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gwindhurst
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# Posted: 20 Feb 2019 08:30am
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My long term plan is to build a 16x20 cabin with either a 10x12 or 12x16 future addition. Also, I plan to build an Adirondack Lean-to. The lean-to, or— small addition, will serve as a place to stay for the immediate need, and then as shelter for when the larger structure is under construction.
So— Should I build the Lean-to first, then the 16x20? And then add the addition if/when needed.
Or— Build the addition first (10x12 or 12x16[preferred]), which would serve as a less expensive alternative and very manageable structure should the larger structure never happen?... And then build the lean-to later.
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my_3_girls
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# Posted: 20 Feb 2019 11:28am - Edited by: my_3_girls
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Very new to this, but I'd go with lean-to first. Seems like you could throw one of these up in a weekend, and have shelter while you're building the cabin. 16x20 is only 4' bigger each way from your 12x16 addition. More space means more to heat, maybe you won't need the addition?
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frankpaige
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# Posted: 20 Feb 2019 06:53pm
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How far away from your home base?
Can you build the walls at home and transport?
What type of foundation?
How long do you realistically think it will take to finish?
Will you have any help?
If you can get it enclosed this season, I would go with the larger one first.
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silverwaterlady
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# Posted: 20 Feb 2019 06:57pm - Edited by: silverwaterlady
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First I would find out if what you have planned is legal to build in your area.
I personally would build a deck that can later be used as a stand alone screen house and put up a good quility two room camping tent and stay in there while I built.
Than I would build a outhouse and outdoor shower before the cabin. Because you are going to need a place to go to the bathroom and a place to keep clean while you are building.
Still it all comes down to whether or not any of this is legal in your area.
This is what I wish we had done before we built our cabin. Not doing it in this order made everything much more difficult especially for me.
If we had been allowed to build a shed before the cabin that would have made our lives much easier but that was not allowed until we had our cabin built.
I would not build with a plan to add on later. What if you cannot afford to do it and you are stuck with a cabin that is too small. Also adding on costs more money than just building the right size for you and your family. It also does not look pleasing to the eye in most cases.
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rockies
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# Posted: 20 Feb 2019 07:32pm
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You should also consider where you will be storing all your tools and building supplies. You don't want them out in a downpour getting ruined.
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gwindhurst
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# Posted: 21 Feb 2019 06:07pm
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First, I’d like to thank everyone for their suggestions, opinions and views thus far. Greatly appreciated. Below I will address replies as posted above.
3_girls: Thanks for you input. Good points! I’m seriously considering this path...
frankpaige: Property is in Windsor County, VT about 200 miles from home. Cabin will be built on concrete pier and beam foundation. Yes, plan on building in panels and transporting. Once foundation is ready, dry in time estimated to be 6-8 weeks (size dependent) consisting of extended weekends and a big push of a full week at some point.
silverwaterlady: The town does not have zoning, and I have discussed with the town manager my intent and he had no objection. As for too small, yes that could possibly happen however, too small is still better than nothing. Many people on this forum have “small-cabinsâ€, particularly what I’ve seen posted from our neighbors In Canada where they’re sometimes limited to just 100 sq. ft.
rockies: I have a truck so tool storage won’t be an issue. I’ll only bring the material/panels for each planned visit and will have tarps to cover in the event of inclement weather. Besides, many structures are exposed to the elements through the building process and shouldn’t be that detrimental.
Thanks again to all. Prost!
Glenn
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Wilbour
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# Posted: 21 Feb 2019 08:20pm
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Quoting: silverwaterlady I personally would build a deck that can later be used as a stand alone screen house and put up a good quility two room camping tent and stay in there while I built.
Did the same. My property can be wet for a long time, almost all of 2018 for sure. Having a 10 x 10 deck gave me a dry place for a small tent and a place to eat. Only took me about a day to build with all 10' lumber.
Now I have dismantled the deck and have used the same lumber to build a deck against the cabin.
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gwindhurst
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# Posted: 22 Feb 2020 03:10pm
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Update: It's been a while but I've been busy on many levels.
I was offered a lot of free lumber last spring (April 2019), thus a change in plan(s). I decided to build a 10x12 Shabin with what I had been blessed. (IMO it's easier to design and buy materials, than trying to figure out what you can do with what you receive)...
After taking inventory I began to plan what I could accomplish with given materials, and what additional materials I would need to get dried-in. As of November 2019, and just as the first snow began to fly, I was dried-in.
I will follow-up on a separate thread with additional comment and build photos and future plans.
Prost!
~G
2nd load of free lumber
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Dried-in!
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Brettny
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# Posted: 23 Feb 2020 07:56am
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Very nice Gwind. I was going to tell you that a leantoo didn't offer much protection and it's not lockable.
Ant interior pics?
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gwindhurst
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# Posted: 23 Feb 2020 08:35am
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Thanks Brettny. It's just a shell right now. Soon I'll be going back to install two more windows, insulate and work on a loft. This will be a stand-a-lone structure and not part of any original thoughts mentioned above. At some point I'll start a new thread with my cabin story, more pics as progress unfolds and future plan(s)...
Prost!
~G
Sheathing it in
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Installing tin roof
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Brettny
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# Posted: 25 Feb 2020 07:15am
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A dried in shell with a heater is still nicer than a tent. We have a little 10x14ft shed with only Insulation in the ceiling. The wood stove makes it warm enough even at 10*f. We had this 10x14ft shed delivered then skidded up to the site. It's also going to be our cabin until the real cabin is built.
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gwindhurst
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# Posted: 25 Feb 2020 10:11am - Edited by: gwindhurst
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Agreed! I have a kerosene heater in there for know while working but will be installing an old Fisher Baby Bear wood stove I picked up on CL for $150 with 3 sections of insulated SS pipe.
I do remember reading your post. Particularly your question “Does anyone know when black fly season ends?†To which Wilbour replied “When deer fly season startsâ€... 🤣
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gwindhurst
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# Posted: 8 Apr 2020 04:21pm
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Quoting: gwindhurst I will follow-up on a separate thread with additional comment and build photos and future plans.
Another side effect of Covid-19, lots of time on my hands and no where to go. What to do? Deliver on my story, build and future plans. So here it is, hope you'll follow along:
https://www.small-cabin.com/forum/6_9681_0.html
Thank you for following. Stay safe and stay healthy.
Cheers!
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