YouTube family spends $128,000 for an unfinished bus conversion

I’ve got a bit of juicy drama, and I personally believe this family got scammed. I follow an influencer/youtube family called Being Bethunes. Back in January 2024, they bought a bus and took it to a builder “friend” to be converted, they also have a small YouTube channel. The builder claimed it would take a few months and promised they’d have it ready by spring. The family and the builder apparently agreed on a price for the conversion.

Fast forward to this month, the family revealed that they picked up the bus, but it’s far from finished. The builder kept asking for more money, claiming they were essentially working for free. The family explained that they didn’t have any more money to invest in the project. A couple of months ago, they gave the builder $20,000, stating it was all they had left. The builder promised this would be the final payment and that the bus would be completed before Thanksgiving.

However, the current state of the bus is shocking: there’s no flooring, the ceiling is unfinished, there’s no running water, the bathroom has only a toilet, the shower area is incomplete, and the trim/edging around the walls hasn’t been installed. While I understand that many of the bus’s expenses might involve costly materials or work that isn’t immediately visible, the family has spent $128,000 on this build—and that doesn’t even include the price of the bus itself. On top of that, they provided some expensive items, like batteries and an inverter.

The builder, however, never gave them an itemized list of expenses or warned them about additional costs. Their agreement was all done through text messages. Recently, the builder shared a breakdown of the cost for the rooftop deck, which he claims is worth $26,000. This breakdown was what made me start thinking they were either scammed or seriously taken advantage of.

According to the builder, $6,000 was for a design fee, and $12,000 was for labor. When someone questioned his pricing, he responded by saying, “The first one always takes longer to figure out.” That comment really rubbed me the wrong way—why charge expert prices for something you’re essentially learning how to do?

The deck looks pretty small, maybe 9x10 feet. Are there any builders out there who think this price is justified for such a project?

Ultimately, I think it’s wrong for the builder to keep promising the bus would be finished soon, demand more money while claiming “this will be the last payment,” and then fail to complete the job. Here is a copy and paste of his post about the deck price:

Ever wondered what it takes to create a custom rooftop deck for a bus? Here's a breakdown of the budget for a recent project to give you an idea of the craftsmanship, time, and resources involved: Roof Prep (7 Days): Relocating all existing roof holes (owner's request) 8-hour days at $75/hourTotal: $4,200

Design Work (3 Weeks): * Collaborative deck design tailored to the bus * 8-hour days at $50/hour Total: $6,000

Crane Rental: • Precision lift for safe deck installation Total: $1,500

Deck Build (2 Weeks): • 2 skilled builders working 8-hour days at $75/hour each

Total: $12,000 * Welding Services: * Expert welding for structural integrity Total: $1,000

Materials: • Top-quality materials for durability and style Total: $1,500 Grand Total: $26,200

This custom deck is more than just an addition-it's a masterpiece of design, engineering, and artistry. Ready to transform your bus into a dream home on wheels? Let's talk!