Building a stationary SkoolieCabin.

abus · 12-10-2018, 03:34 PM

I have a bus being delivered this week or next. Don't know if it runs; don't care. Seats are out. The goal is to put it on my land, level it, and do a cheap small home. Water, septic and electric are all available; I'll be piggybacking on the connections of my existing home.

First goal: insulation and heat. I'm tempted to simply powerwash the interior, let it dry a couple of days, spray it down with MicroBan antimicrobial to kill anything growing, let it dry a couple more days, and throw down / glue up insulation and floor decking without removing any interior panels or the existing flooring. Build a bulkhead for weatherization between the cab and living area. Build storm windows to cover all the side/rear windows (not removing any windows). Plumb in shower and kitchen. Electric heater. Window AC come summertime. It doesn't have to be a showpiece, just functional and not ugly. None of the furniture will be built ins; I'll be using my existing furniture.

I'm trying to move fast because I have limited mobility and it's likely to be going downhill, at least a bit (and hopefully temporarily), in the near future. The interior height is ~6'2", and I'm 6'4". I'll trade off a couple of inches in headspace to get the build done as quickly as possible. The goal is to move in as soon as possible and rent out my house. I'm rural and not likely to have any problems with code issues.

Anyone have experience/tips with leaving the interior panels in place and building inwards from there?

Thanks!