Roof Vent Installations

[paxvet]

Hi, I'm converting a RAM Promaster City Van into a campervan. The first thing I need to have installed is a roof mounted vent fan. Because this is minivan, I think an 11" X 11" would be sufficient. After making lots of calls and research to van conversion businesses, I had sticker shock with quotes of $800 to have this done! I'm in L.A. and live on my service-connected veteran pension. If anyone can possibly direct me to where I can have this professionally done I would be very grateful. Do only van conversion companies do this? Thank you for any feedback!

 

[rvlifer]

There are other companies out there that can do it. Doesnt help you but rv renovators in the phoenix area probably does it and they dont normally do van conversions. I would think that not compromising the structural integrity of the roof and properly sealing it are the hardest parts.

$800 doesnt sound like a lot to me. A maxxair or fantastic fan costs almost that much just for the fan

 

[paxvet]

Thank you! The roof vent itself is not a "cost " issue. I can get one of those for under a hundred dollars. I think $800 to install a vent is excessive in my opinion. I've been researching body shops who could conceivably do this type of work but haven't found one yet. I'm hoping someone out there can refer me to someone who can in Southern California.

 

[rvlifer]

$800 not including the fan understandably causes some sticker shock. Unfortunately everything seems to have gotten outrageously expensive. My son just paid $850 to have the toilet in his house repaired. The plumber installed a plastic toilet flange that broke and it was only 3 yrs old. The parts to repair it couldnt have cost more than $20.

I can see where they need to charge more than expected to deal with risk. They wont really know what they are getting themselves into until they cut into the roof. If they hit some of the roof framing or run into wiring or anything else in the way it could turn into a bigger job than it seems.

If you can find someone to charge you for actual hours and parts you might get a better price.

If you have the skills and want to take on the risk yourself there are probably videos out there to walk you through it. Sounds like it might be very simple but you never know till you get in there

 

[gwinger]

Most of the vent fans require a 14x14 inch opening and at least 2 inches hanging inside.

 

[paxvet]

Most of the vent fans require a 14x14 inch opening and at least 2 inches hanging inside.

$800 not including the fan understandably causes some sticker shock. Unfortunately everything seems to have gotten outrageously expensive. My son just paid $850 to have the toilet in his house repaired. The plumber installed a plastic toilet flange that broke and it was only 3 yrs old. The parts to repair it couldnt have cost more than $20.

I can see where they need to charge more than expected to deal with risk. They wont really know what they are getting themselves into until they cut into the roof. If they hit some of the roof framing or run into wiring or anything else in the way it could turn into a bigger job than it seems.

If you can find someone to charge you for actual hours and parts you might get a better price.

If you have the skills and want to take on the risk yourself there are probably videos out there to walk you through it. Sounds like it might be very simple but you never know till you get in there

Yes, everything has gotten much more expensive. In this case, the van is just a metal roof but whoever does the work has to know what they're doing. I had a skylight put in that had a leak problem years ago.
I can buy the vent fan itself and try and find the right person for the job. Much thanks!

 

[gwinger]

Yes, everything has gotten much more expensive. In this case, the van is just a metal roof but whoever does the work has to know what they're doing. I had a skylight put in that had a leak problem years ago.
I can buy the vent fan itself and try and find the right person for the job. Much thanks!

One other thing to consider. The roof is also considered a structural piece. You have to be careful to not compromise any reinforcement parts.

 

[PancakeBill]

Is the roof flat or does it have ridges? The ridges make life more interesting in the installation, if flat with just a curve, makes things a bit simpler.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

I don't think $800 is so outrageous at today's shop labor prices (and today's liability threats). The shop has to cut a hole in the van roof and headliner, install the vent (is it powered?), and finish it off nicely, inside & out. And guarantee it doesn't leak! Four hours of shop labor doesn't seem like a lot to do a decent job and that would be $600-$800 at shop rates (not the pay rate that a neighborhood handyman might get). Los Angeles would be at the high end of that range, I'm sure.

Note gwinger and Pancake Bill comments. The shop was to take those sorts of things into account when quoting a price.