If you’ve decided that van life is something you want to pursue — even just for a season — then one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is how to get your van.
Should you buy one that’s already converted and ready to roll? Or start with an empty shell and build it yourself? Do you really need a Sprinter van, or are there other options that cost less but still work great?
This part of our Van Life series will help you make that decision with confidence, based on your lifestyle, skills / passion, budget, and timeline.
💌 This is part of our Ultimate Guide to Van Life – a members-only series for subscribers of Campers & Camping.
In this in-depth series, we share everything you need to know about van life: from choosing your first camper van, to budgeting, working remotely, and handling the realities of life on the road.
✨ Not yet subscribed? Join our community to unlock this series →
📚 Ultimate Guide to Van Life – Table of Contents:
- Is this lifestyle really for you?
- Choosing or building your camper van ← You are here
- How much does van life cost – and can it save you money?
- Full-time vs. part-time van living - How to choose?
- The unglamorous stuff: parking, showers, toilets & more
- Finding community and staying connected
Buying vs. building your camper van
There’s no universal “right” way to start van life — but there is a right way for you.
It depends on your budget, how much time you’ve got, your comfort level with tools and projects, and whether you’re trying to hit the road fast or slowly build your dream setup.
🔧 Option 1: Build it yourself (DIY conversion)
This is the path for tinkerers, creatives, budgeters, and people who want full control over their space. This is our prefered route.
Starting with an empty cargo van gives you a blank canvas to design something that’s truly tailored to your lifestyle.
Pros:
- You control the layout, look, and functionality
- You’ll save a lot of money (especially if you do the labor)
- You’ll learn everything about your van’s systems — super helpful when (not if) something breaks
Cons:
- Time-consuming (builds can take weeks or months)
- Requires tools, space, and skills (or a willingness to learn on the fly)
- Mistakes can be expensive if you guess your way through it
🚐 Option 2: Buy a pre-converted van
Buying a ready-to-go camper van (whether from a professional builder or another van lifer) is ideal if you want to get on the road ASAP, or you don’t want to worry about plumbing, wiring, and cutting giant holes in your vehicle.
