As van life becomes increasingly popular, more companies are popping up offering different customizations, different pricing, and different packages all together. If you simply look up “van builders”, some of the biggest companies will show up right away.. but are these really the best option? Most of them are insanely expensive, lack personality in design, and have extremely long waiting lists. There are plenty of small companies and builders though that can create your dream home on wheels with way more style and within your budget.
These are all either friends of mine who I sincerely trust with any of your vans or companies that my friends have gone to and came out with beautiful, functional vans.
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These guys are insanely knowledgable and build a beautiful van. The images above are a bus conversion they did which turned out incredible! I’ve learned the hard way that having builders who don’t exactly know what they are doing can cause issues down the line. So you really want to make sure the people creating your dream home know what’s best! Sam has experience and has done an impressive amount of research on conversions. You will leave with a stunning van AND can trust that you won’t have problems down the line. He’s as passionate about van life as I’ve seen which is what you need in a builder!
This is the van builder of my most recent van (the AWD extended Ford Transit). Nick & Ikey are so talented and they build custom vans in San Diego. Both of them are very knowledgeable about what materials are best, what will last longest, etc. I chose them because of their talent and serious eye for detail! You can check them out or send an inquiry here.
Humble Hand Craft has been building tiny homes for awhile now but they just started focusing more on vans as well. Their specialty is recycled and reclaimed wood as you can see in the image above! They create a really beautiful cabin feel in their vans which is unique and definitely provides a cozy atmosphere. I’ve been to this shop many times and the guys couldn’t be nicer! I’m completely confident that they will hook you up with an awesome custom van home!
You may have seen these guys on Instagram or Youtube as 40 Hours of Freedom or Sara and Alex James. They make some of the most incredible looking vans I have ever seen. There’s not many people with experience using the HappiJac van lift. This feature includes an automatic system that lifts a second bed into the ceiling or lowers it down at night. They also have lots of experience with full bathrooms. The showers include really nice tile walls and a composting toilet as well. If you’re looking for a more luxury style van (and have a larger budget), these are your builders!
Jace has been building vans and living in them for years now. He’s an expert at this point when it comes to creating exactly what you want. Giddi has some serious skill with design as well. The two features they include in most of their vans would probably be the composting toilet and fixed bed. They also recently built a murphy bed for their daughter which is a great option for a family van. They are located in Utah and will also be one of the most budget- friendly options for labor. I really recommend looking into their vans if you are wanting someone with lots of experience and talent. You can also rent their van here if you want to try out van life and get a feel for THEIR van builds.
6. VANLIFE CUSTOMS
Vanlife Customs is one of the bigger companies on this list for sure. They build an exceptional van but do have a higher price range. They truly are entirely custom though and can basically do anything you are wanting to do with your van. They have some really rustic looking options along with more modern looks. This is another luxury option but if that’s what you are looking for, definitely check them out!
VanCraft is located in Oceanside, CA and offers the option to rent a van or buy one. So if you’re not entirely sure about van life, this is definitely a good option for you! You can get well- acquainted with their vans and how they’re built, and then buy one for yourself if you love it! They also have the option of including an oven which isn’t seen very often so if you really want an amazing kitchen, these are your people!
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