How much does it cost to convert campervan in NZ?

Wondering how much to convert a campervan? On average, it costs $6,500 - $18,000 to convert a van into a camper if you already own the base vehicle.

However, if you need to buy the base vehicle, this can increase the price. Buying a brand new base vehicle and converting it into a campervan might cost anywhere from $50,000 - $135,000. Comparatively, buying and converting a second-hand vehicle might only cost between $9,500 - $110,000.

Conversions costs vary depending on the model of base vehicle, the fitout of the campervan and the size of the campervan. On average, however, the cost of converting a campervan can be broken down into:

• The Base Vehicle

• Brand New: $45,000 - $115,000

• Second-Hand: $3,000 - $95,000

• Insulation and Soundproofing: $450 - $800

• Cladding, Lining and Flooring: $600 - $1,000

• Windows and Ventilation: $250 - $1,500

• Water System: $300 - $500

• Electrics and Lighting: $2,000 - $3,000

• Bedroom: $500 - $1,500

• Bathroom: $250 - $400

• Kitchen: $1,250 - $2,500

• Dining Area: $300 - $400

• Other Additional Costs: $2,500+

The good news is this - there’s an easy way to recoup the costs of your campervan conversion and even make some money on the side! Read on to find out how.

Main Costs When Converting a Campervan

The Base Vehicle

Total Cost

Brand New: $45,000 - $115,000

Second-Hand: $3,000 - $95,000

When converting a campervan, the base vehicle is likely going to be the largest cost. You need to consider how you will be using your campervan, how far you will be taking it and how often you will be using it?

If you believe that you will only be using your campervan for the occasional road trip to a holiday park (e.g. once or twice a year), you can probably get away with spending less on an older model of van. However, if you want a vehicle that is reliable and capable of frequent and long road trips, you should invest in a newer model with fewer km on the clock.

Investing in a reliable vehicle upfront can save you thousands in repairs and maintenance over the coming years. A newer model also means that you will likely spend less on the initial mechanical costs.

Some of the most popular van models that are frequently converted to campervans in New Zealand are:

• Fiat Ducato (Best Budget Option)

• Brand New Cost: $50,000 - $60,000

• Second Hand Cost: $3,000 - $30,000

• Ford Transit

• Brand New Cost: $50,000 - $65,000+

• Second Hand Cost: $3,000 - $55,000

• Volkswagen T5 or T6

• Brand New Cost: $47,000 - $83,000

• Second Hand Cost: $12,000 - $55,000

• Mercedes Sprinter (Best High-End Option)

• Brand New Cost: $65,000 - $115,000

• Second Hand Cost: $8,000 - $95,000

Don't buy a campervan base vehicle without reading What to Look for When Buying a Campervan!

Insulation and Soundproofing

Total Cost: $450 - $800

When converting your campervan, think about how you will be using it throughout summer and winter.

If you want to use your campervan in cold climates (e.g. alpine regions), you will want to install several layers of high R-value insulation. However, if you only want to use your campervan in summer, you probably won't require as much high-quality insulation.

Keep in mind that insulation is also important for absorbing moisture and preventing rust and mould. Plus, it provides soundproofing.

When budgeting for your campervan conversion, don’t forget that insulation should also cover the floor, roof and water pipes if you want to camp in freezing conditions. If the water pipes under your campervan freeze, this can cause them to crack and leak (a financial nightmare!).

Itemised Costs

• Sheep Wool Insulation (for walls): $200

• Rigid Foam Board Insulation (for floor and ceiling): $100

• Spray Foam (for hard-to-reach places): $50

• Internal Thermal Blind Set: $180

• Piping Insulation (optional): $120

• Additional Soundproofing (optional): $200

Cladding, Lining and Flooring

Total Cost: $600 - $1,000

The walls, lining and flooring of your campervan set the theme of the interior. Depending on the material you choose, you can even go for a clean modern look or a more rustic cosy vibe.

The majority of campervan converters choose to use timber because it is affordable and easy to cut to size. In areas that are unseen (e.g. under the bed or behind the kitchen bench), you can save money by using cheaper cuts of timber (i.e. plywood). For the rest of the van, however, you will probably want to use higher-quality timber cladding. You may also want to oil and paint the timber cladding for your desired appearance.

In terms of flooring, you’ll need to decide whether you want timber, carpet or a mix of both. This is a personal choice. Timber floors can be easier to keep clean, but carpeted floors tend to be more comfortable (especially in colder climates).

Itemised Costs

• Plywood (for unseen areas): $85

• Timber Cladding (for walls): $400

• Flooring Timber: $200

• Roofing Timber: $115

• Staining Oil (optional): $20

• Paint and Primer (optional): $150

• Carpeting (optional): $60

Ventilation and Windows

Total Cost: $250 - $1,500

Ventilation is key to preventing moisture and mould from building up inside your converted campervan.

Pop-up ventilation hatches are an affordable option if you’re on a tight budget. But if you’re willing to spend just a little bit more, fan ventilation is better at drawing smells and moisture out of the vehicle. Plus, fan hatches have the added benefit of pulling in cool air during hot summer months.

You should also consider adding a layer of ventilation under your mattress. A product like Hypervent can help to wick away moisture under the bed and prevent mould from growing.

If your van lacks natural light, you may also think about installing windows and/or a skylight during your campervan conversion. Believe it or not, this is a fairly easy thing to do by yourself if you have a window fitting kit and all the right tools (listed below). And it will save you a tonne of money compared to having the windows installed professionally.

Itemised Costs

• Roof Vent with Fan: $180

• Hypervent (under the bed): $80

• Small Window Curtains and Curtain Rods: $25

• Window Fitting Kit (optional): $100

• Windows (optional): $300 to $1,000 each (depending on size and glaze)

• Skylight Vent (optional): $250

• Sealant (optional): $15

Water System

Total Cost: $300 - $500

The water system in your campervan does not have to be too complex or expensive. It will likely only be used for the kitchen sink and the shower.

When converting a campervan, most people go for the simple option of connecting their sink and shower to the same water tank via a pump. If you are willing to spend a little bit more on higher water pressure, an accumulator can also be useful.

If you decide that you want hot water, this can make a large difference to the cost of the water system. Tankless instant water heaters (which connect to an LPG tank) are the best budget option. If you’re not worried about cost, you could also consider installing a boiler.

Itemised Costs

• Fresh Water Tank (20L): $30

• Waste Water Tank (20L): $30

• Pipes, Hoses and Connectors: $60

• Water Pump: $150

• Water Filter System: $100

• Accumulator (Optional): $125

Electrics and Lighting

Total Cost: $2,000 - $3,000

The electrical system in your campervan is another area where you must consider what you really need whilst travelling. What kind of appliance will you need to run and how many of them?

If you want to run electricity-heavy appliances like hairdryers and microwaves, you will need an expensive plug-in system. However, if you only want to charge your phone and turn on a few lights, a simple battery system might suffice.

In New Zealand, you may need to have a professional install your campervans electrical system to ensure that it meets safety regulations. This can significantly increase the cost of your campervan conversion.

We recommend investing a good chunk of your budget into the electrics and lighting in order to make sure that your campervan conversion is safe and comfortable.

Itemised Costs

• 2x Campervan Batteries: $800

• Power Inverter: $400

• Battery Charger: $300

• Fuse Box and Fuses: $40

• Power Switch x 3: $75

• 240V Power Socket x3: $150

• USB Power Port: $40

• LED Lights: $300

• Wiring and Connectors: $100

• 175W Solar Panel (Optional): $270

Bedroom

Total Cost: $500 - $1,500

When converting your campervan, the bedroom is an area where you can do an amazing job by yourself at a fairly low cost.

Knocking up your bed frame is quite simple and cheap. All it takes is a few cuts of plywood, some bed slats and one or two Youtube tutorials. Plus, you can also create your own storage solutions and drawers under the bed, which saves you the cost of buying pre-made options.

The most expensive part of the bedroom is the mattress itself. This is not something that you want to cut costs on, given that you spend so much time in bed when holidaying in your campervan. Find a mattress that is a suitable size and go to the store to try it out. You can always add a mattress topper if you want some extra comfort.

Itemised Costs

• Plywood for Bed Frame and Hinges: $100

• Draw Runners x2: $20

• Bed Slats: $50

• Queen Size Mattress: $250 - $1,500 (depending on quality)

• Down Duvet: $60

• Down Pillows x2: $100

Bathroom

Total Cost: $250 - $400

Again, the “bathroom” does not have to be a large expense. Many campervan conversions don’t even feature a “bathroom” per se. Most of the time, campers are happy with just a shower and a portable toilet.

If you do decide that you want a permanent indoor toilet and shower, this will increase costs dramatically as you then have to budget for larger water and waste tanks - as well as building costs.

Itemised Costs

• Solar Shower Kit: $80

• Portable Toilet: $200

Kitchen

Total Cost: $1,250 - $2,500

Adding a kitchen to your campervan conversion can either cost a pittance or a fortune. It all depends on which fittings you choose to add and how you add them.

Don’t waste a lot of money on pre-fabricated kitchen frames and appliances that you won't use. If you want to save on costs, consider building the frame yourself using timber like pine board and plywood.

Also, shop around for the best price on your countertop and appliances. There is always a heap of second-hand fridges, sinks and gas hobs being sold on sites like TradeMe.

Itemised Costs

• Frame Fit-Out Materials: $100

• Countertop: $200

• 12V Fridge/Freezer Combo: $500

• 2x Burner Gas Hob with Lid: $400

• Kitchen Draws and Cupboards: $100

• Sink, Tap and Waste Drain: $250

• Plastic Rubbish Bin: $10

Dining Area

Total Cost: $300 - $400

The “dining area” is similar to the “bathroom”, in that it essentially just consists of add-ons to your campervan’s kitchen. This makes it a fairly cheap part of your campervan conversion.

A simple storage bench is a cost-effective way of adding both extra storage and a seat to your campervan. And if you build a pull-out dining table into your kitchen frame, you’ve got yourself a dining area. Add a few cushions and you’re all set!

Itemised Costs

• Storage Bench with Seat: $200

• Materials for Pull Out Table: $100

• Bench Cushion: $30

• Extra Cushions x2: $20

Additional Costs When Converting a Campervan Base Vehicle Repairs and Service

Total Cost: $500+

If you buy a second-hand base vehicle, chances are that it will need a thorough inspection and service before it is ready for the road. By investing a little bit of money into the vehicle now, you can save yourself from ongoing repair costs in the future. Make sure to check the:

• Tyres, Balancing and Alignment

• Oils and Fluids

• Seals

• Brakes

• Ball Joints

• Windshield Wipers

• Air Conditioning

On average, the cost of servicing a vehicle can range anywhere from $300 to well over $1000.

Tools

Total Cost: $650

If you’re going to be converting your campervan yourself, you need a good set of tools. You may already own most of the tools that you need - but if there’s something you don’t have, it’s probably worth investing in. The tools that are usually required include:

• Drill Kit: $75

• Drill Pieces: $20

• Jigsaw: $45

• Pocket Hole Jig: $150

• Circular Saw: $90

• Handsaw: $20

• Router Bit Set: $25

• Super Glue: $10

• Tape: $10

• Copper Pipe Cutter: $90

• Clamps: $20

• Screwdriver Set: $20

• Screws: $15

• Pliers: $15

• Wrench Set: $20

• Hammer: $10

• Spirit Level: $15

Security and Sensor Features

Total Cost: $150+

After pouring your time and money into your campervan conversion, you’ll likely want to invest just a little bit more in keeping it safe and secure.

Perhaps the cheapest option is to buy a steering wheel lock, so that even if someone breaks into the campervan, they can’t steal the vehicle. If you’re willing to spend a little more time working on your conversion, however, we recommend installing deadlocks on the rear and side doors. These will prevent thieves from breaking into the living quarters and stealing your stuff.

Also, rear parking sensors are a cheap addition to your campervan conversion and will save you a world of pain and hassle when it comes to reversing and parking.

Itemised Costs

• Rear Parking Sensors: $100

• Steering Wheel Lock: $35

• Deadbolt Lock Set (optional): $50

• Engine Immobiliser (optional): $150

Registration and Classification

Total Cost: $350+

All road vehicles, including campervans, must be registered before they can be driven on the road. In New Zealand, the annual cost of registering a campervan is between $250 - $300.

You may also need to obtain a Warrant of Fitness (WOF) if the vehicle is more than 3 years old. The cost of a WOF is about $60 a year.

Finally, if the vehicle is diesel, Road User Charges will apply. The charges vary, but most campervan owners pay between $62 to $69 per 1,000km.

How Much to Have a Campervan Professionally Converted?

Converting your campervan yourself may take a long time, but it will save you a lot of money compared to having your campervan professionally converted.

It is hard to put an exact figure on how much professional campervan conversion costs, given that there are so many variables. Based on our research, however, it tends to cost anywhere from $7,000 to $30,000+ (inclusive of materials and labour) to have your campervan professionally converted.

How to Earn a Return on Your Investment

Many Kiwis earn up to $10,000 a year by hiring out their campervan through Camplify. After signing up, they quickly pay off the cost of their campervan conversion and create a long-term passive income stream.

As New Zealand’s fastest-growing private campervan sharing community, Camplify takes care of many of the expenses involved in hiring out your vehicle:

• Comprehensive hire insurance

• 24/7 RAC nationwide breakdown cover for hirers

• Dedicated customer support

If you’re keen to earn a return on your investment, calculate how much income you could generate each year by using our earnings calculator!