money efficient LOGBOOK van to camper conversion

Hi guys,

I am the owner of a h-roof transit van (worth about 5-6 grand) which I seek to convert into a campervan. Since the 13%+ VRT is in place, would it be more efficient to first do it as cheaply as possible in order to pay as little on the VRT and once its a camper on the logbook, proceed to rip out the build and put in the proper final expensive finish? Has anyone got a ball-park figure of the total cost of doing this cheap build + VRT in their own experience?

My main reason for writing this post is to ask for information/resources/articles/videos or some sort of guides from people who did this before. Since I never have, I am a bit stressed and unsure what will pass and what will not. I want it as cheap as possible to just pass and be recognised as a camper on the logbook.

Also, some sources tell me that I must have a window to register my commercial van as a camper. is this true? I DO NOT want to cut any holes in my van except one on the roof for a fan and that's it.

If I have missed something or not given enough information please let me know!

Thanks so much in advance guys!

I'm from the south. How would they know though?? Even if they know people do it, after its a camper on the logbook and I decide to rebuild it, how can they know/stop me? thanks.

Part because they want t o see receipts for work and parts fitted and they also don't value it on the condition of the inside.they look at the year and see what one the same type conversion is valued at on the market.

I would be interested to know how much difference in VRT would be calculated on a basic conversion compared to a deluxe conversion of same van. I could imagine how the asking price could vary by 10 grand or more on DoneDeal. Surely the VRT would vary a lot too, if based on the open market value.

I don’t see any downside in doing the basics conversion prior to submitting it to Revenue and later finishing it as you would like it. How much money that would save is another matter. If anyone has any experience or thoughts on this, I’d love to hear.

I think if you look at what I think of as 3 types of conversion. The first Factory converted. The second is from the people who convert vans as a business. The last is the one converted at home.
The one at home is rarely going to reach the standard of the first but often can be every bit as good as the second. This is what may be looked at the business build can be priced again the factory one.and the home build against the business one, easy for revenue to do and not worth doing a cheepy job in the first place.
I do think it's a pity that a home build is not given a credit for his/her effort and labour, but tax is not fare unless you unless you can afford it.