Restoration costs

[Eloise]

Hi, I know this is going to be one of those how long is a piece of string type posts, but, the entry point for a running mot'd van seems to be about £5k? I recently picked up a non runner for £2k with 11mnths test. I have rebuilt the engine and all is good with a few problems. Now the bodywork, there is rust in every seam, loads of dents and loads of bodged up repairs. It really is a state. I know you will be thinking, why did you buy it? Well the question was, would we use one or is it just a fantasy? Sooner waste 2k than 5k type of decision. Well we have used it and actually love it, so that is good.

Right my serious question now. How much does it cost for a restoration of a van in pretty poor state? I am looking for ball park here to help us make decisions after the season. I currently have no where under cover to tackle the bodywork. Do we look and spend loads on the "perfect van" or do we restore this one? For the time being, I am just carrying on with the bodged repairs till the season ends, so we can use it.

The choice is probably another £5k on top of what I can sell or brake bits on this one for, or go for restoration of this one with the same amount to spend?

All opinions are welcome.

Thanks Neil.

[evilnoodle]

You could buy a "perfect" van for up to about £12-14k these days, but unless that it has a full documented history of it's maintenance and any restoration work, you could be looking at a cover up job, which may rust and require further work within 12 months of you buying it!

My advice to you is that if you have a van that didn't cost a massive amount and you are happy with it mechanically, then get some quotes for body work and re spray (possibly circa £5k for a good job with photo documentation) and then you will have a van in great condition that you know what work has been done, for around £7k.....plus whatever other bits n bobs you may do to it to make it your own.

These vans still need regular maintenance to mechanics and bodywork to keep them sweet even if you have forked out for work to be done but at least you will know where it has been and what it has had done!

[Eloise]

Thanks jane, that's what we are thinking. My wife keeps saying that better the devil you know. I am worried, as you say, on spending a lot of money only to end up with something like we have that has just been covered up. I just need an average of what people pay for a good restoration on these campers.

Cheers Neil.

[evilnoodle]

Pm sent

[Eloise]

Just replied, thanks for the info, turned a gloomy day into a not so bad one after all

[Plasticman]

As hass been said, its all down to the devil you know or having a replacement checked thoroughly, as for repairing your own, you need to find someone that does them and has a book of detail picks of 'how, 'they have repaired areas and go from there, paint whilst its important is just the finnish of a job ,its whats gone under that matters most, ive happily done vans and they have been taken away and rollered, i see nothing wrong in that as best to spend you money where it matters and for what its worth i personally am very happy not to get involved in the paint as it does keep the cost down, just a thought for you
mm

[Eloise]

Hi Mickey, I could not have put it in to better words myself, but have been thinking, when we have it restored, after all the trouble and expense that it would involve, it would be a shame not to finish it with quality paint work. The trouble is, I reckon every panel on the van would need replacement or a lot of heavy work. The chassis is just fine, the previous owner spent far too much on keeping it road worthy mechanically, but spent no time or effort on the body work.

I think I need a professional quote to enable the right decision to be made.

Cheers Neil.

[Trunkster]

If i was to have every dent and bubble put right on my van it would cost a fortune. If I spent a fortune then I would be scared to use it. My body work is rollered and it looks fine. If I go to a camp site and there are kids riding bikes and playing football I would not rest if my van was perfect. As it is, if it gets scratched then I can just paint it again. £50 a tin. Its all down to personal taste. I use it and enjoy it not put it on a stand and look at it. Look at the section on rollering, If you haven't done so yet. The finish is better than most people think!