I'm always interested in the people who ask about starting a schoolie conversion business. I guess there are some legitimate reasons why someone would not do it them selves. The main one being no physical location to do it. I don't buy the "I don't have the skills/ability to do it". There have been plenty on this board that have learned/taught themselves how to do things.
You must have a reasonable expectation of making a profit. Even if you have a REALLY good place to get a bus, less than 10 years old, cheaply and you do a bare minimum conversion, I can't see that you would have less than $8000 invested. That's just to buy the bus and materials needed.
Don't forget you are going to need in varying degrees some sort of
- HVAC, heat, AC, or both.
- Electrical systems, probably both 12VDC and 120VAC
- Domestic water system
- Some way to handle waste.
- Some way to store and prepare food,
- Creature comforts, seating, bedding, etc
In order to use your time wisely you will need to have a LOT of tools. Tools for metal working, wood working, painting, plumbing, electrical and the skills to use them. You have to be able to do almost everything yourself. If you hire someone else to do it remember, THEY have to make a profit which, adds to the amount you have to sell it for.
If you could possibly get one finished in a month, using a 40 hour week and $20 an hour you just added $3,200 to your $8,000. Do people have $11,200 laying around for such things? I'm pretty sure there isn't a bank in the world that would loan the money for one.
Before I get jumped all over by those saying "I did mine for less" remember this is for something to sell. Is yours less than 10 years old? Is it still yellow? Does it have all new materials? If not would you feel comfortable installing a used gas appliance? If this is a business and you intend to do more than one, you can't rely on Craigs list for your materials.
I think that most schoolie owners are in the "I don't have much/any money" category, I know I am. My schoolie is probably one of the more expensive on this board, it isn't finished yet and so far I have been at it for about 5 years. It is my retirement project and I am able to tinker and experiment with alternative ways of doing the "RV" thing. I am putting into practice all of the things I have learned in my life and am still learning and perfecting new skills. Most importantly IT'S PAID FOR and I haven't borrowed anything to do it.
Dick
Skoolie Survey for School
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