I think I have a house design, and I pretty much have a schedule. Now comes the nuts and bolts- how/where to live during construction? Our land is 600 miles from our current home, so once I quit my job (Yikes!) and haul my tools up there, that's it until I get a CO. What have you guys done as far as living quarters (low-rent) during your build? We've got 7 acres, and it's in a rural area, so I can stay hidden pretty well. The site won't be visible from the road. The current plan is to build the barn first, which will give me an indoor work shop, secure storage, and (whispered) a place to live while I build the house. I have to stay somewhere while I build the barn, though. And I'd kinda like to have a toilet, and maybe take a shower every so often. I thought about building a camper on a 12' utility trailer I have, which would give me shelter, as well as keep my tools safe and dry on the drive up from FL. Have any of you rented a Porta-Potti? What did it cost? I believe I have to have one on site unless there are facilities available. I'm not sure yet if they'll let me put a real bathroom in the barn, but if they do, that will help. I'll have water; there's city water available at the street, and I'll have it run to the site so I'll have water there. Same with electricity. I figured once the barn is weather tight, I'll buy an old fridge, a microwave, and maybe a small hot water heater. If I'm careful, I could buy the appliances that will later go in the house, since I'll need them anyhow. I think I can 'camp' on my property legally; I'm not sure about living in the barn, though. I've rambled on enough- I'd like to hear what you guys have done, and how well it did or didn't work. Ideas?
We used the RV we already had owned for years.
My brother put in his water, power and septic and is now looking for a RV trailer to live in while he builds. Seems like a good way to do it.
Yep . . . RV. You can pick up good condition, 7-10 year old or so RVs for $4-6000.00. Use it for a year or two and resell if needed. Cheap rent! (Check for roof leaks.)
(Watch out for the cheap FEMA trailers that are prevelant on craigslist. Full of mold and formaldehyde. Mostly Gulfstreams with front queen and rear bunk beds.)
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One more vote for an RV. I think a decent camp trailer would make the most sense for many reasons. I like the idea of building one on a trailer but I would bet you would come out money (and time) ahead just purchasing a used one.
We are in a similar situation as you from what you describe. If you have any neighbors be sure to get to know them, and if at all possible be friends. Things can go a lot smoother if they are on your side.
Seems to me the only sane thing is a travel trailer. Once you get your septic and water in it is a piece of cake.
I put in two regular RV hook-ups several hundred feet away from our purposed building site. (Wished I would have taken pictures of the whole thing as we are really quite proud of our work.) It took some engineering as the RV pads are in some trees about thirty feet higher. We had to stair step the waist down the hill. We have used them for several years now and no problems. When we build we will just have to hook into a line we have stubbed off and will still have two RV pads for friends and family.
However I would really think that you could tie your shop into the septic as we did the RV pads and sort of use both until your build is finished. I also really think a real shop needs a frig, a rest room and water anyway. You could stub in a washer as well. Around here there are lots of travel trailers still in good shape for $2000 or so. Keep an eye on Craigslist and the want adds. Check and make sure there are no leaks and that the fridge and furnace works well as it is a buyers market out there and they are very expensive to replace.
I've been toying with the idea of building one of these for temp living during construction:
http://www.sweetwaterbungalows.com
and then having it as an extra space afterward. figure I may be able to create one myself for about half the cost this place charges using reclaimed materials...
Seems like a lot of cash! ???
maybe so.... i think they're neat and you can move them easily if you want to sell it or relocate it. about 2k is what i figure after everything. i'd like to put one on a platform in trees (about 8' off ground).
30 year old Sears tent, one of those self inflating beds, a heater buddy propane heater, outdoor solar shower, 5 gal pail toilet, 15 gal barrel of fresh water. I don't recommend this...
(https://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz254/Jeffie922/thetent.jpg)
If you are doing it solo or with an understanding SO, I vote for the tent as well. Two reason:
Motivation...no motivation to get job done like having to check your boots for critters each morning before walking to the outhouse/portajohn and showering in cold water unless the solar shower has had time to heat up.
You do not get cheaper and it does help you really understand your surroundings. A good quality canvas tent is hard to find but worth every penny.
I actually did this for three months in college when I was out of cash for a dorm. Stayed in State Parks when I could, on cow pastures of friends when I could not. I used the bag in a bucket method for my toilet at those times. My whole rig fit in the back of my 1981 Corolla wagon.
Before you think this was way back when, it was 1992. Oh, and I was working as a fine-dining waiter at the time so it was in my pre-neo-hippie era.
Mike
You got that right Mike! I spent a few nights in this tent with the temps in the teens. It is in fact a great motivator.
All great stuff- thanks! I really think that at age 56, I'm beyond living in a tent, at least for more than a few days at a time. I think the night noises would probably keep me awake, at a time when I'll desperately need rest. With a more solid wall between me and the outdoors, I'll sleep better. DW will stay behind in FL and keep the income (and insurance!) stream going, while I work on the house. Hopefully my son will be available to help with the big stuff, and I have a few other people lined up as well. As far as building a camper goes- it would just be a plywood box on my existing trailer. I'll cut a door, of course, and a few windows or roof vents for air. I will be building the barn first, so I'll be able to move into relatively luxurious surroundings then. I really need a covered trailer (or camper) to move my stuff from FL, and keep it secure until the barn is done. With only a half ton pick-up, I can't tow a big camper, so if I want something better, I'll have to up-grade to a heavier truck as well.
All 1/2 ton trucks have towing capacity a minimum of a 5000# (normally 7500) and a tongue weight around 500#. That gives you a wide range of campers to choose from. 20-24' trailers are usually the best bumper-pull versions because there are a lot of them purchased, used for a couple years, then parked when the family gets too big or too busy.
Standard disclaimer for such things: Make sure your truck is in good shape with well inflated tires, has an aux tranny cooler, load your vehicle and trailer correctly understanding that your tongue weight reduces your payload...etc.
Make sure you have access into the site for a trailer of the size you pick and that includes humps, bumps, dips and other changes in grade that can high-center a hitch or drag a tail.
Or panelized a 8 x 12' shed at home, drive up and assemble it on site, spend a couple of nights in hotel if need be. Saves money and stress. I lived for two years here in Iraq in anything from an 8 x 20' container to a 14 x 20' combination office and bedroom. People live on sailboat all the time...it is all about perspective.
Mike