Thrifty Couple Transforms Van Into Apartment And Hits The Road
With record-high real estate prices, buying a house can be out of reach for millions of people in today's market. There are not many affordable homes available, especially in big cities. That is why after returning to the U.K. from a trip to New Zealand, Adam Croft and Nikki Pepperell put their heads together and came up with a creative solution. The couple studied their budget and decided that since they could not afford a conventional home they would purchase a Ford Transit Luton Box Van instead.
A True DIY
The couple purchased the van off eBay for $5,000. It was the largest truck they could drive with a regular driver’s license and its parts are available worldwide, an important consideration for them since they are passionate travelers. The original design was created using Google SketchUp, a free 3D modeling software. Croft and Pepperell did the construction project themselves and learned what they needed through DIY websites and YouTube videos. Their entire renovation project took only one year and about $10,000 to complete. While working on their new home, they lived with family and worked part-time jobs to help fund the construction of their soon-to-be home on wheels.
Home Sweet Home
The entire project cost under $16,000 and their new mobile home includes a lovely kitchen, lounge area, loft-style bed, wood-burning stove, bathroom and back porch. Like a real apartment, there’s even a skylight and windows. Their mobile home is powered by a combination of electricity and solar energy and they can receive heat from the wood-burning stove.
Made With Love
Their mobile home-building project occurred in numerous steps. First, using chalk, they traced the plan onto the floor of the vehicle. They then insulated the walls of the van and put a frame and plywood over it. Finally, they touched up the walls with pine board for extra warmth and a homey look. The bed of the truck is covered with laminate flooring, but because of its heavy weight, the couple wonders if they should have used vinyl instead and are considering switching in the future.
With All Of The Comforts
Most of the furniture in the couple’s home is space-saving. Their sofa acts as a set of drawers and their loft-style bed resides close to the ceiling with a book shelf and storage space economically placed beneath. Their kitchen is cozy and has everything they need including a large counter-top, sink, oven, stove-top and shelving for dishes and condiments. The washroom is compact with a cassette toilet and shower pump. For a final touch, the couple placed a quaint sign that says ‘bedroom’ in front of their bed.
Free Spirited Couple
Adam Croft and Nikki Pepperell had very little construction or woodworking experience prior to building their mobile home, but looking at the finished project one would never assume so. Their mobile home, built inside their box van looks fabulous and is worthy of being called home. The couple did not experience many setbacks during the construction of their home and are pleased with the results. They consider it a perfect apartment and after selling off the belongings they no longer need, they plan to travel throughout Europe.