GREAT question! - and one that is potentially the biggest differentiator between VanLab kits and some of our competitors... We use only USA produced A1 Grade 9-ply Birch. The best there is! We source the strongest and most premium material to enable us to use 0.5" versus the thicker 0.75" ply which enables us to maximise strength but reduce weight load. If a kit with 0.75" is lightweight, then it means it's using poorer grade quality plywood. Some useful reading here: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/plywood-sizes-and-types/

Yes we do! You will be able to select that as an addition to your furniture kit on our individual 'DIY Kits' page if you are looking to DIY. If you want us to include these as part of an install then please check the 'Full Builds' page.

There are many different types of portable toilets and Showers that work well with the kits: there are simple portable toilets that work well and we have designed space for them to slide in and out of all our kits so they are tucked out of site. There are also self composting options that cost well over a thousand dollars, so really that choice is yours. We really like the Tetravans shower (see link here: https://www.tetravan.com/shop/p/the-tetravan-folding-shower-system) and we have designed the Sprinter and Transit kit to be compatible with this INTERIOR shower. It would be mounted to the front of the raised bed, in between the bench seat and the kitchen unit.

Yes we do, both for the bed mattress and seat cushions. We provide color options on the site but if you want something that we haven't listed please just send us an email at info@wearevanlab.com. If you want to DIY your own cushions just tell us and we will happily support with measurements that you can use / give to a local upholsterer.

We create kits for the most popular models and are adding key designs regularly, if there isn't yours on the list then send us a note with a request and we'll get back to you if one is completed.

We do not have them readily on display as customers take the built out vans as soon as they are ready but please get in touch and we can try and arrange for you to see a build in progress.

Although we use the most premium and hard wearing Baltic Birch available, you’ll still find several football, oval, or irregular shaped patches in either side of Baltic birch. Even the highest grade of Baltic birch allows for patches. While at first glance they might seem unsightly, they’re indeed correcting a worse problem that you wouldn’t like any better – such as knots or discoloration. Fortunately, patches are color matched, so they blend as best as they can to the surrounding areas.

The record for assembling the woodwork is under 3 hours. Typically, it takes between 3-6 hours to build your first one. You will need x2 electric screwdrivers to put it together, these are NOT included.

To add the wiring, we would leave an additional day aside to do it. Take your time and enjoy your build!

The record for assembling the woodwork is under 3 hours. Typically, it takes between 3-6 hours to build your first one. You will need x2 electric screwdrivers to put it together, these are NOT included.

To add the wiring, we would leave an additional day aside to do it. Take your time and enjoy your build!

The kit has no permanent fixings to your van chassis. This means you can drop it in and remove it for a weekend or longer trip. It is perfect for anyone wanting to use their existing van for camping trips without damaging anything on the vehicle!

Yes we have both a manual you can download or you can also watch a summary video on the below Youtube link: Wiring Harness

If you want to charge anything (laptop, phones, cameras, speakers etc.) we suggest you run a leisure battery. Our wiring looms are designed to charge you leisure battery while you're driving.

​However, your leisure battery can never discharge your van battery, so you’ll always be able to drive off!

You are more than welcome to customize your kit once it arrives, however we are unable to accept modifications to the design before manufacturing. 

Usually we work to approximately 3-4 weeks from order before your kit is ready to ship, and then 3-10 business days shipping through our partner Fedex Freight depending on location.

We pay for a service by Fedex whereby they will contact you directly to arrange a delivery slot and a time when you can be at your destination to receive your kit. They will place the kit in one place of your choosing and then you can unpack by simply unscrewing the lid.

Yes you can! Collections are from our Simi Valley, California shop and we will share information with you should you request this option at checkout.

We make every kit to order and due to the size of the kits its extremely expensive to not only ship the kits but also package them, we make our packaging from strong birch material and CNC it ourselves to ensure your order arrives safely to you. As a result we are unable to offer refunds on a kit unless it arrived damaged for any reason. For that we will need to receive the kit back and once checked the refund will be issued. *Please ensure you check you have ordered the correct kit for your vehicle (we include many diagrams and measurements) as any incompatibility is strictly the responsibility of the customers to understand in advance and we cannot process a refund for this reason.

Please just email us at info@wearevanlab.com or feel free to give us a call and we will happily support your build / take questions.

Yes just get in touch, when you order our electrics harness kit we automatically include a 30 minute consultation call when you begin to install to ensure you are supported and if you have any questions we can answer them at the beginning.

It depends on your previous experience. We have put a lot of effort into making the build process simple and fun, however you are still undertaking a big task. Building your own van doesn't happen straight away. For our team, our smaller kits take one person one day to fit the woodwork and wiring. Our larger kits take one person one day to fit the kit. However, our team has fitted many of these before.

Take your time, enjoy the process. We would suggest 2 days for a small kit and 2 weekends for a big kit. That said, we’ve had customers smash out a large kit in under a day!