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Erins#1Mom
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# Posted: 2 Mar 2011 07:47pm
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OK. I'm starting on cabin this spring. Plans have totally changed. What was going to be a 24 x 24 cabin with electric, plumbing will now be a off grid with outdoor toilet (?). The original location has changed from a beautiful pasture to the back of a hollow in between two ridges in the mountains of NE TN. The reason being: our community is overrun with vandals bold enough to break-in in broad daylight and steal people blind (meth addicts). My current choice was choosen because my mom has offered and short of a funeral, there is always someone in the hollow (5 homes).
My problem is my plans are shot. QUESTIONS:
1. What do the experts here feel is the best size for a off grid that will be used on weekends and vacations for app. 3 adults?
2. How to heat as there will be only a few hours of good sunlight in winter?
3. Composting toilet indoors? (worried about flooding pit is outdoor toilet used).
4. Would you attempt at the original location and pray for best?
Will try to get photos this weekend of both locations (if weather permits.
This is my one shot and I want to make the right decision.
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Anonymous
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# Posted: 2 Mar 2011 08:19pm
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I would build in the remote location and not go for the other location and hope for the best. If the meth addicts don't simply break in and rob you, they could break in and set up a lab and the place ends up burning down! I would face the cabin south and have the windows mostly on the south side. This should assist in heating the cabin. I would use a wood stove and burn wood for heat.
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bushbunkie
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# Posted: 2 Mar 2011 08:31pm
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Hey Erins Mom,
Commercial compost toilets are expensive.
If you wanted to save $$ in the beginning, you could try the luvable loo / humanure compost system. Just google it and the website gives you all the information, inc. the specs on how to build your own loo...it's quite interesting...uses simple peat moss and surprisingly is very low odour!...passed my wife's inspection!
I built this for about $40.00.
Apparently people use these as well as secondary toilets, indoors, in case of emergencies...anyway...do a little research :)
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Just
Member
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# Posted: 2 Mar 2011 10:06pm
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1, 200 sq , ft. we all need a little bit of privicy
2, wood heet lots of shade . cabins are easer to heet than cool
3, outdoor pit keep it high as you can by a load of fill if you must .
it was good enought for our for fathers you'll be all rite !!
4, go with the safty in numbers you don't need to be worried
all the time !!you must remember you will be in the country
you can alwayes go for a walk!!!
"just " my thoughts good luck !!!
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bugs
Member
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# Posted: 3 Mar 2011 05:08pm
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#1Mom
Must be an exciting time for you folks. Lots of apprehension too.
Ummm one way of sizing your cabin is to look at your house/apt /condo and see what rooms you need and what rooms can be used for multiple purposes. Then measure the square footage and work from there. It helps to visualize things better than a blue print. At least it works for me.
Other than the issue of where to build, which seems to be looming over you for the moment and rightly so, you have to learn to accept your mistakes whether it is in the design or the building or the exact positioning of the cabin etc. and learn from them. But also celebrate when your plans do go right.
Re your toilet options: Here is a testimonial/site you might find interesting. http://www.saskwastereduction.ca/resources/Composting/comp-toilet.html I will admit I am inherently lazy so any thing that can reduce the toil such as a composting toilet system over digging a pit toilet by hand wins out for me.
The best of luck in your venture and you know you will always have the support and advice (maybe too much sometimes lol) of the forum members.
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Erins#1Mom
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# Posted: 13 Dec 2011 08:04pm
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OK, the cabin didn't happen. Many issues including the drug addicted 22 yr old daughter but the storms of early spring totally washed out the hollow of the off grid. I do, however, have a second site. I also have a photo to post but can't remember how to do so. INSTRUCTIONS PLEASE.
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CabinBuilder
Admin
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# Posted: 14 Dec 2011 10:27am - Edited by: CabinBuilder
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Quoting: Erins#1Mom I also have a photo to post but can't remember how to do so. INSTRUCTIONS PLEASE.
Picture uploading instructions are here (first topic in the General Forum).
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neb
Member
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# Posted: 14 Dec 2011 10:43pm
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Man I'm for those pictures.
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Eirns#1Mom
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# Posted: 15 Dec 2011 08:01pm
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Just realized, I haven't registered as a member. I have been a stalker all this time.
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neb
Member
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# Posted: 15 Dec 2011 08:11pm
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Eirns#1Mom
Waiting for those pictures.
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ErinsMom
Member
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# Posted: 15 Dec 2011 08:23pm
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Am now registered.
current location for future cabin
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another view
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previous location for off grid after storm washed away
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Just
Member
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# Posted: 15 Dec 2011 09:38pm
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It's just wow . I can see it just under that tree , your dreams. Keep the faith MOM have a Marry ..!!
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naturelover66
Member
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# Posted: 15 Dec 2011 10:54pm
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Its absolutely breathtaking...... I cant wait to see your dreams come true!!
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neb
Member
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# Posted: 15 Dec 2011 11:06pm
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Looks great. Will it be a year around cabin?
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turkeyhunter
Member
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# Posted: 16 Dec 2011 09:52am
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beautiful TN hills............
looks like a good place to hunt turkey's as well.......:-)
your time will come----good luck on your build.
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dstraate
Member
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# Posted: 16 Dec 2011 11:54am
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Whew, glad the cabin wasn't built before the flash flood. That was a good little piece of information for you to have before you build. It looks like it will be in a beautiful place.
Hang in there. You have it built in no time.
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steveqvs
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# Posted: 16 Dec 2011 07:10pm
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Beautiful. I have really loved TN since we visited the Smoky Mountains and on the way home we stopped at Shell Mound for camping along the Nickojac River.
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Borrego
Member
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# Posted: 16 Dec 2011 09:18pm
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Wow! I thought I had a nice view! Keep the faith!
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trollbridge
Member
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# Posted: 16 Dec 2011 10:06pm
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That is beautiful land #1Mom!!!! I can see a cute little cabin sitting right there amongst all that wonderful green!!
If I could give you one piece of advice it would be to stay very flexible. We have made so many changes along the way it's unreal, but it really pays to be as flexible and open-minded as possible whether it is where to build or what to build out of or how big to build. Don't rush the process,let it unfold for you. I'm really pulling for you!
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Bevis
Member
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# Posted: 17 Dec 2011 12:37am
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That reminds me of the views I had in s. central Tn...I miss my place.
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Erins#1Mom
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# Posted: 17 Dec 2011 08:08am
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thanks for all the kind words. God is in charge of my family and my butild and only heaven knows what that is at ths point. Daughter just stole credit card and charged $1400 to my acct (Merry Christmas). Didn't have her arrested yet. The cost of arresting here to me is unbelievably. Physical and mental effects kicking in: wt gain 10 lb, sleep 10 hours this week, physical aging 10 years.
Enough of this: it is truly a beautifl pasture. unfortunatiely, mostly slate 3 inches down. I DON"T CARE. Had in the pass many visitors enjoyin g the pasture while doing drugs. My brother, Mike, has fenced in and gated the proterty with three gates. Intruders have no longer been a problem.
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Erins#1Mom
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# Posted: 17 Dec 2011 08:20am
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My Goal:
20 x24 or 24 x 26 with loft.
To be used yr round
Possibly retirement home (but I'm only 54 at present)
Issues:
Well vs city water: there is a well on property but would need to be asessed for quailty and line run which will be expensive;; pump bought: good only with electricity working----not always
City water at main road.... $1500 just for meter not counting running line. But always available.
Have been checked for septic: it passed but looking at $1,500 for tank instulation alone. Think of looking at temp outhouse but the county building inspector's wife is an employee of mine and doest like me much.
At this point, I would sleep in a barn. Must say that two story building they have at Home Depot in Johnson City, TN is looking mighty fne....... But IT'S NOT MY CABIN BUILD. Sorry to rant and rave.
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turkeyhunter
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# Posted: 17 Dec 2011 07:58pm - Edited by: turkeyhunter
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Quoting: Erins#1Mom My Goal:20 x24 or 24 x 26 with loft.
a good size but go 20 x 30 if ya can!!!!!!
i would go with a well if i could, pay now.....not every month.
septic......do the good ole boy system.......a fuel skid tank buried with a drain field.....i saw hunting camps, that have lasted for over 20 years with these set ups....:-) just sayin!!!!!
Quoting: Erins#1Mom Must say that two story building they have at Home Depot
hey those are ok...but i would build my own....you could always buy a used smaller cabin/shed...and use it as a barn after you build your cabin....i saw a nice shed on craigs list the other day for 2200 delivered within 50 miles ...it was one year old and nice for the $$$$....
what ever you do we are pulling and praying for you!!!!!!
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spicyacres
Member
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# Posted: 14 Feb 2012 01:15pm
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Option C: buy a used travel trailer, you can always move it, or just hit the road and go boondocking!
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ErinsMom
Member
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# Posted: 15 Feb 2012 07:12pm
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Spicyacres,
Love the name. I have thought of use RV but it just doesn't feel right. Hope to get permit Friday. But just found out my mom who owns the property must physically be present when I get permit to build. I just know I must focus on this and not my family issues.
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