{"id":11462,"date":"2020-07-29T16:06:10","date_gmt":"2020-07-29T04:06:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/?p=11462"},"modified":"2021-07-09T16:13:51","modified_gmt":"2021-07-09T04:13:51","slug":"living-the-dream-geoff-converted-this-86-school-bus-into-a-home-on-wheels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/project-stories\/stories-renovations\/living-the-dream-geoff-converted-this-86-school-bus-into-a-home-on-wheels.html","title":{"rendered":"Living the Dream: Geoff Converted This\u00a0’86 School Bus Into a Home-on-Wheels"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n<\/strong>It’s an unconventional story about home reno, dating and travelling NZ. <\/strong><\/p>\n

On a foggy Christchurch morning, Mary and Geoff are cosily seated in the living room of what once was a Ritchies school bus.<\/p>\n

Geoff gets up to welcome me through the manual folding door and I\u2019m immediately greeted by the warmth from inside.<\/p>\n

The 11 metre vehicle is now home to Geoff, a luxury tour bus driver who has made it his mission to convert the 1986 Hino Blue Ribbon into a house bus fit for travel.<\/p>\n

The border closures have left Geoff without work, but he\u2019s chosen to see the silver lining. From touring with bus loads of people to now just two, Geoff says with time on his side, he is most looking forward to the freedom.<\/p>\n

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\u201cJust the freedom to stop and explore,\u201d Geoff says.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Travelling with him is companion Mary, a retired teacher of 53 years and Vice President of the Christchurch North Community Patrol, who says it will be nice to have some peace and quiet on the road.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd yet I can still run the Patrol from the bus, that\u2019s the funny thing about it,\u201d Mary laughs.<\/p>\n

Before we reveal how Builderscrack fits into this story, let\u2019s rewind.<\/p>\n

How Two Paths Crossed<\/h3>\n

Geoff and Mary met four and a half years ago – but not in the way you\u2019d expect.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe met on the internet,\u201d Geoff says with a smile, anticipating my response.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was looking for somebody… and it was funny, I was speaking to Mary and I said, \u2018I\u2019m a tour driver – would you like some fruit?\u2019 Because we get fruit from the orchards down there in Cromwell.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd she said \u2018Oh yes, I love apricots,\u2019 – so I bought her a box of apricots, plucked up the courage, and went around to her place.\u201d<\/p>\n

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A Home on Wheels<\/h3>\n

The desire to convert a bus into a home all began when Geoff lent a helping hand to a friend who was building two buses from scratch.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I thought, I would like to do one of these myself one day,\u201d Geoff says, \u201cbut I was flat out working then.\u201d<\/p>\n

Geoff later purchased his bus, aptly renamed \u2018My Caboose\u2019, for $9,000 in 2012 and has since invested approximately $45,000.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I got it, it had all the seats – everything,\u201d Geoff says.<\/p>\n

\u201cI yanked them all out – you can see where some of the handrails were,\u201d Geoff points out.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe initial part I did most of it myself, but I was trying to work at the same time. And thought if I don\u2019t get someone to do some of this, I\u2019m never going to get it done.\u201d<\/p>\n

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While Geoff doesn’t have any photos of the original set up with the seats, he does have this progress pic<\/p><\/div>\n

The Problem<\/h3>\n

Over the years, Geoff has steadily improved his home. The most recent value-add is his recycled rimu dining table, custom made to house his motorised, retractable flat screen TV unit.<\/p>\n

But with the opportunity of extended travel on the horizon, the finishing touches had to be – well, finished.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt didn\u2019t have any [carpet], it was right down to the blue, plastic floor,\u201d Geoff says, as he shows me the old, non-slip surface.<\/p>\n

Described as being cold, dirty and greasy, Mary explains the flooring had to be the last job completed.<\/p>\n

\u201cOtherwise the carpet would have ended up a mess before we got anywhere,\u201d Mary says.<\/p>\n

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The Solution<\/h3>\n

Mary – dubbed the tech-savvy one by Geoff – sourced the materials and the tradie for the job.<\/p>\n

For the entrance and bedroom Mary was able to bag a bargain for high quality, end-of-line carpet; and for the kitchen, vinyl plank flooring.<\/p>\n

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The Tradie<\/h3>\n

Finding a good tradie for the job had been tricky for Geoff and Mary.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost of them run for cover when you say it\u2019s a house bus,\u201d Mary laughs.With her iPad on hand, Mary typed \u2018carpet layers\u2019 into Google and came across what would later be the solution to their flooring needs.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d never heard of Builderscrack – it seemed a funny name to me,\u201d Mary says with a bashful grin.<\/p>\n

Both Geoff and Mary share how surprised they were when a Builderscrack tradesmen showed interest in their job. Danny of ADE Construct Limited replied within the hour to their job post, organised a site visit shortly after, and sent a quote in the next day.<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes you try to get in touch and you don\u2019t hear back\u2026 but he was right on the ball,\u201d Geoff says.<\/p>\n

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Danny of ADE Construct Limited<\/p><\/div>\n

The Job<\/h3>\n

The carpet and flooring was completed in two days, with Danny mentioning how grateful he was for jobs inside like this one when the weather was wet and cold.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThis job is a tricky one – a small space with lots of cuttings,\u201d Danny says.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Mary is quick to mention that Danny was very good at problem solving as it was a difficult job.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere wasn\u2019t enough clearance under the toilet door, so he took it off and cut it down,\u201d Mary explains.<\/p>\n

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The Result<\/h3>\n

Both Geoff and Mary highly rate their flooring result.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe did an excellent job, especially when you look at the bedroom, that\u2019s perfect,\u201d Mary says, looking toward the plush carpet.<\/p>\n

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Freshly laid flooring (next step: cleaning excess glue)<\/p><\/div>\n

As Geoff makes tea and coffee for us in the kitchen, he ponders the question of whether he would do anything differently with his house bus.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf anybody else were to have a go…\u201d he begins.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt took a long time coming up with this design and I just about went into every house bus I saw. And I could see faults with it – one guy had a small table coming out that far,\u201d Geoff measures with his arms out wide.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I said no, that\u2019s no good\u2026 So by looking around, and picking my friend\u2019s brain of course, I came up with this design. And I still love this design – I have no regrets like everybody else did,\u201d Geoff beams.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we\u2019re quite happy with things, aren\u2019t we?\u201d Mary adds.<\/p>\n

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Before and After<\/p><\/div>\n

House Bus Features<\/h3>\n