If you want a lesson on how to create a tiny house from scratch, this amazing school bus conversion is the perfect tutorial.
South Carolina YouTube star Chay Denne, 24, reveals in a nearly 30-minute video long video How he spent over a year converting a 40-foot school bus into a living space for him and his partner.
He told DailyMail.com the total cost of the ambitious project was $57,000, which included spending $7,000 on the removed vehicle and the rest on refurbishment.
After purchasing the yellow bus from a Tennessee dealer, he explains in the film that the first job was to remove the 28 passenger seats to create a blank canvas.
From there, he cut through the roof and raised it to create a nine-foot ceiling for more space and to accommodate two levels.
YouTube star Chay Denne reveals in a nearly 30-minute video how he spent over a year converting a 40-foot school bus into a living space for himself and his partner.
After purchasing the yellow vehicle, he explains in the film that the first job was to remove the 28 passenger seats to create a blank canvas.
He cut the roof off and raised it to create a nine-foot ceiling to gain more space and accommodate two levels.
The bus’s windows were also removed to allow for more usable wall space and increased privacy.
To keep the bus insulated and improve soundproofing, Chay installed a foam layer and an internal ceiling.
He then set about installing wooden walls to create separate living areas, including a bathroom, a master bedroom, a second bedroom, an upstairs office, a kitchen and a small sofa area.
He also walled up the driver’s compartment, “turning it into a room of its own.”
To give the vehicle a homey feel, Chay removed the original door and installed a traditional hinged front door.
When it comes to interior design, the video shows how the content creator went all out, installing real marble-effect flooring, wooden cabinets, and sleek LED lighting.
Meanwhile, a simple monochromatic color scheme helps give the feeling of more space.
At his girlfriend’s request, Chay equipped the bus with a standard washer and dryer, while the kitchen was designed to house a double refrigerator and freezer.
He closed off the driver’s compartment and turned it into his own room.
To keep the bus insulated and improve soundproofing, Chay installed a foam layer and an internal ceiling.
His father and brother were also very helpful during the project, spending hours helping Chay with various tasks.
Throughout the video, Chay reveals how he did much of the conversion himself by watching YouTube videos about woodworking and other DIY crafts.
His father and brother were also very helpful during the project, spending hours assisting him with various tasks.
In one scene, the content creator shows how moving the washer and dryer into place was a complicated task, as he had to fit the appliances into a very small space.
The refrigerator was another large item that required some manpower to move.
In the final scenes of his YouTube video, Chay completes the finishing touches on his tiny home, including building a couch from scratch, laying a stone floor, and installing stone countertops.
He also installs a ceiling fan, exclaiming: “We have to be the only bus in the world with a ceiling fan!”
When it comes to interior design, the video shows how the content creator went all out, installing real marble-effect flooring, wooden cabinets, and sleek LED lights.
In the final scenes of his YouTube video, Chay completes the finishing touches on his tiny home, including laying a stone floor and installing stone countertops.
Despite weighing much more than when it was a school bus, Chay says the vehicle is “surprisingly easy to drive.” Above, the marble-clad bathroom
Looking ahead, Chay plans to complete another crazy build soon, but for now he’s enjoying taking the bus to Myrtle Beach and hanging out with his fiancée.
Back outside, the handyman installs a roof platform with a wire railing on the balcony and gives the van a coat of white paint.
Finally, once the bus is ready, he invites his girlfriend Kelsey on a trip to the beach, where he is seen proposing to her on the rooftop.
Many viewers found the video inspiring, with one commenter musing: “Man, this is what life is supposed to be… freedom, comfort, hard work and love.”
Another fan mused: ‘I’ve never felt so insecure in my life… these three guys are all expert plumbers, electricians, carpenters, bricklayers, mechanics, architects, woodworkers, fabricators, roofers, welders and riggers.
“I’m honestly speechless… People tend to become one or two of these people and hone that craft throughout their lives.”
Despite weighing much more than it was a school bus, Chay says the vehicle is “surprisingly easy to drive.”
He told DailyMail.com: “It has air conditioning and a radio in the cabin and is super quiet on the road. It has a top speed of 120km/h which is great.”
Looking ahead, Chay plans to complete another crazy build soon, but for now he’s enjoying taking the bus to Myrtle Beach and spending time with his fiancée. Not paying rent anymore “is another plus.”