What is a bus conversion actually worth?

[busnut104]

I had around 135000.00 in mine and many hundreds of hours. I replaced everthing, new 8v-92 rebuilt the Allison. new peninsula windows, on and on you get the picture, sold it and was lucky to get 40,000 and it took two years to get that, this was a very nice coach, it was right when fuel took the big jump. I had fun with the build, but far as a investment the worst I ever made. A very expensive education. I really think twice before I start another project.

[Dave5Cs]

Had one dug through the Search fetcher here on BCM or BNO you would have found most telling people that if they are just getting into Bus Conversions that they should have fun and don't ever expect it to be an investment or ever getting much of their money back. I remember a lot telling me that back in 2009 and I adhered to that and continue to tell people that today. Sorry for your loose but its all here in Black and White, Just need to ask before you buy. Good luck in the future...
Dave5Cs

[dtcerrato]

All us bus nuts (in my opinion but think a lot would agree) that we are a unique bunch of characters that are doing what we want, not what we have to. It would be ludicrous to continue to pour money into something without a return - WHAT? Isn't that what a bus is? I think so but wow does it ever feel good to work on them. For some - mechanic-ing, for some carpentry, for others electrical or plumbing or polishing or shining or all of the above. And when we get out on the road, we feel it more and know it more and like it more because that's the return portion of our investment. The enjoyment it gives back to us, maybe for a lot or maybe for a few but diffenetley for me (us)...

[DoubleEagle]

I spend as little money on my buses as I have to, I use recycled parts where possible, and I do everything I possibly can myself to keep the cost down. I realize some people have to pay big bucks to have someone else convert, but as has been said, it is not a wise investment in terms of what you get for it when it comes time to sell it. What is very worthwhile, is the pride and enjoyment you get out of it when everything is functioning well, and the security of not being in a stick & staple RV. Of course, the horror stories of super expensive breakdowns puts a damper on that enjoyment, but that applies to RV's as well. The wonderful sound of a Detroit Diesel is music to my ears, and means more to me than the sounds of a Mack, Cummins, Series 60, International, or Caterpillar (although my second love is the sound of a Cat 3406 in a Mack). So what is a conversion worth? It's whatever a fellow bus enthusiast (in their right mind) is willing to pay for it in light of current supply and demand. Nowadays, it's a weak percentage of what it cost to build.

[dbldragon]

  What a bus is worth is just like anything else , what a buyer the day you want to sell is willing to spend. Some build buses because they want to and dream about doing so and others, like myself and the wife because we could not find what we wanted in a rv. We looked at trailers 5th wheels and factory a classes.
The cost was not a major factor but we did have a budget ballpark and stayed close to it .Resale value did not enter into any part of the build for us.When the time comes that we want or have to sell it then market sets the value nothing else.

  Chuck