Our Conversion Process

A successful campervan conversion begins with careful planning.

Before any windows are cut, cables are installed or furniture is manufactured, we need to understand how you intend to use the vehicle and what the finished campervan needs to achieve.

WeConvert manages full and partial campervan conversions from a private workshop in Blackburn, Lancashire, by appointment. Our process takes the project from the initial enquiry through design, specification, installation, testing and final handover.

The exact process depends on whether you require a complete conversion, selected conversion stages or help completing an existing project. However, every job starts with a clearly agreed scope and a practical plan for the vehicle.

We work with customers from Blackburn, Darwen, Accrington, Burnley, Rossendale, Bolton, Chorley, Preston and across Lancashire and the North West.

1. Initial Enquiry

The first step is to tell us about your van and what you want to create.

You do not need to have every detail decided before contacting us. However, the more information you provide, the easier it is for us to understand whether the project is suitable and what the likely next step will be.

We will usually ask for:

• Vehicle make, model and year
• Wheelbase and roof height
• Current condition of the van
• Whether the vehicle is empty, partially converted or completed
• Number of travelling occupants
• Number of sleeping spaces required
• Intended use
• Preferred layout
• Electrical and off-grid requirements
• Heating and hot-water requirements
• Kitchen and water requirements
• Furniture and storage needs
• Equipment already purchased
• Preferred timeframe
• Approximate budget
• Photographs of the vehicle

Providing an approximate budget is useful.

It allows us to recommend a realistic specification rather than developing a design that cannot be delivered within the amount available.

2. Initial Project Review

Once we receive your enquiry, we review the basic requirements and determine whether the project fits our services and workshop capacity.

At this stage, we may:

• Ask for additional photographs
• Request measurements
• Clarify the vehicle specification
• Discuss the intended layout
• Identify obvious compatibility issues
• Give an initial indication of likely costs
• Recommend a workshop consultation
• Explain if specialist input may be required

An initial estimate based on photographs is not a final quotation.

The vehicle, existing conversion work and installation areas normally need to be inspected before we can confirm the full scope.

Where the requested work falls outside our services, we will explain this rather than accepting a job we are not equipped to complete properly.

3. Workshop Consultation

he next stage is usually a consultation at the workshop, by appointment..

This gives us an opportunity to inspect the vehicle and discuss how the completed campervan needs to work.

During the consultation, we may consider:

• Available internal space
• Vehicle payload
• Roof height
• Door arrangement
• Existing windows and roof equipment
• Current insulation and lining
• Mechanical and body condition visible to us
• Electrical equipment
• Heating and gas systems
• Water tanks and plumbing
• Furniture and storage
• Access for future maintenance
• Existing work that may need correcting

For a new conversion, we also discuss your travel plans and priorities.

A weekend camper used mainly on campsites will need a different specification from a long-wheelbase van intended for extended off-grid travel.

4. Understanding How You Will Use the Van

The layout and equipment should be based on real usage rather than photographs of other conversions alone.

We may ask questions such as:

• Will the van be used for weekends or longer trips?
• Will you mainly use campsites or travel off-grid?
• How many people need to sleep in the van?
• Are passenger travel seats required?
• Do you need a fixed bed or convertible seating?
• Will you cook inside regularly?
• Is an internal shower essential?
• Will you carry bikes, tools or sports equipment?
• Do you need to work from the van?
• Will the campervan be used during winter?
• How much storage is required?
• Are there mobility or accessibility requirements?
• Will the vehicle be privately used or rented commercially?

These decisions affect the electrical system, water capacity, furniture, heating and available payload.

The aim is to avoid installing expensive equipment or features that take up space but provide little real benefit.

5. Layout and System Planning

Once the requirements are understood, we begin planning the conversion.

Depending on the complexity of the project, this may involve:

• Basic layout sketch
• Measured floor plan
• Furniture positioning
• Bed arrangement
• Kitchen location
• Washroom position
• Electrical equipment location
• Water-tank position
• Heater location
• Gas-locker position
• Window and rooflight positions
• Storage planning
• Appliance selection
• Service-access planning

Every system affects the others.

For example, the position of an underslung tank may affect the location of floor fixings. A Truma Combi requires space for ducting, plumbing, LPG and electrical connections. A fixed rear bed may determine the available garage storage and electrical equipment position.

We therefore plan the main systems together rather than treating each installation as a separate decision.

6. Specification and Equipment Selection

After agreeing the broad layout, we develop the equipment and material specification.

This may cover:

Electrical systems

• Leisure-battery type and capacity
• Solar-panel capacity
• DC-to-DC charging
• Mains hook-up
• Battery charger
• Inverter
• Lighting
• Sockets
• Monitoring equipment

Heating and hot water

• Diesel heater
• LPG blown-air heater
• Truma Combi
• Electric-capable heating
• Hot-water appliance
• Warm-air outlets
• Controls

Water systems

• Fresh-water capacity
• Waste-water capacity
• Internal or underslung tanks
• Water pump
• Sink and tap
• Shower
• Fill and drain arrangements

Furniture and finishes

• Kitchen layout
• Bed system
• Seating
• Storage
• Overhead lockers
• Worktops
• Wall and ceiling finishes
• Flooring
• Hardware

We recommend equipment based on suitability, availability, support and the agreed budget.

The most expensive component is not automatically the most appropriate choice.

7. Written Quotation

Once the scope is clear, we provide a written quotation or detailed estimate.

The document should explain:

• Work included
• Equipment supplied
• Materials supplied
• Customer-supplied products
• Specialist subcontracted work
• Assumptions
• Exclusions
• Estimated workshop duration
• Payment stages
• Variation arrangements
• Any unresolved decisions

For complex conversions, some elements may initially be priced as allowances until the final product or finish has been selected.

We aim to make the scope clear before the work begins.

This reduces uncertainty and helps both parties understand what is—and is not—included.

8. Specialist and Subcontracted Work

Some elements may require a specialist subcontractor.

Where applicable, this may include:

• Leisure-vehicle LPG installation
• Gas testing and commissioning
• Product-specific appliance work
• Passenger travel-seat installation
• Seat-belt anchorage work
• Pop-top installation
• Specialist vehicle bodywork
• Manufacturer-specific commissioning

For LPG installations, gas pipework, appliance connections, pressure testing, commissioning and relevant documentation are completed by a competent leisure-vehicle LPG subcontractor.

The specialist is involved directly in the work within their scope rather than being asked simply to approve completed work afterwards.

The quotation will identify where subcontracted work is included.

9. Booking the Workshop Slot

Once the quotation and specification are accepted, a deposit is normally required to secure the workshop slot.

The deposit may also allow us to order:

• Windows
• Rooflights
• Heating appliances
• Electrical equipment
• Water tanks
• Furniture materials
• Hardware
• Specialist components
• Vehicle-specific products

Lead times can vary, particularly for vehicle-specific equipment and imported products.

The proposed start date may therefore depend on both workshop availability and the arrival of key components.

We will explain the expected booking and procurement schedule before confirming the project.

10. Vehicle Preparation

When the van arrives for the conversion, we carry out an initial check against the agreed scope.

Preparation may include:

• Removing existing cargo lining
• Removing unsuitable previous work
• Cleaning installation areas
• Inspecting accessible metalwork
• Confirming measurements
• Marking proposed apertures
• Checking product compatibility
• Confirming hidden-service routes
• Protecting cab and body areas

If unexpected damage or unsuitable previous work is discovered, we will discuss it before carrying out significant additional work.

Examples may include:

• Hidden corrosion
• Water damage
• Unsafe wiring
• Poorly supported furniture
• Damaged floor
• Inaccessible gas equipment
• Incorrectly fitted windows
• Previously concealed repairs

11. Conversion Build

The build is completed in a planned sequence.

A typical full conversion may follow this order:

1. Windows, rooflights and exterior apertures
2. Floor and structural preparation
3. Electrical first-fix
4. Heating and plumbing first-fix
5. Sound deadening and insulation
6. Wall and ceiling lining
7. Electrical and plumbing equipment
8. Furniture manufacture and installation
9. Appliances and final connections
10. Interior finishes and accessories
11. Testing and commissioning
12. Final inspection and handover

The sequence may change depending on the particular vehicle and specification.

Following a planned build order reduces the need to remove completed work later.

12. Updates During the Build

For larger projects, we can provide progress updates at suitable stages.

These may include:

• Photographs
• Confirmation that a stage has been completed
• Questions requiring a customer decision
• Notification of unforeseen work
• Product availability changes
• Revised completion estimates

Customers should avoid changing the specification repeatedly once manufacturing or installation has started.

Late changes can affect materials, labour, workshop time and work already completed.

Where a change is possible, we will explain any additional cost and delay before proceeding.

13. Variations and Additional Work

Even with careful planning, conversion projects can change.

A variation may arise because:

• The customer requests additional equipment
• A selected product becomes unavailable
• Hidden damage is discovered
• Existing work needs correction
• Furniture dimensions change
• Another system affects the agreed layout
• A specialist identifies additional requirements

Significant variations will be explained and agreed before the extra work is completed.

We do not automatically add optional work to the invoice without discussing it.

However, urgent action may sometimes be required to protect the vehicle or prevent immediate damage. Where possible, we will still contact you before proceeding.

14. Customer-Supplied Equipment

We may use suitable products purchased by the customer.

Before accepting customer-supplied equipment, we consider:

• Product condition
• Vehicle compatibility
• Completeness
• Installation instructions
• Warranty arrangements
• Availability of required accessories
• Support from the manufacturer
• Suitability for leisure-vehicle use

We may decline incomplete, damaged, unsuitable or unsupported equipment.

Where WeConvert did not supply the product, its product warranty remains with the customer and original supplier.

Our responsibility covers the workmanship within the agreed installation scope, not an internal fault within equipment supplied by someone else.

15. Testing and Final Checks

Before handover, systems within our agreed scope are checked and tested as appropriate.

This may include:

• Electrical operation
• Battery charging
• Solar charging
• Lighting and sockets
• Water pump operation
• Accessible leak checks
• Tank filling and draining
• Heating controls
• Ventilation equipment
• Furniture doors and catches
• Bed operation
• Appliance controls
• Isolation points

Specialist LPG testing and commissioning are completed by the competent subcontractor responsible for the gas work.

Testing cannot remove the need for routine maintenance, inspections and correct use after handover.

16. Campervan Handover

At handover, we explain how to operate and look after the main systems.

Depending on the conversion, this may include:

• Leisure-battery system
• Charging while driving
• Solar charging
• Mains hook-up
• Inverter
• Heating controls
• Hot-water system
• Water filling and draining
• Winterisation
• Gas isolation
• Electrical isolation
• Rooflight and fan operation
• Bed and table systems
• Furniture access panels
• Routine customer checks

You should allow enough time at collection to go through the vehicle properly.

A conversion contains several systems, and understanding them will help you use the campervan safely and get the best from the installed equipment.

17. Documentation

Where applicable, the handover information may include:

• Equipment manuals
• Product warranty information
• Electrical system information
• Gas-work documentation
• Heating instructions
• Water-system guidance
• Component specifications
• Recommended maintenance information

The documents supplied depend on the equipment and agreed conversion scope.

Keep this information with the vehicle. It may be useful for future servicing, repairs, insurance and resale.

18. After Handover

A new conversion can take time to become familiar.

Once you begin using the van, you may discover questions about controls, filling, charging or normal system behaviour.

Contact us if something does not operate as explained or if you need clarification about the work we completed.

Damage, lack of maintenance, misuse, unauthorised alterations and faults within customer-supplied products may not fall within our workmanship responsibility.

Any warranty terms applying to the project will be explained within the quotation or project documents.

Start Your Campervan Conversion

To discuss a full or partial campervan conversion, send us:

• Vehicle details
• Photographs
• Preferred layout
• Number of travellers and sleeping spaces
• Electrical requirements
• Heating and hot-water requirements
• Water and shower requirements
• Furniture and storage needs
• Equipment already purchased
• Approximate budget
• Preferred timeframe
• Your postcode

WeConvert can then review the project and advise on the next step, whether that is an initial estimate, a workshop consultation or a staged conversion plan.