Hello everyone. I'm so glad I stumbled upon this site a few months back. The wealth of information both on the countryplans site and this forum have helped me tremendously. Tonight I bought the Big Enchilada Plans and hopefully will begin work on the place as soon as this weekend. I plan on a 14x24 structure(possibly 16x24) and then adding on to it later as I can. I'll be keeping you all posted on my progress from here on out. I have a blog where I'll be posting pics and youtube vids too shortly.(If someone can tell me it's ok to post the link I will.) Now for a short introduction and background(who cares right? :D)
My name is Evan and I am a 28 year old single retiree. Yep, that's right, I am retired. I have gotten fed up with the commercialism and materialism that has infected every facet of our society. For most of my life I have been a part of that system but not for long. I plan on having a completely self-sustainable homestead in a matter of years. Most people have told me I'm crazy but that's actually pretty normal for me. I live about 40 miles west of St. Louis in some beautiful bluff country near the Missouri River. This is where I got a generous land grant of 12 acres from my father and grandfather. I plan on building the house myself with a little help from family and friends. The goal is to be completely off grid but my funds are limited so I'll see what I can do. Thanks again for this awesome site and community of like minded individuals. I love reading up on everyone else's projects and will give help if possible.(I am a complete newbie builder)
Wish me luck!
Quote from: pandaman on August 17, 2009, 08:52:46 PM
(If someone can tell me it's ok to post the link I will.)
The only links we have problems with are those to commercial sites trying to sell us something with no contributions to the discussions by the author/poster. That and porno. A link to a commercial site as a point of interest and/or as a part of a discussion is usually fine. A link to a personal site for pictures and videos and the like is also usually not a problem. I say usually because there's always someone who'll do something to cause a problem.
You could also put such a link in your signature line.
And of course, we do love image links posted here in the messages.
Quote
The only links we have problems with are those to commercial sites trying to sell us something with no contributions to the discussions by the author/poster. That and porno. A link to a commercial site as a point of interest and/or as a part of a discussion is usually fine. A link to a personal site for pictures and videos and the like is also usually not a problem. I say usually because there's always someone who'll do something to cause a problem.
You could also put such a link in your signature line.
And of course, we do love image links posted here in the messages.
Thanks for the reply Don. The site is just a simple wordpress blog. It's pretty shy on content now but that should change soon. I can certainly post pics within this topic too once I get some. Edit: Here's a couple pics from the surround area.(not my land but real close) Booo.. Apparently posting pics from Picasa does not work... I suppose I will create a photobucket account.
Callaway creek near my property
(https://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy248/MO_smallcabin/IMG_0202.jpg)
View from Highway F nearby
(https://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy248/MO_smallcabin/IMG_0250.jpg)
CoolPix. Picassa often gives us trouble.
Beautiful countryside - looks very familiar from the year I spent in Jefferson City.
Gorgeous!
Thanks for the comments!
I'm pretty excited about all this right now. Unfortunately I have found out it's gonna be near impossible to run water or electricity to where I originally wanted my cabin without considerable expense I do not have. Seems my memory was a bit fuzzy about the landscape. I hiked it the other night and between me cursing the thumb sized spiders that had webs every 5 feet and trying to hack my way through all the scrub tree's(not to mention tripping over rocks and dead trees, while partially blinded cause the awesome Missouri humidity kept fogging my glasses up!) I looked around from the valley to see my little patch of flat land surround by cliffs practically on all sides.
So... I'm moving the build site closer to the gravel road near my grandpa's house. This does have a number of benefits, easy electric and water run from his house and I am much closer to little bit of pasture we have and the good garden space. Downside is I'm only about 100 yards or so from a neighboring home. Not quite the country isolation I had hoped for. I will have some more pics here shortly.
As I buy things for the cabin one of my main priorities is cooling. Summer times in Missouri can be extremely hot and humid. This year was not too bad at all but I can't hope for that every year. I've been trying to find a low power air conditioning unit or some other low cost way to cool the house on the worst days/nights.
I found these just by doing a google search on low power air conditioner: http://www.airpure.com/sunpentown.html#WA1230 (http://www.airpure.com/sunpentown.html#WA1230)
Does anyone know if these are any good for a small cabin?
My neighbor uses a similar unit that exhausts through a window vent. He's happy with it for that room. I imagine one would work with a small cabin, providing it was sized to the space properly. You could even build in a port through the wall so you didn't have to deal with the window adapter.
One "problem" I foresee is that many small cabins are pressed for floor space to place one in an efficient location.
I have no idea how their energy efficiency is compared to a good standard window unit. Window units could be used up high in a framed in box specifically for the A/C. Like putting in a window without the window.
Quote from: MountainDon on August 20, 2009, 12:31:14 PM
Window units could be used up high in a framed in box specifically for the A/C. Like putting in a window without the window.
That makes sense to me, as well as the floor space issue. I need to do some research on wall unit prices and power consumption versus this type.
Well that was quick. Seems like you can't beat a good window unit as far as price and effciency are concerend. After reading reviews and looking at the energy star ratings this is the one to get:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_04275101000P?vName=Appliances&cName=Air+Conditioners%2C+Fans+%26+Heaters&sName=Single+Room (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_04275101000P?vName=Appliances&cName=Air+Conditioners%2C+Fans+%26+Heaters&sName=Single+Room)
So I figure making its own box up top in the loft area would be best? Then I'm thinking of putting a ceiling fan in the middle of the cabin to push the cool air down. That way I can just run the ceiling fan most days and not even run the air conditioner.
Went to Lowe's today to price out some things. Total came to about $3300(rough estimate). That's for the 14x24 Little House plans though not the Builder's Cottage. My carpenter buddy told me the Little House should suit my needs fine and would be considerably cheaper to build. I guess I have to change the title of my project now. I'm left with about $4000 to do the interior. Hopefully that will be enough. I will be starting up on digging my holes for the piers tomorrow. Couldn't ask for better weather. Pics to follow.
Pandaman,
Here are my costs to date to build my 12x16. Might help with estimating your house. I'm terrible with estimating costs it always costs twice as much and takes twice as long to build as I thought. d*
I've got all my materials from Menards, and have gone cheap with everything, osb instead of plywood, cheepest double pane windows ect. I don't think I could of done this for any cheeper unless I use recycled materials from somewhere.
I'm at $2542.86 right now. To get dried in I still need to buy the roofing, a front door, siding, and all the other little stuff that I always forget about until I need them.
I'm guessing another $1500-2000 to be completely dried in.
Hope this helps.
Good luck with your build, looking forward to checking some photo's. [cool]
Quote from: Beavers on August 22, 2009, 08:02:46 PM
Pandaman,
Here are my costs to date to build my 12x16. Might help with estimating your house. I'm terrible with estimating costs it always costs twice as much and takes twice as long to build as I thought. d*
I've got all my materials from Menards, and have gone cheap with everything, osb instead of plywood, cheepest double pane windows ect. I don't think I could of done this for any cheeper unless I use recycled materials from somewhere.
I'm at $2542.86 right now. To get dried in I still need to buy the roofing, a front door, siding, and all the other little stuff that I always forget about until I need them.
I'm guessing another $1500-2000 to be completely dried in.
Hope this helps.
Good luck with your build, looking forward to checking some photo's. [cool]
Thanks for the post Beavers. I scanned the forums and other sites trying to find cost per square foot for a DYI small house build. From what I've researched it seems like the price can vary widely depending the area and the quality of materials. My rough estimate I hope to be fairly accurate as my carpenter friend and I went up and down the aisles getting prices. The only thing Lowe's did not have was cedar siding which I am beginning to think is out of my price range. I'm working with an extremely limited budget of $7500 so if I can accomplish all I want I will be certainly pleased. I'm trying to do everything on the cheap but still be good craftsmanship. Your costs have me a bit concerned but hopefully my estimates are correct or I might be working a bit to get the money for the rest of my house. This is all new to me and I can still hardly believe I'll have nice home with no mortgage payments.(albeit a small and somewhat rustic home) :)
We are in about a thousand but that includes a 400 dollar generator and 40 dollars for machetes. We have 12 piers poured and beams on top. Although we have salvaged all our wood so far.
I notice you asking in another thread about drinking rain water. It definitely fine to use for your home and to drink just boil it first.
Anyway looking forward to seeing another young guy break ground
Quote from: pandaman on August 22, 2009, 10:19:02 PM
This is all new to me and I can still hardly believe I'll have nice home with no mortgage payments.(albeit a small and somewhat rustic home) :)
That's my goal as well...no mortgage. It's been a ton of work so far, and I'm far from done, but it will be worth it in the end! Busting your ass for a couple of years to build your own house sure beats making payments for 30 years on a large house just to keep up with the Jones'.
There is a house in the builders gallery that is something like 14x36, that was built for $10k. If you haven't checked it out yet it might give some ideas for building on the cheap.
Quote from: Beavers on August 22, 2009, 11:14:46 PM
Quote from: pandaman on August 22, 2009, 10:19:02 PM
This is all new to me and I can still hardly believe I'll have nice home with no mortgage payments.(albeit a small and somewhat rustic home) :)
That's my goal as well...no mortgage. It's been a ton of work so far, and I'm far from done, but it will be worth it in the end! Busting your ass for a couple of years to build your own house sure beats making payments for 30 years on a large house just to keep up with the Jones'.
There is a house in the builders gallery that is something like 14x36, that was built for $10k. If you haven't checked it out yet it might give some ideas for building on the cheap.
Yeah I saw that house in the gallery but there is very little info or good pics. I plan on doing a lot of shopping for interior things on craigslist. That should cut some costs. I also am very lucky to have a friend who happens to have a bunch of cherry wood he is not using. He told me since he has nothing to do right now he'd build some custom cabinets on the cheap. I plan on doing all the labor myself and thankfully(in some ways) I am currently unemployed. So ever day starting tomorrow I will be working on that thing till completion.(I say that now....)
Almost everyone I have talked to about this has told me I'm crazy. Either it's the house is too small or you will never be able to build a nice house for under 10 grand. Haven't gotten too much support, except from my builder friends. They think it's a great idea and very doable. These are pretty exciting times for me personally. I think I'm having and solving my midlife crisis before I hit 30. Who knows what will happen after this! :D
Progress has been slow. I had to switch up carpenters because my first one has left me. Got someone else last night and hope to start foundation and floor this weekend. Going to Lowe's this evening to pick up the lumber. I uploaded a vid to youtube showing the area. I'm gonna have to do some cleanup as over the years junk has accumulated on the property. Should have some pics later tonight as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9bv7Z0YQ5E (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9bv7Z0YQ5E)
Here's another vid showing off some woodland creatures and some farm critters. The goats were uncooperative even with sweet talking.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFoZJpwa2sY (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFoZJpwa2sY)
Pandaman,
I plan to build the 14X24 Little House here in Oklahoma. I priced everything from Lowe's down to the joist hangers and other hardware and even tyvek. My list came to $3200. That is not including finishing out the interior other than building the loft. I think lumber is cheaper here in the rural areas. I do know that everything takes longer and cost more than you plan however. ;)
When I built my 12X12' deck, I used an online estimator and it said $525. I bought everything new and it only came to $280 for the same materials as they specified.
I am excited for you! I am 51 years old and have been wanting to do this for many years. Go for it while you are young!
Kenneth
Quote from: AB5CC on August 26, 2009, 09:37:23 PM
Pandaman,
I plan to build the 14X24 Little House here in Oklahoma. I priced everything from Lowe's down to the joist hangers and other hardware and even tyvek. My list came to $3200. That is not including finishing out the interior other than building the loft. I think lumber is cheaper here in the rural areas. I do know that everything takes longer and cost more than you plan however. ;)
When I built my 12X12' deck, I used an online estimator and it said $525. I bought everything new and it only came to $280 for the same materials as they specified.
I am excited for you! I am 51 years old and have been wanting to do this for many years. Go for it while you are young!
Kenneth
Wow, that's pretty close to my figure. I just picked up the load for the piered foundation and flooring, minus insulation it all came to about $600. Should be starting on that this weekend. My goal is to get everything done for under 10 grand, so far my estimation is up to 7500, we'll see how it goes. Good luck with your build, hope to see your progress as well.
I added your blog feed to my reader ;D
w*
Quote from: ListerD on August 28, 2009, 08:26:32 PM
I added your blog feed to my reader ;D
w*
Thanks! I'm being very slack with it right now so don't expect much. I don't really have the discipline for a blog but I am trying.
Went out to my property today, I got my lumber unloaded last week for the floor and foundation but I am currently waiting on my carpenter. So while a hold is on the actual cabin me and a friend of mine decided to work on the old cabin on the property. I toyed with the idea of fixing it up and living in it but I decided against it. It was built in 1938 and the was purchased along with about 30 or so acres of land by my grandfather in 1945. It has sat in neglect longer than I've been alive(28 years and counting) and has been used mostly for junk storage. Here are some pics taken after I our work. Unfortunatly either by standing in the tall grass and weeds surrounding the cabin or in the cabin itself I got the most seed ticks I have ever gotten in my life. Hopefully I get them all off but they are so tiny, sometimes I hate nature.
Found this cool old time scythe(sickle?), still worked surprisingly well. My grandfather told me it belonged to his father-in-law:
(https://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy248/MO_smallcabin/IMG_0274.jpg)
Looking into the cabin from the door way:
(https://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy248/MO_smallcabin/IMG_0277.jpg)
The other side of the cabin:
(https://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy248/MO_smallcabin/IMG_0279.jpg)
Here's the nice section of roof that has been missing for who knows how long:
(https://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy248/MO_smallcabin/IMG_0281.jpg)
Looking up and out the back:
(https://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy248/MO_smallcabin/IMG_0282.jpg)
The old wood fired cook stove I am going to spruce back up to like new and use in the new cabin:
(https://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy248/MO_smallcabin/IMG_0283.jpg)
The outside of the cabin looking at the front door:
(https://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy248/MO_smallcabin/IMG_0287.jpg)
that cabin sure has "character". Maybe you can save it if you get rid of the rotten part. It looks pretty beat though lol.
BTW how was the sickle to use? I'm getting real sick of fixing my lawn mower :P ???
Quote from: speedfunk on August 30, 2009, 07:30:38 PM
that cabin sure has "character". Maybe you can save it if you get rid of the rotten part. It looks pretty beat though lol.
BTW how was the sickle to use? I'm getting real sick of fixing my lawn mower :P ???
Yeah, some parts of the structure are in good shape others are falling apart. The foundation is built upon a number of brick piers and they are all either falling over or leaning badly. I think it would have to be jacked up and a new support system put underneath. After it's all cleaned out I'll know if I should tear it down and use it for firewood or put some work into it and use it for a barn.
I found some more info on what I called a sickle. It's actually called a two handed scythe and has been in use for thousands of years.(learn something new everday I guess..same thing will happen when possible future grandkids see a record player) To answer your question it was very easy and intuitive to use. Despite it's advanced age and the dull rusty blade a friend and I took turns and cleared a pretty decent section of property in not much time. I can imagine with a razor sharp blade it would be an excellent tool to use around the yard. Plus you look wicked cool swinging that mean thing. ;D
Scythes are still alive and well today - even here in the good old USA. I feel it is a tool that all homesteaders should indeed at least learn and see if it fits a purpose on their property. The aroma is so nice and the sound is a lot easier on the ear than a string trimmer.
Here is a very good demo of proper scythe work. Actually there are quite a few clips there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZUtNcOCHvc&feature=related
It is demoed the same way I learned. Very little arm movement, all in the back and shoulders it is very good exercise. Let the tool just do the work. If you get good you indeed could mow your lawn. ;)
I am a major newbie here and don't even have the land yet so I am sorry if this is a really stupid question but... does these little cabins need any type of permits to build? How does somebody build a little place without permits or is that impossible. Sorry for the stupid question.
I bought a scythe a few years ago from Scythe Supply in Maine. I love it! I use a short 16 inch ditch blade for tall weedy areas and long, slender 21 inch for shorter grass. It works great, it's quiet and I don't end up with tingling fingers like I do with my motorized trimmer. [cool]
Quote from: NorAz on September 02, 2009, 01:35:37 AM
I am a major newbie here and don't even have the land yet so I am sorry if this is a really stupid question but... does these little cabins need any type of permits to build? How does somebody build a little place without permits or is that impossible. Sorry for the stupid question.
It's not a stupid question, just a question you don't have the answer to.
A cabin that is planned to be used as a residence, even for temporary receational use, will need one or more permits in many, maybe even most, areas of the country. Some rules will be more stringent. Building without permits will be frequently caught or perhaps reported by a disgruntled neighbor. That may result in anything from being told to stop work until permits are obtained, up through small to large fines, or even to tear down the structure.
Some who build without permits, in areas where permits are required, get away it because they are off in the woods and not visible from a public road. Not being hooked to the power grid can help evade the permit process as well.