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.