Hey guys, I appreciate the time and effort you have put into your videos. We finally purchased our van and are waiting for our windows to arrive to start our first project. We live in Florida, but I travel to Grady for work. I know this a bit forward, but I was wondering if you all would be open to meeting for lunch one day when I’m in Atlanta working? I would love the opportunity to chat and pick your brain!
Of course. We’d be happy to. We actually live about 30 min north of the city but I’m sure we could find a central ground. If you could give a couple of times and dates that are good for you, we can work something out. We do have me travel coming up at end of Sept and early October but nothing we can’t work around
@@marctania2349 hey guys, that’s great. I just got back to Atlanta and will be here through Wednesday. Not what’s the best way to exchange information. Are you on Instagram?
Hi Trish, very sweet of you to be thinking of us. We have a meeting with the HOA on Sept 15th....We were able to bring the van to the house a little bit last weekend and do a little work on it. I ended up building a big workbench in the garage so that all the work could be done there....then we back the van in the driveway until it is pretty much against the house. That keeps the prying eyes out...and it gives us one less violation. We are going to post an update video this week. But having the van off-site feels terrible ......Thanks again for thinking of us...and hope all is well with you :)
You guys are awesome! I bet someone jealous reported you to HOA haha,,, Sorry for that! You have a house you can’t just do whatever you want in it! Isn’t that crazy! Wish you the best recovery soon and can’t wait for more videos of yours!
Had similar issue after having my van in my driveway for two years of ownership. They sent letter describing a RV is not allowed to be parked , I responded that this a RV . It's a daily driven passenger van like any other vehicle. Good luck , hopefully you will find a loop hole.
That is our plan.....we dont have a bed, running water or a kitchen. Certainly doesn't qualify as an RV. And once my daughter gets her license, we will be using it as a daily vehicle. Great idea :)
Our HOA is very stringent in going beyond the by-laws so check this document out thoroughly . Strangely enough the HOA considers a van a conversion van and that is allowed because residents use them for daily activities. Campers, trailer trailers, boats etc are not allowed but must abide by a limit of no more than 10 continuous hours on the property. Our HOA will allow days or longer as long as you notify them of an extended stay. What they really are against is allowing guests to sleep over night in the vehicles. Hope this helps!
Hi Robert Thank you so much. I think we have reached a negotiation with our HOA....See our community post for the details...but they are giving us a workable solution for the next couple of months.
How are you guys doing? I miss you- I loved watching you build out your dream. I have a feeling the HOA has not been cooperative. There are better things to fight over- I wish they would leave you alone.
Hi Trish, We are doing good. Thanks for asking.......gotten busy with the house since we are a in standstill with the van. We have a hearing with the board on the night of the 22nd where we can petition to keep the van at the house to work on it. No idea what they will say but we will know by the weekend what we have to do. Either it gets worked on here or we take it off site.....Hope all is good with you, Trish....and thank you for checking on it. We are so itching to start working on it again.
@@marctania2349 I didn't know you hadn't been working on it at all, I thought you could work on it where it is being stored (though not convenient). I'll be looking for your news on the 22nd, hope it's good news. You guys must be going crazy, especially since GA weather is good now.
Hey guys. I haven’t given up on you yet- I’m hoping you’re building your van somewhere else or that the HOA came to their senses. I’m thinking about you. Hope you start work again soon (or move!)
Hi Trish, You are awesome....and thanks so much. We are actually back at it. We worked out a deal with the HOA.....trying to get a quick "We are Back" video out this week and then we will start the upper cabinets after that. Actually heading to Caddo Lake along the TX/LA border this week for some fall color photography of the cypress trees. After that its van, van, van until the end of the year. Thanks so much for thinking of us...hope you and your family have an AMAZING Halloween :)
@@marctania2349 Yay! You’re coming back! Glad this has a peaceful compromise. I just finished my upper cabinets (without your help!) and so far they’re still up there. 🤣). Next comes the daunting task for figuring out which hinges for what I want. Only smacked my head on them a few dozen times! 😳 I’d send you a picture but I don’t see that option. Anyway, so glad you’ll be back soon. Enjoy your trip!
@@trishwhitehouse6536 We would love to see pictures :) Send them to marc.perrella@gmail.com. Funny that you mention smacking your head. I am debating whether or not I should change the shape to make them a bit more "head friendly".
aw bummer to both covid AND the hoa issue. i’m going through the same thing with my neighbors because they don’t like the loud noises of the power tools, so i try to be accommodating to them and only use the tools for a few hours per week (which sucks since it’s hindering a lot of progress!) i would just see what you can and can’t do & go from there- maybe you can work something out so you don’t have to completely start fresh in a new location!
It's really a drag, to be honest. And I think once you get on the bad side of the HOA....they just continually harass you for one thing or another. We have bee respectful of noise, hours.....everything. At the end of the day, someone just doesn't want our van there. There is a board hearing coming up and we will be in attendance. Then we take it from there. :)
@@marctania2349 just look at it as a small bump in the road! life wouldn’t be nearly as exciting if we didn’t have things go wrong ;) can’t wait for you guys to completely finish the build though! it’s looking great so far & im dying to see the finished product! good luck with everything!!
Could always go the offensive route if playing nice doesn't work and just tell them they are "selectively enforcing the bylaws" since Im sure other people park work vans around the place for more than a day. A smart HOA will back off if you use that verbiage.
We miss you! I hope you two are okay. Please let us know how you are. And I hope you're having success sorting things out with the HOA. Please know we are thinking of you and wishing peace and joy. And do let us know how you are when you have time.
Hi Laura, You are so sweet for asking....We have actually reached an agreement with they. It's not perfect....but it will at least allow us to continue working on the van for the next couple of months while we find other storage and workspace. We are hoping to release a video this weekend explaining it all. Then well be working on cabinets, some window framing, heater, etc.... Thanks again for checking on us. :)
I have the same problems at (public) places. (here in germany, middle europe) No parking allowed, if the car is not registered. (Allways police comes.) I had my own parking spot - paid monthly fees - but even not allowed. Because there is no fence around the car. I got NOT fined, but a termination. Within x days the car must be taken away, or it will get towed. Now I have my minivan standing at a green, next my house but also not allowed. The owner wrote me a letter, and I had a phone call with him. Hey , here is country not urban city, in a little village. I´m living at the end of the village. But you need own property, to park your vehicles. Now I make some parking space in front of my house. Even if only one inch near by the public road. But then, the car stands complete on my property. BTW: You can get fined, if you have no vehicles in your own ! car garage. Greetings from sw germany.
I think its ridiculous that HOA could fine you or give you crap for working on a van in your own driveway. Do they give fines to people who have workers with vans renovating in their neighborhood? Definitely fight it and figure out your laws that allow you to do what you want on your property. This makes me feel fortunate that we have a space to build that we do because I never even thought of this.
Hi Nicholette & Brian , Good question...to my knowledge I do not believe people get fined for having workers with vans at your home for renovations. Marc and I are going to do our best to look at all options and keep you posted. Yes, you are fortunate to have space to build at home, that is something we are looking into as well. Thank you for your comment and have a good day.
Do you know what a group of Karens is called? A HOA. Luckily, I don't have one in my neighborhood. I work on my van in my driveway and nobody has complained to me about it. Of course, I don't make a lot of noise during quiet hours and that kind of thing. My neighbor has dirt bikes that he works on and rides in the neighborhood. Others have RVs or trailers parked in their driveways. I think I'm safe.
That is a great description.....a bunch of Karens......that is just what we have here. They drive around and just take pictures and send violations. We do all our work in either our driveway or garage, near make noise during late hours...and try and be respectful. But the HOA. is relentless.
I want to do a van build for myself but the insulation saga seems to be the most concerning part. Especially with the floors. I wish you could border off the doors & there was some kind of liquid insulation that would harden that you just pour one the floor & it would try rigid enough to lay your plywood subfloor right on top. Like pouring concrete if you know what I mean. Then you'd have full insulation with no wood to metal contact. As for the wool insulation in the walls. I don't know how hard you guys packed it but it seems there would be a lot of air space. Do you have any concerns that with time & friction that it could end up packing or bunching up downwards in the walls?
To be honest, I think all the info available on UA-cam is great, but can be completely paralyzing. We chose to use Havelock wool....and we are happy with it. If I had to do it again, I think 3M Thinsulate would be our choice. We found it really easy to us....and it held together over time really well. We did our initial insulation a few months back but now, as we finish each little step,, we add insulation behind it....we wrap all wires in insulation....sort of go the extra mile before sealing an area of the van off for good. Looking back, I think we got really wrapped up in things like thermal bridging and stuff like that. But who knows if you will ever notice the effects of a little thermal bridging in a van. When I redid my basement in my old house, I remember deliberating over the most miniscule stuff. Months later after the basement was done and we were enjoying it, I never thought about those little "issues" again. Hope that makes sense..
Thanks for your reply & all your great info. One thing I love about your videos is you always show great detail on every step. What I'm going to do is put a trap door under the bed section where you can lift up the floor & the insulation & see right down to the metal. Then periodically I can have a look at what's going on down there.
Hey Guys. Hope you're getting over the whole Covid thing. So, we just tried to get an insurance quote for our ProMaster conversion. Progressive have told us if we install 110V AC, cooking facilities, drinking water and bathroom they will not cover us!!! Anyone else had any issues? Or any ideas of companies that specialize in conversions, RVs trailers etc?
Hi Keith, to be honest we didn’t mention any of that to Allstate. We just gave them the VIN number and insured it. Maybe Progressive won’t handle recreational vehicles?
@@marctania2349 Thanks for the reply. Hope Hurricane Ian doesn't come too close to you. We're on Florida's Space Coast so are expecting Tropical Storm weather.
Fight them HOA but holes. 1 find out if a neighbor called in on you 2 its NOT a commercial vehicle 3 its NOT a fleet vehicle 3A This is a PERSONALLY BUILT CUSTOM VEHICLE ((BUILT FOR PERSONAL MEDICAL NEEDS ))
Thanks, my friend....we will be working on this one this week. We have already started driving around making notes. We will hear back from the association today..
This is so annoying! Soon, we will be just marionette in this planet. We will not aloud to be free. Sorry, I wish ti tell you better how I feel about all this bs, but my english is not good to express myself. I have problems with neighbors also, because I di some modification in my apartment, nothing serious, but they arr just mean and frustrated people. This is why I will start to build my campervan and to leave and live everywhere, but nowhere. I'm so sick baouy this world! I hope you are well and thanks for your videos, they are priceless! ❤️
Please check out jonnie's journey on UA-cam. She had the same problem with HOA. Please click her channel and find video of her HOA problem and how she handled it
Here is a solution sell your house into this real-estate bubble and move to the country in Georgia and you can do whatever you want when you want how you want the old Spirit of America lives on
We have definitely though to do that......Right now our house is close to our daughters school, so its good for us now. But later.....after she graduates....we are gone!
Gotta love living in a totalitarian community
Oh yeah!!
I Hate HOA’s. I’m sorry that you guys are going through that. Glad you’re on the up swing of Covid. Wish you both a speedy recovery.
Thanks so much...Looking forward to being past Covid....and the HOA :(
Hey it Tania, Thank you for the speedy recovery!
Glad I seen this video I miss you all videos.
Thanks, Joe....Looking forward to starting up again really soon
Hey guys, I appreciate the time and effort you have put into your videos. We finally purchased our van and are waiting for our windows to arrive to start our first project. We live in Florida, but I travel to Grady for work. I know this a bit forward, but I was wondering if you all would be open to meeting for lunch one day when I’m in Atlanta working? I would love the opportunity to chat and pick your brain!
Of course. We’d be happy to. We actually live about 30 min north of the city but I’m sure we could find a central ground. If you could give a couple of times and dates that are good for you, we can work something out. We do have me travel coming up at end of Sept and early October but nothing we can’t work around
@@marctania2349 hey guys, that’s great. I just got back to Atlanta and will be here through Wednesday. Not what’s the best way to exchange information. Are you on Instagram?
You guys have helped me a ton on my ram promaster build so wish you guys the best. Covid took me out for a week or two aswell and that was a drag.
Hi Nick....glad to hear the videos are helpful. Please reach out if there is anything we can help with...and best of luck with your build.
@@marctania2349 appreciate that very much thank you!
Hi you 2 beautiful people, thx for the feedback, get well & hit the road. ⚖️🙏💯🌴💫
Thanks very much, Terrence. We certainly will be trying :)
How are you guys doing? I'm hoping you have had some resolution with the HOA. Thinking of you both, hoping you are well.
Hi Trish, very sweet of you to be thinking of us. We have a meeting with the HOA on Sept 15th....We were able to bring the van to the house a little bit last weekend and do a little work on it. I ended up building a big workbench in the garage so that all the work could be done there....then we back the van in the driveway until it is pretty much against the house. That keeps the prying eyes out...and it gives us one less violation. We are going to post an update video this week. But having the van off-site feels terrible ......Thanks again for thinking of us...and hope all is well with you :)
You guys are awesome! I bet someone jealous reported you to HOA haha,,, Sorry for that! You have a house you can’t just do whatever you want in it! Isn’t that crazy! Wish you the best recovery soon and can’t wait for more videos of yours!
HI Johnny. we got a good word from the HOA. Hope to share more this week.. Thanks so much for checking in.
Had similar issue after having my van in my driveway for two years of ownership.
They sent letter describing a RV is not allowed to be parked , I responded that this a RV . It's a daily driven passenger van like any other vehicle.
Good luck , hopefully you will find a loop hole.
That is our plan.....we dont have a bed, running water or a kitchen. Certainly doesn't qualify as an RV. And once my daughter gets her license, we will be using it as a daily vehicle. Great idea :)
Thank you for sharing your story. This was helpful.
Our HOA is very stringent in going beyond the by-laws so check this document out thoroughly . Strangely enough the HOA considers a van a conversion van and that is allowed because residents use them for daily activities. Campers, trailer trailers, boats etc are not allowed but must abide by a limit of no more than 10 continuous hours on the property. Our HOA will allow days or longer as long as you notify them of an extended stay. What they really are against is allowing guests to sleep over night in the vehicles. Hope this helps!
Hi Robert Thank you so much. I think we have reached a negotiation with our HOA....See our community post for the details...but they are giving us a workable solution for the next couple of months.
How are you guys doing? I miss you- I loved watching you build out your dream. I have a feeling the HOA has not been cooperative. There are better things to fight over- I wish they would leave you alone.
Hi Trish, We are doing good. Thanks for asking.......gotten busy with the house since we are a in standstill with the van. We have a hearing with the board on the night of the 22nd where we can petition to keep the van at the house to work on it. No idea what they will say but we will know by the weekend what we have to do. Either it gets worked on here or we take it off site.....Hope all is good with you, Trish....and thank you for checking on it. We are so itching to start working on it again.
@@marctania2349 I didn't know you hadn't been working on it at all, I thought you could work on it where it is being stored (though not convenient). I'll be looking for your news on the 22nd, hope it's good news. You guys must be going crazy, especially since GA weather is good now.
Hey guys. I haven’t given up on you yet- I’m hoping you’re building your van somewhere else or that the HOA came to their senses.
I’m thinking about you. Hope you start work again soon (or move!)
Hi Trish, You are awesome....and thanks so much. We are actually back at it. We worked out a deal with the HOA.....trying to get a quick "We are Back" video out this week and then we will start the upper cabinets after that. Actually heading to Caddo Lake along the TX/LA border this week for some fall color photography of the cypress trees. After that its van, van, van until the end of the year. Thanks so much for thinking of us...hope you and your family have an AMAZING Halloween :)
@@marctania2349 Yay! You’re coming back! Glad this has a peaceful compromise. I just finished my upper cabinets (without your help!) and so far they’re still up there. 🤣). Next comes the daunting task for figuring out which hinges for what I want.
Only smacked my head on them a few dozen times! 😳
I’d send you a picture but I don’t see that option. Anyway, so glad you’ll be back soon. Enjoy your trip!
@@trishwhitehouse6536 We would love to see pictures :) Send them to marc.perrella@gmail.com. Funny that you mention smacking your head. I am debating whether or not I should change the shape to make them a bit more "head friendly".
aw bummer to both covid AND the hoa issue. i’m going through the same thing with my neighbors because they don’t like the loud noises of the power tools, so i try to be accommodating to them and only use the tools for a few hours per week (which sucks since it’s hindering a lot of progress!)
i would just see what you can and can’t do & go from there- maybe you can work something out so you don’t have to completely start fresh in a new location!
It's really a drag, to be honest. And I think once you get on the bad side of the HOA....they just continually harass you for one thing or another. We have bee respectful of noise, hours.....everything. At the end of the day, someone just doesn't want our van there. There is a board hearing coming up and we will be in attendance. Then we take it from there. :)
@@marctania2349 just look at it as a small bump in the road! life wouldn’t be nearly as exciting if we didn’t have things go wrong ;) can’t wait for you guys to completely finish the build though! it’s looking great so far & im dying to see the finished product! good luck with everything!!
@@Brittnaysbeastin Great perspective....thanks for the kind words, and for the boost of confidence :)
Could always go the offensive route if playing nice doesn't work and just tell them they are "selectively enforcing the bylaws" since Im sure other people park work vans around the place for more than a day. A smart HOA will back off if you use that verbiage.
I like your idea. We just decided to sell the house. :)
We miss you! I hope you two are okay. Please let us know how you are. And I hope you're having success sorting things out with the HOA. Please know we are thinking of you and wishing peace and joy. And do let us know how you are when you have time.
Hi Laura, You are so sweet for asking....We have actually reached an agreement with they. It's not perfect....but it will at least allow us to continue working on the van for the next couple of months while we find other storage and workspace. We are hoping to release a video this weekend explaining it all. Then well be working on cabinets, some window framing, heater, etc.... Thanks again for checking on us. :)
I have the same problems at (public) places. (here in germany, middle europe)
No parking allowed, if the car is not registered. (Allways police comes.)
I had my own parking spot - paid monthly fees - but even not allowed. Because there is no fence around the car.
I got NOT fined, but a termination. Within x days the car must be taken away, or it will get towed.
Now I have my minivan standing at a green, next my house but also not allowed.
The owner wrote me a letter, and I had a phone call with him.
Hey , here is country not urban city, in a little village. I´m living at the end of the village.
But you need own property, to park your vehicles.
Now I make some parking space in front of my house. Even if only one inch near by the public road. But then, the car stands complete on my property.
BTW: You can get fined, if you have no vehicles in your own ! car garage.
Greetings from sw germany.
I think its ridiculous that HOA could fine you or give you crap for working on a van in your own driveway. Do they give fines to people who have workers with vans renovating in their neighborhood? Definitely fight it and figure out your laws that allow you to do what you want on your property. This makes me feel fortunate that we have a space to build that we do because I never even thought of this.
Hi Nicholette & Brian , Good question...to my knowledge I do not believe people get fined for having workers with vans at your home for renovations. Marc and I are going to do our best to look at all options and keep you posted. Yes, you are fortunate to have space to build at home, that is something we are looking into as well. Thank you for your comment and have a good day.
Do you know what a group of Karens is called? A HOA. Luckily, I don't have one in my neighborhood. I work on my van in my driveway and nobody has complained to me about it. Of course, I don't make a lot of noise during quiet hours and that kind of thing. My neighbor has dirt bikes that he works on and rides in the neighborhood. Others have RVs or trailers parked in their driveways. I think I'm safe.
That is a great description.....a bunch of Karens......that is just what we have here. They drive around and just take pictures and send violations. We do all our work in either our driveway or garage, near make noise during late hours...and try and be respectful. But the HOA. is relentless.
I want to do a van build for myself but the insulation saga seems to be the most concerning part. Especially with the floors. I wish you could border off the doors & there was some kind of liquid insulation that would harden that you just pour one the floor & it would try rigid enough to lay your plywood subfloor right on top. Like pouring concrete if you know what I mean. Then you'd have full insulation with no wood to metal contact. As for the wool insulation in the walls. I don't know how hard you guys packed it but it seems there would be a lot of air space. Do you have any concerns that with time & friction that it could end up packing or bunching up downwards in the walls?
To be honest, I think all the info available on UA-cam is great, but can be completely paralyzing. We chose to use Havelock wool....and we are happy with it. If I had to do it again, I think 3M Thinsulate would be our choice. We found it really easy to us....and it held together over time really well. We did our initial insulation a few months back but now, as we finish each little step,, we add insulation behind it....we wrap all wires in insulation....sort of go the extra mile before sealing an area of the van off for good. Looking back, I think we got really wrapped up in things like thermal bridging and stuff like that. But who knows if you will ever notice the effects of a little thermal bridging in a van. When I redid my basement in my old house, I remember deliberating over the most miniscule stuff. Months later after the basement was done and we were enjoying it, I never thought about those little "issues" again. Hope that makes sense..
Thanks for your reply & all your great info. One thing I love about your videos is you always show great detail on every step. What I'm going to do is put a trap door under the bed section where you can lift up the floor & the insulation & see right down to the metal. Then periodically I can have a look at what's going on down there.
Hey Guys. Hope you're getting over the whole Covid thing. So, we just tried to get an insurance quote for our ProMaster conversion. Progressive have told us if we install 110V AC, cooking facilities, drinking water and bathroom they will not cover us!!! Anyone else had any issues? Or any ideas of companies that specialize in conversions, RVs trailers etc?
Hi Keith, to be honest we didn’t mention any of that to Allstate. We just gave them the VIN number and insured it. Maybe Progressive won’t handle recreational vehicles?
@@marctania2349 Thanks for the reply. Hope Hurricane Ian doesn't come too close to you. We're on Florida's Space Coast so are expecting Tropical Storm weather.
HOA’s🤬 Our solution was we left! Never again!
I think we may end up doing the same....had to justify the cost of van storage.
Fight them HOA but holes. 1 find out if a neighbor called in on you
2 its NOT a commercial vehicle
3 its NOT a fleet vehicle
3A This is a PERSONALLY BUILT CUSTOM VEHICLE ((BUILT FOR PERSONAL MEDICAL NEEDS ))
Thanks, my friend....we will be working on this one this week. We have already started driving around making notes. We will hear back from the association today..
This is so annoying! Soon, we will be just marionette in this planet. We will not aloud to be free. Sorry, I wish ti tell you better how I feel about all this bs, but my english is not good to express myself. I have problems with neighbors also, because I di some modification in my apartment, nothing serious, but they arr just mean and frustrated people. This is why I will start to build my campervan and to leave and live everywhere, but nowhere. I'm so sick baouy this world!
I hope you are well and thanks for your videos, they are priceless! ❤️
Hi Andya, Hoping 2023 brings you many new adventures and a bit of freedom
@@marctania2349 Thank you! The same for you!
Please check out jonnie's journey on UA-cam. She had the same problem with HOA. Please click her channel and find video of her HOA problem and how she handled it
I will check that out...Glad to hear someone was able to get through it. Thanks for letting us know
Here is a solution sell your house into this real-estate bubble and move to the country in Georgia and you can do whatever you want when you want how you want the old Spirit of America lives on
We have definitely though to do that......Right now our house is close to our daughters school, so its good for us now. But later.....after she graduates....we are gone!