The nice thing about learning how and doing it yourself, you also know how to repair and understand how your system works.

In the end,

The way to do anything the cheapest way possible: Figure out how much you earn working an hour. Figure out how much you have to pay someone per hour in labor to do what you want done. If it will cost more to hire than you earn in an hour, do it yourself. One issue, if you aren't experienced, it will take longer for you to do it than a professional so that should be factored in. If you hire labor, find another job or get extra hours at your current job to cover the time you would have been working on the project yourself. If you aren't willing to work that extra amount to earn money, then do everything yourself.

You both do really well at making these seem very professional. And it's nice to hear other perspectives on the Skoolie life!

Auction Auction Auction, the first bus I was serious about buying and had saved up money to get was from a nearby used bus sales company. The asking price was $5000. I was going to make an offer on it around 3k - 4k ,but then my personal truck broke down 3 times in 2 weeks. I watched more bus vids and one of the first was about not buying from a used bus dealer and to explore auctions.That was great advice because, I bought a bus last Wednesday (05/30) for less than half that at $1997.5 after all the fees, high bid was $1750, oh yeah, it is also a little bit bigger bus. The build out plan is to re-purpose materials as much as possible, several things I have already on hand, of course somethings will have to be bought new and will be safer like electrical and solar equipment.

I really appreciate how you impart your wisdom and share experiences, without attempting to impart your values. "At least that's what we did" or "At least it is for us" or "I think" is not common language among some bus/vanlifers. As always, Y'all are GREAT!

Awww thanks for the shout out =) One of the silver linings of having the bus out of commission for a while is being able to step back and think about what we want to do when the rebuild starts up again in earnest. I already know so much more about what I want to do in the bus compared to when the transmission went out, its kind of mind blowing. I think that the biggest time/money saver in every stage of this process is to just take a breath, think it through and be patient. It is so easy to get into a rush when you are so excited to get the project going that mistakes can and will be made. On a side note, I wonder if your asshole neighbor thinks that he has forced you to get rid of the bus, now that it has been gone for a few days =)

We love you guys. You are so helpful with your experiences and tips. We are halfway through our shuttle bus build and have encountered many of the same issues and decisions to make. We are lucky that Eric (husband) is an experienced carpenter but he has also had to become well versed in solar, lithium batteries, electric systems and more. We are doing a diy composting toilet which is costing only about $150. We will let you know how it turns out. Our lease is up June 30 so the crunch is on!!!

Another great video guys. Extremely informative and helpful. Thanks so much for sharing. As always, be safe in your build and your travels.

Thanks we have just started our remodel. Watching your videos makes us laugh because just as soon as we go through something you guys are talking about it. Kinda glad to know others are going through the same things.

We are in the process of planning and floor plans for our soon to be schoolie home. Your videos give us so much info! Thank you for the content! We are going to have a better life with a family of five in our schoolie. Keep up the awesomeness! Oh and gotta love that CO weather!

Great round table technique! Thank you for condensing so many cost saving ideas into this vid. Very useful knowledge. Experience is a good teacher and necessity is the mother of invention. There is wisdom in your words. Good luck and Godspeed.

Awesome tips, auctions are the way to go. Tip 21 Insulate floor from underneath ( 2" close cell foam board works well). Not hard to spend 20k on a bus, but saves on hotels, resorts and eating out when traveling.

I have learned so much from you two, you are one of the few that I really watch. My wife and I are thinking about a school bus, I used to think of what I would do with one since the 70's. If we can find one we can afford then it will be game on. Thanks Kyle

I have a 15-year-old travel trailer that due to poor design and poor maintenance, I was able to buy real cheap 5 years ago I used it until the beginning of this year. Roof and side panel rot finally rendered it unsafe. I have used so many things from that rig on my build. Rv windows and door, gray tank. 3 burner propane stove w/oven, refrigerator, cabinets, electrical panel, and converter battery box and propane tank holder....You get the idea the list goes on and on. So many of these items I would not even have used if I had not had them at my disposal. It has saved me thousands of dollars and made the build go so much faster and made decisions a lot easier to make. Even to the extent that I bought a bus at auction in Mesa Az.in March of this year. I have a quote that I have incorporated into my life for years now and it has been some of the best advice I've used. It is from Teddy Roosevelt ...he said " Do the best you can with what you have where you are." Thanks for your input and suggestions these videos are one of my main sources for ideas and ways to an end. I sure miss your bus videos they were and have been one of the major inputs and influences in my decision-making process. Happy trails!

Thank you for sharing... I enjoy watching and leaning from your tips.

Thank you this video really helped me out i think im ready to go schoolie

Our skoolie is still in conception, and I've absolutely loved your videos so far! Thanks for the tips and for sharing your own hits and misses. I've been using "KZfaq University" for notes and how-tos on pretty much everything from paint to wiring, and I'm super stoked about the community of people I've found! ✌💚🚌

Thank you for sharing! This was really handy for planning building out your bus. It could easily be transferred over to people renovating a trailer.

DIY hardwood floors can be 75cents/sf using 6x1 untreated pine fence planks

Just found you guys, you are both so wholesome ❤️😌 thanks for your time your energy is amazing you both seem so grounded 🌄🙏

Did you ever make another plumbing video other than the plumbing freshwater part 1? I am building mine and on the plumbing right now and your video really helped me!

You two are very engaging and informative! Subscribed!!

Great video! You two are awesome!

This was great information! Thanks for sharing 👍✌️❤️😊

Auction just bought a 2011 mini bus at auction and the bus happen to be 8 miles away and got to check it out before hand ,and it is really good shape can,t wait to start .

Great video guys. So informative!

So many questions that most people probably don't think of on their first go! Thanks for leading the way! - Brian + Erin

Well we are like y’all in that we will do it all ourselves. The only thing we will have checked and get input on before will be wiring for electric. And it’s funny because we were just talking about a grey tank. We were going to not have one but now I’m rethinking that based on what you said about smell and not being able to go certain places. We do have a benefit cuz we own a remodeling company. So we have a warehouse and fenced yard to work. Thanks for the great tips!

This is a great list of facts for s DIY Skoolie conversion.

You two are so helpful!

Gteat video and informing. I have my bus on the drafting table as we speak. I have the tools and equipment, I have retired early at 55. My back ground has been in Pervost bus conversions and building luxury motor coaches, as well as over 25 years in autobody and paint doing collision and restorations and custom hot rods. I hope to be able to help other with my mobile traveling shop when my bus is built.

Great video, guys! Thanks!

Nice tip on Class A Customs...they are just down the road from me in Elkhart, IN.

Great video. I'm just getting into my skoolie build. And Definitely some things I set in my head was I'm not going to fully gut the bus nor am I going to do a roof raise. I'm 6ft tall like you guys said on a good day fresh from the chiropractor lol. I have about 3.5 inches of clearance in the middle of the bus. I've also been shopping around at thrift stores and got a good sink from habitat for humanity for 25 dollars can't wait to save up enough to start the floor insulation plywood and flooring. I feel this is going to be a large chunk of the expense for me other than solar and possibly a shower build. I'm wanting to do a endless water shower that recycles and re heats the water from the shower then empties into the grey water tank. Also pretty sure I'm going to be designing my own vented bucket and diverter system. I used a good ole bucket and heavy trash bag in a semi for years only for those uhh ohh occasions. But with a family of 4 now since my oldest has moved out. I'm contemplating how often the compost will have to be taken out. And exactly how the diverted grey water should be handled also considering a small black tank for the sink so it can be hooked up to a hose to be emptied further away from camp or drained into a bucket or dump station. Luckily I already have a good 12v on demand water pump that has amazing pressure. Anyways I thoroughly enjoyed this video and agree 100%

Good points! Quite a few eye openers.

Well done, easy and to the point.

Your wool shades are a stealable feature. The entire bus looks gorgeous.

my precision cooker has replaced all cooking items and its small. just drop a sous vide bag and set temp and time. i fod prep with my food saver once a month and vacuum pack most of my food.

Thank you for your videos

Another thing to consider is _collateral_ costs, aside from your obvious upfront. An automatic coffee maker is nice, but you might not realize that you ended up needing more batteries to get you through the duration you wanted

Thanks for the great tips! DEFINITELY useful. Peace.

a cheap way to get big water tanks would be 55 gallon drums you could probably mount them to the back in a cool looking way or put it in a compartment

Good job guys, keep it up!

What if you already have some of the things you mentioned, such as an Instant Pot? Personally, I love to do sous vide cooking in mine, which saves a ton of water because the food is in plastic bags in the water, and cooks on a low temperature. Then, the heated water can be used to bathe in, wash clothes in, or do dishes in.

I really like the design in your bus, it feels better all around (functionality and design wise) than even probably twice as costly conversions. There's a lot of aspects about it that are really great, thought through, but the fact that you didn't go for cabinets above kitchen and work tables as storage - it's one of the top aspects I like about it, it makes it so spacious, open. Clogged up builds feel kind of, "sad" I guess, "claustrophobic" (and you proved that you can make it work without those cabinets, sharp angles, and such). For 20ish thousands your build looks really, really quality (at first I even thought that you are one of those couples that made it way too expensive than it should be...). And about quality toilet, stove, etc - I think it's about increasing convenience in all these things, so that to increase the chances to make it work, minimizing annoying aspects, so that work on the go and general life/travel experience can go smoother, be taken in better.

great advise thankyou

great thoughts , thanks.

HI! Great tips! Jaxx Austin shouted out your name. I am subscribed and smashing the Bell!

Thank you so much for the info!!!👠🚌👠

Thank you guys for the tips, we haven't begun yet but we're thinking oh treating our savings like a car payment. Saving/spending 250 or 300 monthly on materials

love your video, learn a lot about a few things. Im 80 and motivated by a number of you to become a Nomad for some time, my famiy kindley agree but have not made up my mind. whats your opinion?

Was I the only one laughing at the toilet section? “boondocking” 🤣🤣

These 2 are great and she's adorable

Again awesome video! =) If possible I would invest in systems that will cut down your running costs. Like installing so much solar that you can almost always cook with it. I think washing machine would be also nice so you wouldn't pay always for it. Of course it is that sweet balance between too big investment cost and running costs. If even big investment is not a problem I would do a fully electric powered bus. :D Only the battery is around 50k.

3:41 to skip the intro. Yw

Auction has up's and down, cheaper, but can only start it. What I was recommended was call an RM(Canadian areas) and ask if they have any buses forsale. Their used for schools, kept up on maintenence on time as they transport people/kids and they are parked after X amount of milage. Although I have a more special one eyed up, that would be my next step if I were to not buy what I'm looking at. Hope this helps anyone

You can use a bucket instead of a grey tank; you just need to empty it a lot more often.

How much does a roof raise generally run? I was also thinking about a bump-out, kind of like how some VW vans do to give more headroom.

I would like to know how much, or a price comparison between moving and renting for a time to travel and see the country. I was also wondering of the added upkeep cost and fuel, maintenance, tires etc... and when a bus breaks down, the towing cost and repair costs that you have to have saved up in advance. How much is a safe dollar number to have in reserve. And engine could easily cost more that the purchase of the vehicle.

"Diane is in Denver right now.." ...I'm like, Who is Diane??? and what 'work' is she getting done?? ...then I realised that must be the bus! lol

As you guys get more and more experience on the road, I'd be curious to know the cost savings compared to a traditional mortgage and whatnot, or if fuel and parking fees eat you up. Thanks, and keep up the great work!

Insulation Pole--- spray foam or insulation boards / reflectix. Which do you prefer?

At 6'6" a school bus was not an option due to head room. I went the shuttle bus route.

I’m gonna look for an auction. Plus I figure I’ll just use my Home Depot card to buy a bunch of material and I can get anywhere from six months to two years to pay them back with no interest. Thanks!

I got 18 acres of land in maine so im all set for now thank got I bought it

she has such a cute voice :)

can u tell me how much your first belly pot wood stove weigh and is that part of why you got rid of it?

Careful with spray foam. If you move the vehicle around a lot, it WILL crack and move inside your walls. Tiny homes on wheels see this, and I imagine this would happen even more then the walls are made of metal and not wood. This problem isn't unique to spray foam - any loose fill or even batts will move down over time and you'll end up with cold spots. I've heard somebody suggest adhering batts of sheep wool to a waterproofed paper and installing that for insulation. Maybe others have more ideas. :) I would LOVE to see a van/bus-lifer take their wall cladding off 2 or 3 years down the road and see what state the insulation is in. On that note - spray foam also renders most of your materials completely unusable - and unrecyclable - at the end of it's life. Too big of a con for me.

What is a good unit to buy for unlimited hot water

How do you get your mail if this is your home and you travel all the time.

Did you look into wool in insulation?

Could I save money by buying a travel trailer or 5th wheel and then putting it in the bus?

Hi..I love your channel.. I've been taking Summer classes in auto electric and welding. This fall I'm taking building maintenance, my partner is taking electrical instilation. I'm curious about the denim insulation...from moisture and mold? Any feedback would be appreciated. I'm over the moon about creating my skoolie.🌎

How do you find a good auction?

If you don't have a permanent home, what address (state) do you register your DL and vehicle insurance with?

very good video thank you ! i hope i will not make these mistakes HAHA finger crossed

22:57 not sure how much it's used in all parts of the country but I learned of toolzdo.com to rent out your tools or rent/borrow tools from people nearby.

I read all the reviews this potty is at wal mart for 122$ Porta Potti Curve 550E Portable Toilet for RVs / Boats / Camping / Healthcare / Toddler Training / Trucks / Vans - Thetford 92360

and harbor frieght has cheap tools and solar kits to there a real money saver !!!

My local school system transportation super does not use auctions. He does better trading them in to a dealer. When speaking with him, he gave me the name of his fleet dealer, who in turn hooked my up with his used bus manager. He was a WEALTH of information and gave me tips that I would not have intuitively thought of.

Also, watch govdeals.com, BarNone Auction (get the app) for water tanks and other materials😍. Can't wait to see Urs❣

I notice that everyone that does a conversion builds their own kitchen. If looks aren't important why can one not use home furniture as substitutes. Example: a dresser for a kitchen cabinet, an office desk for the same use.

I've been looking at already gutted shuttles priced between $2-9k. What would the $9,000 shuttle need to have in order to convince you to purchase it?

What about fixing the bus itself? eng,trans,tires,steering,rust,etc.!!!!Lots of $$$$$$$$$!

r u renting that house, just asking.

'Trevor Fletcher has 2 demons....hes our son too, Rick." - Rick/The Old Man - Pawn Stars

Another way to save BIG money is instead of buying a horizontal Dometic frig/freezer cooler style for $800-$1200., buy a $300. RV, apt size upright frig at Home Depot that offers at least triple the capacity.

What auction????

i was looking at a wood stove for 150.00 and it is 30"Wide x 24" deep and 32" in height. but it weighs 300 lbs. Do u think this would be too big or heavy in your size bus?

So u guys bought a bus before and got rid of it or something?

I don't poop in my house unless I have to.... I go to the gym. I am on the carnivore diet so I only have to poop twice a week.

Look at my new schoolie, paid 3500.00 with less than 70k Debbie Does Tiny Living youtube

Im torn! I have been adamant on spray foam. But I was looking at videos and it shows about health risks no. Can you comment on that?

I can't go to Hippie geeks link.

13:02 lol

also - DON'T TELL ME NOT TO BUY TOOLS!! ;)

Most of your links don’t work 🙁

23:51 *towed

4:00.......Ihihih (°+°)