Need Van Builder in Virginia or close

[waverider1987]

So, turns out I really can't build worth a crap.  I tore the entire inside of my 2005 chevy express out, put some insulation in, but that's pretty much it.  The sides are too curved and too many windows to really build anything easily in there. I can barely hammer a nail so I'm looking for some help.  I can't find any custom interior conversion companies in Virginia, closest I found is in asheville n.c., about 8 hours from here.  So i'm wondering if anyone knows an independent contractor who can build the inside of a van up or a company close by.  Not looking for anything fancy.  Just a raised platform for a bed, a sink and some cabinets, maybe a solar power pack.  I've pretty much just had a mattress in the back and it has served as a glorified tent on wheels but I had big plans for the interior of it and it's just sad that it's still how it is.  I would like to make it a little bit better.  Any help is appreciated.  Thanks.

 

[ColoRockiesFan]

Where in VA are you? I have had the same issues ... no skills, no tools, no place to do any building even if I wanted to. 
I’m in northern VA and have used various contractors, handymen, etc to do my build. It is almost done! 
But, it has been such a PITA that if I do this again, I’ll buy one already built out.

 

[CincyPlasmaTech]

While looking for help, try using cardboard to make your templates. They are easier to cut and fit, refit as many times as necessary without the added expense. It's a method shared to me by a master machinist and great friend who built his own Canard (experimental airplane) among many other interesting things.

I'm not good at nails either, so I use screws or adhesives.

 

[Rolling BnB]

Have you considered using furniture from a thrift store and attaching it with L brackets into your van?
 A long dresser could serve as a kitchen countertop with drawer storage below.  The Habitat Restore has tons of cabinets that could be retrofit by a handyman, who could also build a bed for you with storage underneath.  Here is one of Bob's videos highlighting a guy that built with bought furniture 

 

[ColoRockiesFan]

I am going to be using my van for weekend camping and longer road trips, not full-timing. So, my needs are a bit more basic. 

1. I went on thumbtack.com and advertised for a handyman/carpenter for the bed/floor build. I was very specific in what I wanted and hoped to find someone with van build experience. I did not but the guys I hired did a good enough job on the floor/bed that I had them do the insulation/wood paneling on my high top.

2. I found a handyman through the Nextdoor forum. I wish I had found him sooner as he does excellent work! I had him put down the linoleum flooring and do some other odds/ends. I'm going to ask him to install my kitchen cabinet and porta potti box. 

3. I chose a Inergy Kodiak with solar panels for my electrical needs. I used a car audio installation specialist to install my Maxx Air fan, the solar panels, and do the wiring. I figured if he was trusted to carve holes in very high-end cars, that I could trust him to cut holes in my van. Besides, we'd been going to him for years for various radio installs. He did an awesome job! 

Van conversion companies - I called the one in NC last year. Not impressed. First, they wouldn't even talk to me ... told me to call back several months later as they were "too busy." I called back several months later and they wanted a $2000 deposit for just an estimate! GOOD BYE!

I saw these guys in a forum: Off Grid Adventure Vans - they are located in Maryland. They look pricey but they do say on their website that you can call them for any custom work.

I hope some of this is helpful.

 

[Jevsie]

Hi! First post.

I'm also in northern VA. I've been lurking for a bit. I'm also interested in advice/tips for building as I'm a novice. I am willing to do most/all of it myself, and I do have plenty of time to build. I'm actually still in the van buying process. I'm probably going to go with a cargo like a Sprinter, Express, or Promaster. I'll have a few months to build it up before heading out (depending on when I buy the van).

I'm also willing to meet people with vans just to check the van out and get some ideas. I've watched a ton of videos, but I think seeing actual built-out vans would help.

ColoRockiesFan- Do you have any pics of your van? How much did each installation cost? I'm particularly interested in the solar as I'm most worried about that. I've watched a bunch of videos on solar, but I'm still wary.

What kind of insulation did you (waverider1987 and ColoRockiesFan) use? Do you have any advice on places to buy vans? I'm watching several used car places in the area, and the prices are mostly the same. It'll be hard to find a van that's less than $17k with less than 100k miles. I'd love to spend closer to $10k, but that's probably not going to happen.

I should have use of tools and a place to work at my brother's place, so I was thinking of at least insulating using foam board and spray foam and building simple but functional furniture (like a bed and dresser/shelves) in there. I'm not a builder/carpenter at all, but many of the people in the videos weren't either, and they did it.

 

[ColoRockiesFan]

I bought my van from a dealer in Georgia (and after an inspection by a national company). I had been searching Craigslist, autotrader.com and cars.com. Got tired of looking for a high top so I found a good used van and put the top on myself (with the help of Fiberine and a company in PA). 

Used 1/2" R-Tech on the floor and 1" R-Tech on the high top.

I have 2 100W solar panels on the roof to recharge my Kodiak. My installation costs for the solar panels and MaxxAir Fan was about $1000. The guy that did my solar panels had to craft braces/supports for the panels because the top of my high top is not flat. In hind sight, I probably should have had a roof rack installed and the solar panels secured to the rack. 

Here's a few links to my van and top:

Clancy

Clancy's High Top


If you are anywhere near Reston and want to check out my van, drop me a PM.

 

[Jillsjoy]

Check with Crystal Vanner on YT to see if her build out helpers are willing to do the same for others. It turned out quite nice.

 

[wanderingfreeman]

What part of Virginia? I will be in Virginia Beach in a few days, before heading to central Florida to winter over.

 

[waverider1987]

What part of Virginia? I will be in Virginia Beach in a few days, before heading to central Florida to winter over.

I'm in Hampton, it's near virginia beach.

 

[wanderingfreeman]

I'm in Hampton, it's near virginia beach.

I have changed plans. I am going to participate in the hurricane clean up in the Wilmington area. Been offered good money plus per diem. You gotta make money when you can. You know? If I finish in time to still come there before Florida, I will PM you. I have all the tools and space we need to work at my step dad's house in the Haygood area of Virginia Beach.

 

[waverider1987]

I have changed plans. I am going to participate in the hurricane clean up in the Wilmington area. Been offered good money plus per diem. You gotta make money when you can. You know? If I finish in time to still come there before Florida, I will PM you. I have all the tools and space we need to work at my step dad's house in the Haygood area of Virginia Beach.

I'm sure the people of Wilmington appreciate your help!

And ok just let me know

 

[Jevsie]

I bought my van from a dealer in Georgia (and after an inspection by a national company). I had been searching Craigslist, autotrader.com and cars.com. Got tired of looking for a high top so I found a good used van and put the top on myself (with the help of Fiberine and a company in PA). 

Used 1/2" R-Tech on the floor and 1" R-Tech on the high top.

I have 2 100W solar panels on the roof to recharge my Kodiak. My installation costs for the solar panels and MaxxAir Fan was about $1000. The guy that did my solar panels had to craft braces/supports for the panels because the top of my high top is not flat. In hind sight, I probably should have had a roof rack installed and the solar panels secured to the rack. 

Here's a few links to my van and top:

Clancy

Clancy's High Top


If you are anywhere near Reston and want to check out my van, drop me a PM.

Thanks for the reply and the pics! I definitely want to check out the van at some point.

 

[MichaelVan2Go]

If you're in Hampton, and you are looking for a place to put a high-top on your Express Van, there's a place called "The Van House" that does custom van conversions for various purposes. I went there a few years ago to get a quote for a high-top for my old chevy express van. I'm sure they may steer you in the right direction for any other custom work you want done.

 

[waverider1987]

If you're in Hampton, and you are looking for a place to put a high-top on your Express Van, there's a place called "The Van House" that does custom van conversions for various purposes. I went there a few years ago to get a quote for a high-top for my old chevy express van. I'm sure they may steer you in the right direction for any other custom work you want done.

Hey there.  I did see that actually and called them.  They told me I could come in and get a quote.  What quote did they give you?  I'm a bit skeptical because all their reviews are pretty bad lol.

 

[MichaelVan2Go]

Hey there.  I did see that actually and called them.  They told me I could come in and get a quote.  What quote did they give you?  I'm a bit skeptical because all their reviews are pretty bad lol.

Well, this was a few years ago like I said. And this was for a 2500 Express, but the quote for the 22 inch top, installed with the interior edge capped off was about $3500, with 50% cash up front before the fiberglass top could be ordered. Once the top arrives, the install would take about 1 day.

I never did go back and get it done. I wasn't able to financially at the time. As for their workmanship nowadays, I really am not sure. Some places are like that. They may have a great reputation at first, but then start slowly going downhill over time.