Hello everyone,
I've been reading lots of posts on here and had no idea how many other people had lost their minds and deceided to build a cabin in the woods. It's been great seeing all the different landscapes and ideas I though I'd share mine also.My wife and I where lucky enough to find 1.6 acres of lakefront( She insisted or no go) close to Superior/Duluth.The land was owned by the grandson of the man who origially had divided the lots years ago I believe it was the only raw piece left. We are surrounded by some of the best parks this area has to offer,Did I say very lucky. We started about 2 years ago now and are going to hopefully get a cabin up this summer ,we have 3 small kids are not rich and live 3 hours away In the twin cities and I am mainly doing this alone. I hope to retire here so I have a little over 20 years to finish it so bare with me, but I am getting tired of sleeping in the suburban,cooking on the trailer having the neighbors dog steal my cooking stuff etc. I have somewhat cleared the land started a boardwalk to the lake had a soil test done found the property stakes and had some midpointstakes installed recieved the zoning permits and am now waiting the building and electric permits. I usually go for a week at a time once a month during the summer and fall so posts may be further apart than some peoples.I am not a computer wizard but will try to figure the picture thing out.I dont really have any plans worth putting up I basically gave the permit guy some hand drawn stuff and he said at least it wasnt on a napkin and he did'nt think I could put a flux capacitor in my footing.It will be what I would call a modified pier and beam foundation.(http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/shared_files/uploaded/3604/52727_1_o.jpg)(http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/shared_files/uploaded/3604/52727_2_o.jpg)(http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/shared_files/uploaded/3604/52727_3_o.jpg)(http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/shared_files/uploaded/3604/52727_4_o.jpg)
We bought th property late in the year and where able to get some trees cut just enough to put a tent up off the road,still had to park on the road
Going to be a nice build to follow. Tx for sharing.
We pulled stumps for 4 days with bobcat-zilla and got somewhat of a driveway
Now I wanted to get to the lake,This is not going to be easy the first picture is my neighbors boardwalk,so I knew what I didn't want and the following is what we have to get through(http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/shared_files/uploaded/3604/52729_1_o.jpg)(http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/shared_files/uploaded/3604/52729_2_o.jpg)(http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/shared_files/uploaded/3604/52729_3_o.jpg)
Its a start to the long journey to get the boardwalk in
And the first section is in,Its basically a deck ,it can only be 4' wide I used 2x8x10' stringers resting on pre-cast footings I made (each weighs about 300 lbs.) We remove the topsoil which is acidic as concrete and literally burns the skin off your hands,then dig until you hit sand (usually around 1 foot ) backfill with class 5 and then do it again and again and again until you have about 240' worth
Here's where we are as of last year about 60' left to finish and a 30' intersection at the beach area http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7TDzA4OP-Y
Without the flux capacitor how will time travel be possible? Looks like you're off to a good start.
Thats what I was telling him,LOL!
Talked myself out of the pier and beam foundation and will be doing a full block basement . Just got all the permits so we are ready to go.Hope to start digging early june it has been fairly wet there in the past years so we'll see.Also was able to find a block supplier that will deliver 12" block for 1.90 each. We took advantage of menards 11% deal and ordered a good portion of the materials ,I gotta say Im not a huge fan of storing all that stuff but the rebate pays for about half of the roof trusses.
The hole is dug and the footings are in, the picture is deceiving but they are 7 feet down. Dug the hole with an old bobcat that fought me the whole time.(http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/shared_files/uploaded/3604/52733_1_o.jpg)(http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/shared_files/uploaded/3604/52733_2_o.jpg)(http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/shared_files/uploaded/3604/52733_3_o.jpg)
Poured the footings the next weekend using a conveyor truck, 7.25 yards in about 30 minutes with no effort ,they are nice. Started laying block later that day. The driver was the only professional used in the build.(http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/shared_files/uploaded/3604/52734_1_o.jpg)(http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/shared_files/uploaded/3604/52734_2_o.jpg)(http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/shared_files/uploaded/3604/52734_3_o.jpg)
Had some help the first day then I was on my own and I am not a mason and these are 12 in. blocks so the progress is slow but here is where I am at so far. In order days one,two and three. I am taking a little break now for birthdays and pool openings but will be going up for 5 days in acouple of weeks to hopefully get close to finishing the block work.
Quote from: pmichelsen on March 29, 2013, 11:17:45 AM
Without the flux capacitor how will time travel be possible? Looks like you're off to a good start.
What the inspector does not see, he does not see. I usually sneak the flux capacitor in during a blizzard and install it in the crawl space and attach to the footing with ought or double ought wire cable double shielded after it has been inspected.
I use to drive a mixer truck in this life - but 35 years ago but never claimed to be a professional. ;D
Glad your off and running. Looks like a great place to retire to in a few short years...... ;)
Looks like you're really moving along with that block work! Did you find that you got faster as you move along? How are you mixing your mortar?
mwhutch- I mix the mortar in a cement mixer I mix 2 80# bags at a time and keep it covered in a wheel barrel and scoop a board full at a time as I use it, I may use 2 boards at a time depending on temperature. It is slow work, the first course and the corners especially .I think I was doing 80-90 blocks a day by myself 13 hour days with very little breaks, a friend of mine told me a good mason with a tender does around 200 so whatever that means.We could only fit so many inside the footings when they where delivered so the rest are at the end of the driveway now, so I suspect the next half will go slower. I'm happy if I'm making forward progress and staying healthy. But I will be happy when the foundation is done, Its been alot of work.
Well some more progress on the slowest foundation ever. Spent an entire day moving 7 pallets of block into the hole and 30 bags of motar the heat index was 107 that was a horrible day.The next day was a little better and putting the tarp up helped until I got in my truck and the ignition lock cylinder broke and I could'nt shut it off. So at 10 pm with the light of a lantern and small flashlight I had to take the column apart to remove the lock cylinder,nice!But I was able to get 3 walls 9 courses and 1 wall 7 high and almost all the vertical rebar is in hopefully 2 more weekends to finish. (http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/shared_files/uploaded/3604/53087_2_o.jpg)(http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/shared_files/uploaded/3604/54103_3_o.jpg)(http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/shared_files/uploaded/3604/54103_4_o.jpg)
WOW!! Your block work looked great. [cool] [cool]
No it is not much fun when the temp creep up there.......
Thanks Rick, It's defenitly honest work and the expirence has given me a greater respect for all the full time block/brick layers out there.
Well another weekend of laying block this time it rained all day saturday and was in the 40's on sunday really slowed the mortar down. Sleepin in the truck was alot nicer though got to watch a little We where soilders. but all the corners are done so what you see is the top of the mountain, hope to wrap it up this coming weekend ,suckered one of my friends to come help a little.
last block finally went in 8/3/2013 @ 7:30 pm i had a helper cutting blocks and hauling water which was a huge help there's no way I would of finished that soon otherwise.we also got a good start on filling the cores I am filling the corners and the cores with rebar with concrete the rest is getting sand then the bond beam is also concrete othewise the calculator said 11 yards of concrete to fill it solid I already think filling the cores every 32" is overkill. We also got the exterior footing stripped hope to finish the filling and get the waterproofing done this weekend so I can get this thing backfilled and start getting some of this sand out of my way.(http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/shared_files/uploaded/3604/54708_1_o.jpg)(http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/shared_files/uploaded/3604/54708_2_o.jpg)
Great looking foundation !
It was hot as heck in Southwest WI too, but the last 2 weeks have been very nice 50/60's at night 70 80's in the day
the ticks and gnats seem to have disappeared too
yes weather has been very nice lately and bugs are way down got the last of the concrete work done this weekend I figured it was about 4.5 yards either way it was alot of work I'm glad it's done and I'm glad I did it the way I did I have no regrets by no means am I saying I'm a great blocklayer now but holy cow am I greatly Improved from where i was when i started this project all ready to start the deck and the waterproofing weather permitting Im looking forward to having the skin return to my hands and finger tips.
From here it appears great!
Foundation waterproofed and passed inspection (http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/shared_files/uploaded/3604/55591_1_o.jpg)(http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/shared_files/uploaded/3604/55591_2_o.jpg)
next got the place cleaned up and backfilled the foundation I did this without pouring the floor first I had no issues other than the bobcat almost falling in the hole pretty much scared the crap out of me but in the end just another lesson learned (http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/shared_files/uploaded/3604/55592_1_o.jpg)(http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/shared_files/uploaded/3604/55592_2_o.jpg)(http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/shared_files/uploaded/3604/55592_3_o.jpg)(http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/shared_files/uploaded/3604/55592_4_o.jpg)
Started framing
Just had some major storms up there 50 mph winds lots of trees down so hopefully everything is ok talked to the power company today all set to go there I'm installing the meter socket and panel this weekend and as soon as they get the stamp they say maybe 2 weeks till power I cant wait the generator I have is a real piece of something still no trusses yet I'm happy with the progress so far and really liking how its coming together was lucky to have my dad and brother come up and help this week nice to not have to do every little thing yourself
Quote from: Patrick on August 27, 2013, 08:17:29 PM
next got the place cleaned up and backfilled the foundation I did this without pouring the floor first I had no issues other than the bobcat almost falling in the hole pretty much scared the crap out of me but in the end just another lesson learned
You are not alone.
I learned that lesson the hard way.
(http://captainofcalamity.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/012.316124624.JPG)
That stinks that happened, its so much work to get to that point and then one little mistake and its all undone.Hopefully you where not hurt that is always my concern working alone fairly far away from help.those machines can really throw you around like a rag doll. A guy I worked with was killed this summer pulling a stump and his tractors front end came up and fell on him, a real tragedy trying to live his dream and then lights out.
Went up last weekend and installed the meter socket and panel, Inspection passed and poco has been out and planning the run he called and was unsure where the property lines are. I have one of those solid steel fence posts painted bright yellow about 4 feet tall next to the steel pin with a red flag and his flag was about 1 foot away and he did not see this. My confidance of this going well is fading fast. I will be faxing him a map a child could understand on monday.(https://i.imgur.com/YRMYEY2.jpg)
Went up yesterday and brought the last load of plywood hopefully, roof trusses to be delivered on friday .Started the roof on one of the canted sections the generator/compressor are not working well together the generator does not produce enough power to start the compressor when there is air in the tank, so I had to fill the tank shoot as many nails as possible drain the tank start the compressor fill the tank and repeat.Power cannot come soon enough.I still need to finish overhangs and I quickly just put some 15# on for some waterproofing I did not have any ice barrier with me.But I'm happy just getting it more weatherproof.(https://i.imgur.com/w72QCEF.jpg)
We are on the grid and I could'nt be happier about it. Wired in a couple outlets the compressor is working ok but the generator defenitely did damage it. I just really cant stand listening to generators.The trusses arrived and I brought up about half of the roofing materials my brother and I are going up for a week this week to hopefully get that done that will be nice when the roofs on.I did manage to get the second roof on the other canted area this one went faster and I think it turned out nicer. its quite possible this side of the house was straighter.
I'd love to see a floor plan for your place if you have anything you can post easily. Looking great, enjoying your progress.
No floor plans or set dimensions for anything inside there will be a kitchen and bath on the main floor and a spot for washer/dryer and 2 bedrooms and maybe 1/2 bath on 2nd floor not sure if anything will be in the basement I want to get a feel for how the place flows before any walls go up I did frame the main level bath and will need to change that already this place is designed to be added on to there will be another 18x28 single story that will be built off of the corner of this place that will have the family room and walk-out basement.as my family grows so will this place.
Another 5 day marathon and its mostly closed in main roof is complete and some windows are in door is in and just did a bunch of clean-up.(https://i.imgur.com/2SR37rd.jpg)
I am assumption ng this isn't your first rodeo building is it? Looks great and progress is good. I miss WI, it will always be home. I lived north of monroe before I moved to tx but was raised in west allis
Btw my wife worked for a land zoning lawyer in madison for many years. Know what eco nazis the wi dnr is I don't envy you for dealing with them on lakefront property
I also love the area the first time I saw Lake Superior I said this is where i want to live It never gets old. I have'nt had any run-ins with the dnr yet but they made my neighbor put out his fire because it was 5 minutes to 6 ( Burn times there is 6-12pm and you need a permit and you have to call to make sure its ok ) they also fined his brother 250 for fishing with no license. So I hope if I follow their many many rules I'll be ok but you never know with the man!
Got up this weekend terrible weather had everything rain,sleet,snow ,winter is coming already got one window box done ready for the window next weekend.Got a start on a 10x8 deck put up a wall to enclose the stairs and installed a baseboard heater put in some rafter blocking and started some insulation got a lock on the door and slept in the place for the first time that was pretty cool was a little cold but not bad there was ice in my water barrel so it was clearly pretty cold out I have another baseboard heater but I didnt have time so Im hoping with some more insulation and the other heater it should be pretty comfortable.
Everything looks great. What is the pitch of your roof? 6/12?
Yes its 6/12
thanks. I had it in my mind that 6/12 would be too low of a pitch for a two story but your house changed my mind. From looking at the trusses on the ground, it looked like 6/12 but it looked good up on top. Glad I saw this.
thanks again,
Austin
Got a bit more done this weekend one window is finally done the deck is usable and it is so much easier to get things in and out now got some more insulation in and installed another baseboard heater which kept it pretty warm with the upstairs blocked off the door is on going to the basement brought up a microwave and toaster oven and set up a king size bed which was pretty awesome compared to the back of the suburban.also moved the bathroom wall out about 1 foot. This weekend hoping to get the other upstairs window in and finish the lower level insulation and get the blocking in upstairs and plug the holes for winter
Finished the other second story window they dont look like much but it takes me a pretty much a day start to finish to complete but the only holes left now are the eves on the second floor finished the first band of cedar so I get mount an outdoor outlet for my brothers camper. having my wife and my to oldest sons up for the first time this weekend.the main floor has a layer of foam now so its fairly comfortable if I block off the second floor.I also got the new windows for the bathroom but I'll put those in the spring . (https://i.imgur.com/FZqmDRa.jpg)
Brought the wife and two oldest boys up for the first time and did some exploring at Amnicon falls state park this is the same river that flows through our lake just further down stream closer to lake Superior where it exits everyone had a great time and they cant wait to go back. not much work was done but I did add a couple more outlets and put in a rv outlet for my brothers camper.Winter is coming the lake was totally frozen over on friday then opened back up the rest of the weekend did snow a little but nothing stayed yet.Going back in a couple weeks to return the block pallets(15$ each) and start hoarding some block for the spring project
Winders are tough to build. A few of the stipulations are that they cannot be narrower than 6" at the narrowest point of the tread and must be 10" or more wide at the 12" walkline. The winding treads at the 12" walkline must also be within 3/8" of one another in width. It can take me several tries drawing to get all that to come together.
That is a nice area, we built 2 log houses and a log sauna outside of Solon Springs, there's a Superior agate hanging in our bedroom window :)
Wisconsin still allows winders to come to a point and they only need to be a minimum of 7" at the 12" walkpoint and I double checked this with my inspector and saved the e-mail .I am aware many states require a 6" minimum which I believe they took from commercial building codes which makes using winders pointless. Copied from Wisconsin code" `Winder treads in series.' Two or more winder treads may be placed immediately adjacent to each other anywhere in a stairway provided both of the following conditions are met:
SPS 321.04(2)(c)3.a. a. The winder treads shall have a minimum tread depth of 7 inches measured at a point 12 inches from the narrow end of the tread.
SPS 321.04(2)(c)3.b. b. The depth of the immediately adjoining winder treads shall be equal at a point 12 inches from the narrow end of the tread or inside face of spindles or balusters.
SPS 321.04(2)(c)3.c. c. Winder treads may not be used on a straight stairway.
SPS 321.04(2)(c)4. 4. `Individual winder treads.'
SPS 321.04(2)(c)4.a.a. An individual winder tread may be placed between rectangular treads or at the end of a flight of rectangular treads provided the tread depth, measured at a point 12 inches from the narrow end, is equal to the tread depth of the rectangular steps in the flight.
SPS 321.04(2)(c)4.b. b. There may be more than one individual winder tread in a stairway or in a flight of stairs.
SPS 321.04(2)(c)4.c. c. Winder treads may not be used on a straight stairway.
Excellent work on checking first and on saving the email for the future. I didn't consider it egregious just a code heads up to other builders in the planning stages. Not too long ago I had to redraw and fit in a set that had been drawn to a point, the designer had not been aware of the min width in the model, and in our state, code. Many, if not most of us are bound by this set of stair codes;
http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/irc/2012/icod_irc_2012_3_sec011.htm?bu2=undefined
It doesn't make a winder pointless (or... I guess it does :D), it sure makes them more difficult to figure out and they do require more room. On the plus side they are less likely to cause a twisted ankle for someone who is not paying attention.
I think this just emphasizes the fact that people need to inform themselves to their individual state/local codes and understand the IRC is a guide and not the bible.
The well driller said he is done,said he hit bedrock at 87' and drilled another 40 to get 10 gallons a minute. Hopefully that will be a good well for a long time. So I will be going up this weekend to start digging for the addition.In the meantime I have collecting some cedar bevel siding and cedar trim boards and getting those stained. That is a slow process I can see why people buy siding with the paint on.
The well is in 142' deep and water is sitting at 14' tested good no bacteria. got the hole mostly dug out but my ramp failed before I was able to get all the dirt out I wanted to so I had to hand dig quite a bit and that slowed things down.I was trying to finish and had to dig back another 2 feet so I tried to cut in from the top and the whole thing caved I was pretty tired at that point and still had to drive 3 hours home so next weekend I hope to finish.But I'm pretty happy with the progress had perfect weather mid 70's during the day and high 50's at night, but I have discovered a fisher spider situation in the basement must have been a dozen of them on the walls.They really seem to like the block walls.
Well I got the footings done,I had an additional cave in on the house side so between the two it was a relaxing 6 hour dig out. But concrete is ordered for Thursday so hopefully no more land slides,there was a pretty heavy rain and everything has held so far.(https://i.imgur.com/BWRrE0T.jpg)
Concrete is poured ,forms are stripped ,water line to well is run and the block is started.I stepped up to a rotary laser level this year to help set the corners and turns out I should of used one last year as well. Still learning, always learning I must say doing all this solo is pretty tuff, It's amazing how much additional time is spent on the little tasks.(https://i.imgur.com/RQYVOxG.jpg)
Strange where those visitors show up from time to time. Must have been a building inspector in training! BTW the footing [cool]
Welded the pitless in and installed the pump and we now have water no tank yet but the water comes out of the hose with alot of pressure.tastes great should be a good well.It was a bit scary laying down to weld the bottom side knowing if it caves thats it. Also got almost half the block work finished really starting to look like something. (https://i.imgur.com/YKwtbiG.jpg)
Almost dun,duhn,done, I have almost succeeded in eliminating any signs of those annoying fingerprints on my hands.My wife asked if had named any of the blocks like they where my baby and I responded with yes,I named them all son of a b##ch!
Looks sharp. Yes, you have got a bunch done for sure.
I sure am glad, we don't have to dig down like that here in TX! I'm also glad I don't have to worry about snow. I will be building all through winter (while the weather is NICE!).
Austin
The snow does get old but the change is nice,and no bugs is also nice and I've been in the frozen north so long now anything above 50 degrees and I start to sweat. I'd probobly melt like a snowman living in the south. :D
Worked on the window well and poured concrete for the window sill so hopefully get that window in this weekend.Also continued on the roof almost finished the one side the weather was cold there was some snow on the way up . (https://i.imgur.com/vPTl9Y1.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/zNZzTnF.jpg)
Love the great attitude on such a hard project.. [cool]
Nice project!
Hard to tell from the picture, hopefully you put some slope on the concrete window sill to prevent water coming in.
No slope yet, the plan is to add slope with mortar after the window is installed,The concete was mainly done to bring the opening to the corect size I did'nt want to cut block and this seemed the easiest way to get the dimension correct. I'm no mason and I'm sure there are many better ways but I like the look so far.
finished the roof and got the big basement window in, the weather was awesome i really didn't want to leave. One window left for the basement and thats closed in now I will work on the sheathing and getting the pellet stove hooked up again
Well winter came a little early this year but I finished the sheathing,windows and door just didn't get the shed roof finished so it will wait,We started burning brush now that the snow is on the ground and will go back up next weekend to burn more.Pellet stove worked really well again and I want to start getting the interior framing started,But some of you know winter and snow makes hard things even harder.
I hope you feel a pretty as you look! HA!
House looks great! You got a ton done and just in time.
As a father of three daughters, I understand.
Right now, my son is only 6 but in a couple of years he will be ready and we can dissapear into the garage and do manly stuff. Way too much pink in my house!
Went up this weekend and actually didn't work for once,other than burning some brush.We took some time to just enjoy the place and went to Wisconsin point and clowned around.Was really warm and lots of cool fog from all the melting snow our lake was no longer frozen enough to walk on.(https://i.imgur.com/GDR2WJm.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/cyYs6kh.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/dsaPlsk.jpg)
Met with a septic guy this weekend,waiting to see that estimate.Started framing off the upstairs bed rooms and bathroom.Built an over the staircase loft bed for one of the many children we have to please. Cleaned up the beach area so the kids have a play area.Started building this winters burn pile,watched 3 loons fishing right in front of the boardwalk for about 20 minutes.Saw 2 wildfires on the drive home its very dry here right now. (https://i.imgur.com/o6ASL9Y.jpg)
Well finally finished the boardwalk,the strait part anyways.Got some lights in the basement to start setting the insulation for the radiant heat.Buried the conduit to wire the electric for the pump and installed/painted some more siding.(https://i.imgur.com/Qw1JDV5.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/CrIbmKz.jpg)
Well we continued on the siding, finally changed the kitchen window out finished the insulation,radiant pipes and poured the concrete in half of the basement. I framed the header and opening to join the buildings together and framed of that bedroom and hallway and framed the stand for the pellet stove.We are going back in a week and the septic is suppose to be in so we will plumb some of that in,maybe. (https://i.imgur.com/x8kdYeZ.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/Mugguby.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/CRumlVE.jpg)
The septic is in and one bathroom is plumbed,We have some drywall and a real door on the bathroom.I almost finished the stairs to the basement and got the pump wiring installed in the conduit and got that hooked up ,just need to hook up the pressure tank now.The whole place finally is wrapped in some house wrap and we even found time to cut down 4 dying trees and cut,split and stacked those for my neighbor who lives there full time . (https://i.imgur.com/wCGNNEb.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/5qgRec7.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/p8Jxz2Q.jpg%5D)
Patrick, I figured I would come check out your build since you checked out mine and I have actually been watching this progress for a while now. House looks great, I got a kick out of seeing all those cinder blocks looks like something I would have done also. We thought about going with block but was a little higher in price than concrete and I was worried about matching the level up to our existing house. Awesome job though. I can't wait until my little boy is out there helping paint the house. I love seeing the whole family involved in the home constructing process.
Well its been a little while we are still making progress,I have some water lines in now and the toilet is working also have an outdoor faucet and wired in 2 rv boxes for my brothers campers.got some more soffit and facia done and continued some more siding. Outdoor cleanup seems never ending and we took a break and brought the kids on the Duluth scenic railroad for a special pumpkin gathering train ride, Also took the super brave 6 year old on the haunted William Irvin haunted ship it was a good time. Stocking supplies now for the woodshed/playhouse in the spring and getting ready to move all my blueberry and raspberry plants from the city house up there next week.
I made some more progress on the siding,not as much as I hoped I killed another air compressor and then it rained and snowed for 2 days which put me inside.I got the main bath wired and lights installed which is really nice, also put lights in the kitchen and added outlets in the bedroom and was able to insulate one wall and one of the shed roofs. Then took a couple days off to hang with the family took them to lake superior to cook hotdogs on the beach then back to bonfire and I made ribs for everyone. Of course I wish I had got more done,But I enjoy the ride probably more than the destination.
Love this build. I do have a question though. Was the addition planned from the start or was it a latter thought?
We always planned to make it bigger from the start,But after having my whole family up we fast tracked it. We build as we have the money available and plan on one more addition to the lakeside,But we are planning to move there permanently before we do that,It is very difficult to build being 3 hours away.We are shooting for 2 years from now. Welded the pitless in and installed the pump.(https://i.imgur.com/UQfGe9u.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/g7OQANC.jpg)
Impressive Patrick, impressive. Truly a labor of love. [cool]
I meant to ask you way back and keep forgetting. Before you took this on what was your level of knowledge/expertise within the trades?
Solon Springs is great area ... very impressed I am.
Did you ever keep a rough idea of your budget to date? Something remotely close will help us a lot = land is always the huge variable so I am just hoping to get a feel for the build itself.
Headed to Port Wing Wednesday to looksy at a parcel.
It's not easy when things get stretched out over years ... but beats the heck out of a big ol' mortgage.
I was around construction as a kid but was never really interested in it until I needed to replace the roof on my first house.Since then I've built a couple garages,decks finished couple basements and bathrooms .Dug out and underpinned an addition put in inground pool.I also have a technical degree in Industrial Building maintenance and Auto mechanics.there was a pretty decent class in the Maintenance program were 4 of us would build a 10x10 house learned to use a transit,machined moulding,framed walls,windows, hung doors,build cabinets and made countertops.But I never laid 1 block before I built this place.I fixed a transmission for a guy and he came out and helped get me started on the first building and that's all it took for me.Over the years I have found it's not really how much you know about something ,but people who succeed at this are the people that put fear a side and are not afraid to screw stuff up,and believe me I screw tons of stuff up!It takes WAY more perseverance than skill/knowledge but thats my opinion.As for the cost at first i used to tell myself oh I can do do that for a couple thousand and now I pretty much assume anything I do will be 10 grand. But set the land aside I do remember the cost of somethings elect. was 2k to get hooked up I did all prep work,well was 5500.00 cash just to drill and case I did the rest,septic was 5500.00 cash I did all the plumbing, building permit was 1200.00 I think, footing concrete 1200.00 block was 2500.00ish plus about 500 for mortar.building materials around 5000.00 for first part ,windows around 1000.00, plus just tons of misc. stuff I think we spend around 10k per year so far .So we probably into it for 40k but the boardwalk was over 5k also.Hope that helps you out some and if you do pull the trigger and start building just keep remembering that it will all be worth it the end.There have been a lot of trying days for me over the years but I am very satisfied with what I have accomplished.Good luck to you!
Hey Patrick, want to say we all appreciate info like this! Many of us sitting on the fence afraid of this or that or often the significant other says you can't do it Ben - you to old and lacking the ability. Or it'll break the bank is another one. This type of feedback from you is what can get the ball rolling many times and helps us get a feel for a way to git 'er down.
Thanks. BTW - great looking family. Enjoy the times together as they fly by way to fast!
No problem, I heard a bit of neh saying when I started.Now usually all I hear is Holy S__T you built that!Followed by how'd you do this that and the other thing.And for the age thing that has not what I have seen my 70 year father was out helping roof part of the building he's a little slower and needs more breaks but the job gets done regardless.My direct neighbor is building an addition himself this year at 65 years old with arthritis.After we bought this land and started building my older brother bought some land also,thinking he would never be able to. Even if I built the biggest piece of crap building ever, I still would enjoy all the pride that comes with it.It is a journey you can only understand until you do it.I have met and talked to and done business with so many people I would have never met otherwise Its amazing,Not to mention for me anyways how many people want to help when they hear what you are doing labor,donations etc..And me personally I would rather die trying than not try at all.
Well its been a while but we are still clipping along with the ball and chain we removed some more stumps and have been burning a lot,most of the plumbing is complete and we have hot water now via electric tank heater.the tub is in upstairs and the main level shower is in and functional.The stove pipe is in and complete for the boiler from the basement through the roof.I installed another window in the upstairs bath and just picked up one more for the mudroom.poured a pad for the deck and am almost ready to put the decking on now.More siding is on and we cleared more of the beach and started the L section of the boardwalk.Called for our garbage cans and started installing kitchen cabinets I had to order another one as the drawings did not match up with reality.We bought some canoes this year and have been able to boat around the lake which has been fun still no fish for us but we are trying.(https://i.imgur.com/KMwNAeb.jpg)
It is really coming along great. We are in our place and still building, so I know it can be rough. I can't believe you have to travel 3 hrs to work on it. I just walk up stairs and there is plenty for me to do! ha!
We are working on moving there full time 2 years from now after the oldest finishes grade school then I will start the last addition.But for now we do what we can. Your kitchen island really turned out nice,nice work on that!
Well used up another weekend getting banged up and cut up but got alot (in my opinion) of the soffit /fascia done,I hate that stuff.I also added another window which I think really adds alot to the look of the place.Was able to get most the decking on 2 pieces short .Also some more siding and started insulating the upstairs ,hopefully finish that before winter,Finally!No more vacation days until November so progress will be harder if thats possible,LOL![(https://i.imgur.com/BgBCOhA.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/iSQllx3.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/luN3ANg.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/4tBXDQs.jpg)
With that insulation it is going to be much more comfortable this winter when you visit.
Where did you get the scaffolding? I need some to start my siding.
thanks
Austin
I got the scaffolding from http://www.scaffoldstore.com/Default.asp (http://www.scaffoldstore.com/Default.asp) out of Houston,TX seems to be ok I got the plywood topped planks,There like a ladder with plywood on top seem to be holding up well so far.I would recommend getting the adjustable feet I really wish I had those.Some day!
Great! Thanks for the info! I looking forward to finally getting some siding up.
Your place is really coming together.
well here's another update, weather has turned cold again here with some snow to help slow things down but we did manage to get started on clearing for the future shop and Id like to think I learned a little from the first major clearing and this time we burned the brush as we cut we split as much as we could and I stacked and covered the logs we didn't have time to split so hopefully the majority will be usable firewood.We hauled the boiler into the basement thankfully it only weighed 700 lbs otherwise it might have been an issue,LOL!I got a little more insulating done in the kitchen and first floor bedroom I ran all of the radiant heat lines for the second floor,That job is not nearly as fun as it sounds!The chimney is framed in on the first floor and we found an area to add a pantry now.I built a couple cabinets that were not available through menards and the kitchen is moving along nicely. (https://i.imgur.com/KmgtCBW.jpg)
Photobucket has left the building! (https://i.imgur.com/kbiWGc5.jpg)
I'm still here just got super irritated by the whole photobucket issue i restored this post as best as I have time for. I have made lots of progress on the place , we still have the city house and we are getting ready to sell that this spring. The housing market here is very strong again and are hoping to make a little money to start the final addition. I started building a pole shed,heat is working,kitchen is almost done really moving along .(https://i.imgur.com/xqCPr52.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/VNe5xp0.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/y9p6Luq.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/6KHC4LN.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/nb4VXCl.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/ABI9Qn2.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/DgLNxJv.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/GWtgiie.jpg)
I also planted some blueberry bushes on the boardwalk,we had a bit of flooding this year. I also made another concrete counter top has broken beer bottles and pieces of melted copper in it, I've dubbed it the workin mans counter!(https://i.imgur.com/8NPZIOm.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/FHZL2Fu.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/Vx0MTqI.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/yWHnPpi.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/lQESEdb.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/MyUbZiJ.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/FkcJBZf.jpg)
Have also been making progress on the bedrooms (https://i.imgur.com/zDZld8e.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/fPkyPYO.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/IdSy6SP.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/wVzVvkv.jpg)
It's all looking great. Thanks for sharing!
Lookin really nice. Where did you get that crazy wide shiplap? My shiplap is just 5.5" wide.
Good luck on the sale of the other house.
Austin
8" I get it at Menards it has that V cut in the center on the other side as well.
I see! There are no menards in TX or any state that touches Texas. Oh well. I will keep using my local source that is only 5.5" wide.