We’ve spent £40k converting an old school bus into a home for our family-of-7 – it’s still cheaper than a house
A FAMILY-OF-7 who travel across the US full time in a converted school bus have revealed how surprisingly cheap it was to build.
Husband and father Jeff has “no professional experience in construction” under his belt, but managed to transform the old bus into their dream home for just £40,000.
Along with wife Anna and their five children, Jeff has lived in the converted mobile home for around six years, documenting their life on their YouTube channel.
He gave Mobile Dwellings a tour of the vehicle which they posted to their YouTube channel.
He also provided a quick price breakdown of the build, which was much cheaper than traditional housing.
Although the patriarch of the family admits driving the vehicle can be “challenging”, he says he’s now adjusted to it – and he uses an “RV-specific” GPS app to plan travel routes.
The bus has a large L-shaped living room, complete with heating and AC to ensure the brood are always comfortable.
Of course, storage space has been maximised by installing clever hidden cupboards around the vehicle.
The family keep games, blankets and cleaning supplies inside their couch, which is covered in plush pillows to provide a comfy seating area when not in use.
There’s also a generous dining area and kitchen, complete with “full-sized counters and cabinets.”
Jeff said it was important to the couple when planning the build that the space be kept “as close to residential style as possible”, as with five kids they “cook a lot of food.”
And after living happily in the bus for years, the family decided they needed more space – and set about adding a second story.
Unlike regular bus roof raises, which Jeff says are usually done in the initial conversion period, the family’s extension was to be added in a second conversion.
For this reason, they couldn’t just extend the skeleton of the bus’ frame.
Jeff explained: “We couldn’t just, you know, raise the roof and do anything – we had to build on top the main structure.”
This required solid metal studs for strength and covering the outside of the second storey with a resin impregnated OSB, which provides water-proofing qualities.
Jeff then added a PVC trim and vinyl cladding – so despite looking like a rustic cabin cottage, there’s actually no wood exposed on the exterior of the bus’ second floor.
How much did the bus cost?
- Initial spend on bus – £3,000
- First phase of build (first conversion costs) – £25,000
- Second phase of build (adding second storey) – £12,000
Total cost: £40,000
The bus has a fully equipped family bathroom with a composting toilet, sink and eight foot fully ceramic tiled shower.
The lower deck contains the master bedroom with king-size bed and a door for privacy, and three bunk beds tucked neatly in one wall.
A ladder to the second floor runs up the wall alongside them, which leads to a further two bedrooms for the kids and loads of natural light from windows.
The family live happily inside their bus and travel all over the country together, having driven through “most of the lower 48 states.”
The unique alternative to traditional housing has been much cheaper than traditional property and given them the freedom to explore their surroundings.
Jeff says the family have a slogan: “While it sounds simple, if you have a dream, don’t let anything get in the way, just just do the dream.”
Viewers in the comments were amazed by the couple’s incredible DIY skills.
One person wrote: “Phenomenal job outfitting your bus into a luxury home, complete for what appears to be a wonderful family. Happy travels.”
While someone else noted the home’s sustainable energy source: “I’m just SO happy you guys have solar panels! So many Tiny Houses don’t take advantage of that when they really should! Such a cute home and so well-planned! Kudos to you!”
And another person said: “This is by far the best bus remodel I have seen.”