Our Process
Learn how we convert vans, from start to finish.
It Starts with a Conversation
Most people reach out before they have everything figured out. That's the point.
Maybe you have a van and you're thinking about a pop-top. Maybe you're still deciding between platforms. Maybe you saw something on the site and want to know more. All of those are good reasons to get in touch with us.
When you call or fill out the Start Here survey, you'll talk with Joseph, our Customer Experience Manager. He's going to ask how you want to use the van, how you travel, and what matters most to you. Not because there's a script, but because those answers shape everything that comes after.
There's no commitment in a first conversation. It's just a conversation.
Or call us: (888) 332-9602
Designing Your Layout
Every GTRV build starts with your priorities, not a pre-made package. We want to know how you actually travel. Weekend trips or weeks at a time? Solo, couple, family? Do you cook in the van or eat out? Have you had a setup before that almost worked but not quite?
Those kinds of details matter more than most people expect. A couple who camps every weekend but never cooks inside needs a completely different layout than a solo traveler doing month-long trips with a dog.
Once we understand how you'll use the van, Kyle works up a CAD layout you can actually look at and react to. Once you’ve had a chance to review the drawings, we talk about what works and what doesn't, and the layout evolves before any tools come out. It's easier (and cheaper) to move a wall on a screen than in a van.
The goal is a build that fits the way you really live, not one that tries to do everything. Most people use their van the same way 80% of the time. We design for that 80%.
The Build
Once the layout is locked, your van comes to the shop in Sebastopol and the build begins.
Timelines depend on what we're doing. Pop-top installations typically take about three weeks. A Weekender build runs closer to four. Full Westy-style conversions take around six weeks. Custom builds are entirely dependent on scope and can vary widely.
We'll give you a realistic timeline before we start, and if anything changes, you'll hear from us.
If you'd like photo updates during the build, just let us know. And if you're local (or passing through Sebastopol), you're always welcome to stop by the shop. We're not secretive about the process.
Everything we build comes with a three-year warranty on workmanship. If something we did isn't right, we'll make it right.
Delivery and Beyond
When your van is ready, we walk you through everything. Every system, every switch, every detail. You'll drive away knowing how everything works, not guessing.
That walkthrough represents the next phase of the relationship, not the beginning. By the time you're picking up your van, we've already been through the conversation, the design process, and the build together. The three-year warranty means we're here if something needs attention after that, too.
Plenty of our customers come back for upgrades, seasonal refreshes, or just to say hello. We've been building vans since 1994, and many of the vans we built years ago are still on the road, still getting maintained right here in the shop.
If you need parts, service, or want to talk about adding something to your build down the road, we're a phone call away.
What About Pricing?
A $1,000 deposit holds your place in our schedule. When you drop off your van and the build begins, an initial payment covers parts and materials, followed by a midpoint payment during the build and a final payment at delivery.
The deposit is fully refundable, minus a $250 administrative fee, up until we begin ordering parts — once design work and parts ordering are underway, it applies toward the build. Pricing is one of the most common questions we get, and the honest answer is that it depends — not because we're being evasive, but because the range is genuinely wide.
A pop-top installation on a Toyota Sienna is a very different scope than a full off-grid conversion on a Ford Transit with custom cabinetry, a full electrical system, and interior finish work. Here's what drives the cost:
Platform
The van you're starting with affects everything, from the pop-top engineering to the interior dimensions to how the electrical system gets routed.
Scope of the conversion
Pop-top only? Pop-top with a basic interior? Full Weekender or Westy-style build? Each step up adds complexity, materials, and labor.
Electrical system
A simple setup with shore power and basic 12V is different from a full lithium system with solar, inverter, and the ability to run everything off-grid.
Cabinetry and finish work
Custom cabinetry takes time. The level of finish, the materials, the details you want built in. This is where builds diverge the most.
Pop-top installations start around $18,000. That price includes color-matched paint, which is standard on every pop-top we build. If you're comparing quotes from different shops, make sure you're comparing the same scope. Not every quoted price includes the same things, and the difference can be significant.
The best way to get a realistic range for your situation is to talk it through. Once we know your platform, your scope, and how you want to use the van, we can give you a number that means something.
Call us at (888) 332-9602 or tell us about your van.
Ready to Start the Conversation?
If you've read this far, you probably have a van in mind (or at least a van in mind). Joseph would like to hear about it.
Most of our conversations start the same way: here's how I want to use it, what makes sense? That's the right place to start. No pressure, no sales pitch. Just an honest conversation with someone who's been doing this for a long time.
Call us at (888) 332-9602 or tell us about your van.
Not ready to talk yet? Our newsletter is where we share what we're working on, what we're learning, and practical advice for people thinking about a camper van. Subscribe here.
FAQs
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Pop-top installations take about three weeks. Weekender builds run about four weeks. Full Westy-style conversions take around six weeks. Custom builds vary depending on scope. We'll give you a realistic timeline before we start, and we'll let you know if anything changes.
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Full conversions take several weeks, so most people leave the van with us and come back for delivery. For shorter jobs like service, maintenance, or upgrades, some people do wait locally until the work is finished. Give us a call and we can talk through timing for your situation.
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We work with people from all over. Some customers drive their van to us and fly home, then fly back for delivery. Some ship the van to Sebastopol (we can connect you with a shipper). Some have us coordinate with a local dealership to purchase the van, and we handle it from there. At delivery, you can pick it up in person or arrange shipping home. Give us a call and we'll figure out what makes sense for your situation.
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Most customers bring their own van. If you don't have one yet, we can help. We'll talk through what to look for, which platform fits your needs, and can connect you with a local dealership to find the right van.
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Our warranty covers workmanship on everything we build and install. If something we did isn't right, we'll fix it.
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Yes. Pop-top installations are one of the most common things we do. Many people want the standing height and sleeping space a pop-top provides without a full interior conversion. We can talk about what makes sense once we know your van and how you want to use it. Call us at (888) 332-9602 or start here.