Title:Man Creates Dream Home In Old Removals Van For Just £16,000
Rating:4
Tags:DIY van trend motorhome
Country:United Kingdom
Orientation:Portrait
Description:A man has managed to turn a removals van into a beautiful 'home on wheels', and now lives life rent-free and spends just £18 ($23) a month on bills.
Jacques Parker, 25, wanted to give himself more freedom, and found an unlikely solution in an old removals van.
After spending a year and three months giving it a lot of love, Parker was able to transform the vehicle into a luxurious portable pad, complete with a full kitchen, a cosy bed and even a double sofa bed for guests.
In total, it cost him just £16,000 ($20,700) - that's including the cost of the van - providing an affordable alternative to a mortgage.
He's also ensured his very own 'man cave' has all the mod-cons, including a tumble dryer, WiFi, smart plugs, a breakfast bar, working telephone, 360 infrared CCTV, outside lights, gas hobs and oven, a 'decent-sized house fridge-freezer', running hot and cold taps, shower, compost toilet, an outside tap to rinse off his wetsuit and surfboard and even a cacti garden in the cab.
Parker, who lives in Barnstaple in north Devon, told LADbible: "Living in a home on wheels is always something I've wanted to do. The reason I've done this was freedom. And I wouldn't take that word lightly either; it brings so much of it and it feels amazing.
"Home is whereever I go, everything is just easy."
Parker said his living costs are 'next to nothing' - not least because he has no rent to pay - but also admitted it was more about the draw of the simple life.
"I don't want to work my life away just to survive," he continued.
"I want to work to live it. And being single, a mortgage is out of the question for me."
Parker hopes to spread the word that his lifestyle is one that others may enjoy more than they realise, saying it's not only an affordable alternative to a mortgage, but also a great way of meeting 'a lot of interesting people'.
"My van inside functions like a house does," he said.
"People that come over and stay tell me it's easy to forget you're actually inside a van.
"And if you work hard enough you can do it. I myself only had little experience in wood work and the rest I had to learn asking my friends for tips and advice, learning on the internet and YouTube.
"If it wasn't for my friends supporting me and helping me though this I don't think this would exist right now - six years I've dreamt about having my own man cave I could call home, two years of me working three jobs, working early morning 'til late night, every single day to save for it, and then a year and three months to convert."
Parker said there were many difficult elements of the build, including the electrics and plumbing - two areas he had 'no experience in'.
"What surprised me is how much longer everything takes than you think," he continued.
"You think something will only take you a day? It'll take a week. If you estimate something will take a week, it'll take at least a month.
"If I have any advice though it's to only think of the step you're on and take it in little bite sizes. Don't think too far ahead or it will become too overwhelming."
Parker added: "It wasn't easy. But if you want something bad enough anything's possible. It's great because I live by the beach so I'm always there enjoying it right on my door step and just going out for a surf.
"In total it cost me £16,000 - safe to say I didn't cheap out on anything. I wanted the best for my home as I want to enjoy the space I'm living in."
Follow Parker on Instagram for updates on life in his van here.
