Redundancy - Sell Van as is or finish conversion

[T6ChrisO]

Hi guys.
Got the sad news on Friday that I’ve got my 4 weeks notice then there won’t be a job for me.

Not got much in savings so I’m thinking the van might have to go so that I have some financial stability for a few months. I’m thinking of going self employed so this will help there too.

My dilemma is sell as is. Soundproofed, insulated, halo roof, DC-DC, MPPT 150w panel (blank canvas for someone)



OR…………

Borrow money off family and finish the conversion and then sell. Think I’d need approx £4k to do kitchen and bed. I have everything for the wiring side including 300ah Renogy battery, inverter etc.

Valuation help in current form?
2019 95k miles with service history, 11 month MOT, had a few new parts recently (springs etc) and major service done last month.

 

[Sasquatch]

A decent conversion adds value to a van beyond all proportion of the amount spent on the build.

Only you know if that is worth the time, hassle, and short term expense at this difficult time.

Best of luck, hopefully a new job will appear soon and make it a moot point.

 

[JoshB_]

A full conversion will add about £10k, although assuming you won’t be having a pop top.

Whats the van spec? 150 6 speed?

It’s a crap time to be selling so I’d be tempted to finish the conversion. But then best to sell around Feb/March if you can hold on that long……..

As per your avatar, are you a CAD technician? Apologies as I don’t know specifically the ins and outs of your job but I know there’s demand for draughtsmen around the utility industry.

 

[JOG]

Is it your daily driver? If not, my inclination would be to make it your daily and get shot of the car. The van is more versatile and probably worth more to you than you’d get selling.

As a serial victim of redundancy before I went independent, try not to take it personally. (I did and it was energy wasted!)

I’ve been out of work since July and the market is currently on the floor. However, something will come up, don’t fret.

 

[DXX]

Not sure what line of business you’re in or seeking but if it might involve regular traveling and overnight stays away from home a campervan is going to save £.
Best of luck, sometimes what seems like a pitfall results in a better situation after the dust settles.

 

[Dellmassive]

Keep the van, and get a personal loan to see you through.....

Get a local temporary job while you are getting your own thing setup.

 

[t0mb0]

In purely economic terms, I'm not sure what the right answer is here. It's clearly not the right time of year to be selling either a camper or a vehicle with camper-potential but no harm in putting it up for sale for a slightly optimistic price and if it goes it goes I suppose? You might make a profit on a conversion, but there's obviously significant uncertainty here.

I would think carefully about borrowing money from family though, no form of debt is to be entered into lightly and borrowing from family brings an extra dimension to the whole thing.

Best of luck though, hopefully new opportunities come along before too long.

 

[Ali-G]

Sorry to hear that Chris.
I'd sign up for an agency, it's a good time of year for temp van driving, not ideal probably but will bring in some cash until something more suitable comes up.

 

[Salty Spuds]

This is entirely my own personal opinion:-
If I was in the same situation, I’d sell the van “As is” and let someone else finish it in their image. Just tidy it up and make it presentable.
In your uncertain circumstances I definitely wouldn’t be taking on any (extra?) debt. You need to focus on resolving your employment situation and getting yourself back on your feet, not throwing money at a van with an unknown return on investment. Cash the van in and use the money to tide you over.
Alternatively, if you have sufficient funds and you think you’re going to find another job quickly, park the van, get sorted, and come back to it in the future.
Just don’t take on any extra debt, especially from friends and family.
As I said, just my 2 penneth.

 

[Badjamin]

Really sorry to hear this Chris. My most heartfelt sympathies. I am also looking down the barrel of potential redundancy next year and subsequently have hyper fixated on my options so I can give you the following feedback.

Keeping it because you love it and somehow managing is only an option if you can use it for both work and leisure in the interim. A loan could work if you are guaranteed to fall in to a different equally paid job. I don't have that option/confidence in professional self worth so, with your van in mind I'd be selling.

The price you pay on a further camper conversion will be sunken capital as you will only really be able to add 50% of the value of interior/poptop/electrics to your selling price. Better to sell everything not bolted in seperately and pulling the money back for those consumables.

I think your van looks smokin hot and will appeal to a certain market. I'd recommend you spend on getting it kombified. Get a three seat set up in the back with isofix ideally trimmed upwards with your front seats and then have basic electrics for kids tablets etc. Maybe a sound system. Selling next spring when people get their bonuses and in advance of summer hols and kiddies potential first year at school etc might be a good strategy.

Good luck and I am sure this change is a good thing. I reckon you'll be in another transporter or even crafter within 12 months perhaps a little bewildered but lovin the change this annoyance has caused.

All the best, keep your chin up. Nothin worse than career based rejection sensitivity. We are here for you!

 

[T6ChrisO]

A full conversion will add about £10k, although assuming you won’t be having a pop top.

Whats the van spec? 150 6 speed?

It’s a crap time to be selling so I’d be tempted to finish the conversion. But then best to sell around Feb/March if you can hold on that long……..

As per your avatar, are you a CAD technician? Apologies as I don’t know specifically the ins and outs of your job but I know there’s demand for draughtsmen around the utility industry.

No, no pop top IF I did fully convert

T28 Highline, 102bhp, 5 Speed

Yeah in the M&E Design sector, been in it 20 years

Is it your daily driver? If not, my inclination would be to make it your daily and get shot of the car. The van is more versatile and probably worth more to you than you’d get selling.

As a serial victim of redundancy before I went independent, try not to take it personally. (I did and it was energy wasted!)

I’ve been out of work since July and the market is currently on the floor. However, something will come up, don’t fret.

Not my daily no, I work from home so dont really use the van and have access to the mrs car if need be.
Sorry to hear that mate, its tough at the minute!

Not sure what line of business you’re in or seeking but if it might involve regular traveling and overnight stays away from home a campervan is going to save £.
Best of luck, sometimes what seems like a pitfall results in a better situation after the dust settles.

Yeah that would've been ideal but unfortunately not the case. Thank you, many have said that so hopefully something good comes out the other side of this

Keep the van, and get a personal loan to see you through.....

Get a local temporary job while you are getting your own thing setup.

Not keen on taking on more debt to be honest although I did consider it

In purely economic terms, I'm not sure what the right answer is here. It's clearly not the right time of year to be selling either a camper or a vehicle with camper-potential but no harm in putting it up for sale for a slightly optimistic price and if it goes it goes I suppose? You might make a profit on a conversion, but there's obviously significant uncertainty here.

I would think carefully about borrowing money from family though, no form of debt is to be entered into lightly and borrowing from family brings an extra dimension to the whole thing.

Best of luck though, hopefully new opportunities come along before too long.

Thats my thinking too, IU know it isnt an ideal time but maybe worth an advert anyway. Just trying to figure out the value of it.
Thank you

Sorry to hear that Chris.
I'd sign up for an agency, it's a good time of year for temp van driving, not ideal probably but will bring in some cash until something more suitable comes up.

I've got a bit of work coming my way from a friend who I use to help out when they were busy so im hoping that can tie me over a bit. Just so expensive where we rent but dont want to move as we love it here

 

[T6ChrisO]

This is entirely my own personal opinion:-
If I was in the same situation, I’d sell the van “As is” and let someone else finish it in their image. Just tidy it up and make it presentable.
In your uncertain circumstances I definitely wouldn’t be taking on any (extra?) debt. You need to focus on resolving your employment situation and getting yourself back on your feet, not throwing money at a van with an unknown return on investment. Cash the van in and use the money to tide you over.
Alternatively, if you have sufficient funds and you think you’re going to find another job quickly, park the van, get sorted, and come back to it in the future.
Just don’t take on any extra debt, especially from friends and family.
As I said, just my 2 penneth.

Thank you, any opinion is welcomed!
This is where im heading I think. Id rather let it go in its current state and let someone else finish it. I could even include the wiring, battery, inverter etc in the sale.
Unfortunately we dont have sufficient funds, I have one months pay in savings so I think we are ok for the next two months but after that we're a bit stuck. I've always been the high earner (late £40s) and paid for most of the cost of living. The mrs has just gone self-employed so isnt earning a lot until her client list grows. Its just really bad timing at the minute

 

[T6ChrisO]

Really sorry to hear this Chris. My most heartfelt sympathies. I am also looking down the barrel of potential redundancy next year and subsequently have hyper fixated on my options so I can give you the following feedback.

Keeping it because you love it and somehow managing is only an option if you can use it for both work and leisure in the interim. A loan could work if you are guaranteed to fall in to a different equally paid job. I don't have that option/confidence in professional self worth so, with your van in mind I'd be selling.

The price you pay on a further camper conversion will be sunken capital as you will only really be able to add 50% of the value of interior/poptop/electrics to your selling price. Better to sell everything not bolted in seperately and pulling the money back for those consumables.

I think your van looks smokin hot and will appeal to a certain market. I'd recommend you spend on getting it kombified. Get a three seat set up in the back with isofix ideally trimmed upwards with your front seats and then have basic electrics for kids tablets etc. Maybe a sound system. Selling next spring when people get their bonuses and in advance of summer hols and kiddies potential first year at school etc might be a good strategy.

Good luck and I am sure this chamfe is a good thing. I reckon you'll be in another transpirter or even crafter within 12 months perhaps a little bewildered but lovin the change this annoyance has caused.

All the best, keep your chin up. Nothin worse than career based rejection sensitivity. We are here for you!

Sorry to hear that mate and thank you.

I know, Im thinking it has to be sold as is rather than converting.

Ha ha thank you, I'm fond of it myself ha ha!! Again, that would come with extra spending so thinking to maybe just list like it is. Tart up anything that needs doing and let it go.

Maybe so mate, I've had a few already ha ha. Would be a Transporter again though

 

[Badjamin]

Anyway, the grim answer to your request.

I'd say put it up for £25k ono for a slow sale on Autotrader or £18k for a fast sale on forum. Get some amazing photos done of it if you have any arty mates with a decent camera also. If not, hopefully you have an extensive range of photos of it looking spotless over summer?

It's just a thing, we're all very confident you'll bounce back and have another van in no time... a 150ps 6 speed

 

[Bav]

Sorry to hear about your situation Chris. I'm fearful there are going to be a lot of peope in your situation in the coming few years... though, of course, not everyone of those will have a T6 habit to feed!

I won't offer any advice as I'm sure you've got the nous to work out what's best for you in your particular situation. Just remember that your T6 family are here if you need anything and, if you need to take a leave of absence, we'll still be here when you're back on duty.

 

[T6ChrisO]

Sorry to hear about your situation Chris. I'm fearful there are going to be a lot of peope in your situation in the coming few years... though, of course, not everyone of those will have a T6 habit to feed!

I won't offer any advice as I'm sure you've got the nous to work out what's best for you in your particular situation. Just remember that your T6 family are here if you need anything and, if you need to take a leave of absence, we'll still be here when you're back on duty.

Bav, this is beautiful. I’ll be sure to stick around either way!!

 

[T6ChrisO]

I’ll look at valuations tomorrow. It’s a bit tricky as it’s mid way through a conversion (ie solar is sorted, DC-DC is sorted)

 

[Salty Spuds]

Bav, this is beautiful. I’ll be sure to stick around either way!!

Careful, I’m filling up

 

[manfrotto]

I sold my car when I bought my van - as my daily driver, as well as camperfied enough to go away in. Could that be an option, assuming Mrs Chris is ammenable of course? Carry on the conversion as finances allow.
From my experience being made redundant is a bit of a shock at first, but often better opportunities come along and and you wonder why you were worried. Best wishes mate.

 

[JoshB_]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/van-details/202509076132221?

It’s actually got AC! Whether it works however…