How Much Does an RV Renovation Cost? (9 Real Examples)

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Spend a few minutes browsing RV Life hashtags on Instagram and you will be bombarded with beautiful images of stunning RV renovations. However, very few renovators share how much they actually spent to create a modern home on wheels.

We are pulling back the curtain and sharing the real RV renovation cost of 9 DIY remodelers. The details of these real life RV renovations will help you understand what upgrades are realistic with your skills and budget. Plus we share typical RV remodel cost to help you build your own RV renovation budget.

If you are lacking in interior design and handyman skills, check out these new RVs that come with modern, white interiors straight from the factory.

Fifth Wheel RV Renovation Costs

Christina and Justin of Travels with Ted

RV Model and Size: 2016 Grand Design Reflection 34 Foot Fifth Wheel

RV Renovation Cost: $2500

We completed a colorful interior remodel of our fifth wheel RV to make it feel more like a real home. Our renovation including painting the bedroom walls, replacing all the window treatments, painting the cabinets and replacing all the cabinet hardware.

We also replaced all of the furniture in the living area with pieces that were more comfortable and practical for everyday use. Adding new slide trim, completed our RV remodel.

Jordan and Brooke of @TheCamperHouse

RV Model and Size: 2014 Grand Design Solitude 39 Foot Fifth Wheel

RV Renovation Cost: $700 (so far)

Jordan and Brooke are not finished with projects in their fifth wheel home, but it already looks amazing! They have painted the walls and cabinets, added wallpaper accents and installed new window treatments and a kitchen backsplash.

They even built custom bunk beds for their sons. Even with all these impressive changes, they expect their total RV renovation budget to come in at just over $1000 after adding a flip-up bar and office space.

Katie of @Katie_Elaine1812

RV Model and Size: 2010 Keystone Montana 30 Foot Fifth Wheel

RV Renovation Cost: $3000

Katie’s beautiful fifth wheel renovation features several affordable, but impactful updates. She painted the walls and cabinets, installed wallpaper, swapped out the light fixtures, put in new floors, replaced the blinds and bought new furniture.

Despite all the updates, Katie kept her budget in check by taking advantage of Cyber Monday deals and recovering her countertops instead of replacing them.

Keith and Raini of Keith and Raini RV Life Vlogs

RV Model and Size: 2010 Keystone Cougar 35 Foot Fifth Wheel

RV Renovation Cost: $3500

If you are looking for RV office designs, Keith and Raini’s remodel is the ultimate inspiration. Their custom dual desk set-up includes custom epoxy countertops and storage cubbies.

In other areas of the RV, the couple painted the walls and cabinets, installed new vinyl flooring, new living room furniture and plenty of plants. The renovations did not stop inside! They also removed the decals and painted the exterior of their fifth wheel a solid white white with a black trim.

If you want to customize your RV’s exterior, consider wrapping your RV.

Presley Gossett of @PresGossett

RV Model and Size: 2020 Grand Design Solitude 40 Foot Fifth Wheel

RV Renovation Cost: $2500

Presley and her family transformed their large fifth wheel with just paint, furniture and some simple décor. They hired out the painting and paid $1700 for the service. If you’ve ever spent days painting all the tiny corners in an RV, that will sound like a bargain!

They also made some small cosmetic changes, like adding new gold hardware to the kitchen cabinets, buying new dining room furniture and replacing the shades on the existing light fixtures over the kitchen island.

Love this blue color scheme? Check out these 10 color palettes for RV renovations.

Rachael and Jesse of @TheTasteforAdventure

RV Model and Size: 2002 Keystone Cougar 29 Foot Fifth Wheel

RV Renovation Cost: $10,000

Jesse and Rachael bought their fifth wheel for only $5500, so they had a healthy renovation budget. Their complete renovation included painting walls and cabinets, creating wallpaper accents and installing new flooring.

They also ditched the RV furniture and replaced it with more practical pieces, including a desk. Their kitchen also got several upgrades including a backsplash, custom pine countertop and a new sink. To make boondocking more practical, the couple also replaced the RV’s battery, inverter and added solar capabilities.

Tina Klinefelter of @FreeAsWheelEverBe

RV Model and Size: 2017 Jayco Pinnacle 40 Foot Fifth Wheel

RV Renovation Cost: $600 (For paint and doors)

Tina’s renovation proves that a few small changes can entirely transform an RV. Her renovation included painting cabinets and a few other small cosmetic upgrades, but the custom-built interior doors have the biggest impact.

Tina’s husband and father-in-law, built three custom wood and metal doors to replace the bathroom and bedroom doors. As an added bonus, the new doors were 150 pounds lighter than the original ones.

Other RV Renovation Costs

Cait Chew of @RVwithRandC

RV Model and Size: 1999 Fleetwood Angler 9 Foot (and 7 Inches) Truck Camper

RV Renovation Cost: $2500

Cait and her husband turned this dated truck camper into a dreamy tiny living space. They re-did the entire camper including painting the walls and cabinets, installing wallpaper accents and a backsplash, replacing light fixtures and adding new floors!

They also freshened up the yellowed bathroom using an epoxy refinishing kit to make everything white again.

Karlee Phelps of @PhelpsFamilyRoadTrip

RV Model and Size: 2016 Thor Winds 36 Foot Class C

RV Renovation Cost: $20,000

Karlees’s renovation of her Super C motorhome was a top to bottom transformation. She brightened up the space by painting all the walls and cabinets white, and added a nice design element by installing wallpaper behind the bed.

The RV’s bunk beds were also given a facelift with new woods panels and ladder. Other updates included, a new couch, moving the sink to add counter space, new countertops, backsplashes, custom lighting, a new mattress, upgraded flooring and so much more!

Biggest Bang for the Buck

We asked all of our DIYers what was the biggest bang for their buck in their RV renovation, and almost everyone agreed it was paint.

Slapping a coat of white (or colorful) paint on walls and cabinets is one of the easiest, low cost ways to transform a tiny house on wheels. If you are considering painting an RV, utilize the following tips to ensure a great result.

Tips for Painting an RV

• Use a fine grit sandpaper to lightly sand walls and cabinets
• Before painting, clean surfaces thoroughly with TSP or a water and vinegar solution
• Decide if furniture and/or window treatments are going to be replaced before painting; Putty any holes that will not be reused, and remove furniture before painting so you do not have unpainted areas
• Always use a gripper or bonding primer when painting RVs
• Apply at least two coats or primer and two coats of paint for the best result
• Yellowed showers, bathtubs and sinks can also get a paint makeover using an Epoxy Refinishing Kit

Typical RV Renovation Cost

If you are trying to calculate the cost of your own RV remodel. Use the following guidelines to estimate your budget. All of the below guidelines are for DIY renovations and do not account for labor cost.

Structural Issues and Water Damage

The first cost to consider in any RV renovation is repairing structural issues and water damage. Unless you are a skilled RV repair person, we strongly advice against purchasing an RV with any major structural issues.

To avoid these expensive repairs, always have a used RV inspected by a professional before purchasing.

Paint or Wallpaper

As we noted above, refinishing the walls can totally transform your RV interior. Use the following guidelines to calculate the cost of paint or wallpaper.

• Peel and Stick Wallpaper: $0.50-$5 per square foot
• Paint: $30-$50 per gallon
• Bonding Primer: $50-$70 per gallon
• Materials: ~$100 for sandpaper, brushes, rollers, tape, etc.

Most RVs have between 500 and 1000 square feet of wall space. A gallon of paint should cover around 350 square feet of wall spaces. Assuming two coats are applied, most RVers will need 2 to 3 gallons of primer and 2 to 3 gallons of paint.

Flooring

The foundation of any space, new flooring is another way to update the look of your RV. Most RV renovators use sheet vinyl or vinyl planks because they are the lightest options. Sheet vinyl is ideal because it does not have joints that expand and contract.

• Vinyl sheet flooring: $1-$2 per square foot
• Vinyl plank flooring: $2-$3 per square foot

Countertops

The functional and aesthetic focal point of your RV kitchen, countertops are another item many RVers chose to refinish or replace.

Countertop remodel costs will vary greatly depending materials. Using an epoxy kit to refinish your countertops is generally more affordable than replacing them and adds less weight to the RV.

Hardware and Faucets

New hardware and faucets are an easy and affordable way to upgrade any RV interior. You can spend a fortune on new hardware, but it is also easy to find new cabinet handles on Amazon for around $1 each.

Faucets and other fixtures are also available in a wide price range. We spent $53 on our RV kitchen faucet replacement.

Lighting

New light fixtures are also a must for any RVer looking to modernize their interior.

• LED light fixtures: $10-$100 each
• Decorative fixtures: $50-$300 each

See our full list of the best 12v LED light fixtures to find the perfect option for your RV.

Window Treatments

Window treatments are another common RV remodel project. The cheapest way to update your windows is to simply recover the valances that came with your RV. Replacing blinds or adding curtains will be a significant cost.

• Recover valances: Cost of new fabric
• Blinds: $20-$100 per window
• Curtains: $30-$150 per window

Furniture

Replacing RV furniture is another major RV renovation cost. New couches usually cost at least a few hundred dollars. In addition to the price, always consider weight and how the piece can be secured for travel before buying new RV furniture.

Soft Furnishings

Don’t forget to account for soft furnishings when setting your RV remodel budget. You don’t want to paint your whole RV, but still be stuck with an ugly bedspread.

• Throw Pillows: $10-$50 each
• Bedding: $50-$300 depending on size and material

Decorative Items

Finally, always budget for personal touches to make the RV feel like home. Look for lightweight frames for artwork and avoid breakable decorations.

• Artwork: $20-$500+ depending on size and artist
• Decorative items: $10-$100 each

If you are not up for a full makeover, adding a few modern accessories can have a huge impact on your RV interior for a small cost. Check out our favorite lightweight décor pieces for RVs here.

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What unique RV renovations do you have planned? Share your best ideas with us in the comments below.

Happy Camping!