Build It

After we competed our design, we developed a spreadsheet that listed all the component details and costs so we knew what the entire van project would would cost and estimated the time to build it.

I spent two months in the van design phase, two months with the van build phase and now am 6 months into the use it phase. Check out the key details of the van build: Build Steps, Components & Costs and Tools & Workspace.

Build steps

By breaking the build process into logical steps, I was able to make steady progress and celebrate mini-milestones.

Let me show you the build order and time to complete each build element on my van project. You can take my timeline and modify it to your specific van project to estimate your timeline.

Components & Costs

It is important to me to determine an accurate budget before I started to ensure I knew what I was getting into.

Let me share my spreadsheet I developed that tracks every part, source and cost including the van to the tools to the fasteners. You can even download a copy and use it as a tool for your project.

tools and workspace

I had some basic woodworking tools and a makeshift workspace in my garage, but it was not quite tall enough for my van.

I will show you how I did my complete build in my driveway and garage during a cold Michigan winter. I list and describe the tools I already own and those I purchased specifically for my build.