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Sharon
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# Posted: 25 Sep 2011 07:30pm
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I am new to the site. My dream is to build a small off grid cabin in the Adirondacks. I have my home listed for sale and I'm looking for property. Thought this site woud be a great place to get some good advice. I am a single woman and I'm pretty handy. I have bought and helped renovate several houses and I designed my second home myself. But..............I have never actually built a house!
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PA_Bound
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# Posted: 25 Sep 2011 07:33pm
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Welcome to the site! When it comes to building cabins, I've learned that there is a wealth of information, knowledge and experience here, just waiting for your exploration and questions.
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Sharon
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# Posted: 26 Sep 2011 07:16am
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PA_Bound
Thanks for the response. Have you done it yet - built your cabin?? I have been stuck in office jobs most of my life, but what I really want to do is build. I think it's in my blood. Not sure where to start, but I think I would like to try cabinet making. I am looking for a local class/workshop on this. I need some "using power tools" experience before I take this on.
Sharon
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PA_Bound
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# Posted: 26 Sep 2011 08:20am
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Nope,... the building is my next phase. My experience includes how to find and purchase a lot, dealing with septic perc tests and obtaining a septic permit, dealing with a nasty boundary line issue that ended up changing my deed and that of 3 neighbors (I could write a thesis on what I learned from that- including how to tell 3 neighbors you've never met that the recorded deeds and surveys for lots they purchased 30+ years ago are wrong), and getting a well drilled.
My wife and I are in discussions right now to decide how we are going to move forward- either build some form of cabin now, or puchase a used travel trailer and use it now, with the intention of building later. Each has it's advantages.
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trollbridge
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# Posted: 26 Sep 2011 09:48am
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Welcome Sharon!
Another member here (erins#1mom) is taking classes through Home Depot. That might be a good option for you too.
PA_Bound could you build a very small building to use as a cabin until you are ready to build your "real" cabin - then use the original as a storage shed. Everyone always could use a storage shed for stuff. We keep our little one as a bunkhouse, but it did a fine job housing us during our "real" cabin build.
Good luck to you both!
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Anonymous
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# Posted: 26 Sep 2011 11:22am
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Taking some building classes is a excellent idea.Spend some time watching a house being built. Before you get your mind set on building anything on your property or just using a trailer or a storage shed for housing go to your municipality for information on what is allowed on your property.
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dstraate
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# Posted: 26 Sep 2011 12:04pm
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I'd agree with trollbridge on building a small structure first. Almost all of the good builds in our area started out with a bunkie that has been transformed into a shed.
Good luck with the project, just dreaming about it can become consuming.
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Sharon
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# Posted: 26 Sep 2011 12:20pm
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Ha - my brother just built an adorable Craftsman style storage shed. I wanted to help him, but we live a couple of hundred miles apart and the timing just didn't work out. But of course, with a small cabin, everyone would need a shed, too! Where else would one store the tools?
I have been dreaming about this for years. All part of the process. I have many ideas - all very simple and easy to maintain structures.
I will check with our local Lowe's regarding classes. Thanks
S
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trollbridge
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# Posted: 26 Sep 2011 02:07pm
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True, you can learn a ton building something very small first and then you can stay in it while you build too. Make sure before you buy that you know what is required for square footage and so forth. Each piece of land may be different too. Here in Wisconsin each county has different requirement plus depending on how the land is zoned it is different. Be careful. It is such a bummer to hear about someone buying a piece of land and then finding out the requirements are ridiculous to meet. Hope your house sells soon Sharon!
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Sharon
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# Posted: 28 Sep 2011 07:51pm
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Here in upstate NY we have the APA (Adirondack Park
Agency)- who are very strict about certain things in certain zones. I will be careful. I have my eye on a half acre lot in a small woodsy development. And they have their own rules. I would like more land, but this piece is part meadow and has a nice view. I like the area and I would be able to hook up to their water system right away. But I have time to look further. I have plans for a composting toilet and would like to put a few solar panels on the roof. I would also install a small woodstove, but I really just want a 3 season modest dwelling.
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Malamute
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# Posted: 28 Sep 2011 09:35pm - Edited by: Malamute
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Good luck Sharon. It isn't as hard as it may seem at first (easy for me to say, right?). If you can buy some of the basic "how to" books on framing, and other basics, you will have an indea what is happening in a class, or if you start doing stuff on your own, and know what questions to ask also. There are likely some good youtubes on basic construction also.
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smitty
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# Posted: 29 Sep 2011 12:20am
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Welcome Sharon!
Whatever you may be wanting, these guys have you covered.. From small off grid to large log cabins and full size homes. These guys can help you..
I'd help where I can, but so far all we have is the land paid for, and our first tax bill.. The building isn't happening until spring.
If you need anything just ask, somebody will answer you. Us crazy cabin folks stick together ;)
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Sharon
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# Posted: 29 Sep 2011 07:38am
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It's great to find all these kindred spirits. So happy I hooked up. Thank you all for the great advice.
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Harvey44
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# Posted: 20 Nov 2011 09:49pm
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Hi. I built our cabin in the Adirondacks, and it was originally off the grid. I was looking at adding a generator after a few years but it was cheaper and quieter to just bury a cable, and I'm glad I did it.
Our experience may not help Sharon because it is not a full time residence by any means. But this seems like a very cool forum, I've lurked here for a while, so I thought I would post.
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Sharon
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# Posted: 6 Dec 2011 03:59pm
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I am so impressed with your project. This is the sort of thing I am hoping to do some day. It's a really nice cabin in a beautiful setting. Thanks so much for sharing.
Sharon
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Bridgeboy
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# Posted: 6 Dec 2011 09:43pm
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Dear Harvey 44,
Thanks for all of your information. This is very important information. I believe you stated your cabin is built on a foundation. If I ever plan and build a new cabin I am going to build on a regular foundation since I believe that the building will be much warmer, less issues with animals and plumbing problems. I like to have a building that I can use all 4 seasons. Again, thanks for information and beautiful pictures of your cabin.
Bridge boy
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Harvey44
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# Posted: 6 Dec 2011 10:04pm
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Our cabin was originally built on piers. It was against my instincts to do so, but I thought the guy telling me to do so was an expert so I trusted him. Finally, two years ago we jacked up the building and built a foundation under it. It would have been MUCH cheaper to do it at the beginning but we are glad we did it. For one thing, problems with mice have gone WAY down. Also we raised it up high enough so that no snow rests agains the siding.
Thanks for the compliments on our building.
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