Shell Cost

[The Artisan]

I think you must realize that commercial products that require investment in equipment, space, employees, design, engineering, marketing, customer service, warranties, etc... will end up costing *way* more than materials... if you want to make a profit.

I bet I spent over 1,000 hrs building my camper, and it's very simple inside. I could probably sell it for around the $10k material cost... let me see, $10k plus $5/hr slave wages x1000, is...

With a low shop rate of buck 25 an hour, it adds up quick
Kevin

 

[ExpoMike]

With a low shop rate of buck 25 an hour, it adds up quick
Kevin

At $25 an hour, that is a steal for a shop rate. Most any place I see anymore are closer to $125 per hour. That adds up quickly!!!

 

[The Artisan]

At $25 an hour, that is a steal for a shop rate. Most any place I see anymore are closer to $125 per hour. That adds up quickly!!!

buck 25 is $125
Kevin

 

[IdaSHO]

This discussion sounds awfully similar to the janitor that doesn't know the operating costs of the shop he cleans,
and demands more wages as he assumes payroll is unlimited, and of course he could run the place better with everyone making tons of money

The amount of coin and BS to simply keep a legit shop afloat is incredible, and even more so in areas with even higher taxes and regulations.
Not saying the actual cost of some things is silly, but unless you are doing it yourself with similar burdens, you really have no idea.

And even around here, $125 an hour is CHEAP for a legit shop. Today labor is anything but cheap, and labor (time) is the only thing we won't get back.
Those of us that have been around certainly realize.... we better get moving.... time is burning... and we runnin' out of time!

Even the custom camper I built, while its doing great I've had the bug to build another one. But I've got bigger, better fish to fry, and zero time.

Ive also posted this before for my home built.... This is specific to the camper unit itself in 2012 numbers. 2026 numbers will be MUCH higher.
Quick searches show about 2.5% inflation, a 41% cumulative increase in costs from 2012 to now (2026)

All in, I have a bit less than $10k into the camper, as it sits.
Time and labor? Estimated 600+ hours including R&D. Even at a reasonable $50/hr that's a a solid $30k just in labor.
More realistic would be $80/hr+ And I already have the tools and the shop. Do you?
So a total of $40k in materials and labor, not including tools and shop needed.

 

[The Artisan]

This discussion sounds awfully similar to the janitor that doesn't know the operating costs of the shop he cleans,
and demands more wages as he assumes payroll is unlimited, and of course he could run the place better with everyone making tons of money

The amount of coin and BS to simply keep a legit shop afloat is incredible, and even more so in areas with even higher taxes and regulations.
Not saying the actual cost of some things is silly, but unless you are doing it yourself with similar burdens, you really have no idea.

And even around here, $125 an hour is CHEAP for a legit shop. Today labor is anything but cheap, and labor (time) is the only thing we won't get back.
Those of us that have been around certainly realize.... we better get moving.... time is burning... and we runnin' out of time!

Even the custom camper I built, while its doing great I've had the bug to build another one. But I've got bigger, better fish to fry, and zero time.

Ive also posted this before for my home built.... This is specific to the camper unit itself in 2012 numbers. 2026 numbers will be MUCH higher.
Quick searches show about 2.5% inflation, a 41% cumulative increase in costs from 2012 to now (2026)

The bottom line is prices equate to total overhead and net profit per unit. I do custom auto upholstery so a guy working out of his garage will be much less cost then me with a shop. I used to be that guy when I first started. But keep in mind ones saying I only have X in material cost but do not equate their time involved to get a real cost at the end of the day as in Ruffs situation
Kevin

 

[IdaSHO]

Yep, and if it isn't clear yet, time is money. And its something you never get back.
I you are in the position and already have the space/tools/knowhow to do a build, by all means.
But never assume your labor is free, nor is all the research/design needed for even the most basic build.
If you really have the itch to build, and don't have the space/tools/knowhow to do it....
its likely going to cost as much or more than a factory built unit, and never get that time and energy back.

I'm all for one building their own, but it is not for everyone. Most will build far too heavy, have cost over-runs,
and at the end of the day only use it for a few days out of the year as it rots away.

Don't even get me started on the average ownership of an RV, let alone an "expedition" type vehicle.
Considering the short window they are actually owned, resale should be a factor.
It will be a loss, sometimes huge. And having a factory unit vs a home built will go a long way unless you find that "special" buyer.

But thats also coming from this weirdo, that builds once and keeps it (on purpose).
Ive had our camper on the road since the winter of 2012/13 with the intentions of using and keeping it. Which we do.

 

[The Artisan]

Yep, and if it isn't clear yet, time is money. And its something you never get back.
I you are in the position and already have the space/tools/knowhow to do a build, by all means.
But never assume your labor is free, nor is all the research/design needed for even the most basic build.
If you really have the itch to build, and don't have the space/tools/knowhow to do it....
its likely going to cost as much or more than a factory built unit, and never get that time and energy back.

I'm all for one building their own, but it is not for everyone. Most will build far too heavy, have cost over-runs,
and at the end of the day only use it for a few days out of the year as it rots away.

Don't even get me started on the average ownership of an RV, let alone an "expedition" type vehicle.
Considering the short window they are actually owned, resale should be a factor.
It will be a loss, sometimes huge. And having a factory unit vs a home built will go a long way unless you find that "special" buyer.

But thats also coming from this weirdo, that builds once and keeps it (on purpose).
Ive had our camper on the road since the winter of 2012/13 with the intentions of using and keeping it. Which we do.

So this was built about 7 yrs ago. My buddy Dzltoy and I put this together in my shop. We learned a lot made this pod with 2" frp composite panels premade high density eps core. I actually make my own panels now to spec with foam and glued premade skins. If we were to do this today with premade panels with exocage or glassed seams you are looking at 3 days tops as shown. Sold the pod to a co that built it out for Biltwells chase team. The pod was welded to an lmtv bed with a number of trips to Baja and to Antartica, no issues
Kevin

 

[simple]

There's another factor to consider. If your selling a late model DIY, the buyer will most likely need to bring cash because a bank would have a hard time establishing a value. Buy something from a builder/business with a receipt and someone might be able to get financing. Even easier if it is a production model with some sort of blue book value.

 

[The Artisan]

There's another factor to consider. If your selling a late model DIY, the buyer will most likely need to bring cash because a bank would have a hard time establishing a value. Buy something from a builder/business with a receipt and someone might be able to get financing. Even easier if it is a production model with some sort of blue book value.

Is there companies financing shells. I know if you go through the noha certifications and once certified you can finanace it once completed
Kevin

 

[DzlToy]

Many more people have $10k in cash than have $65k in cash.

No need for RVIA financing, blue book value, VIN plates, etc.

The secret to happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less. -Socrates

 

[The Artisan]

Many more people have $10k in cash than have $65k in cash.

No need for RVIA financing, blue book value, VIN plates, etc.

The secret to happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less. -Socrates

not a lot of people are capable of building a camper shell so their only option is to buy one
Kevin