As the #vanlife movement continues to gain momentum, thousands of people across the U.S. are looking to buy a converted camper van. Hiring a professional camper van building company is becoming a popular option for people who don’t want to take on a DIY camper van build.

Of course, there are lots of new camper van builders looking to capitalize on this growing trend. It’s not hard to find a conversion company that can build a functional and durable camper van, but you shouldn’t stop searching there.

A camper van conversion is a big investment, and you should take the time to make sure that the company you hire can meet your needs without making too many major sacrifices. Use this article to learn some questions you can ask that will help you find the right camper van conversion company!

1. How Will You Use Your Camper Van?

This is one of the first questions you should ask yourself about your camper van conversion. Are you looking to live in the van full-time, or just use it for short getaways? Will you be driving in snow or on rough roads?

Smaller questions like these can help you answer the bigger question: what is this van for, and how will it be used? Once you have a clear idea of how you will be using your camper van, you can begin to narrow down features that are must-haves for you.

2. How Custom Do You Want Your Camper Van?

One major consideration is how much influence you want to have on your final build. When asked this question, a lot of people will say that they want a fully custom conversion, without really understanding what that means.

While a fully custom van conversion does allow you to control more about your build, it also comes with the following drawbacks:

• More expensive: Of course, custom builds mean much more design and fabrication time for conversion companies. You should be prepared to pay top dollar to work with a company on a fully custom build.
• Time-consuming: A lot of people choose to hire a van conversion company instead of taking on a DIY van build because they simply don’t have the time. If you want a fully custom build, you should be prepared to work with a van conversion company extensively to make decisions about your van.
• Usually not necessary: While a fully custom build might seem attractive at first, the juice is usually not worth the squeeze. Some conversion companies offer partially-custom builds, which helps you capitalize on their extensive design experience while still allowing for personal touches. Here at Muse & Co. Outdoors, for example, we offer two standard layouts, with many opportunities to add features and customize the look and feel of your van. The result is a more affordable, stress-free camper van buying experience without compromising on quality.

3. What’s Your Budget?

This is something you should be clear about before choosing a van conversion company. Having a budget doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a fixed price you are willing to pay for a camper van conversion. Instead, you might have a budget range that fluctuates a bit depending on how many of your preferences a conversion company is able to provide you.

4. What are Your Camper Van Must-Haves?

A van is a small space, and although conversion companies are pretty amazing at packing in lots of features, you’ll still inevitably have to live without some things while you’re out on the road.

This is why it’s essential to have a shortlist of must-have features in your van. Do you need a queen-size bed? A fridge? How about off-grid charging capabilities? As you research Sprinter van features, compiling a list of your must-haves can save you time and energy when you start searching for a conversion company.

5. What’s Your Style?

As you dive into the world of converted Sprinter vans, you will quickly learn that style and aesthetics vary greatly. From stripped-down, super-rugged off road builds, to luxury builds with lavishly detailed woodwork, there’s something for everyone when it comes to van conversions.

Most people naturally gravitate towards certain aesthetics. You’ll be spending a lot of time in the van, so go with a style that speaks to you. Lastly, remember that the choice isn’t entirely superficial—a van’s aesthetic can say a lot about the build quality and craftsmanship of the conversion.

6. What’s Your Timeframe?

You’re not the only one looking for a Sprinter van conversion! Many van building companies are backed up for months right now due to high demand.

Before you commit to a certain company, be sure to check their current wait times and ask about how long their builds take. If you are looking to travel in the next few months, you might have fewer options than you had originally thought.

7. What Camper Van Base Do You Want?

There are a few popular options out there for cargo vans that can be professionally converted into campers. Each has some specific pros and cons, but if you can afford it, the Mercedes Sprinter is widely regarded as the top choice for camper van conversions. If you do choose to go with a Sprinter, make sure that your van conversion company can build upon that platform.

Are you ready to hire a Bay Area Sprinter conversion company? Muse & Co. Outdoors is here for you.