How to Finance Your Van Conversion
A van conversion is a significant purchase. Here are the real financing options, plus how our payment structure works so there are no surprises.
You can finance a van conversion through personal loans (7–15% APR, 3–7 year terms), RV loans (5–8% APR if your state allows RV titling), home equity loans, or savings. There is also now a dedicated RV loan program for custom van conversions through GreatRVLoan, which finances the van and the build together up to $150,000 with terms up to 20 years. At Emery Custom Builds, payments are spread across milestones: a $6,000 deposit to book your slot, 50% of the contract 30 days before the build starts, 20% at the halfway point, and the remaining balance at completion. Most customers use a combination of savings and financing.
A professional van conversion costs between $30,000 and $120,000+ depending on scope, plus the cost of the vehicle. That's a real number, and most people don't have that sitting in a checking account. The good news: there are several ways to fund a build, and most of our customers use a combination of methods.
Here's a straightforward look at your options.
Can you get an RV loan on a custom van conversion?
For a long time the honest answer was "probably not." Most RV lenders won't touch a one-off conversion that isn't RVIA certified and doesn't appear in the J.D. Power valuation guides, which is why financing a custom build has usually meant a personal loan or a HELOC.
That has changed. GreatRVLoan, an RV finance brokerage in Costa Mesa, built a program specifically for custom Class B vans like the ones we build. We spoke with them in September 2026 before adding them to this page. Here is how it works.
What it covers
The van and the conversion together, rolled into one conventional RV loan. The donor van's title goes with the loan, and if you still owe money on the van, that balance gets paid off as part of closing.
Maximum amount: $150,000
That is the cap on this program today, covering the van and the build combined. If your van plus build runs past $150,000, the difference becomes your down payment. A $45,000 used Sprinter with an $80,000 build fits comfortably. A new van with a $120,000 build likely won't.
Terms up to 20 years
This is the real advantage over a personal loan. Stretching the same balance over 20 years instead of 5 is the difference between a payment you plan around and one you feel every month.
It funds at the end, not in stages
This is the part worth understanding before you count on it. The loan does not pay us as the build progresses. You fund the build the normal way, through our milestone schedule, and the loan closes when the van is finished. At that point it pays our final invoice, clears any loan on the van, and reimburses you for what you paid in along the way. If you pulled the money from savings, a HELOC or a line of credit to get the build going, this is how you put it back.
Get approved before the build starts
Approvals typically hold for 45 to 60 days, and in some cases 90, which covers a normal build window. Apply before we start ordering materials rather than the week before pickup, so you know the money is there before anyone commits.
How to start
You work with them directly. Call (949) 515-0055 or visit greatrvloan.com. Tell them you're working with Emery Custom Builds and they'll walk you through what you'd qualify for before you commit to anything. Nothing about our payment schedule changes whether you finance or pay cash.
One thing to be clear about: Emery Custom Builds is not a lender and is not a party to your loan. Approval, rates and terms are between you and GreatRVLoan. Everything above is their program as they described it to us, and programs change, so confirm the current details with them before you plan a build around them.
What are the financing options for a van conversion?
Personal Loans
The most common route. Personal loans from banks, credit unions, and online lenders typically offer $25,000–$100,000 with terms of 3–7 years. Interest rates depend on your credit score — expect 7–15% APR for most borrowers. Credit unions often offer the best rates.
Pros: No collateral required for unsecured loans, fast approval, flexible use (covers both vehicle and conversion).
Cons: Higher interest rates than secured loans, shorter terms mean higher monthly payments, amount may be limited by income.
RV Loans
If your converted van can be titled or registered as an RV in your state, you may qualify for an RV loan. These typically have lower interest rates (5–8%) and longer terms (10–20 years) than personal loans, which means lower monthly payments.
Pros: Lower interest rates, longer terms, potentially higher borrowing limits.
Cons: Requires RV title/registration (varies by state), the van is collateral, not all lenders finance converted vans, may require specific documentation from the builder.
Check with your state DMV about RV titling requirements before counting on this option. Some states require certification from an RVIA-registered builder or specific systems (like plumbing) to qualify. Lenders have their own rules on top of that, and an uncertified custom build has historically been the hard part to finance — which is why the program described above is worth a look before you write RV loans off.
Home Equity Loan or HELOC
If you own a home, a home equity loan or line of credit (HELOC) can offer some of the lowest interest rates available (typically 6–9%). You're borrowing against your home's equity, which means the rates are competitive but your home is collateral.
Pros: Low interest rates, potentially tax-deductible interest, large borrowing capacity.
Cons: Your home is at risk if you default, approval process is slower, closing costs may apply.
Savings and Cash
The simplest option with no interest payments. If you can save aggressively for 12–24 months before your build, you avoid debt entirely. Many of our customers save specifically for this — setting aside a fixed monthly amount into a dedicated account.
Pros: No interest, no monthly payments, no credit check, complete flexibility.
Cons: Takes time, requires discipline, delays your build timeline.
Credit Cards
Putting a full conversion on a credit card is generally a bad idea. At 18–28% interest, carrying the balance can cost you more than the build. Credit still has a place in the process, though, in three specific spots:
- 0% intro APR cards: some offer 15–21 months at 0% on purchases. Pay it off inside the intro window and it is effectively free financing. Miss it and the rate jumps past 20%.
- Rewards on components: if you are buying your own solar panels, batteries or appliances, a rewards card you clear immediately earns cash back on money you were spending anyway.
- Emergency backup: available credit covers a mid-build scope change without derailing your payment plan.
Bottom line: a tool for specific purchases, not a financing strategy for the whole build.
Combination Approach
Most of our customers use a mix: savings for the deposit and a chunk of the build, plus a personal loan or HELOC for the remainder. This keeps monthly payments manageable while avoiding the full wait of saving 100% before starting.
How does Emery Custom Builds' payment structure work?
At Emery Custom Builds, we use a milestone-based payment structure. You don't pay everything upfront — payments are spread across the build timeline so you can plan accordingly.
Deposit: $6,000
Books your build slot. This is a flat fee regardless of build scope, and it's credited toward your total contract value. You can pay this months before the build starts — it just reserves your spot in our schedule.
Build Commencement: 50% of Contract
Due 30 days before your van arrives at the shop. We need this lead time to order materials — ACH transfers can take 3–4 weeks to clear, and we start purchasing components immediately. Your full contract (with final scope, pricing, and payment schedule) is signed at this stage.
Halfway Point: 20% of Contract
Due at the midpoint of your build. By now you've seen real progress — framing, electrical rough-in, plumbing installed. We send regular photo updates so you know exactly where things stand.
Completion: Remaining Balance
Due at handoff after we've tested every system and walked you through the entire van. Nothing leaves the shop without passing our quality check.
Learn more about the full build process: How We Build Your Van.
How should you budget for a van conversion?
Budget the Vehicle and Build Separately
These are two different purchases. A used Sprinter runs $25K–$60K, a ProMaster $20K–$45K, and a Transit $20K–$50K. Add the conversion cost on top. Don't try to lump them into one number — it makes planning harder.
Add a 10–15% Buffer
Builds occasionally have scope changes — you decide mid-build that you want the upgraded countertops, or a component is backordered and you swap to something slightly different. A buffer prevents stress when small changes happen.
Know Your Monthly Payment Comfort Zone
If you're financing, work backward from what you can afford monthly. A $50K personal loan at 10% over 5 years is roughly $1,060/month. A $50K RV loan at 6% over 15 years is roughly $420/month. The financing method matters as much as the total amount.
Consider What You'll Save
If the van replaces rent, factor that in. Average rent in Southern California is $2,000–$3,000/month. Full-time van living costs roughly $1,500–$2,500/month total (including the van payment). The van can pay for itself in housing savings over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get an RV loan on a custom van conversion that isn't RVIA certified?
Yes. GreatRVLoan runs a program built for exactly that: custom one-off Class B vans, financing the van and the build together up to $150,000, with terms up to 20 years. It funds at the end of the build and reimburses you for what you have already paid in.
Does Emery Custom Builds offer financing?
No. We're not a lender and we're not part of your loan. We refer customers to GreatRVLoan and you work with them directly on approval, rates and terms. Our milestone payment schedule is the same whether you finance or pay cash.
Can you finance a van conversion?
Yes. Common options include personal loans, RV loans (if the van can be titled as an RV), home equity loans, and savings. Most of our customers use a combination approach.
Can a converted van get an RV loan?
Potentially. If your state allows RV titling for converted vans, you may qualify for lower-rate RV loans. Requirements vary by state and lender — check with your DMV first.
What is Emery Custom Builds' payment structure?
$6,000 deposit to book your slot, 50% of the contract 30 days before the van arrives, 20% at the halfway point, and the remaining balance at completion. The deposit is credited toward your total.
How much should I save before starting?
Budget for the vehicle plus the full conversion cost plus a 10–15% buffer. You don't need it all upfront if using financing, but understand the total commitment before signing a contract.
Is a van conversion a good investment?
Not in the financial sense — vehicles depreciate. But full-time van living can save $1,500–$2,500/month in rent, which adds up quickly. The real value is in lifestyle freedom, not resale.
Let's Talk About Your Build Budget
Tell us what you're thinking and we'll help you figure out a realistic plan. No pressure, just honest numbers.
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