Today, tiny houses are all the rage. If you’re looking into building a tiny house or your own RV, a used bus might be a good starting point. Used school buses have been safely turned into custom homes that you can take on the road with your friends and family.
School buses are a creative solution, great for DIY’ers, and they are relatively affordable. To help get you started on your exciting new project, here are some tips and questions you should be keeping in mind.
Create a Timeline and Budget for Your Project
Because converting your bus from its original form is a major project, it is important to create a project plan for yourself. Do you plan on hiring a contractor to help you with the renovations? Do you know how much your used bus should cost? Do you need your bus complete by a particular time? Are there customizations that you need to be done for your bus?
These are only a few questions you should consider when creating your budget. After coming up with these questions (and answers to them), you should calculate the amount of time you are willing to spend converting your bus.
After you finish scheduling the time that you will need to complete the project, start creating a budget for yourself. Creating a budget will help you stay on track, and keep you from overspending.
What Size Used Bus Will You Need?
The size of your bus depends on your preferences and how you plan to use it. Are you planning on living in your bus full-time? Are you just going to use it for road trips? If you’re planning on living in your bus, you may want to invest in one that’s larger in size. However, if you plan on using it for road trips, you may want to focus on other features of the bus instead.
Also, you may want to ask how the bus was used when it was last active on the road. If you plan on using it for frequent travel, this information may give you a better insight into the future maintenance and services that the bus will need.
How Much Does a Used School Bus Cost?
Depending on the size you need, used school buses can range from $3,000 to $15,000 or more. Like American Bus Sales, some companies will also offer a variety of buses in different sizes, makes, and models so that you’ll have plenty of options to choose from to help you meet your transportation needs. Plus, if you need customization such as window tint, paint, graphics, or wraps, it will be more affordable going through the company where you purchased your bus.
Learn About the History of Your Bus
When you’re purchasing a used school bus, you should always inquire about the engine and maintenance history. As long as the bus has a healthy engine, it should provide you with years of reliable service. However, as soon as you find out the engine type, continue to do research, ask questions, and make sure that it’s the best fit.
Besides understanding the engine in your bus, make sure that you also know:
- The date the bus was last inspected
- The registration date of the bus
- A list of the recent bus maintenance
Handy Skills for Converting Your Used School Bus
Once you purchase your bus, it’s now time to start thinking about the skills you will need to convert your bus. Do you possess the necessary skills to complete the conversion? Are you willing to take the time and effort to teach yourself? Do you have the funds to hire someone to help you?
Some of the skills that you will need to convert your bus include:
- Carpentry
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- Mechanical
- Welding
If you find yourself struggling in any of these areas of expertise, you can always revisit your budget and make the adjustments needed to hire that. Plus, the company from whom you purchased your used bus will be more than willing to give you their advice and suggestions. They may even be able to do the work for you or refer you to someone who can.
Where to Purchase a Used Bus for Sale
American Bus Sales is your best source for high-quality new and used school buses for sale in Oklahoma. We will ensure you that your bus meets state specifications, and we can even add custom window tint, paint, graphics, or wraps to help you get started.
If you’re looking for a used school bus, American Bus Sales has got your back. We’ll even deliver nationwide. Give us a call at 1-888-874-9970, and our professional, experienced staff will be happy to help you find what you’re looking for.
