Hi Drew-
I think most skoolie owners are owner-builders. Others may be able to better explain why it is important to have some knowledge of builds; here's my perspective.
Just looking at my build there are going to be ongoing operational maintenance and periodic repairs I will need to do once finished. I'm documenting my build so I can more easily maintain it, and I'm not certain you'd get something similar if you hire out the build.
Additionally, there are dozens and dozens of spot decisions you'll need to make during the build. Having a good understanding of the build process by watching videos, reading in this forum, and checking out other resources online will arm you to make more informed decisions during the build. I don't know if there's a shortcut to this.
On the other hand, you'd be quite surprised at how much you can tackle with little experience and just a few tools. Watch some videos for inspiration, and maybe only sub out certain parts of the build.
Having said all that, there are lots of folks who just jumped in. It is a very different experience, perhaps more costly and frustrating than the more considered and hands on approach I'm describing. I'm not trying to discourage you from moving forward, just trying to shed light on the process from my perspective and experience.
Final thought-have you considered buying an RV to get experience with the rig and lifestyle before tackling a bus? I rented one for a week or so and learned an incredible amount - much to my surprise!
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