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redlandfd
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# Posted: 18 Nov 2013 12:46pm
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There is a thread on the forum about what was your biggest mistake. That's a good topic and some good lessons there. Now let's flip it around. What two or three things that you did with your cabin that you really got right or a point of pride or a plan/idea that worked out better than expected, etc....anything really.
My two so far, one I hired a carpenter to frame/deck the roof and the upstairs, and on his advice used a metal roof;
Second, I took a chance and bought a lakeside lot during the real estate bust/panic. A lot of people told me to wait it out. If i had the price would have tripled from what I paid, now that people have settled down you can't even buy one in the area right now. That worked out pretty well.
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countryred
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# Posted: 18 Nov 2013 01:36pm
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We don't have our cabin up yet so maybe I shouldn't be the first to post, but....
I would say ,like you, buying our land when you did, we found the right land and a very motivated seller, as since then prices went up and available acreage in that area is hard to find.
Second would be just a local dozer guy to come in and make us a driveway and clearing.
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MJW
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# Posted: 18 Nov 2013 02:15pm - Edited by: MJW
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1. Hiring someone to drill the 21 holes for our 6 x 6s on our foundation instead of the 2 man auger I was planning.
It only took the guy 1 1/2 hours and cost less than $100 to do it. Less than the rental for the auger and a heck of a lot less work for us. No broken arms, either.
2. Building a deck with more sq feet of floor space than the entire cabin. Most days we spend more time outside than in, anyway. It was expensive but it is incredible.
I could name a few more but since I am limited to two, I will just say I have few regrets on how we did things. Lots of research and sweating the details.  
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Wrapping It Around the House
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All Wrapped Up
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redlandfd
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# Posted: 18 Nov 2013 04:09pm - Edited by: redlandfd
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Countryred - I agree. A good dozer man can make life a lot easier than cutting and scraping with a farm tractor
MJW - Just looking at those 21 posts make my back hurt, but looking at that deck is impressive. Good idea, I may borrow that one... but on a smaller scale.
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jaransont3
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# Posted: 18 Nov 2013 05:55pm - Edited by: jaransont3
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I am going to have to name three things...not just two.
Before picture...
1. Adding the porch...
2. Adding the dormers...
3. and adding big windows...
The porch is great for relaxing on when it is raining. Heck just being able to get out of rain while you try to open the door is great. Plus it adds a nice architectural element.
The dormers add another great architectural element both inside and outside, but also let in a lights of natural light and can be opened for extra ventilation when it is warm out.
Just need big windows to enjoy the view and watch the critters....
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redlandfd
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# Posted: 18 Nov 2013 06:16pm
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Good job on the cabin and the improvements, it has a good look inside and out! Good light and nice floors, too!
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SandyR
Member
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# Posted: 18 Nov 2013 06:41pm
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MJW -
OMG your porch is beautiful!
Jaransont3 -
Your cabin looks wonderful with the updates!
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rockies
Member
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# Posted: 18 Nov 2013 06:53pm
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Hello, I'm the guy that started the "Biggest Mistake Thread". I haven't started building yet, but if you look at my other "Cozy Cabin" threads you can see how my design ideas have evolved for my cabin. I plan on building in stages, but I will include all the framing needed for the additions in the original walls to make it easier to add on later. The best thing so far was getting a trial version of "Chief Architect" and playing around with it. A computer software program really advances your understanding of building layout and room functions when the computer can instantly create elevations, perspectives, sections and framing for your designs, as well as change window, wall and door locations to any size or style you want. I'll never go back to graph paper again. The other thing that really helps is constantly reading Cottage magazines and watching building shows like "Holmes on Homes" to discover better ways of building.
For example, I thought that I'd have to go the traditional route and dig holes for a concrete pier foundation for the cabin and deck. Who wants to haul 100 bags of concrete into the wilderness and hand mix batches of concrete to pour down hand dug holes? Then I read in a cottage magazine about metal screw foundation posts http://www.technometalpost.com/en/home/
and realized that they could come out and put in the entire foundation system in under 3 hours with their machine. No digging, no concrete, no waiting to start framing. I love finding new and easier ways to save time and money, and sites like this certainly help too.
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RidgeRunner
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# Posted: 18 Nov 2013 08:37pm - Edited by: RidgeRunner
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A few things I got right with the last cabin:
I looked for a property that had a natural spring for water and that was suitable for wind power.....I bought it for $454 an acre (11 acres for $5,000) purchased in 2002.
It was assumed that the property may not perc for an onsite sewage system. I thought otherwise because I knew what to look for....I happened to be correct. Added a small outhouse after the perc.
I built a portable cabin on a trailer (8'x16' for $6,000 total) to save on taxes and so I'd have the flexibility to easily sell it should I decide to build something different.
I developed the natural spring for water so there was no big investment in a well.
Added a wind turbine for power that I built from scratch.
Added a homemade low-noise ram pump to the stream was a water back-up....cost about $50 total.
I recently pulled the cabin off the land, sold the cabin for $8,500.
The land in currently in the process of being sold for $45,000.
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fpw
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# Posted: 18 Nov 2013 09:39pm
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Learned to rig..
Spent 3K for a gas powered Oliver 880 with loader
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bldginsp
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# Posted: 18 Nov 2013 10:02pm
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One thing I got right was installing a rain water collection system on my water tank shed roof. I had no idea how well it would work, but for several years now I've had plenty of water for my meager camping needs. But, when I have finished my cabin and have a flush toilet and shower, I'll probably need to instal a second tank.
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Borrego
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# Posted: 18 Nov 2013 10:04pm
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1) Doing a clerestory style roof - opened up a smallish floor space with not much extra work or $$ and heat goes out the awning windows I then added
2) After agonizing over flooring material, I went with pine T&G wall paneling due to the cost ($1 sq ft). Toe nailed the ends, set and filled and finished with heavy coats of stain/varnish...looks great and it's one of the things I stop and marvel at every time I walk in (my wife thinks I'm kinda weird, but...)
Great thread!
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Sustainusfarm
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# Posted: 18 Nov 2013 10:06pm
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I'm gonna say buying land when I could at age 25... Got it super cheap back in 1995, now it would be 6 times that cost!
Having someone drill a well....I just didn't this year and now I say, why didn't i do it sooner!
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creeky
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# Posted: 19 Nov 2013 08:31am
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putting in a solar system. having reliable power is a wonder and delight.
finding this site. seeing how others have continued to build and improve over the years. it helps one (this one) keep the faith. he says. thinking about the ceiling/attic insulating in the washroom he's been trying to get to... but hey, the windows are in.
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redlandfd
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# Posted: 19 Nov 2013 08:36am
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Borrego - Nice cabin! and the floor idea was a good one. I'm guessing with the stain and varnish it gives it the rustic feel of an old farmhouse set in a modern design. Nice.
Bldginsp- Rainwater is a great option. Hope the gov't doesn't try to meter our rainwater someday!
fpw- your blog site was great, rigging is a good skill to have, and nice shed!
Ridgerunner- Man it sounds like you found the perfect spot of an outdoor getaway and an off-the grid cabin. Hope the buyer can do something with it, too.
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Rossman
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# Posted: 19 Nov 2013 09:14am
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Quoting: redlandfd Bldginsp- Rainwater is a great option. Hope the gov't doesn't try to meter our rainwater someday!
Haha, one could argue they already tried it somewhere...
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hattie
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# Posted: 19 Nov 2013 12:49pm
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jaransont3 - Your place is amazing!! Congratulations on a great build!!
We were really glad we put in a cold room for storing preserves and on top of it we built a passive solar greenhouse for growing food (I guess that counts as two things but we'll say it is one )
We were also glad that we built a large laundry room/pantry/closet area. The sq. footage of it is quite large compared to our actual living area. We have a large pantry in there, can dry our clothes indoors in the winter on a hanging rack, have clothes closets and closets for cleaning supplies, plus room for our washer and drier. It also doubles as a mud room when we come in from outside with dirty boots.
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Jim in NB
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# Posted: 19 Nov 2013 01:00pm
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Best two things so far - having my friend Willy lend his fantastic carpentry skills - actually have a place that will out last me and 2ndly taken my time - I should finish up next summer and it will have taken four years since construction started. Nice to enjoy the place while your working at it and driving golf balls is a nice way to relax and unwind. Helps that the lake is 175' wide too - pass or fail is pretty obvious!
My buddy Willy inspection his shoes Friday night!
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Nice deep lake - over 20' so will take a while to fill it up!
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Salty Craig
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# Posted: 19 Nov 2013 07:01pm
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Jim in NB
Hit a 4x4 and you will have the ball go thru your head!!!!!!!!!!!!
Salty Craig
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Jim in NB
Member
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# Posted: 19 Nov 2013 07:24pm
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There have been a couple of close calls with the family jewels but amazing with about 10,000 balls hit only a handful have come back at us!
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Smawgunner
Member
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# Posted: 19 Nov 2013 09:43pm
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Buying the perfect piece of land. Deciding to rehab instead of tear down....so far.
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Patgreat
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# Posted: 20 Nov 2013 01:02pm
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the first thing i got right was finding a local contractor who was honest and had local connections to people i knew. All the work he has done has far exceeded what i expected. Second was getting a new outhouse. The old one was 30+ plus years, was falling down and had holes everywhere. Now i find my self actually finishing an article before i wipe and not just trying to get out as soon as possible.
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MJW
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# Posted: 20 Nov 2013 04:07pm
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Quoting: Patgreat Now i find my self actually finishing an article before i wipe and not just trying to get out as soon as possible.
Me thinks this is bordering on TMI...
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toofewweekends
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# Posted: 20 Nov 2013 05:22pm
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1) Right lots, fronting a creek & lake w/views of Mount Mckinley
2) New outhouse hole, suffice to say it was badly needed.
3) Replaced metal porch roof with clear plastic; great light, no snow load issues.
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mikehu1966
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# Posted: 21 Nov 2013 10:10am
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1) Bought my NY land (4.25 acres) attached to state forest
2) Land has a septic, well, and electric on it.
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redlandfd
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# Posted: 22 Nov 2013 10:08am - Edited by: redlandfd
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Mikehu1966- that was a good find; four acres with water and sewer already in place..and joins state property...hang on to that one!
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bugs
Member
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# Posted: 22 Nov 2013 04:52pm
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Did lots of things right thanks to reading this forum but the two big things we did right were:
The first was following the ideas/ideals of cabinbuilder etal re "ya' don't need a big cabin to have big fun".
The second is we bought as much land as we could, 240 acres initially, then 160 acres adjacent to it. Gives us lots of room to roam about and relax and keeps most of the riff raff at bay.
bugs
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bukhntr
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# Posted: 30 Nov 2013 03:51pm
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#1 swallowing my pride and having the shell of our cabin built and delivered instead of doing it myself. I really wanted to do the whole thing myself I guess to say I did The time and travel to and from the cabin was definitly well worth it.
#2 using the wet sponge method of drywall sanding/smoothing. No dust to contend with furnishings, we have been using it as we build. I will never sand drywall again
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Salty Craig
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# Posted: 30 Nov 2013 04:15pm
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#1 Finally buying waterfront.
#2 Any cabin is better than no cabin.
Salty Craig
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bobrok
Member
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# Posted: 30 Nov 2013 04:50pm - Edited by: bobrok
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I'd say
1) Being able to plan and build a full services bathroom (h/c running sink, shower, and room for a portable toilet with a door that closes) and a floor to ceiling storage closet in an area roughly 90" x 40" while not sacrificing useable interior space. Fulfilled promise to the wife to give her an indoor facility.
2) With not much prior experience plumbing the entire cabin, bathroom, kitchen, hot water, drains, with no leaks, and no-freeze gravity drainage, sourcing, pumping, filtering & storing water so we don't have to haul (drinking water excepted).
The satisfaction I derived from accomplishing all of this on my own is priceless.
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