handmade by a team of artists in sunny saint pete floirda lead by our founder estelle bain
we’re artists. we’re creators. we’re makers.
we’re artists. we’re creators. we’re makers.
estelle bain, founder – estelle is an award winning serial entrepreneur, artist, international mischief maker. she spent five years traveling the world full time as a digital nomad running her startup consulting business. she fell in love with the freedom of van life while traveling australia in 2018. as soon as esty landed back in the states, she bought a one way ticket from minnesota to florida to invest in her very first camper van. two years and 48 states living solo van life later, estelle settled in sunny saint pete to pursue her passion for building vans. she brings her personal experience and knowledge of this lifestyle to our designs.
our team – our team supports our founder estelle day in and day out. the team is dedicated to maintaining our workshop to be the creative and productive zone we need to thrive.
our founder estelle spent five years traveling the world full time, experiencing summers living the solo female van life dream. she first fell in love with the freedom of van life while traveling australia in 2018.
when estelle returned to the united states, she bought a one-way ticket across the country to purchase and build her very first camper van. what started as a personal adventure quickly turned into something much bigger.
after traveling through 48 states and thousands of miles of backroads, beaches, deserts, and mountains, estelle sold her first van. there was so much interest in the design that she decided to build another one to sell… then another… and another.
40+ campers later, florida van life co was born.
today, estelle brings her real-world experience, artistic vision, and deep understanding of life on the road into every camper we create. our builds are designed not just to look beautiful, but to actually work for life on the road — from smart storage and simple systems to cozy spaces that feel like home wherever you park.
each camper is a little different, but the goal is always the same: to give people the freedom to explore more and live life a little more wildly.
here at florida van life co., every camper we create is completely unique. no two vans are ever the same.
we’re artists. we’re creators. we’re makers.
we believe the best builds come from protecting the creative process from start to finish. a blank van is our canvas, and we love the freedom to design something new each time.
because of that, we don’t offer fully custom builds.
instead, we offer semi-custom builds.
here’s how it works:
you bring us the van, choose up to three special elements you’d like included — such as a specific bed size, skylight, hammock, or other feature — and then give us 30 days to transform it from a blank slate into a finished camper.
semi-custom builds start at $35,000 cash, not including the cost of the van you provide.
want to learn more?
call our founder estelle at (952) 250-0000.
we design and build the van.
you buy it and go live the adventure.
the simple answer is yes — the outside temperature will affect the temperature inside the van.
we use insulation and thoughtful design to help regulate the interior as much as possible, but at the end of the day, mother nature always wins.
the best way to think about van life is somewhere in between camping and living in a small apartment. the good news is that because the space is small, it heats up or cools down very quickly with a fan, ventilation, or a small heater.
just keep in mind… it’s still a van.
living in a van will never be quite as comfortable as living in a house. but it is a whole lot more fun.
maybe.
we do everything we can to send you off with a camper that’s ready for the road. every vehicle is inspected by two of our most trusted mechanic shops before it leaves our hands. they know our business well and understand how important safety and reliability are to us, so we make sure each camper is road-worthy when it leaves our shop.
that said, we’ll always be honest — all vehicles eventually need repairs. if you put enough miles on any car, parts will wear out over time. staying on top of regular maintenance and paying attention to how your vehicle is running will help prevent most issues.
we also recommend enrolling in a roadside assistance program before hitting the road. it’s a simple step that can bring a lot of peace of mind if the unexpected happens while traveling.
honestly, anyone can convert a van into a tiny home if they want it badly enough. we don’t pretend this is rocket science. it’s absolutely doable if you’re willing to get your hands dirty and spend hours learning from youtube.
but building a van takes more than just inspiration. you’ll need a place to work, tools to build with, cooperative weather, and most importantly, the patience to solve a thousand little problems along the way. it takes a lot of time, energy, frustration, and effort to bring a build to life.
so the real question is this:
are you looking to learn how to build a van…
or are you looking to travel?
that’s your answer.
purchasing your new home is simple.
we accept payment via cash, venmo, cashapp, zelle, or wire transfer.
we do not accept checks, cashier’s checks, money orders, payment plans, or IOUs.
if you have questions about the process, feel free to reach out to our founder, estelle, at 952-250-0000
yes! we’ve partnered with a financing company to help make van life possible for more travelers.
head over to our financing page to explore your options and see if it’s the right fit for you.
we operate on a first come, first served basis. the camper is secured by whoever sends payment first.
once payment is received, you will have one week to pick up the van.
after the sale is completed, full ownership and responsibility for the vehicle transfers to the buyer.
learn. build. live the van life dream!
☀️ located in sunny Saint Petersburg, Florida
