Complete Skoolie Shopping List (2026)

This is your one-stop shopping list for a skoolie build, organized by build phase. Use it as a checklist to plan your budget, avoid missing critical parts, and make sure you have the right tools before you start cutting. Most successful conversions follow a similar sequence: demo and structural repair, framing, rough electrical and plumbing, insulation, flooring, HVAC, kitchen, bathroom, and finish work. This list mirrors that order so you can buy what you need now, what you need next, and what can wait.

How to use this shopping list

• Skim the full list, then focus on your current phase.
• Mark items as “have,” “need,” or “later.”
• Use the categories to build your own budget sheet.
• Later, you’ll be able to select products and load them into the planner for itemized budgeting.

Phases covered:

1. Tools and safety
2. Demo and prep
3. Exterior and body work
4. Insulation and framing
5. Electrical
6. Plumbing
7. HVAC and ventilation
8. Kitchen
9. Bathroom
10. Interior finish
11. Living and comfort items
12. Safety and maintenance

Tools and safety

Demo and framing

• Angle grinder and cut-off wheels
• Reciprocating saw
• Circular saw
• Hammer drill or impact driver
• Drill/driver
• Sledge or small sledge
• Pry bars and hammers

Layout and measuring

• Tape measure (25–35 ft)
• Speed square / framing square
• Chalk line
• Level
• Marking tools (markers, pencils)

Electrical and plumbing

• Wire strippers and crimpers
• Multimeter
• PEX cutter
• Adjustable wrenches
• Pipe wrenches

Finishing

• Orbital sander
• Jigsaw
• Clamps
• Utility knives

Safety

• Safety glasses
• Hearing protection
• Dust masks / respirator
• Work gloves
• First-aid kit
• Fire extinguisher
• Reflective triangles / road safety kit

This is the first “buy now” block for almost every build.

Demo and prep

Before any new build, you must remove the old interior and address rust and leaks.

• Seat removal tools
• Floor removal tools
• Wall and ceiling removal tools
• Pressure washer or hose
• Rust treatment and converter
• Metal patches or sheet metal
• Body filler and primer
• Roof sealant and lap sealant
• Drop cloths and debris bags

Community build sequences consistently start with gutting, rust repair, and leak repair before any framing or systems.

Exterior and body work

A dry, sealed bus is more important than a pretty interior.

• Rust treatment and converter
• Sheet metal or patch panels
• Rivets or fasteners
• Body filler
• Primer and paint
• Seam sealer
• Roof sealant
• Window sealant and replacement gaskets
• Roof hatch or vent framing
• Ladder or roof access hardware
• RV-style replacement windows or window delete panels

This is where many builders invest early to avoid expensive water damage later.

Insulation and framing

Once the shell is solid, the next major purchase category is insulation and framing.

• Foam board insulation
• Spray foam or alternative insulation
• Mineral wool or other insulation types
• Furring strips
• Framing lumber
• Fasteners (screws, nails, bolts)
• Construction adhesive
• Vapor management materials
• Shims and blocking for cabinets and hardware

Insulation and framing choices affect comfort, condensation, sound, and how easy the rest of the build will be.

Electrical

Electrical is one of the biggest budgeting categories in a skoolie build. Most off-grid builds use solar, a battery bank, inverter or inverter/charger, monitoring, wiring, and protection devices.

• Solar panels
• Battery bank (LiFePO₄ or other)
• Inverter or inverter/charger
• MPPT charge controller
• Battery monitor and shunt
• Bus bars
• Fuse blocks and breakers
• Disconnect switches
• Wire (various gauges)
• Lugs and connectors
• Heat shrink and electrical tape
• Cable management (conduit, loom, clips)
• Shore power inlet
• Alternator charging equipment (DC-DC charger, isolator)

This section should later connect directly to product pages and a solar/battery sizing calculator.

Plumbing

Plumbing varies a lot by build, but the same core materials show up in most skoolies.

• Fresh water tank
• Grey tank or waste solution
• Water pump
• PEX tubing
• PEX fittings and valves
• Hose clamps
• Water filter(s)
• Faucet
• Sink
• Shower pan
• Shower valve and head
• Water heater (propane or electric)
• Drain fittings and venting materials

This is where you decide between simple dry camping systems and more complex full-bathroom builds.

HVAC and ventilation

Heating, cooling, and airflow should be planned early because they affect insulation, wiring, roof layout, and comfort.

• Diesel heater (air or hydronic)
• Roof vent fans
• Vent trim and sealant
• Thermostat or controller
• AC unit or mini-split (optional)
• Ducting and registers
• Intake and exhaust materials
• Insulation for HVAC runs

Vent fans and heaters are among the most important comfort purchases in a skoolie.

Kitchen

Kitchen purchasing depends on power, storage, and space.

• Fridge (12V, 120V, or propane)
• Cooktop or stove
• Sink and faucet
• Countertop material
• Cabinet hardware
• Spice storage solutions
• Dish drying area
• Ventilation (fan or hood)
• Trash and recycling bins

This is a high-value affiliate section because fridge and cooktop choices are expensive and highly comparative.

Bathroom

Bathroom choices affect water, waste, layout, and privacy.

• Composting toilet
• Cassette toilet
• RV toilet
• Shower pan
• Shower wall material
• Waterproofing
• Sink and vanity
• Toilet accessories
• Vent fan
• Waste solution parts

This section should support a future bathroom comparison guide and product picker.

Interior finish

Interior finishes turn a bus shell into a livable space.

• Flooring and underlayment
• Wall panels
• Ceiling panels
• Trim
• Lighting (12V and/or 120V)
• Switches and outlets
• Cabinet hardware
• Screws and finish fasteners
• Paint and stain
• Curtain hardware

Separate “essential” finish items from decorative upgrades when budgeting.

Living and comfort essentials

Skoolie life is not just build materials. Builders consistently add comfort items for daily living.

• Mattress
• Bedding and pillows
• Dehumidifier
• Fans
• Water bottles and jugs
• Storage bins and organizers
• Cleaning supplies
• Power strips and surge protectors
• Charging gear
• Portable lighting
• Outdoor shade or awning

These are perfect for “essentials” affiliate blocks because almost every full-time bus uses them.

Buy now, buy next, buy later

To avoid overspending in the wrong phase, break items into three tiers:

• Buy now:
• Tools, safety gear, measuring gear, planning materials.

• Buy next:
• Structural materials, electrical core parts, plumbing core parts, HVAC core parts.

• Buy later:
• Decor, luxury appliances, optional comfort upgrades.

This makes the page budgeting-friendly and easier to connect to a planner workflow.

Add items to your budget planner

Every product on this page should eventually be selectable and loadable into a planning and budgeting tool. That means each item needs a stable name, category, estimated price, quantity, and build phase tag.

Suggested fields:

• Item name
• Category
• Phase
• Budget tier
• Quantity
• Price
• Affiliate link
• Planner SKU
• Notes

This will let users build a custom bus budget without losing the context of where each item belongs in the conversion process.