Andrew Underhill, founder of Emery Custom Builds, behind the wheel of a Ford Transit

About Us

Custom Van & Trailer
Conversions

Built by hand in San Diego, California.

Van life family camping trip with a custom converted van
Van life hiking adventure
Van life adventure at Arches National Park
Van life at Bryce Canyon
Van life at Pismo Beach

Our Story

How This Started

At the end of 2023, our founder Andrew left a stable career in tech. His daughter Emery had just been born, and the priorities shifted overnight — more time with family, more time building things that matter, and a lot more time outside.

Emery went on her first camping trip at two months old. The family hasn't slowed down since.

That restless energy became Emery Custom Builds — a shop dedicated to turning empty vans and trailers into fully custom, hand-built adventure vehicles. Every build that rolls out of our San Diego shop is designed around how our clients actually plan to live, travel, and explore.

We named the company after the person who started it all. And we bring that same personal commitment to every single project.

Andrew at Arches National Park with his van

Our Approach

How We Work

These are the core beliefs that guide our work. We've outlined our full 5-step process so we never leave you guessing.

Quality Over Speed

Every van is hand built. We don't cut corners, and we don't rush. Our builds take time because we do them right — and you'll feel the difference the first time you open a cabinet door or flip a switch.

Built for Real Life

We don't build showpieces that fall apart after a weekend. Our conversions are designed for the real world — washboard roads, beach parking lots, mountain passes, and everything in between.

No Surprises

You'll know exactly what your build costs before we start. We walk you through every line item, every material choice, and every tradeoff so there's nothing unexpected at the end.

Personal Service

You're not a ticket number. When you work with us, you work directly with the person building your van. We answer your calls, send you build updates, and make sure every detail matches your vision.

Andrew Underhill behind the wheel of a Ford Transit

Founder & Builder

Andrew Underhill

Andrew is the founder, lead builder, and the person you'll talk to when you call. Before starting ECB, he spent years in the tech industry — but building things with his hands was always the real passion.

When Emery was born, the path forward became clear: build a business around craftsmanship, family, and the outdoors. Today, Andrew handles every consultation, designs every layout, and oversees every inch of every build that comes through the shop.

"Every van is hand built. It isn't fast, and it isn't cheap. But it's awesome."

Location

San Diego, California

Our shop is in North County San Diego. We work with clients across SD, Orange County, Los Angeles, and the Inland Empire. Most of our clients are in Southern California, but we've had people ship vans from out of state for builds.

If you're not local, the process works the same — we do more of the design and planning over video calls and send more photo updates. The door is always open if you want to swing by the shop during your build.

Orange CountyLos AngelesSan DiegoInland EmpireNationwide Shipping
Andrew and his wife in their 4Runner

Andrew's first vehicle conversion — adding a bed and pull-out drawers to his 2004 4Runner.

Ready to Start Your Build?

Whether you're dreaming about a weekend adventure van or planning a full build, we're here to help. Reach out for a free consultation.

Tell Us About Your Build