A mechanic who transformed a van into a stunning home on wheels during lockdown – loved the project so much he quit his job to set up his own renovation business.
Brett Pawson was furloughed last year and decided to makeover a bog standard sprinter transit into a stylish campervan, fully equipped with home luxuries and mod cons.
After 12 years of being employed, the 29-year-old took a leap of faith on his new found passion and quit his full time mechanics job to transform vehicles into incredible compact homes for the road.
His hobby turned business has attracted more than 1.7million views on YouTube and thousands of followers on social media.
His first conversion took six weeks from scratch after Brett decided to dip into his wedding fund to try his hand at his vision and snapped up a bargain van for his debut design.
Fully supported by his fiancé Lauren Young, 26, who helped with the refurb, Brett from Pontefract, West Yorkshire, said: “I got the first van really cheap so I couldn’t turn the opportunity down. I was out of work and decided now was the time to go for it.
“Lauren didn’t mind, too much, she was excited for me to be doing something I am passionate about.”
The incredible transformation makes the Mercedes Splinter, long wheel base, completely unrecognisable.
The van is 7 metres long and Brett has converted 4.3m into a luxurious living space, complete with a fixed, super king sized bed, Wi-Fi, shower, gas oven and hob as part of a fully fitted, bespoke kitchen, smart TV and stylish living area.
Brett’s project cost him a total of £15,000. He paid £2,500 for the van and around £9,000 to transform the inside space. The additional cost was for motor repairs.
The home on wheels has two water tanks and a gas tank underneath.
It was a project that Brett had never attempted before but he had renovated their house and was grateful his dad, a joiner, was on hand to teach him new tricks of the trade.
His hobby turned profession has paid off and he has since had a number of orders to refurb vans and he is hoping to work on plenty more in the future.
Brett said: “It was a big decision to quit a regular income during such uncertain times but I have wanted to do this for years and I am very excited for the future of my business, Home from Home Conversions.”
His fiancé Lauren is very supportive of his new venture and isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty.
Brett added: “Lauren loves to help out, she is a great painter and very handy with a tool kit and carpentry jobs. We like to be busy. I love to be working on a project and I am really proud of the finish.”
So much so, despite having offers to purchase the van, the couple decided to keep it and are planning to travel Europe in it – when lockdown restrictions allow.
Brett said: “We can’t wait to go travelling properly in it. It has everything we could need inside. I absolutely love it, honestly it’s amazing and so comfy – our dog Bear, loves it too.
He added: “The week after it was finished, we went away for a week in North Yorkshire. We met a couple who wanted to buy it from us but instead I agreed to make one for them.”
The commissioned van was Brett’s second project and since then, he has been contracted for three more renovations.
Brett said: “The vans can sell from £20,000 - £60,000 depending on the make and model and the mileage. Then there are factors such as the spec of the refurb which can vary the final price.”
“I am really excited to see what is lined up next and where this new career and business may take us.”
