It can be difficult to make the decision to publicly criticize a fellow industry professional, but when gross negligence is throughout, as seen here, it becomes our duty as a moral and ethical person. Thank you for teaching the masses and holding entities who are self-ascribing as trustworthy, accountable!
@@ChuckCassadyYT Wow, that’s pretty self-delusional-they need to c&d themselves. I’d be gutted if I gave these builders money and this is what they delivered.
I’m glad I found this video. Because I watched each of their videos and had made my decision to go with them with my conversion. Seeing this same Skoolie on their site and then seeing it in this video with all the issues, I’ve completely changed my mind!
I saw this bus at Gutted, and another major flaw was the microwave. It's also an air fryer, and there was no ventilation in that cabinet, which makes it a fire hazard. Air fryers circulate a lot of hot air and they need to breathe to operate correctly and safely!
I met Stefanie at a meetup and I saw her bus then. It certainly looks pretty on the surface, but wow, all the safety issues and poor workmanship is awful! Stefanie is a smart and really nice person, and I'm sure she felt that she was hiring a reputable company to build her dream. My heart breaks for her because there is nothing worse then to find out that something that you designed, saved for and waited to have built has this many issues. How can anyone justify charging her $70K for this? Shame on Epic Skoolie!
I would like to have seen an ‘itemized!’ Bill! Because in my humboldt opinion, that should’ve had Gold paint and silver drawer pulls. Not to mention the power shortage and shoddy connections. Keep on truckin!!!
@@cayenneprepper9065 I so agree. Here's how people are getting pulled into putting a lot of money up front. In some of these builds, the builders are asking for the cost of the bus and labor up front. The client then purchases parts as the build progresses. This type of agreement highly favors the builder while the client pretty much is stuck with whatever the builder hands them. Not good!
Wow... and people wonder why it can be difficult to get insurance for their conversions. When these "professionals" have so many fire / elelectical / explosion hazards it will only make it harder for the rest of us to insure our busses. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge and expirence. Ted
We’re DIYing our Skoolie and are no professionals in any way, but my dad has been in construction for over 45 years and has taught me enough that the mistakes these “professional builders” make, I would never do. We’re also smart enough that we’re paying a professional electrician and plumber to inspect our work just in case we overlook something. These videos are insane 😮💨 all that money, I feel so bad for her 😢
I remember seeing the video of her build and how aesthetically pleasing it looked. However, aesthetics have to come way after the safety and quality of a build is inspected. You can make it look pretty later. I have a laundry list of questions I will use to vet my builder before choosing them thanks to your insight and expertise. Appreciate you!
Wow, thank you for educating the public but also for your integrity. Seems like it’s getting harder to find these days. My heart goes out to the owner, this company should be absolutely ashamed of themselves. 👍🏻💯🥰
These videos are yet another learning experience for us all. Seeing these examples gives us an idea of the kind of things to look for and highlights the importance of learning more about anyone you might entrust with your hard earned money. We need more people like you and your crew, Charlie! Thanks for continuing to share your expertise and experience!
Soo, I have worked in construction (not skoolies) for around 20 yrs, and I get equally irritated when people get ripped off like this. I couldn't help but post a link to this video when "epic skoolies" video of this same bus came up in youtube after watching this. I didn't say anything negative, just "if you've watched this and are considering epic, you need to watch -link- " It was deleted instantly. I mean instantly. As a matter of fact, you can't find any negative comments on their video. Only praise and people asking "how much?".... I think I'm gonna be sick. I'm glad there are people like you trying to do the right thing and being honest. Hopefully "epic" stops taking people's money without knowing what they're doing. I doubt it though
Good to see someone that addresses these issues. If your going to charge and call yourself professional you better be ready to face the music when your build is examined . 70k I would be sick!
Right on, Chuck. Thanks for sharing your observations and cautions. Like you, I'm leaving the full-conversion game (as we focus on our other business) so I have no vested interest in slamming other builders to drum up business. With that in mind, you should watch the videos I did about bus conversion from Lone Star Skoolie in San Antonio, Texes. Absolutely horrendous work for tons of money...
@@ChuckCassadyYT Well, if you're ever near Flagstaff AZ please let me know. We've got a nice spot for you to park, with power and water and great views.
I learn something new every one of these videos. This video's lesson: Chafe protection on lines, hoses and wires when passing through or near steel parts.
I'm so glad you did this video. I met Stef at Gutted and was so heartbroken for her when she showed me her bus. I instantly took to her and kept seeing her drive around, and was like, I gotta meet this person and see this rig! I hope this company gets their shit together to makes this right for her.
I totally agree with everything you say. I own Holiday RV Repair and half our work comes from crap done by another company. I am often asked if I think I can repair the other shop's screw up and I always reply ... "if we can't repair it, you will not be charged" ...
What an amazing video!! How is it possible to almost screw up every system that you install on a bus conversion. I mean almost nothing is done right from what you showed us. Also strange that you can build electrical installations and no external inspections are needed to see if it is safe. It is good to expose these bad companies who take a lot of money but don’t deliver the value for that. Keep up the good work Chuck! 👌
OUT!? Standing!!! Like a farmer in his field. I have a ‘97 INT. DT466 4-speed/ 30’ -8 window, with 226543 mi. Got it ten years ago and retroed to fit my needs at the time in about 33 days. It’s been a work in progress, but I’m glad I haven’t finished her, cause I need to start over. Thank You for all your insight, knowledge and candor on how ‘To’ and most importantly how ‘Not-To!’ Build a Skoolie!
First off, I noticed that a lot of things in that build looked second hand, and I don't think that build is old enough for them to have weathered that much. Two, I don't blame the customer for the way this turned out. Maybe it's because I'm old, but if you hire someone to do the work, I think they should know what they're doing. Clearly there are people that do, and she paid enough to get that level of service. I think what is needed is a trade association to certify bus builders (or maybe more), there is code for wiring, maybe companies need to be certified for plumbing & electrical. Possibly we need architects experienced in designing RV (bus) interiors to be a starting point. Someone needs to codify standards for the finishing. Maybe the motorhome companies could help.
Hi Chuck, great video as always! I looked around and found the wall heater, it's a 1,000 watt "Heat Storm", $98.04 (USD) at Home Depot. The A/C is from Black and Decker, $378.62 at Home Depot. Not Bluetooth as claimed, but the heater is...
This is the second video that that i have seen that focuses on a horrible build by Epic Schoolies. Totally different channel. Same crappy work. Thanks for these. Salute
I saw an older woman with a simple conversion, no complicated wiring. Christmas lights for lighting. For the first time I got an appreciation that it doesn't have to be so complicated.
I am getting ready to start a bus build. your video are a build book for us newbees , Thank You for your insight, recomendations of products and practics!!!
Exactly. If a website builder cannot even write correctly, what chance is there that he/she can do the actual conversion itself that's immeasurably harder than writing in one's own language? I refuse to do business with any company whose website or printed material is rife with errors. So much for Quality Control...
Excellent inspection, and yes, we all do feel sorry for Stephanie who has been ripped off. She's buying and paying for something that she herself can't inspect, since she doesn't know what to look for. It's not uncommon; I don't know how to lay a roof or pour concrete (which is why I watch lot of 'educational' channels), so the buyer is 'trusting' someone not worth. trusting. Also, would the customer get photos or schematics of the build for repair troubleshooting in the future? As for the 'Wild West' of the business, I don't know if contracts and warranties are common, but those would be a good idea. I'm guessing there's few, if any, legal options. By the end of the video, the best evidence of quality was the website built for the sketchy company. Oh well, it is just more work for you and your inspection/consultancy business! That's worth another book in itself.
They said "We have morals... And standards" which is clearly true, I mean, they never clarified what those were lol You do a super good job of making sure not to fault the customer, they're responsible for their work, $70k is more than enough to buy a high end used semi-monocoque Monaco diesel pusher for some perspective. At a $70k price point I would expect some extreme perfection! They also said "high quality name brand products used in all of our builds" but they didn't clarify that statement with a percentage, one item would qualify. I used to own an ad agency, they're all marketing phrases like when you buy dog food that says "USDA TESTED" on the front but never say if they passed.
When a build is that bad, it seems to me that buying another rig and starting over is the only option. After watching your videos all day, my standards of a build have gone wayyy up.
Oh man, I felt a bit sick watching this, tbh. There are so many absolutely dangerous decisions(not mistakes) by this builder, and it's a fireball waiting, IMO. Poor Stef!
I'm a wee bit late to the "party", but I just had to pipe up. FIrst of all, I feel bad for Stephanie. And it's not like she should have "known better". Unless you have a heap of real world experience (and maybe have gotten hosed once or twice on maybe not so big a scale) the average newbie isn't going to know what to expect for their hard earned cash. Having once owned a Class A RV, I can attest to the crappy workmanship that is put out by companies that are actually "regulated" by all of the safety bureaucrats. Eventually I replaced all of the drawers with proper machine dovetail boxes on proper drawer slides. Never could figure out why the drawer in the dinette never worked properly. Turns out, the whole thing was installed out of square! I mean, c'mon!! Anyway, I digress. First of all, I don't "see" seventy thousand dollars. I'm pretty sure my high school shop class could have done a better job. AND I predict, this is what may some day happen. For many years now, bus and RV conversions (etc.) have been morphing along, with nary a sideways glance from the "safety bureaucrats". But, one of these days, someone will die, and then all hell will break lose. There will be permits. There will be inspections. It will be a shit show. I'm thinking back to the days of "Unsafe at any speed", and the type of safety "stuff" that came along in the car industry. And no, I don't have any problem with that. But for the conversion "movement" to become some sort of "industry", these slackers need to be put out of business. I'll now get down off my soap box. Thanks for letting me vent. Carry on!
Chuck thank you for sharing. I’m really excited to start bus build but I know there are things I would need help in (electrical for one lol) and I considered just going and having a “professional” do it but now I think I’ll just keep watching videos and learning as much as I can to do it myself. It’s really scary that so called professionals could do this kind of work for 70k! But thanks chuck always learning from you
You can take a tour from of the bus on their Facebook page, posted April 1st. Red lights in the front, don't drive into California. I would be pissed if it cost $7,000 for the work I see. It's a shame there is no requirement for licensing our qualifications before ripping someone off with these conversions. Should be required to meet the same building code as an RV or home.
Thank you for this: both calling out incompetent "pros," and showing us examples of things done wrong. Would you consider doing some videos, inspired by these critiques, that show people the *right* way to do it? For example, show us the proper way to prevent cables and pipes from rubbing. Maybe an A/B sort of thing: these are examples of ways it should not have been done, and this is the way I would have done it. Or maybe a series of simple solutions to common build errors? Anyway, I only recently discovered your chanel, and I am finding it very enlightening. Thanks again!
OMG! yes please show us how to do it right. I learned so much from this already. But seeing it done right would be life changing for our rig. And so many others
Very informative video, thank you. Sorry for Stefanie. However I can't agree on the topic of drawer boxes. There is nothing wrong with the single front boxes. I've done it many times in order to get some extra space inside. You could attach the front either with pocket screw or from the front if you don't mind the visible screw head. However it's definitely more work and it's harder or even impossible to get continuous grain look in some cases. I'm not advocating for those guys and I'm sure there is more than one way to screw up a drawer but if done properly single front even offers some advantages. Frankly I'm shocked about contrast between their site and their job. So sorry for Stef :(
I’m learning so much from your videos! Keep them coming!! Something I noticed, there are only a couple of windows that are operational from the inside but it still has all the windows on the outside. It’s terrible they didn’t do proper window deletes. If those windows ever have any issues she is going to have to tear through her interior walls to get to the windows. 😢
Thanks for this, Chuck. I'm in Australia, so whilst this company is of no interest to me, your run down of everything was extremely valuable. It would be awesome if someone in Australia was doing what you are doing... but nonetheless, your information is extremely helpful. Thanks again. 🙏🙏🙏
Although I do not build Schoolies, I do custom builds of trucks and 4x4s. My biggest problem is conveying to the customer that a quality build takes time. You cannot have a build that is fast and cheap, which is what everybody wants and I turn down a lot of projects 'cuz when it comes to that, you find out the customer does not have any money. Everybody wants the toys but cannot afford it. Now-a-days my biggest issue is sourcing parts and getting them in a timely manner. My latest is a diesel engine conversion. It's been in my shop for 4 months now. Hope to wrap it up in the next couple of weeks. Customizing and fabrication takes a lot of time.
In my oppinion living in Europe and not familiar with how thing work in the US, I think the best way helping people who would want to hire someone would be cerating some sort of Yale type website for skoolie builders to advertise themselves, but also for customers to leave reviews and comments and ratings on it. That way potential customers would be able to search for a reputable builder with good reviews and go to them for a build.
It could have been worse.. After watching this video I found a reddit post, a client paid $100k upfront to Epic Skoolies, a year later they had barely started and then claimed bankruptcy only 6 months ago. Now the client is looking into lawyers to at least get their bus back.
Ok I dont have a rig of any form nor have I ever built one. However I would think that you would prioritize safety So fire danger would be the number one concern so propane and electrical first. Then water for goodness sake, remember water carved the grand canyon, can destroy anything in a build. I hope they did install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. I am so sorry she was mislead by these people.
I thought about sending you my build when done. But I've been doing construction/maintenance, etc all my life. So was hoping for a better reaction. lol
I saw a build here yesterday. They put the on demand water heater outside the bus. Outside. And he mentioned that he has to take it off when travelling.
Agreed. In the horse riding world, we have clinics, where you pay to spend a weekend having lessons with a high level professional. It'd be really cool to have something like this regionally for builders in various stages of their builds. Pay a fee, bring your bus, talk to Chuck!
Chuck, Why, why, why would you and Ben stop building buses for people??? Your knowledge, skills and integrity are unmatchable. You are doing the Nomad community a serious injustice. Even if you too are tired of doing the work yourselves, you could hire crews to do the labor but offer the support and supervision that would ensure Nomads are treated fairly and given a safe and reliable product. Many of these buses and vans are people's homes and should be a "safe" place for them to live. I'm just saddened that you both are leaving the business. Yes, you have a right to walk away, but it is a sad day for Nomad's everywhere. You are irreplaceable.
I think a lot of us feel this way, but please understand that when a fella can't make a living running his business the right way, it's time to find something else. Even if he hired labor, he couldn't pay them a living wage any more than he could pay it to himself. What he can do is help us to do it ourselves, and he does that every week.
@@ChuckCassadyYT I honestly find much more value from your tutorial videos than anybody else online for these topics. Please keep up sharing your valuable knowledge and experiences with us. Through that, you are vastly improving people's lives. Much more than you could ever know.
Thanks Chuck, this was really great. I enjoy all of your content. I hear you say you’re getting out of the game, any chance you’ll be open to virtual/phone consulting in a few months? Maybe take a week long trip to Montana in 6 months to help with solar install? We just got our bus and are completing the build ourselves. Hoping to find trusted help along the way!
@@ChuckCassadyYT he was standing at the entrance door by the driver seat and all I could think was, camera down, camera down, I want to see if it's scratching yet..
It is too bad you're getting out of the game, you have gained soo much expert knowledge and exiting at the top of your game! I can relate to burn-out tho. So curious, what makes a Skoolie a better option than just buying an RV with motorized jut--outs and such? I don't think it's price since many are paying over 70k...customized build, community?
Amateur quality can be lethal… morals are completely absent here. I hope Stef can solve this through litigation. If anything, it’ll be a wake up call to Epic Skoolies and they’ll hire professionals to complete their builds to live up to the quality commitment they boast about. This is simply taking advantage of people who don’t know any better.
@@ChuckCassadyYT You should look into being a professional legal consultant for suits brought against bad builders. Your testimony as a pro would be priceless plus you'll be paid.
so on the page where they talk about integrity, the paragraph that would usually describe why we should trust their integrity is just "we're ready to work". and on the systems page whew the typos I figure reflect the amount of care and attention they pay... "what products to use and what a products not to use. We help out clients SHIFT through the BS"... oh yep sounds like they're drag you through it
At $700 a sq. ft. or more this is just tragic. As a general contractor in construction the price of labor and materials used do not justify the price in this build this price point is more like Newmar and Newell motor coach prices true artists. This bus should have soft to the touch wall and ceiling panels with either a leather with a texture or suede to control noise you can not build this basic when someone is giving this kind of money for the build. Wood is fine in a shower as long as you use a wood like teak. A lot more design has to go into builds like these, lighting and interior fabrics, wood species beside just cedar for T&G ceilings most bus conversions are just log cabins on wheels of what I have seen. Come on bus builders think outside the box do something worthy for your clients that justify the price points you are charging. These are peoples homes treat them as such. Rod Midbon House to Home Construction LLC.
I went to a car show in Georgia and saw a man there that converted busses. He had 2 busses there for advertising. Lol 1 look from 20 yards away and I could tell he would never get near my bus. His busses looked like something a teenager with no money would put together.
I learn so much listening to you, but I am not touching solar myself!! That much I learned enough to know how much I don’t know! A popular UA-camr, THE Car Wizard is converting a bus, and is reaching out for someone to consult with and I mentioned you! I hope that is ok.
What a joke! I’m no mechanic or any trained personnel, I do everything I do, if I love or have any interest in doing it so. Leaving the cables and hoses dangling around and that bathroom with painted wood and the floor… holes and more…get outta here! They must be hating their job or their life! All that has to be a JOKE. But is real as $70K 😭 🔫🔫🔫 My wife and I met Stefanie at Tiny Fest SD and loved her ever since! And she did not deserve this. It hurts but I know this will be a huge training/education for a lot of people out there. This video will go Viral and she will come back even stronger I believe it 💪🙏
Hello all, we are doing a Skoolie, and I need information on doing the electrical on it. Solar panel, wiring, difference between ac and dc etc. Any suggestions to a book or videos I would greatly appreciate it.
The underside of that bus looked horrible. I went on their website since they're local to me and the pictures sure looked nice. It pays to look at other skoolie conversions done by a company you're thinking about using before you pull the trigger, if you don't know what you're looking at then hire a professional to inspect their work. For $70k I would be suing because I sure don't see a $70k build there.
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Chuck is the hero we didn’t know we needed.
Hahaha
It can be difficult to make the decision to publicly criticize a fellow industry professional, but when gross negligence is throughout, as seen here, it becomes our duty as a moral and ethical person. Thank you for teaching the masses and holding entities who are self-ascribing as trustworthy, accountable!
i agree. they even sent me a cease and desist lol
@@ChuckCassadyYT Well there are plenty of folks out here who can explain to them in clear terms exactly where they can place that C&D!
@@ChuckCassadyYT Wow, that’s pretty self-delusional-they need to c&d themselves. I’d be gutted if I gave these builders money and this is what they delivered.
Thank you for exposing them so that others don't use. Appreciate your feedback!
They have probably changed their business name already
Agree! I have been shopping and had these guys on my list of pros to help until I saw this video.😢
Bus consultation
I’m glad I found this video. Because I watched each of their videos and had made my decision to go with them with my conversion. Seeing this same Skoolie on their site and then seeing it in this video with all the issues, I’ve completely changed my mind!
I saw this bus at Gutted, and another major flaw was the microwave. It's also an air fryer, and there was no ventilation in that cabinet, which makes it a fire hazard. Air fryers circulate a lot of hot air and they need to breathe to operate correctly and safely!
I met Stefanie at a meetup and I saw her bus then. It certainly looks pretty on the surface, but wow, all the safety issues and poor workmanship is awful! Stefanie is a smart and really nice person, and I'm sure she felt that she was hiring a reputable company to build her dream. My heart breaks for her because there is nothing worse then to find out that something that you designed, saved for and waited to have built has this many issues. How can anyone justify charging her $70K for this? Shame on Epic Skoolie!
Ain't it sad? She is a great soul, happy to met her too
I would like to have seen an ‘itemized!’ Bill! Because in my humboldt opinion, that should’ve had Gold paint and silver drawer pulls. Not to mention the power shortage and shoddy connections. Keep on truckin!!!
@@cayenneprepper9065 I so agree. Here's how people are getting pulled into putting a lot of money up front. In some of these builds, the builders are asking for the cost of the bus and labor up front. The client then purchases parts as the build progresses. This type of agreement highly favors the builder while the client pretty much is stuck with whatever the builder hands them. Not good!
I hope Stefanie has the wherewithal to take the crooked sheister to court and sue his pants off.
@@ChuckCassadyYTdo you make builds for people
Wow... and people wonder why it can be difficult to get insurance for their conversions. When these "professionals" have so many fire / elelectical / explosion hazards it will only make it harder for the rest of us to insure our busses.
Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge and expirence.
Ted
We’re DIYing our Skoolie and are no professionals in any way, but my dad has been in construction for over 45 years and has taught me enough that the mistakes these “professional builders” make, I would never do. We’re also smart enough that we’re paying a professional electrician and plumber to inspect our work just in case we overlook something. These videos are insane 😮💨 all that money, I feel so bad for her 😢
I remember seeing the video of her build and how aesthetically pleasing it looked. However, aesthetics have to come way after the safety and quality of a build is inspected. You can make it look pretty later. I have a laundry list of questions I will use to vet my builder before choosing them thanks to your insight and expertise. Appreciate you!
The internet has spoken & we want as much of this content as you can provide!
Really glad you did this video - was seriously considering talking to the company who did it, based on proximity.
Wow, thank you for educating the public but also for your integrity. Seems like it’s getting harder to find these days. My heart goes out to the owner, this company should be absolutely ashamed of themselves. 👍🏻💯🥰
I love that you are doing these videos on the work of other builders.
It's very informative for all of us.
Thanks Chuck.
I always enjoy your videos.
These are a great watch for "what NOT to do" in a conversion. Very educational.
These videos are yet another learning experience for us all. Seeing these examples gives us an idea of the kind of things to look for and highlights the importance of learning more about anyone you might entrust with your hard earned money. We need more people like you and your crew, Charlie! Thanks for continuing to share your expertise and experience!
I think some sort of certification would help all of us get insured. You should run an “inspection” service of some sort to check for safety issues.
Yes and if for nothing else so everyone can get insured without costing a fortune for liability.
The best review backed by facts and skilled professional knowledge.
Soo, I have worked in construction (not skoolies) for around 20 yrs, and I get equally irritated when people get ripped off like this. I couldn't help but post a link to this video when "epic skoolies" video of this same bus came up in youtube after watching this. I didn't say anything negative, just "if you've watched this and are considering epic, you need to watch
-link- "
It was deleted instantly. I mean instantly. As a matter of fact, you can't find any negative comments on their video. Only praise and people asking "how much?".... I think I'm gonna be sick.
I'm glad there are people like you trying to do the right thing and being honest. Hopefully "epic" stops taking people's money without knowing what they're doing. I doubt it though
I saw your comment! Man, I hope so, but it's too easy to manipulate your image online, so I'm sure they will continue
Good to see someone that addresses these issues. If your going to charge and call yourself professional you better be ready to face the music when your build is examined . 70k I would be sick!
i agree. and most professionals, even the ones on youtube are hacks.
It's sad this kind of thing happens. One can only hope that maybe future potential customers of theirs will see this video first.
Right on, Chuck. Thanks for sharing your observations and cautions. Like you, I'm leaving the full-conversion game (as we focus on our other business) so I have no vested interest in slamming other builders to drum up business. With that in mind, you should watch the videos I did about bus conversion from Lone Star Skoolie in San Antonio, Texes. Absolutely horrendous work for tons of money...
I've seen your work and you're an inspiration my friend! You're a good seed and I'm glad you watched, too. Safe travels and hope to see you soon!
@@ChuckCassadyYT Well, if you're ever near Flagstaff AZ please let me know. We've got a nice spot for you to park, with power and water and great views.
I learn something new every one of these videos. This video's lesson: Chafe protection on lines, hoses and wires when passing through or near steel parts.
Yes!!
I'm so glad you did this video. I met Stef at Gutted and was so heartbroken for her when she showed me her bus. I instantly took to her and kept seeing her drive around, and was like, I gotta meet this person and see this rig! I hope this company gets their shit together to makes this right for her.
Agreed! Spread the word
I totally agree with everything you say. I own Holiday RV Repair and half our work comes from crap done by another company. I am often asked if I think I can repair the other shop's screw up and I always reply ... "if we can't repair it, you will not be charged" ...
Geez! Endless outpoints, including safety hazards!!! It is amazing that they are still in business?? Thank you for sharing Chuck. :)
What an amazing video!! How is it possible to almost screw up every system that you install on a bus conversion. I mean almost nothing is done right from what you showed us. Also strange that you can build electrical installations and no external inspections are needed to see if it is safe. It is good to expose these bad companies who take a lot of money but don’t deliver the value for that.
Keep up the good work Chuck! 👌
OUT!? Standing!!! Like a farmer in his field. I have a ‘97 INT. DT466 4-speed/ 30’ -8 window, with 226543 mi. Got it ten years ago and retroed to fit my needs at the time in about 33 days. It’s been a work in progress, but I’m glad I haven’t finished her, cause I need to start over. Thank You for all your insight, knowledge and candor on how ‘To’ and most importantly how ‘Not-To!’ Build a Skoolie!
I’m a DIYer , you gave me many things to look for when I start my build
First off, I noticed that a lot of things in that build looked second hand, and I don't think that build is old enough for them to have weathered that much.
Two, I don't blame the customer for the way this turned out. Maybe it's because I'm old, but if you hire someone to do the work, I think they should know what they're doing. Clearly there are people that do, and she paid enough to get that level of service.
I think what is needed is a trade association to certify bus builders (or maybe more), there is code for wiring, maybe companies need to be certified for plumbing & electrical. Possibly we need architects experienced in designing RV (bus) interiors to be a starting point. Someone needs to codify standards for the finishing. Maybe the motorhome companies could help.
Hi Chuck, great video as always!
I looked around and found the wall heater, it's a 1,000 watt "Heat Storm", $98.04 (USD) at Home Depot.
The A/C is from Black and Decker, $378.62 at Home Depot. Not Bluetooth as claimed, but the heater is...
Nice work! Happy to see people who care pointing out the safety hazards that paying customers are paying for👌
Thank you so much for posting videos like this. I am learning sooo much.
I think all your videos are fantastic. Please keep making them
Thanks so much for posting these videos so we know what to look for!!!
This is the second video that that i have seen that focuses on a horrible build by Epic Schoolies. Totally different channel. Same crappy work. Thanks for these. Salute
Cool beans....
The solar panel kite, great work
What?
I saw an older woman with a simple conversion, no complicated wiring. Christmas lights for lighting. For the first time I got an appreciation that it doesn't have to be so complicated.
I am very happy that I saw your video because I was thinking going to them to do my built
I am getting ready to start a bus build. your video are a build book for us newbees , Thank You for your insight, recomendations of products and practics!!!
I seriously didn't see any of this coming.....super chuck to the rescue, for real !!
Great work Chuck!
The website is littered with EPIC typos/grammatical errors... Charlie is throwing the well-deserved FIRE
Exactly. If a website builder cannot even write correctly, what chance is there that he/she can do the actual conversion itself that's immeasurably harder than writing in one's own language? I refuse to do business with any company whose website or printed material is rife with errors. So much for Quality Control...
Excellent inspection, and yes, we all do feel sorry for Stephanie who has been ripped off. She's buying and paying for something that she herself can't inspect, since she doesn't know what to look for. It's not uncommon; I don't know how to lay a roof or pour concrete (which is why I watch lot of 'educational' channels), so the buyer is 'trusting' someone not worth. trusting. Also, would the customer get photos or schematics of the build for repair troubleshooting in the future? As for the 'Wild West' of the business, I don't know if contracts and warranties are common, but those would be a good idea. I'm guessing there's few, if any, legal options. By the end of the video, the best evidence of quality was the website built for the sketchy company. Oh well, it is just more work for you and your inspection/consultancy business! That's worth another book in itself.
You are a life saver
They said "We have morals... And standards" which is clearly true, I mean, they never clarified what those were lol You do a super good job of making sure not to fault the customer, they're responsible for their work, $70k is more than enough to buy a high end used semi-monocoque Monaco diesel pusher for some perspective. At a $70k price point I would expect some extreme perfection! They also said "high quality name brand products used in all of our builds" but they didn't clarify that statement with a percentage, one item would qualify. I used to own an ad agency, they're all marketing phrases like when you buy dog food that says "USDA TESTED" on the front but never say if they passed.
Lol yes exactly
When a build is that bad, it seems to me that buying another rig and starting over is the only option. After watching your videos all day, my standards of a build have gone wayyy up.
Don't worry, many more coming
Oh man, I felt a bit sick watching this, tbh. There are so many absolutely dangerous decisions(not mistakes) by this builder, and it's a fireball waiting, IMO. Poor Stef!
I'm a wee bit late to the "party", but I just had to pipe up. FIrst of all, I feel bad for Stephanie. And it's not like she should have "known better". Unless you have a heap of real world experience (and maybe have gotten hosed once or twice on maybe not so big a scale) the average newbie isn't going to know what to expect for their hard earned cash.
Having once owned a Class A RV, I can attest to the crappy workmanship that is put out by companies that are actually "regulated" by all of the safety bureaucrats. Eventually I replaced all of the drawers with proper machine dovetail boxes on proper drawer slides. Never could figure out why the drawer in the dinette never worked properly. Turns out, the whole thing was installed out of square! I mean, c'mon!!
Anyway, I digress.
First of all, I don't "see" seventy thousand dollars. I'm pretty sure my high school shop class could have done a better job.
AND I predict, this is what may some day happen. For many years now, bus and RV conversions (etc.) have been morphing along, with nary a sideways glance from the "safety bureaucrats". But, one of these days, someone will die, and then all hell will break lose.
There will be permits. There will be inspections. It will be a shit show. I'm thinking back to the days of "Unsafe at any speed", and the type of safety "stuff" that came along in the car industry. And no, I don't have any problem with that. But for the conversion "movement" to become some sort of "industry", these slackers need to be put out of business.
I'll now get down off my soap box. Thanks for letting me vent. Carry on!
I have no desire to reside in or convert a school bus; however,I love your videos. Thanks for sharing.
Chuck thank you for sharing. I’m really excited to start bus build but I know there are things I would need help in (electrical for one lol) and I considered just going and having a “professional” do it but now I think I’ll just keep watching videos and learning as much as I can to do it myself. It’s really scary that so called professionals could do this kind of work for 70k! But thanks chuck always learning from you
You can take a tour from of the bus on their Facebook page, posted April 1st.
Red lights in the front, don't drive into California.
I would be pissed if it cost $7,000 for the work I see.
It's a shame there is no requirement for licensing our qualifications before ripping someone off with these conversions. Should be required to meet the same building code as an RV or home.
It was $70,000 and a complete rip off
@@sherryalfaro2082 Yeah, I would have been upset at a tenth of that cost.
@@justindavis1546 I don’t know who you are, but I saw your comments on that OTHER video …..
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
🙏🏼😊🙏🏼
Thank you for this: both calling out incompetent "pros," and showing us examples of things done wrong. Would you consider doing some videos, inspired by these critiques, that show people the *right* way to do it? For example, show us the proper way to prevent cables and pipes from rubbing. Maybe an A/B sort of thing: these are examples of ways it should not have been done, and this is the way I would have done it. Or maybe a series of simple solutions to common build errors? Anyway, I only recently discovered your chanel, and I am finding it very enlightening. Thanks again!
Check out Regretlyss' channel. There's a whole series on her build with Chuck's "soap box" commentaries throughout. Lots of great info there.
I'm doing a whole build series on how to build a skoolie the right way. We will cover it all, eventually!
OMG! yes please show us how to do it right. I learned so much from this already. But seeing it done right would be life changing for our rig. And so many others
Very informative video, thank you. Sorry for Stefanie.
However I can't agree on the topic of drawer boxes. There is nothing wrong with the single front boxes. I've done it many times in order to get some extra space inside. You could attach the front either with pocket screw or from the front if you don't mind the visible screw head. However it's definitely more work and it's harder or even impossible to get continuous grain look in some cases. I'm not advocating for those guys and I'm sure there is more than one way to screw up a drawer but if done properly single front even offers some advantages.
Frankly I'm shocked about contrast between their site and their job. So sorry for Stef :(
I’m learning so much from your videos! Keep them coming!! Something I noticed, there are only a couple of windows that are operational from the inside but it still has all the windows on the outside. It’s terrible they didn’t do proper window deletes. If those windows ever have any issues she is going to have to tear through her interior walls to get to the windows. 😢
Great point!
We have the build that Ross just assisted with. We completely agree with all these statements. We we’re tricked as well. 😢
Thanks for this, Chuck. I'm in Australia, so whilst this company is of no interest to me, your run down of everything was extremely valuable.
It would be awesome if someone in Australia was doing what you are doing... but nonetheless, your information is extremely helpful.
Thanks again. 🙏🙏🙏
Glad to help!
Hey Chuck! Could you make a future video elaborating on the custom shower pan/ proper water proofing? 🚿💖
I probably won't but there are a million videos about how to.make a custom shower pan on the internet
Although I do not build Schoolies, I do custom builds of trucks and 4x4s. My biggest problem is conveying to the customer that a quality build takes time. You cannot have a build that is fast and cheap, which is what everybody wants and I turn down a lot of projects 'cuz when it comes to that, you find out the customer does not have any money. Everybody wants the toys but cannot afford it. Now-a-days my biggest issue is sourcing parts and getting them in a timely manner. My latest is a diesel engine conversion. It's been in my shop for 4 months now. Hope to wrap it up in the next couple of weeks. Customizing and fabrication takes a lot of time.
In my oppinion living in Europe and not familiar with how thing work in the US, I think the best way helping people who would want to hire someone would be cerating some sort of Yale type website for skoolie builders to advertise themselves, but also for customers to leave reviews and comments and ratings on it. That way potential customers would be able to search for a reputable builder with good reviews and go to them for a build.
They just showcased a new bus they built on their channel. I wonder what that would look internally.
Im still learning about electrical work but I need a beer or two after looking at that bus bar
And on the plumbing - Pex degrades when exposed to UV so leaving it exposed almost guarantees a leak down the road.
Feel sorry for her situation.😢
It could have been worse.. After watching this video I found a reddit post, a client paid $100k upfront to Epic Skoolies, a year later they had barely started and then claimed bankruptcy only 6 months ago. Now the client is looking into lawyers to at least get their bus back.
"Energy efficient appliances." If they don't work, they don't use energy; thus, they are "energy efficient."
Hahaha
A gas leak is a killer. That's TERRIFYING.
chomping that market share
Ok I dont have a rig of any form nor have I ever built one. However I would think that you would prioritize safety So fire danger would be the number one concern so propane and electrical first. Then water for goodness sake, remember water carved the grand canyon, can destroy anything in a build. I hope they did install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. I am so sorry she was mislead by these people.
I thought about sending you my build when done. But I've been doing construction/maintenance, etc all my life. So was hoping for a better reaction. lol
Hi feel for Stef and it sucks that people would be like that.
WOW! Fire them all.
me planning to build a bus: It will be a mess.
Chuck, are you going to do a video on proper wiring when it comes time for your skoolie? Been enjoying your videos, as they are highly informative.
1000%
I saw a build here yesterday. They put the on demand water heater outside the bus.
Outside.
And he mentioned that he has to take it off when travelling.
Woe. What a bad idea
Chuck, you could make a mint delivering bus building seminars.
Agreed. In the horse riding world, we have clinics, where you pay to spend a weekend having lessons with a high level professional. It'd be really cool to have something like this regionally for builders in various stages of their builds. Pay a fee, bring your bus, talk to Chuck!
Great ideas!
Or why not create a standard system of quality like a vetted code of conduct?? It could create a badge of honor?
@@tomwebster3636 totally
Chuck, Why, why, why would you and Ben stop building buses for people??? Your knowledge, skills and integrity are unmatchable. You are doing the Nomad community a serious injustice. Even if you too are tired of doing the work yourselves, you could hire crews to do the labor but offer the support and supervision that would ensure Nomads are treated fairly and given a safe and reliable product. Many of these buses and vans are people's homes and should be a "safe" place for them to live. I'm just saddened that you both are leaving the business. Yes, you have a right to walk away, but it is a sad day for Nomad's everywhere. You are irreplaceable.
Gosh you make a fella blush! We will be here but it's just too darn expensive to keep doing it like we have been! Appreciate you very much
I think a lot of us feel this way, but please understand that when a fella can't make a living running his business the right way, it's time to find something else. Even if he hired labor, he couldn't pay them a living wage any more than he could pay it to himself. What he can do is help us to do it ourselves, and he does that every week.
Thanks Ryan, you found the words i haven't yet
@@ChuckCassadyYT I honestly find much more value from your tutorial videos than anybody else online for these topics.
Please keep up sharing your valuable knowledge and experiences with us. Through that, you are vastly improving people's lives. Much more than you could ever know.
Thanks!
Welcome!
That bus is just waiting for a accident. 😢 That’s really ridiculous workmanship. 😢. Very sad….
Thanks Chuck, this was really great. I enjoy all of your content.
I hear you say you’re getting out of the game, any chance you’ll be open to virtual/phone consulting in a few months? Maybe take a week long trip to Montana in 6 months to help with solar install?
We just got our bus and are completing the build ourselves. Hoping to find trusted help along the way!
That sounds like a blast and I do offer hourly consultation! Feel free to email me at Info@chromeyellowcorp.com
I watched this last night, today I check out youtube and guess what's suggested for me up top?.. the walkthrough of this from back in April.
No way!!
@@ChuckCassadyYT he was standing at the entrance door by the driver seat and all I could think was, camera down, camera down, I want to see if it's scratching yet..
Hahahahs
it helps having friends or family who are in carpentry or retired from it. please have them stop by and check on it during the process.
lol those are fence post brackets for running 2x4 rails mounting the solar panels.....
This looks like someone went to Menards and bought whatever was in the closest aisle to "make it work" instead of doing it right. Oof
This is why you should not leave.. 😊
And this is another reason why I asked you for a list of builders, especially in the pacific northwest, who you would feel comfortable recomending.
There are none! Sorry
@@ChuckCassadyYT Well in the immortal words of muttley "Snazza frazza rashin' fashin' Rick Rastardly bus building fakers!"
Skeptic Schoolie
My God! The lady who paid for this shoddy work must feel horrible. Poor kid
It is too bad you're getting out of the game, you have gained soo much expert knowledge and exiting at the top of your game! I can relate to burn-out tho. So curious, what makes a Skoolie a better option than just buying an RV with motorized jut--outs and such? I don't think it's price since many are paying over 70k...customized build, community?
Amateur quality can be lethal… morals are completely absent here. I hope Stef can solve this through litigation. If anything, it’ll be a wake up call to Epic Skoolies and they’ll hire professionals to complete their builds to live up to the quality commitment they boast about. This is simply taking advantage of people who don’t know any better.
Agreed!
@@ChuckCassadyYT You should look into being a professional legal consultant for suits brought against bad builders. Your testimony as a pro would be priceless plus you'll be paid.
so on the page where they talk about integrity, the paragraph that would usually describe why we should trust their integrity is just "we're ready to work". and on the systems page whew the typos I figure reflect the amount of care and attention they pay... "what products to use and what a products not to use. We help out clients SHIFT through the BS"... oh yep sounds like they're drag you through it
Can't use this in the winter lol
At $700 a sq. ft. or more this is just tragic. As a general contractor in construction the price of labor and materials used do not justify the price in this build this price point is more like Newmar and Newell motor coach prices true artists. This bus should have soft to the touch wall and ceiling panels with either a leather with a texture or suede to control noise you can not build this basic when someone is giving this kind of money for the build. Wood is fine in a shower as long as you use a wood like teak. A lot more design has to go into builds like these, lighting and interior fabrics, wood species beside just cedar for T&G ceilings most bus conversions are just log cabins on wheels of what I have seen. Come on bus builders think outside the box do something worthy for your clients that justify the price points you are charging. These are peoples homes treat them as such.
Rod Midbon
House to Home Construction LLC.
I went to a car show in Georgia and saw a man there that converted busses. He had 2 busses there for advertising. Lol 1 look from 20 yards away and I could tell he would never get near my bus. His busses looked like something a teenager with no money would put together.
I learn so much listening to you, but I am not touching solar myself!! That much I learned enough to know how much I don’t know! A popular UA-camr, THE Car Wizard is converting a bus, and is reaching out for someone to consult with and I mentioned you! I hope that is ok.
Of course! I love the car wizard!
Hi. From brief pic I think I know this bus. Its Sarge. I saw this rig before and the security is a bit much. 😳. See you soon.😁
What a joke! I’m no mechanic or any trained personnel, I do everything I do, if I love or have any interest in doing it so.
Leaving the cables and hoses dangling around and that bathroom with painted wood and the floor… holes and more…get outta here! They must be hating their job or their life! All that has to be a JOKE. But is real as $70K 😭 🔫🔫🔫
My wife and I met Stefanie at Tiny Fest SD and loved her ever since! And she did not deserve this. It hurts but I know this will be a huge training/education for a lot of people out there. This video will go Viral and she will come back even stronger I believe it 💪🙏
Hello all, we are doing a Skoolie, and I need information on doing the electrical on it. Solar panel, wiring, difference between ac and dc etc. Any suggestions to a book or videos I would greatly appreciate it.
“Your” going to need an editor for “your” website copy!
The underside of that bus looked horrible. I went on their website since they're local to me and the pictures sure looked nice. It pays to look at other skoolie conversions done by a company you're thinking about using before you pull the trigger, if you don't know what you're looking at then hire a professional to inspect their work. For $70k I would be suing because I sure don't see a $70k build there.
So what is going to happen now that all of this has been pointed out