How to Build a Campervan for Under £10k

A practical, step-by-step plan to keep your conversion under £10,000 — without cutting corners on safety or comfort.

Start with your reality, not Instagram

Most budgets blow up because the build tries to do everything. Define your trip style first: weekend escapes, multi‑week touring, or full‑time. Your usage profile drives every decision that follows.

Set the big three constraints

1. Budget: cap spend at £10k including van prep.
2. Scope: pick must‑haves vs nice‑to‑haves.
3. Timeline: phases you can actually finish.

Prioritise spend where it matters

• Safety & insulation first — it’s your comfort and risk profile.
• Electrics sized to need — no point buying a 2,000W inverter for a 300W lifestyle.
• Modular furniture — plywood boxes + good edges beat over‑engineered cabinetry early on.

Electrics: pick the right size once

List appliances → daily watt‑hours → battery Ah → charging (alternator/solar) → inverter (only if you need 230/240V). Don’t buy panels before you know your storage.

Cost‑saving swaps that don’t suck

• Walls: plywood + paint > expensive wall cladding.
• Floor: quality vinyl sheet > heavy hardwood.
• Water: submersible pump + jerry cans > complex fixed tanks (at first).
• Cooking: portable induction or cartridge stove while you learn your pattern.

Sample budget (parts only)

• Electrics starter system: £900–£1,600 (AGM) or £1,200–£2,000 (LiFePO₄)
• Insulation & lining: £300–£600
• Floor & walls: £250–£500
• Bed & storage: £300–£700
• Water (basic): £80–£200

Numbers vary by van size and what you already own. Track every purchase to avoid “mystery spend”.

Order of operations (keeps rework low)

1. Rust, leaks, cleaning.
2. Insulation & sound deadening.
3. Electrics rough‑in & board placement.
4. Walls & floor.
5. Furniture modules.
6. Finishes and add‑ons.

Final advice

Decide once, build once. Keep scope honest, measure usage, and let the numbers guide your shopping list.