The renovation process – how does it work, how long does it take, how much does it cost?

People, customers, often ask me how it’s done, how long it takes, and above all, how much it costs. In this short article, I will try to describe the entire spectrum of actions that need to be taken to repair a damaged camper van. When it comes to painting and repairing bodywork, it’s clear that we need to eliminate, straighten, or replace any parts that are beyond repair. After removing all damages, we need to prepare the surface for painting, eliminating any irregularities, rust, and so on. It’s a fairly painstaking and time-consuming process. Once we’ve brought the bodywork to a satisfactory state, everything needs to be protected. Some things can be disassembled, but it doesn’t make much sense to dismantle the entire vehicle as it would take too much time. And here comes another painstaking task that must be done perfectly—special tapes, foil, and wrapping. The smallest mistake can cost us several additional hours of work, which is why our team has developed their own experienced ways to ensure everything goes smoothly. The next stage is painting. And here’s another job for an experienced painter who could practically write a book on painting techniques, paint selection, and spray gun handling, which I won’t delve into as it’s not my area of expertise. The entire process described above is just a highly condensed version of all the activities required for a proper job. Apart from preparation and painting, we often deal with tasks such as seal replacement, fixing malfunctioning handles, and replacing any damaged components. Frequently, the assignment involves painting the exterior and working inside the vehicle. Removing moisture and replacing structural elements are quite common. Our team specializes in specific areas, so while the painter perfects one vehicle, the interior specialist replaces upholstery elements, works on the ceiling, or fixes a damaged floor. Here, once again, we rely on vast experience and knowledge. Dealing with repairs and damage elimination inside a camper van can indeed take a significant amount of time. Let’s take the example of a ceiling that has been leaking water for several months before the client decided to have it repaired. Water seeping into the bodywork causes more destruction than one can imagine. It damages the wooden structural elements, causes insulation to rot, and affects the structural components responsible for keeping everything together. Eventually, the moisture breaks through to the upper layer—the ceiling panel. In such a case, simply replacing the panel is no longer sufficient. After removing the panel, the structure is usually so damaged that it needs to be completely rebuilt. Cabinets, furniture, and equipment must be dismantled(And put back together when finished). Then, the underlying structure and insulation need to be meticulously reconstructed so that, in the end, the top panels, seals, and finishing trims can be securely attached, and so on. The entire process is extremely time-consuming and requires immense experience to avoid causing any further damage and adding to the workload.

Therefore, answering the question of how much it costs—each project is unique, and it’s impossible to provide a straightforward answer. One repair may take three times longer than another, for example, if it doesn’t require interior work. We assess each repair individually based on a vehicle inspection, and we approach the matter honestly. Our experts always strive to minimize the impact on customers’ wallets, but sometimes, to do a good job, it’s necessary to invest a bit more money. Using better paints, materials, and so on. I hope that in this short article, I have given you a glimpse into how everything works and that you have gained some knowledge about refurbishing cars and camper vans. If you need specialists to restore your vehicle, don’t hesitate to contact Mario Caravans & Motorhome Repair And Painting for a free estimate.