A fitted pop-top roof with a bed costs from £2,200 including VAT for a VW Transporter T5, T6 or T6.1, and from around £2,400 to £2,600 for most other mid-size vans. Large vans such as the Fiat Ducato and VW Crafter start at £2,550. Across the UK market, most fitters charge somewhere between about £2,100 and £3,000 for a standard short-wheelbase roof before extras.
This guide breaks down what you actually pay: the roof itself, what is and isn’t included, the extras most people add, and the costs that catch people out after the roof is on.
Pop-top roof prices by van
These are fitted prices for a standard pop-top with the roof bed included. They come straight from the current price list, so they update whenever the prices do.
| Van | Pop-top from |
|---|---|
| VW Transporter VW Transporter T5 (2003–2015), VW Transporter T6 (2015–2019), VW Transporter T6.1 (2019–2024), New VW Transporter T7 (2025 on), VW Shuttle and Caravelle | £2,200 |
| VW Caddy Maxi VW Caddy Maxi | £2,550 |
| Ford Transit Custom Ford Transit Custom, 1st generation (2013–2023), Ford Transit Custom, 2nd generation (2024 on) | £2,550 |
| Ford Transit Mk7 Ford Transit Mk7 (2006–2014) | £2,550 |
| Renault Trafic & Vauxhall Vivaro Renault Trafic SWB (2014 on), Vauxhall Vivaro SWB (2014–2019), Nissan NV300 SWB (2016–2021), Nissan Primastar SWB (2022 on), Fiat Talento SWB (2016–2021) | £2,400 |
| Peugeot Expert, Citroën Dispatch, Toyota Proace & Fiat Scudo Peugeot Expert SWB (2016 on), Citroën Dispatch SWB (2016 on), Toyota Proace SWB (2016–2024), Fiat Scudo SWB (2023 on), Vauxhall Vivaro SWB (2019 on) | £2,400 |
| Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer & Citroën Relay Fiat Ducato (MWB and longer), Peugeot Boxer (MWB and longer), Citroën Relay (MWB and longer) | £2,550 |
| VW Crafter, Mercedes Sprinter & MAN TGE VW Crafter (MWB and longer), Mercedes Sprinter (MWB and longer), MAN TGE (MWB and longer) | £2,550 |
| Nissan NV400 Nissan NV400 | On request |
Two things move the base price more than anything else: the size of the van and the wheelbase. A long-wheelbase VW Transporter roof is a bigger moulding than the short-wheelbase version, and the new T7 Transporter has its own roof, so each has its own price on the VW Transporter page.
How these prices compare with the wider UK market
Pop-top prices vary a lot between fitters, so it pays to compare like for like. In a January 2026 price comparison shared by owners on a UK VW T6 forum, seven fitters quoted for the same short-wheelbase T6 pop-top. The quotes ranged from about £2,100 to £3,000, with colour coding adding between roughly £345 and £500 and a fitted solar panel between about £450 and £715.
The headline price only tells you part of the story. When you compare quotes, check what each one includes:
- Is the roof bed included, or is it an extra?
- Is a mattress included, or just the bed base?
- Is the canvas plain, or does it have windows (often called scenic canvas)?
- Is the roof supplied in white only, or in a choice of colours?
- Is fitting included, or is it a supply-only kit?
- Does the price include VAT?
A cheaper quote that leaves out the bed or the mattress can end up costing more than a dearer one that includes them.
What a standard fitted price includes
A standard pop-top fitting typically covers:
- The fibreglass roof shell, in white or black as standard
- A lift system, usually gas struts, so the roof raises and lowers easily
- Canvas sides, with ventilation
- The roof bed, which normally sleeps two adults
- Cutting, reinforcing and trimming the opening in your van’s roof
- Fitting, sealing and testing, usually in a single day
With the prices on this site, the roof bed is always included and standard roofs are fitted in a day: you drop the van off at 8am and collect it that evening.
Extras and what they cost
Most people add one or two extras. These are the current prices for the most common ones:
| Extra | Price | Worth it? |
|---|---|---|
| Memory-foam mattress | £85 | Yes, unless you already have one. The bed base on its own is firm. |
| Bed extension | £80 | Useful if you’re tall or want more room for two. |
| Scenic canvas (windows) | £120 | Brighter inside and a view out. Popular with people who use the roof a lot. |
| Colour-coded roof | £400 | Mainly looks. Adds to resale appeal on newer vans. |
| LED spotlights | £120 | Makes the roof usable at night. Easier to do at fitting time. |
| 160W solar panel charger | £570 | Worth it if you camp off-grid. Fitting it with the roof saves extra work later. |
| Roof bars (VW Transporter) | £170 | Only if you carry bikes, boards or boxes on the roof. |
| Fiamma wind-out awning | £850 | Doubles your living space when parked. |
Every van’s page lists the extras that fit it. Some extras aren’t available on every roof, and some large-van extras are priced on application. See the pop-top roofs page for the full list.
What pushes the price up
- Van size and wheelbase. Bigger vans need bigger roofs. Fitting a short-wheelbase roof to a long-wheelbase van is sometimes possible but leaves a gap at the back.
- Newer models. Brand-new platforms such as the 2025 VW Transporter T7 and the 2024 Transit Custom need their own roofs, which usually cost a little more.
- Colour coding and canvas upgrades. Painting the roof to match adds several hundred pounds and can add time.
- Roof condition. Rust, old holes or previous repairs where the roof will be cut can mean extra work. Mention anything you know about when you ask for a price.
- What’s on the roof now. Roof bars, aerials, solar panels or a roof rack all need removing first.
- Shuttle and Caravelle models. Factory-trimmed passenger versions of the Transporter take extra labour, currently £100.
The costs people forget
- Insurance. A pop-top is a modification and you must tell your insurer. Your premium may change, and you should update the van’s value so you’re not underinsured. See our guide to pop-top insurance and the DVLA.
- Getting about on fitting day. If you can’t be dropped off and collected, a courtesy van can be hired for the day.
- Interior work. If your van already has a headlining, lights or wiring in the roof area, some of it will need moving. It’s cheaper to plan this before the roof goes on than to change it afterwards.
- Canvas care. Canvas lasts years if it’s dried out before storing, but it will eventually need replacing. Leaving it folded up wet is the quickest way to shorten its life.
- Deposit. A £500 deposit secures a fitting date. Your full price is confirmed before you pay it.
DIY pop-top kits vs a fitted roof
Supply-only pop-top kits are available, and fitting one yourself can save the labour cost. But the job means cutting a large hole in the van’s roof, reinforcing it properly and sealing it so it never leaks. If that goes wrong, it’s an expensive repair, and some insurers ask who fitted the roof. For most people a professionally fitted roof, done in a day, is the safer spend.
Is a pop-top worth the money?
For most small and mid-size campers, yes. A pop-top gives you standing room and an extra double bed while the van stays close to its normal height for driving, parking and everyday use. Many owners find it adds to the van’s resale appeal too, especially on popular models like the VW Transporter.
If you live in the van full time or camp mostly in cold weather, a fixed high top may suit you better. Our guide to pop-top vs high-top roofs compares the two side by side, and the best vans for a pop-top covers which vans take a roof best.
Want a price for your van? Use the pop-top price calculator or send us your van details and you’ll get a confirmed price and fitting date, usually within 1–2 working days.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a pop-top roof for a VW T6?
From £2,200 including VAT for a short-wheelbase T5, T6 or T6.1 Transporter, with the roof bed included. The long-wheelbase roof and the new T7 roof cost more. See the VW Transporter pop-top page for every option.
How much is a pop-top for a Ford Transit Custom?
From £2,550 including VAT for a first-generation (2013–2023) short-wheelbase Transit Custom. The 2024-on Transit Custom has its own roof. See the Transit Custom page.
Does the price include the bed?
Yes. Every pop-top price on this site includes the roof bed. A mattress is an extra.
Does a pop-top add value to a van?
It usually makes a van more appealing to camper buyers, especially popular models like the VW Transporter. How much value it adds depends on the van, the quality of the roof and its condition when you sell.
How long does it take to fit?
Standard roofs are fitted in a day. You drop the van off at 8am and collect it the same evening.