Get to know the people in your local hardware store. Spend a little time and a little money in the store, chat to the staff and tell them what you’re doing. You may be lucky enough to meet someone interested in your build who can help and advise you for the duration of it. On our forum, Nick_Vanner told us his local store was extremely helpful. “One guy was obsessed with my Promaster build, I guess its not often they get projects like mine. I bought all my timber, pieces for plumbing and tools there. They saved free cut offs from wood, old wire racking and other stuff on special offer for me and I used it all. In the end they saved me time and money and I got expert help and guidance!

If you don’t want to buy the tools, consider renting. Or if you live in a big city, you may be lucky enough to have access to a community space for tool sharing. Join community groups on Facebook and ask for a loan of what you need. You might be surprised at how generous people are. Damian from @DemonDamo asked for help during his build and was offered an entire shed, with tools, for the duration of the work! In exchange, the shed owner wanted to document his progress and take some photographs. A symbiotic swap!

Our forum lit up with answers to this question: what tools do you need to build a quality van conversion? Among the long lists, the brand recommendations, and what brands to avoid, we found genuine nuggets of inspiration. One follower expressed regret for buying a complete set of tools for his build, which he was then left holding with nowhere to store them while he was on the road. In the end he gave them away and lost a lot of money. Another contributor implores the newbie to make sure they have the talents before they start buying tools. There are professional companies to outsource the more difficult parts to!

If you have gotten to know the staff at the local hardware store, they might help you out when it comes to buying tools as well as timber, sheeting, and insulation. Sometimes the smallest job requires a whole new device to complete, is there anything more annoying?! Ask at the store if you can borrow the fiddly tool. Of the other items you can’t avoid or borrow, choose basic, reliable brands. Keep receipts, you may be able to recoup the money by reselling the set when you are done.