Short answer: A typical Van Haven conversion takes around 8-12 weeks after the base vehicle and specification are locked. Week one is brief and design; mid-build is structure, trim and systems; late build is detail, road checks and handover planning at our Shillingstone workshop.
Most conversion blogs show finished photos. Useful. Incomplete. This diary walks the Van Haven process as owners experience it at St Patricks Industrial Estate, Shillingstone - tour, packs, build, delivery.
Stage 1 - Brief and workshop tour (Week 0-1)
You start with a behind-the-scenes tour. You meet the build team, walk real vans, and talk use-case honestly: weekend family miles, executive shuttle, mobile office, or dual-use business van.
What we lock early: base vehicle (T6.1 / T7, new or Heritage), wheelbase and drivetrain needs, must-have packs vs nice-to-haves, timeline and budget band.
Stage 2 - Spec lock (Week 1-2)
Your consultant walks packs and options in the configuration suite. This is where the van stops being a moodboard and becomes a build sheet: materials, seating, storage, exterior finish, tech. Nothing is cut until the sheet is signed off.
Stage 3 - In-house build (Weeks 2-10)
Because Van Haven keeps paint, trim, upholstery and finishing on site, quality control does not leave Dorset between suppliers. Typical mid-build focus: structural and cabinetry work, electrics and fitted systems, interior finish and soft trim, exterior styling and detail.
Complex custom cabinetry or specialist kit can push toward the long end of the window - you hear that before work starts, not after.
Stage 4 - Checked handover (Weeks 10-12)
Final checks, road test, paperwork, and a proper walkthrough. Handover is not a key toss. It is the last quality gate.
Why this matters for UK buyers
National converters sell a catalogue. Van Haven sells a concierge build you can visit. If you are in Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Somerset or further afield, the workshop visit is still the fastest way to decide.
Book a workshop visit or browse current stock while you plan the brief.
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