Tips for Choosing a Van Builder
So, you're contemplating diving into the nomadic lifestyle, or considering leveling up your road travels.
One crucial piece of the puzzle is finding a van builder who can turn your plans into a liveable, driveable reality. But let's be real, Instagram photos can be deceiving, and not everyone who claims to be a pro actually knows the ropes. So how do you separate the professionals from the pretenders?
First things first, if the person you're chatting with doesn't know their GVMs from their ADRs, it's time to wave goodbye. These aren't just random acronyms; they're vital for your safety and the legality of your build.
GVM, or Gross Vehicle Mass, is all about how much weight your van can carry without turning into a moving hazard. You need that brake pedal to function how it’s meant to and, how do you think your insurer would respond if it doesn’t due to the weight you’re carrying around.
ADR stands for Australian Design Rules. These are the standards that the components you use in your campervan conversion need to meet to be safe and compliant. If your build and its components aren’t up to ADR specs you're putting your safety on the line. An example here would be using non-ADR approved windows that are designed for caravans rather than vans - caravans do not have passengers within when in motion, campervans do, hence the extra levels of precaution that should be exercised.
The way in which these components are installed needs to adhere to some more acronyms and there are some ‘must have inclusions’ laid out in these documents which explain what needs to occur for your conversion to be compliant and therefore able to be certified as a campervan or motorhome. A business who legally converts vans into campervans should be following the correct vehicle services guides, up to date vehicle services bulletins and any other updated compliance regulations (which may differ depending on the services and final items in your build).
The questions (it’s a basically a job interview after all):
Show Me Your Portfolio:
A seasoned builder will have a collection of past projects. Make sure their style matches your dream vision.
Got Reviews or Client Testimonials?
Honest reviews can speak volumes about a builder's credibility and quality of work.
How Do You Tackle Legal Requirements?
They should have a clear and accurate answer about how they ensure all builds are compliant in their state or territory and whether it will pass the benchmark in others. Find out whether they work alongside a qualified VASS engineer who can sign your build off, or whether they outsource this task back to the client.
What's Your Estimated Timeline?
Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is a quality van. Get an idea of how long the project will take.
Aftercare and Support, What’s the Deal?
Your relationship shouldn’t end when the build does. Ask about warranties and any post-build support they offer.
The Potential Red Flags:
Shifty Answers: If they're dodging questions or giving vague replies, it's usually not a good sign…
Lack of Contract: A professional will always put details in writing.
Zero Portfolio: No evidence of their work? Major red flag.
Ignoring Your Budget: Your builder should work with you, not push you toward choices you can't afford.
The Answers:
Your van builder is a huge part of your van life adventure and this a big investment. Make sure they can answer your questions, that they know the essentials and that they're open, honest, and in tune with what you want. Armed with these tips, you're ready to find a builder who's up to the task.
Now that you've got your handy checklist and know what to look out for, you might be wondering, "How does Built For Advanture measure up?" Well, without turning this into a full-on sales pitch, let's just say we're pretty darn confident that we tick all those important boxes we've just discussed.
Portfolio? Got it!
We're proud of the custom spaces we've created, and we're always keen to show them off. Come into the shop to see what we’re working on now (by appointment please, we need to make sure the workshop is safe for visitors - machinery off and all that) and take a peek at our previous projects on our website; they speak for themselves.
Reviews? Absolutely!
Our clients become part of the BFA family, and many have been kind enough to share their journey with us. We're only a happy bunch because our clients are happy too.
Certified and Insured? We’ve Got You Covered.
Safety first, always. We keep ourselves up to date with all the nitty-gritty rules and regulations, so your van isn't just beautiful—it's also safe, legal and insurable for its worth. We complete the required paperwork along with our engineer so you don’t have to. We also have our own insurance sorted so your fit-out, and our work, is covered by insurance for the duration of the build.
Timeline? Clear as Day.
We're upfront about how long things will take and keep you in the loop every step of the way.
Post-Build Support? You Bet.
We're not about to wave goodbye the moment you drive off. Any questions or concerns post-build, we're just a phone call or email away and we’ll schedule in a check up six months after handover to give things a once over and get the downlow on all your travels thus far.
We're all about collaboration here at BFA. Your dream van should be a partnership between you and your builder, one that factors in your unique needs, wants, and must-haves. So if you're ready to take that leap into van life and think we’re the van builder for you, get in touch.