Small Homes
Out of context: Reply #3
- Started
- Last post
- 10 Responses
- hardhat13
I've been tinkering on a pretty tiny off-grid thing over the past couple of years -- https://www.instagram.com/nikriv… so might have a few words of wisdom
I built mine entirely myself, and its very modest (14'x24'), and done on the cheap, and will probably be about $25k all up in the end, but a lot of sweat equity in it
electricity is expensive to get in if not already there ($1000 a pole?), likewise for internet/phone. i gave up idea of grid power over solar / generator, and internet is satellite (capped, so limiting if you're there full time and *need* it to be full speed all the time). i tapped a spring and so far so good, but was lucky to have water on the land. drilling a well can get pricy if you're unlucky.
if i was going to live full time, or do another to build and sell, i'd probably buy a piece of land with a teardown on it and recycle all the systems in place (septic, electric, phone, water). saves so much hassle, and planning permission would be so much easier
my experience with an A-Frame is they arent the best use of space (internally). you can't just put a bookshelf up, push a chest of drawers against the wall etc. but that's just my (limited) experience with them.
take your time looking at land. i spent a good season looking for mine -- there's a big difference between the shit you'll see, the acceptable stuff that would work, and that amazing parcel you've been searching for.
i might not be of much help, but ping me if you have any questions
- the IG feed is a little old, but ive just been adding a "bathroom" to the main structure too. so indoor toilet (composting), and hot shower etc)hardhat
- ... and now has a wraparound deckhardhat
- very cool, nice work!prophetone
- Cool. I'm working on scouting land for a fullerene cabin with a metal frame. No wood or plastic.cannonball1978
- Wow your place looks amazing!
What websites/forums do you use for tips, advice etc. Reddit subs?Leigh - @Leigh -- i actually just google (& youtube) for pretty much everything. I got a bunch of books i glance read in the beginning, but no real "bible" as suchhardhat
- thankscanoe
- ^ What everyone has said and just wow!Maaku
- oh nice! would not be the groundwork be more stable with stones/beton column? wood last forever if it does not get in touch with snow/water.api
- @api — the foundations are 4’ concrete posts poured into the ground (to prevent frost-heave) and then 6x6” pressure treated lumber.hardhat
- Floor framing is also pressure treated, and all sits a few feet off ground. I’d imagine it will last a lifetime at least. After that, I’m not fussedhardhat
- a human lifetime is over very fast relating to a home. don't let snow/water too close to wood for a permanent time. you did well!api