Budgeting

howsono

So I'm looking at my first conversion as a reward for writing my car off.

Currently thinking - and I'm open to change! LWB/HiRoof panel van that I'll be driving on a daily basis. Fun but can't justify two cars! Two largeish side windows. Chairs/table-come-double bed towards the front which I somehow need to make able to sit two car seats safely, then kitchen, then transverse bunks (one sofa, the other hinged to form backrest. This will fit against a bulkhead which will be accessible from outside for loo, poss shower, storage...

I'm on a tightish budget. Set myself a grand (and so far have put together a basic list of 3 grand! I'm not good at budgeting)

Thoughts are get caravan windows, fit, paint, insulate using foam, foil tape, foil-covered bubble wrap, wire up then 6mm ply all around and up above, with 9mm below. I like the grain but I suppose I could use chip board and cover to save money? Thrown in a few quid for 2nd hand appliances and cushions. LOTS of this is speculative as I have no idea how much I'll actually need. I've attached my budget - anyone with 5m able to say I've budgeted for too much/too little of anything, missed something big, or got my prices alllllll wrong?

thanks

Oli

View attachment 19820
 

Rodeo

My 2p. Covering , especially wipeable stuff,mdf/chipboard would probably cost more than plywood and varnish or paint.
Ive just bought 4" foam for a 6ft d/bed..cheapest I could get it was £79 .
I would use 6mm ply lower down as well to save money/weight.
Im not too sure about accessing the toilet from outside, as experience tells me the kids are always wanting to wee, and it could get a bit dodgy on a road having to park up and get out to use the loo, not to mention at nightime.
If you are having 2 sets of seats will u need 2 tables?
some of your list costings are ott, but theres bound to be stuff youve missed, so it should even out eg wheel trims and decals vs no price for the repairs if it fails mot. Get stuff s/hand its cheaper!
 
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n brown

n brown

Forum Member
if you can afford that-go for it
if you can't,then re-think it ! I did my lt35 for about 7-800 quid.insulation was recycled plastic bottle looks like rockwool,all framing was 15mm square.no decals or wheel trims.i have a fridge 4 burner grill and oven,about £100 the lot,eberspacher heater,£60 scrapyard,paid about £15 for 2 caravan windows etc.
all framing was cut down pallet wood,a lot of the ply I bought as damaged sheets or cover sheets. foam for the bed from a boot sale,w/top and floor from ikea bargain basement.
I am a scavenging cheapskate,but only because I don't really like giving my money to other people
 

Jimhunterj4

Caravan heaven,
It's a caravan graveyard come caravan recycling centre near Falkirk, check them out they are pretty cheap for second hand caravan stuff, I got a new blower and pipes and thermostatic controls for my motor home fully fitted by them for £80 I'm sure they would post stuff at your expence
 

hippy travels

Have you thought about picking up a old caravan to break i am just finishing off our lastest conversion and picked up a ABI Globetrotter have used water heater, fridge, oven, hob, sink, kitchen bases, gas bottles, lights, seat units foam (beds), zig charger, cassette toilet, shower and loads of slliy bits and pieces that you would spend a small fortune on. In the passed i have also used the windows and sky lights and sold what's left spare windows doors chassis and fittings by the time i am finished all the caravan parts i have used will of cost me about £200 for the lot that's less than the foam would of cost me new ! (my god the wifes right i really am a tight git) :lol-049::lol-049:
 

howsono

I'm learning lots! I think I'm going the caravan route and quite like the idea of thin ply varnished nicely to bring out the grain for the covering. Mate is a kitchen and bathroom fitter so hoping he can liberate some worktops and offcuts and the like. Not above a bit of skip diving but I need to make sure if worst comes to the worst it's affordable :) and good enough for the missus to sleep in without yelling at me :)
 

Firefox

Depends really how much you scavenge on freecycle etc.

It may seem like saving, but the amount of time you can spend sourcing the right bits not such a good idea if you work full time at something else. For example spend a day scrounging around for 2nd hand wood, you could have worked 7 hours, earned £100-150, bought the wood new and still have £££'s to spare, so everything is a trade off.

Things like handles, fittings, and trim can be expensive. You could easily spend more than £50, but overall I think your figures are about right.
 

Rodeo

I reckon the total is about right, but individually the items will be juggled in price.To make scavenging easier I tend to keep on the look out for stuff well in advance even if I dont actually need it at that point in the build.With me its everything from pallets to a door knob! Ive got rubbish constipation...cant pass a skip!Anything I see around.You can always dump it later if unused.tbh I cant wait for the bootsales to start, as I need a few last bits!
 
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howsono

Lol

I love the idea of using cut down pallets. I'm not totally averse to planing and sanding the planks and doing the whole thing in them other than it would probably be too heavy!
 
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