If you want a lesson on how to build a tiny house from scratch, this stunning school bus conversion is the perfect tutorial.
24-year-old South Carolina YouTube star Chay Denne 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 himself and his partner.
He told DailyMail.com that the total cost of the ambitious project was $57,000, of which $7,000 was spent on the scrapped vehicle and the rest on the renovation.
After purchasing the yellow bus from a seller in Tennessee, he explains in the film that the first job was to remove all 28 passenger seats to create a blank canvas.
He took the roof off and raised it, creating a ceiling of 2.75 meters, creating more space and allowing two floors to be built.
YouTube star Chay Denne reveals in a nearly 30-minute video how he spent more than a year converting a 40ft 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 all 28 passenger seats to create a blank canvas
He cut off the roof and raised it to create a nine-foot ceiling for more space and housed two floors
The windows were also removed from the bus, creating more usable wall space and providing more privacy.
To keep the bus insulated and improve soundproofing, Chay installed a layer of foam and an internal ceiling.
He then set to work installing partition walls to create separate living spaces including a shower room, master bedroom, second bedroom, upstairs office, kitchen and a small sitting area.
He also closed off the driver’s cabin, creating a separate space.
To give the vehicle a homely feel, Chay removed the original door and installed a traditional hinged front door.
The video shows how the content creator went all out with the interior design, installing real marble flooring, wooden cabinets and sleek LED lighting.
A simple monochromatic color scheme makes the room seem more spacious.
At the request of his girlfriend, Chay has equipped the van with a standard washing machine and dryer, while the kitchen is designed to fit a double refrigerator and freezer.
He locked the driver’s compartment and ‘made it his own room’
To keep the bus insulated and improve soundproofing, Chay installed a layer of foam and an internal ceiling
His father and brother were also a great help during the project, helping Chay for hours with various tasks
In the video, Chay shares how he did most of the remodeling himself by watching YouTube videos on woodworking and other DIY projects.
His father and brother also helped him a lot during the project and assisted him for hours with various tasks.
In one scene, the content creator shows how moving the washer and dryer was a tricky task, as he had to fit the appliances into a very small space.
The refrigerator was another large object and required a lot of manpower to move it.
In the final scenes of his YouTube video, Chay puts the finishing touches on his tiny home, including building a bench, laying a stone floor, and installing stone countertops.
He also installs a ceiling fan, shouting, “We must be the only bus in the world with a ceiling fan!”
As for the interior design, the video shows how the content creator went all out, installing real marble flooring, wooden cabinets and sleek LED lighting
In the final scenes of his YouTube video, Chay puts the finishing touches on his tiny home, including laying a stone floor and installing stone countertops.
Despite weighing much more than it did when it was a school bus, Chay says it’s “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 spending time with his fiancée
Outside, the handyman installs a deck on the roof with a wire balcony railing and gives the bus a white coat of paint.
When the bus is ready, he invites his girlfriend Kelsey for a trip to the beach, where he proposes to her on the rooftop terrace.
Many viewers found the video inspiring. One commenter said, “Man, this is what life should be… freedom, comfort, hard work, and love.”
Another fan mused, ‘I’ve never felt so insecure in my life… these three men are all expert plumbers, electricians, carpenters, masons, fitters, architects, woodworkers, fabricators, roofers, welders, and mechanics.
‘I’m really speechless… People usually become one, maybe two of these talents and continue to do so their entire lives.’
Although the vehicle is much heavier than when it was a school bus, Chay says it is “surprisingly easy to drive.”
He told DailyMail.com: ‘It’s got air conditioning and a radio in the cabin and it’s super quiet on the road. It’s got a top speed of 75mph, which is amazing.’
Looking ahead, Chay plans to finish 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 “is another perk.”