I spent $57,000 turning an old school bus into a luxury two-bedroom home YouTube star Chay Denne spent more than a year converting a 40ft school bus The first job involved removing all 28 passenger seats to create a blank canvas He also raised the roof and removed all of the windows for more privacy By Sadie Whitelocks For Dailymail.com Published: 22:25, 12 August 2024 | Updated: 22:25, 12 August 2024 e-mail View comments If you want a lesson on how to craft a tiny home from scratch, then this jaw-dropping school bus conversion makes for the perfect tutorial. South Carolina-based YouTube star Chay Denne, 24, reveals in an almost 30-minute long video how he spent more than one year converting a 40ft school bus into a livable space for himself and his partner.
He told DailyMail.com that the total cost of the ambitious project was $57,000, which included splashing $7,000 on the retired vehicle and the rest was spent on the refit. After purchasing the yellow bus from a seller in Tennessee , he explains in the film that the first job involved removing all 28 passenger seats to create a blank canvas.
From there, he cut off the roof and elevated it to create a nine-foot ceiling for more space and to house two levels. YouTube star Chay Denne reveals in an almost 30-minute long video, how he spent more than one year converting a 40ft school bus into a livable space for himself and his partner After purchasing the yellow vehicle, he explains in the film that the first job involved removing all 28 passenger seats to create a blank canvas He cut off the roof and elevated it to create a nine-foot ceiling for more space and house two levels The windows were also removed from the bus to allow for more usable wall space and for extra privacy. To keep the bus insulated and to improve the soundproofing, Chay installed a layer of foam and an internal ceiling.
He then went about installing stud walls to created separate living areas, including a shower room, master bedroom, second bedroom, upstairs office, kitchen and small couch area. He also walled off the driver's compartment, 'making it its own room.' To give the vehicle a homely feel, Chay took out the original door and installed a traditional hinged front door.
When it came to the interior design, the video shows how the content creator went all out, installing real marble-effect flooring, wooden cabinetry and slick LED lighting. Meanwhile, a simple monochrome color scheme helps give the feeling of there being more space. At his girlfriend's request, Chay fitted the bus out with a standard washer and dryer, while the kitchen was designed to house a double fridge and freezer.
He walled off the driver's compartment, 'making it its own room' To keep the bus insulated and to improve the soundproofing, Chay installed a layer of foam and an internal ceiling His dad and brother were also big helps during the project, spending hours helping Chay out with various tasks Throughout the video, Chay reveals how he did much of the conversion himself by watching YouTube videos around woodwork and other DIY crafts. His dad and brother were also big helps during the project, spending hours helping him out with various tasks. In one scene, the content creator shows how moving the washer and dryer into place was a tricky task, as he had to fit the appliances into a very tight space.
The refrigerator was another large item which required some manpower to move. In the final scenes of his YouTube video, Chay completes the finishing touches on his tiny home which include building a couch from scratch, laying a stone floor, and installing stone countertops. He also installs a ceiling fan, while exclaiming: 'We have to be the only bus in the world with a ceiling fan on the ceiling!' When it came to the interior design, the video shows how the content creator went all out, installing real marble-effect flooring, wooden cabinetry and slick LED lights In the final scenes of his YouTube video, Chay completes the finishing touches on his tiny home which include laying a stone floor, and installing stone countertops Despite it weighing lots more than its school bus days, Chay says the vehicle is 'surprisingly easy to drive.
' Above, the marble-clad bathroom Looking ahead, Chay plans on completing another zany build soon, but for now he is enjoying taking the bus to Myrtle Beach and hanging out with his fiancé Moving outside, the handyman installs decking on the roof with a wire balcony railing and he gives the van a white paint job. Finally, once the bus is ready he invites girlfriend Kelsey on a trip to the beach where he is seen proposing to her on the decked rooftop. Many viewers have deemed the video inspiring as one commenter mused: 'Man, this is what life is supposed to be.
.. freedom, comfort, hard work, and love.
' Another fan mused: 'Never felt so insecure in my life...
these three guys are all expert-level plumbers, electricians, carpenters, masons, mechanics, architects, wood workers, fabricators, roofers, welders and riggers. 'I'm honestly speechless..
. People usually become one maybe two of these and hone that craft for their entire life.' Despite it weighing lots more than its school bus days, Chay says the vehicle is 'surprisingly easy to drive.
' He told DailyMail.com: 'It has air conditioning and a radio in the cab and it is super quiet going down the road. It has a top speed of 75mph, which is great.
' Looking ahead, Chay plans on completing another zany build soon, but for now he is enjoying taking the bus to Myrtle Beach and hanging out with his fiancé. Not paying rent anymore 'is another perk.' Tennessee YouTube South Carolina Share or comment on this article: I spent $57,000 turning an old school bus into a luxury two-bedroom home e-mail Add comment.
