Camper vs Van Renovations: Which is Better? 

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At rain2shine, we specialize in BOTH Camper Renovations AND Van Conversions on a client basis. Below, we discuss the pros of Van Life vs Camper Life and the vast difference in work between camper vs van renovations.  

The Renovation Work

There is a big difference in the work involved in renovating campers vs. vans.

Camper Renovations

Camper Renovations can vary significantly in cost and labor between a facelift and a full gut job.

This is why there is no set price for our clients’ renovations at rain2shine, as each of our remodels is entirely custom to that client’s wants and needs.

Our estimates are based on the state and size of the RV the client owns or purchases, as well as the scope of the renovation and design requested by that particular client.

Nevertheless, here’s a simple breakdown of what a renovation can entail.

1. Facelift

A facelift typically means the current layout works for the client, so we’re not reworking the floorplan and typically consists of:

• Paint
• New Flooring
• Some upgrades including appliances, backsplash, wallpaper, fixtures, and furniture.

2. Full Gut

A full gut requires removing everything from the furniture to the cabinetry and starting fresh. This option lets you keep a similar layout or change the floor plan altogether.

You may need a second bedroom or bathroom. Or perhaps you need a separate workspace if you’re traveling with family, or maybe you’re using your camper for lodging and business such as a traveling masseuse, tattoo artist, hair stylist, dog groomer, pop-up boutique, etc. (which also means tax write-offs!). 

These changes must be considered when assessing the scope of work and labor required to make your RV fully function for you:

• Paint
• New Flooring
• New Appliances and Fixtures
• Backsplash
• Custom-built furniture/cabinetry OR purchasing the necessary items and retrofitting them for the client’s lifestyle, i.e., work, activities, hobbies, equipment, spaces for kids and/or pets, etc. 
• Running new (or adding to) electrical and plumbing to accommodate the new layout and any new items. 

3. The “In-Between”

And then there’s what we consider the “in-between,” where it’s more than a Facelift but not a Full Gut.

• Paint
• New Flooring
• Removing and/or rebuilding certain areas of the camper to fit new appliances, furniture, equipment, accommodate sleeping arrangements, work/office space, layout, etc.  
• Other upgrades, such as backsplash, wallpaper, and/or fixtures, can be included.

Van Renovations

Van Conversions are extremely different from a camper renovation; you are literally starting from scratch (a metal shell). There’s no electrical, plumbing, walls, ceiling or floor.

The main reason there’s so much more cost involved in a van build than in a camper renovation is due to the materials (or lack thereof, to start with).

The second reason is that a van is built differently than a camper because it has curves, unlike a camper with more 90-degree angles.

It’s much more challenging, time-consuming, and labor-intensive than a camper renovation. (The same would apply to buses.)

The Cost Involved

*Disclaimer:  These costs are based on having the work done by a professional.

While many DIYers do fantastic work, the price they pay (and share) for their projects can be misleading compared to paying a professional.

Most notably, DIYers typically don’t track the amount of time put into their projects: actual labor/construction, researching, and shopping for materials (and tools) needed–this can include scavenging for parts to save money.  If you have plenty of time to do the work, money, and expertise to purchase and use the required tools, you can save money and maybe even cut some corners by DIY-ing.

However, for those busy with family, life, and work, these projects can drag out for months or years, and sometimes paying a professional makes the most sense. Furthermore, when considering a space you live AND travel in, it’s essential to be confident that everything has been constructed correctly–wiring, plumbing, custom-built furniture, interior design, etc.

The main takeaway is with a professional (with comprehensive experience and expertise), you’re paying for time, labor, and materials vs. only paying for materials when you DIY. 

Camper Renovation Costs

Now, the question on everyone’s mind…How much do these various types of renovations cost when completed by a professional?

Facelift vs Full Gut Camper Renovation Costs

At rain2shine, our camper renovations start at $25K in labor (NOT including materials).

This is because the two largest, most time-consuming, and labor-intensive jobs we do in any RV remodel include Paint & Flooring. We’ve never had a client who only wants these 2 things and nothing else.

Therefore, once you add a few extras like backsplash, appliances, fixtures, etc., you’re looking at a $25K starting cost for an average Facelift.

We’ve also done a few Full Guts, which generally run $75K++. 

Keep in mind that for a Full Gut, you will also be spending a lot more on all new materials and custom builds vs. painting and repurposing the items you would keep in a Facelift. However, this type of renovation can be very beneficial to those who need customized spaces for special equipment or a business and can also be a tax write-off in numerous ways when used commercially.

As I mentioned above, most of our clients typically want a renovation between a Facelift and a Full Gut. The general cost for this type of renovation in an average-size camper is $45K.

Partial Camper Renovations

On the other hand, our partial camper renovations start at $10K.

Camper Renovation Material Options

Additionally, we offer our clients options in terms of their materials. We typically give them a choice of 3 items (when possible) that will fit each space, whether a light fixture, tile for the backsplash, sink, refrigerator, sofa, etc.

Therefore, our clients can choose how much they want to spend on their materials.  They can pick the $500 sofa or the $1,500 sofa.

Camper Cost Breakdown

It all comes down to the time and labor required to grant clients’ requests for their wants and needs.

This might seem like a lot of money to some, but there is a lot of time, labor, and materials involved in all types of construction, including camper renovations.

In fact, camper renovations are much more complicated than in a brick-and-mortar home for various reasons.  

Camper Benefits

On the other hand, whether you are looking to go full-time in your RV or want to upgrade your RV (camper or van) for travel and recreational use, there can be many benefits.

For example, if you think about the price of buying a brick-and-mortar home (especially these days) with additional costs like HOA fees, monthly utilities, yard work, and all the other expenses, you will most definitely be saving money not only on the initial purchase but on all your monthly costs while living in an RV.  

Let’s face it: inflation has caused prices to go up for hotels, resorts, Airbnbs, gas, plane tickets, cruises, etc. RVs can be a much more economical choice, depending on how much you travel.

In my opinion, having a camper that you can take to a campground near your desired destination and pay less than what it would cost otherwise is totally worth it.

You’ll also save on dining since you can cook in your own kitchen, and most campgrounds have plenty of free activities and amenities compared to other travel choices, where everything is an add-on.

Van Renovation Costs

Unlike a camper, there’s no Facelift or Gut Job for a van.  It’s quite literally a “full custom-build.”  However, many factors can affect the cost of labor and materials for a van conversion.

At rain2shine, we have completed van builds ranging from $75-130K in total (labor and materials, but not including the van itself) depending on what the client requests as their wants and needs.

Our starting cost for a van build is $50K in labor only (in comparison to $25K for a camper).

This is because we know how much time and work it takes for the most basic van builds.  I’m talking about running wiring for electricity, plumbing for water and waste throughout the entire vehicle, and installing sound deadeners, insulation, and structure into the metal frame to install the ceiling, walls, flooring, cabinetry, and bed.  

From there, depending on the client’s wish list, more costs come into play.  Remember, we are a fully custom workshop; we don’t have any cookie-cutter options. Each of our vans is explicitly designed for that particular client and is custom-built (by hand) at rain2shine.

That said, our pricing aligns with other van builders that offer pre-made designs and materials. 

Van Build Material Options

Depending on the efficiency and brand of materials the client chooses for their van conversion, there are also varying costs.

Our clients have paid $25-75K for their materials alone. (On the low end was a client with very little plumbing and a simple electrical setup.)

My point is that there are many reasons why vans cost more than renovating a camper, mainly the quantity of materials needed to start and complete the build.  However, there are many pros to living or traveling in a van that can make up for the higher cost. 

The Pros of Traveling or Living in Campers vs. Vans

Camper Living Pros

Camper living and/or traveling can actually be quite comfortable. Yes, it’s a tiny home on wheels, but most campers aren’t “tiny.”

Additionally, most campers have slide-outs. With multiple slide-outs, the camper opens up immensely and has much more space. You CAN have a full kitchen, dining, living, master bed & bath. You might even have a second bedroom or office, depending on how much space there is to work with inside the camper.

This is why we often see and hear from people after one of our renovations, “This looks like a ‘real’ home!”  Guess what? It is a “real” home for many people, and that number continues to rise, so why not make it look and feel like home (or even a second home for traveling)??

Sneak Peek Into Life As A Full-Time RVer (youtube.com)

I believe campers are much more practical for parties of more than 2 people with pets and/or kids. Not to say that it’s not doable in a van because it certainly is, but it also depends on your lifestyle, how much time you’ll be spending outside vs. in the RV, and what comforts you require.  

Insurance Side Note

On another note, insurance can sometimes be easier to procure for a camper than a van that has been converted. It’s not extremely difficult to get insurance on a camper van, but I’ve heard that there are a few hoops to jump through to have it classified as a Class B, such as proving the conversion and specific upgrades from the work that was done.  I suggest you do your own research on this, as I’m not an insurance expert.

Van Living Pros

In contrast, these are the pros of van living:

• Compact size, which allows for more convenient parking/storage
• Better fuel efficiency
• Superior maneuverability for easier navigation through narrow city streets and winding mountain roads.
• No waiting in line at an RV repair shop
• Less maintenance:  no seals, slides, etc to maintain
• No set-up or tear-down
• Stealth camping
• Access to remote and off-grid locations

What It’s Like Working with rain2shine:

As a fully client-based company offering customized builds and renovations specific to each customer’s wants and needs, we welcome our clients’ ideas and guide them through the process with our expertise in small spaces, function, and interior design.  

Some clients give us free rein and creativity. In contrast, others are more particular or want options regarding layout and decor.  

We Get to Know Each Client

We strive to get to know each client before starting their project to ensure a smooth process.  On the contact form on our website, we ask questions such as:

1. Are there any must-haves or needs to be taken into consideration? For example, spaces for children and/or pets, work/office materials, special equipment, etc?
2. What is your design style or vision? Do you have examples (links or photos) of design styles you like?
3. Are you Full-Time or Recreational?
4. What kind of lifestyle do you lead? Very active, relaxed, work-oriented, etc.
5. Where do you intend to travel in your RV?

After reviewing these questions, we delve deeper with a phone call to get to know you even better and follow up with an in-person consultation to really understand what style/aesthetic you gravitate towards and what you need on a functional basis.  

We Make a Plan

After the consultation, we will make a list of the discussed work along with a breakdown of estimates for each major project. This allows you to see what’s doable within your budget and if there are any adjustments you want to make before getting started.

We Keep in Touch

We also touch base throughout your project with progress photos/videos and options for you, such as lighting, backsplash, wallpaper, etc.

Our clients come first, and the best part of our job is seeing you happy with the completion of the project!

For full details about our process, click here.

Summary

In conclusion, all types of recreational vehicles have many pros and cons. Each can serve a purpose for different lifestyles and needs.

It really all comes down to personal preference. I highly recommend researching the costs of each and what will best fit your lifestyle before taking the plunge on a camper or a van renovation.

And! I am always happy to offer guidance as a full-time RVer and renovator/builder for anyone interested, so feel free to reach out if you want my recommendations. My contact information can be found on our website.

See RV Renovation Guides Written by Alice:

• How to Install Tile in an RV: Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Remove RV Cabinets Like a Professional
• How to Replace RV Light Fixtures in 7 Easy Steps
• How to Prime Your RV Cabinets and Walls Like the Pros

The rain2shine Camping & Travel Journal

Lastly, for those who could benefit from a camping & travel journal that helps keep track of camping spots that you like/dislike, amenities provided, operational functionality, memories made, etc., please check out our rain2shine camping & travel journal!