,000 – £15,000

Whether you are converting a regular van into a campervan or modernising an older Volkswagen camper for example, purchasing the vehicle is likely to be your biggest outlay before any conversion work has even started.

A shiny, new campervan is a nice thought but is probably beyond most people’s budgets, so buying a used campervan is a popular choice. You’ll have more money left over to spend on the vehicle by undertaking conversion work yourself than you would if outsourcing to a specialist garage, which is something else to consider.

While we always encourage people to get stuck in and work on their own campers and vehicles, we also urge that if you don’t have the tools, experience or confidence to tackle a job yourself, you look for a professional who can do it for you.

The type of second-hand campervan you buy depends on your personal requirements and, most of all, the size of your budget. At the lower end of the price range are mini campervans such as the Volkswagen Caddy and Renault Kangoo. It’s a tight squeeze for two people with limited storage, but fitting in a small kitchen and toilet is possible.

Small campervans like the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi, Citroen Berlingo or Toyota Tarago are roomier, can comfortably sleep two and almost certainly include a toilet space and a kitchen area.
Used mid-sized campervans can sleep up to four and should include a fixed bed, kitchen, bathroom area and storage units. Volkswagen T25 Transporters and Kombis, the Ford Transit, and short wheelbase Toyota Hiace are great options for a mid-sized campervan.

Large campervans like the long wheelbase Volkswagen T6, Ford Econovan, Renault Traffic, Vauxhall Vivaro and long wheelbase Toyota Hiace will almost certainly contain fixed bedding and seating, a toilet/bathroom space, kitchen and storage.

Full-size campervans sit at the top of a budget and can sleep up to six people. Fixed beds and seating, a kitchen, bathroom and ample storage come as standard. The Volkswagen Crafter, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Iveco Daily and Renault Master are typical of this category.

Converted Camper Interior

Insulation Costs

Estimate: £300

It is essential to insulate the inside of your campervan to keep out the cold and avoid problems with damp. Materials such as a thermal insulation board, wool and aluminium tape are relatively cheap and will keep you warm and snug even in winter months. If fitted by a conversion company, there will be added labour costs to consider.

Just Kampers stocks a range of insulation options for your camper conversion, and if you insure with Just Kampers Insurance you’ll get 10% off orders for the duration of your policy.

Window Costs

Estimate: £1,000

A conversion company will charge between £200-300 per window and a similar amount for a roof vent plus labour costs. If you do the work yourself, however, expect to pay between £500-600 for windows and a jigsaw to cut them out.

It’s not as difficult as it seems to install windows into your camper yourself, and we’ve got a how-to video on the process which you can see here. Just Kampers also stocks an exclusive range of JK Glass windows, with Just Kampers Insurance customers getting 10% off.

Flooring and Lining Costs

Estimate: £750

These conversion costs vary wildly depending on the materials used. A new and fitted plywood floor can cost £500 alone and lined walls around £250. Using recycled materials and fitting them yourself will bring down costs.

You can click here to watch our video on installing carpet into our VW T6.1 camper.

Interior Fitting Costs

Estimate: £600 – £5,000

Be as basic or lavish as you want. Using a simple design, recycled materials and doing the work yourself will save money. Incorporating a kitchen, sink, fixed beds and seating fitted by conversion experts will be much more expensive.

While some of these appliances can seem pricey, if you’ve got vehicle insurance with Just Kampers Insurance, you’ll save 10% on orders from Just Kampers, which can make a huge difference.

Electrical System Costs

Estimate: £1,000

This is best left to the professionals unless you’re a qualified electrician. You’ll pay around £1,000 for a full 12v wiring system for battery, split charger and lighting.

If you do have the skills, training and equipment needed to take on the work yourself, a basic 12v system (battery, connections and cables) ranges from £200-£400.

An inverter that converts a 12v battery into a 240v mains is around £150-270 and solar panels around £300.

Kitchen Costs

Estimate: £200 – £1,100

There are a wide range of costs involved with kitchen conversions and you can pay as little or as much as your budget allows. An electric cool box is £30-90, a 12v fridge starts at around £200, a compressor fridge freezer around £800 and a gas hob burner anything from £30 to £300. You will also need to budget for other kitchen items such as a kettle and crockery.

Water Tank Costs

Estimate: £200

A conversion company will charge around £200 for a 70L water tank, pump, pipes, connectors and plumbing and more for a shower which will require a boiler or solar heating. It’s possible to buy your own materials and do the work yourself but with minimal cost savings.

Converted Camper Kitchen

Toilet and Shower Costs

Estimate: £320

A cassette toilet is perfect for campervan conversions and costs as little as £60 to buy including chemicals. A conversion company will charge around £150 for a fully fitted toilet. A tankless, LPG water heater shower costs around £170 before installation.

Gas and Heating Costs

Estimate: £1,000 – £1,500

The UK can be chilly at night even in summer months, so a reliable and efficient heating system is essential. A gas connection for cooking and hot water will cost between £500 – 800 when fitted by a qualified professional. A gas tank, heater and pipes should cost a similar amount.

Safety Costs

Estimate: £80-500

It is important to ensure your beautifully converted campervan is safe and fully secure.
We recommend budgeting for some of the following: alarm (£300), wheel clamp (£50), steering wheel lock (£60), immobiliser (£30), smoke/carbon monoxide alarm (£30) and GPS tracker (£75) at minimum.

Insuring Your Converted Campervan

The price of insuring your campervan is determined by a number of factors such as the vehicle’s size, age, make and value, as well as its internal features. Insurance premiums will be higher if more than one person is named as a designated driver.

Driving history is another consideration as premiums are likely to be more expensive if you have recently caused an accident.

Storage and security will also affect the cost, and it is cheaper to insure your campervan if it is kept in a locked garage at home as opposed to parking it on a driveway or in the street.
However, don’t be put off by the cost of insurance. Just Kampers Insurance has been providing affordable insurance for campervans for more than two decades. Get a quote now.

Hire Out Your Converted Campervan

Instead of your converted campervan sitting idle on your driveway when it isn’t being used, why not hire it out so that it becomes a source of income? It’s possible to charge between £70 and £95 for an average day’s rental of your vehicle and there are a number of companies who will help you do this, though you will have to pay extra for insurance.

Converted VW T5.1 Camper

Converting a campervan? Just Kampers Insurance is the place to go for all your insurance needs
Just Kampers Insurance has been providing campervan insurance for over 20 years for everything from brand new campervans to self-build campers. For a quote, contact us now.

Campervan and Motorhome Vehicle Tax (VED) – Road Tax Guide

VED or vehicle tax can be a confusing topic, especially for future campervan owners. We’ve broken down everything you need to know, and how much you can expect to pay. Read on to find out.

In the campervan or motorhome buying process, one of the biggest annual costs to consider is your road tax (now called Vehicle Excise Duty or VED). For vehicles registered before 2020, getting the VED costs for your campervan or motorhome can be confusing and stressful.

For those not buying new registrations, road tax, or VED, is still a confusing topic as it largely depends on a number of factors.

As both campervan owners and specialist insurers of all campervans, we’ve gone through this process so many times, and wanted to help others through the same process, as we know how confusing it can be.

Road Tax or VED?

First things first, a clarification. VED (Vehicle Excise Duty) is the official name for road tax. VED is also called vehicle tax or car tax, and the government has now taken to using vehicle tax to make it as simple as possible to understand, as it’s a tax on owning a vehicle, not on using the roads.

Vehicle Tax (VED) for Campervans and Motorhomes Explained

In the eyes of the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency), campervans and motorhomes are the same thing, so they don’t differentiate.

When your campervan was registered and/or its weight will affect the amount of vehicle tax you pay, and the method used to calculate it.

Campervans/Motorhomes Over 40 Years Old

If your campervan was built or registered over 40 years ago, then you don’t have to pay vehicle tax. You have to register as if you were going to pay tax, but you won’t be charged as long as you apply for a tax exemption.

The calculation is done from April every year, so in 2023, vehicles built or registered before 1st January 1982 could apply for a tax exemption from 1st April 2023.

Campervans Registered Before 1st March 2001

For campervans less than 40 years old, but registered before 1st March, 2001, it depends on your gross (also called maximum or revenue) vehicle weight and engine. Campervans weighing under 3,500kg were classed as light goods vehicle, and so were taxed as such.

If your campervan weighs under 3,500kg and has an engine size under 1549cc, then you will be charged £180 per year, and if the engine size is over 1549cc, then you will be charged £295 a year.

Those weighing over 3,500kg will have to check with the manufacturer, as the government doesn’t currently provide information on this.

Campervans Registered from 1st March 2001 to 1st April 2017

If your campervan weighs under 3,500kg and has an engine size of under 1549cc, then you will be charged £180 per year, and if the engine size is over 1549cc, then you will be charged £295 a year.

If it’s over 3,500kg, you’ll pay £165 annually.

Euro 4 and Euro 5 Compliant Campervans

If your campervan is Euro 4 compliant and registered between 1st March 2003 and 31st December 2006 or Euro 5 compliant and registered between 1st January 2009 and 31st December 2010, then you will pay £140 annually.

Campervans Registered Between 1st April 2017 and 11th March 2020

Now, this is where it gets confusing.

If your motorhome or campervan was registered between 1st April 2017 and 11th March 2020, it is in the M1SP category (check with your manufacturer or dealer if unsure) and has its CO2 emissions included on the type approval certificate then you will pay a different rate. Confusing right?

VED or vehicle tax can be a confusing topic, especially for future campervan owners. We’ve broken down everything you need to know, and how much you can expect to pay. Read on to find out.

In the campervan or motorhome buying process, one of the biggest annual costs to consider is your road tax (now called Vehicle Excise Duty or VED). Up until new vehicles from 2020, getting your VED cost on your campervan or motorhome was quite frankly, confusing and stressful.

And for those not buying new registrations, road tax, or VED, is still a confusing topic as it largely depends on a number of factors.

As both campervan owners and specialist insurers of all campervans, we’ve gone through this process so many times, and wanted to help others through the same process, as we know how confusing it can be.

Road Tax or VED?

First things first, a clarification. VED (Vehicle Excise Duty) is the official name for road tax. VED is also called vehicle tax or car tax, and the government has now taken to using vehicle tax to make it as simple as possible to understand, as it’s a tax on owning a vehicle, not on using the roads.

Vehicle Tax (VED) for Campervans and Motorhomes Explained

In the eyes of the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency), campervans and motorhomes are the same thing, so they don’t differentiate.

Depending on when your campervan was registered and/or its weight will affect the amount of vehicle tax you pay, and the method used to calculate it.

Campervans/Motorhomes Over 40 Years Old

If your campervan was built or registered over 40 years ago, then you don’t have to pay vehicle tax. You have to register as if you were going to pay tax, but you won’t be charged as long as you apply for a tax exemption.

The calculation is done from April every year, so in 2022, vehicles built or registered before 1st January 1982 could apply for a tax exemption from the 1st of April 2022.

Campervans Registered Before 1st March 2001

For campervans less than 40 years old, but registered before 1st March, 2001, it depends on your gross (also called maximum or revenue) vehicle weight and engine. Campervans weighing under 3,500kg were classed as light goods vehicle, and so were taxed as such.

If your campervan weighs under 3,500kg and has an engine size of under 1549cc, then you will be charged £180 per year, and if the engine size is over 1549cc, then you will be charged £295 a year.

Those weighing over 3,500kg will have to check with the manufacturer, as the government doesn’t currently provide information on this.

Campervans Registered from 1st March 2001 to 1st April 2017

If your campervan weighs under 3,500kg and has an engine size of under 1549cc, then you will be charged £180 per year, and if the engine size is over 1549cc, then you will be charged £295 a year.

If it’s over 3,500kg, you’ll pay £165 annually.

Euro 4 and Euro 5 Compliant Campervans

If your campervan is Euro 4 and registered between 1st March 2003 and 31st December 2006 or Euro 5 compliant and registered between 1st January 2009 and 31st December 2010, then you will pay £140 annually.

Campervans Registered Between 1st April 2017 and 11th March 2020

Now, this is where it gets confusing.

If your motorhome or campervan was registered between 1st April 2017 and 11th March 2020, it is in the M1SP category (check with your manufacturer or dealer if unsure) and has its CO2 emissions included on the type approval certificate then you will pay a different rate. Confusing right?

If your motorhome or campervan was registered between 1st April 2017 and 11th March 2020, it is in the M1SP category (check with your manufacturer or dealer if unsure) and has its CO2 emissions included on the type approval certificate then you will pay a different rate. Confusing right?

If all of the above apply, you’ll pay as if you were a car, hence why you need the emissions certificate.

M1SP category

So, if you have a campervan that meets the above criteria, then you will pay the second payment of £165 annually, or if your list price was above £40,000 then you’ll pay £520 annually for the first five years, starting from the second year you pay tax. After that, it will go down to the second tax payment cost.

Otherwise, you pay the standard motorhome charge, of either £180, £295 or £165.

Campervans Registered After 11th March 2020

Now, it’s much simpler.

It follows the standard motorhome charge scheme, which is as follows:

Under 3,500kg gross vehicle weight

Engine Size (cc) Single 12-month payment
Not over 1549 £180
Over 1549 £295

Over 3,500kg gross vehicle weight campervans pay an annual cost of £165.

Why Do Some M1SP Motorhomes Pay a Different VED?

This was all to do with a change in how new motorhomes were classified at registration. The laws at the time were changed to state that for the purpose of VED, motorhomes and campervans should fall into category M1SP (Special Purpose). This meant that the manufacturer(s) had to provide a Certificate of Conformity (COC) at each stage of the manufacturing process.

For cars, this was simple as they are all built by the same people in the same process.

However, for campervan and motorhome manufacturers, this is trickier, as they are manufactured at different stages by different people. The chassis may be done in one place, the exterior build at another and final interior changes completed elsewhere. This meant that the Certificate of Conformity (COC) provided to the DVLA often had no CO2 figures on, as only the last manufacturer’s COC was considered for the purposes of VED.

So, if the last manufacturer’s COC had no emissions data on, the motorhome was classified as a motorhome, and taxed using the private light (or heavy) goods vehicle cost. For those that had a CO2 figure on their emissions certificate, they were charged the first-year car cost, which could be up to £2,135.

This came into force for September 2019 due to EU law changing, but only lasted a short six and a half months thanks to lobbying from the National Caravan Council. Any new motorhomes or campervans registered between 1st September 2019 and 11th March 2020 did have to pay the increased first year tax costs. Motorhomes/campervans registered after March 2020 now pay the ‘van’ rate, which is what it was previously.

As shown above, campervans that meet the M1SP and have an emissions certificate now pay the second-year cost for cars, but any other campervans/motorhomes won’t.

Is road tax cheaper for a campervan?

Road tax for campervans and motorhomes is the same, so neither is cheaper than the other. And, as some campervans are taxed as cars, the cost is largely the same.

Do you pay road tax on a campervan?

Yes, you do pay road tax on campervans and motorhomes, although they are classified as light goods vehicles rather than cars. They will either be class TC11 (Private or Light Goods) or class TC10 (Private Heavy Goods).

Don’t Forget Insurance When You Tax Your Vehicle

Just Kampers Insurance provides specialist campervan insurance for campervan owners, by campervan owners.

We remain competitive, and if we can’t beat your quote, we’ll give you a £50 Just Kampers gift card. Why not see how we can help you today?