Getting a high-end vehicle upfitted can be perfect for a lot of individuals and businesses. You get to have a vehicle that's perfectly designed to meet your needs, without any unnecessary add ons or features. 

That being said, it's crucial that you find the right upfitter for your requirements. Not all upfitter providers are equal, and you'll need to do some thorough research to identify one that's perfect for you. Here are 5 tips on how to conduct your search, from start to finish.

1. Get clear on what you need

Before you can start to look for the right upfitter, you need to be totally clear on what it is that you actually need. Different upfitters will often specialise in different kinds of vehicles, with providers like Senzati making high end vehicles for those who want to travel in style, and others making campervans and other similar recreational vehicles.

You need to ask yourself some basic questions, such as whether you need the vehicle as a mobile office or for more personal travel reasons, how many people you need to carry, and how much luggage you need to be able to pack. The answer to these questions will have an impact on what upfitter is best for your requirements.

2. Ask around your network for recommendations

It's possible that you'll be able to get some pointers on who might be a good fit from your network of friends and family. Ask around and see if there's anyone who's had a vehicle professionally upfitted in the recent past, and if possible, see if you can have a look at the vehicle. There's nothing better than getting a direct recommendation in many cases.

3. Assess their experience

It's best to go with an upfitter that's been in the industry for some years, a provider that has extensive experience in upfitting vehicles that match your specifications as closely as possible. Check their reviews online, to see what their previous clients have to say about their products - don't just look for reviews on their website, but also on their Google business page and other more objective locations.

4. Ask to see their work

As part of your research, it's a good idea to have a look at cars that they've upfitted, ideally in person. Pictures can often hide a lot of poor workmanship, so it's good to have a look to see what kind of quality their work is. You don't want to invest in something so substantially expensive without having a good idea of what you'll end up with.

5. Check their certifications

Finally, it's important that the upfitter you choose has the appropriate certifications. You need to end up with something that's fully road legal, and that's safe to drive. Ask to see what certifications they have, and check if they're authorised by the manufacturer to do the modifications they carry out. If they void the warranty, then it's possible that you'll end up with extortionate repair fees. 

It can take a little bit of time to identify the perfect upfitter, but it's definitely worth the effort. Otherwise, you might end up with a vehicle that's unsafe, and doesn't quite match your personal requirements.