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Leighd
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# Posted: 19 Feb 2026 12:49pm - Edited by: Leighd
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Hello cabin community!!
New here and have a few questions about building an 8x8 off grid cabin in the woods.
Some background on the location - it’s quite a hike to get into, so getting any heavy equipment to the site is almost impossible. The ground is full of shale - as is the entire mountainside we live ln. I’ve measured the slope and over 10 feet (the area I have marked off for the cabin) there’s a 13-inch slope. The cabin will not have a loft, a simple sloped roof (tin) but may have some heavy furniture in it. It’s only going to be used here there - a weekend retreat kind of thing.
My question is - being it’s such a remote location, but it is on a bit of a slope, should I be digging out the high side to make it as level as possible? It would be hard but dooable…and then would I be okay to use concrete
Deck blocks with PT 4x4 posts to level the base?
I tried those helical piles from homedepot but only made it about 6” before I hit rock and they became unusable. So my plan is to dig down to native ground, a good base of gravel, tamp that down good, and then place 9 blocks under my 8x8 foot print. If I can get it level I might not need the 4x4 posts to bring up the low side…but I’m not sure I have the muscles to level it perfectly. My biggest worry is the entire cabin sliding…
Looking forward to your replies!
Thank you 
Leigh
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 19 Feb 2026 02:08pm
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Dont dig down the high side to level it, that will only make a pit for melt/rain water to get under the cabin.
If you want/need to build up the low side do it with local fill from nearby.
Imo a small shed size structure like that doesn't need posts or foundation, nor will it be very heavy even with furniture unless you make it all from heavy iron LOL.
Put down good sized blocks (like the biggest size you can haul in so each has a good sized footprint) followed by an asphalt shingle at any wood contact and use pressure treated lumber for the beams and joists.
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Brettny
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# Posted: 20 Feb 2026 06:49am
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For a 8x8 building just put it on wide blocks. I wouldnt dig at all for something so small.
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Fanman
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# Posted: 20 Feb 2026 07:46am
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Quoting: gcrank1 Dont dig down the high side to level it, that will only make a pit for melt/rain water to get under the cabin.
Definitely don't dig the uphill side. Not only water, but leaves and debris will accumulate against the wall and under the floor, rotting things out. Make the uphill side high enough to rake out, no matter how high the downhill side is.
Big flat rocks can work just as well as concrete blocks you have to haul in.
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DRP
Member
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# Posted: 20 Feb 2026 08:33am - Edited by: DRP
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For a little background. The building code is not worried about sliding at that slope.
"R403.1.5 Slope.
The top surface of footings shall be level. The bottom surface of footings shall not have a slope exceeding 1 unit vertical in 10 units horizontal (10-percent slope). Footings shall be stepped where it is necessary to change the elevation of the top surface of the footings or where the slope of the bottom surface of the footings will exceed 1 unit vertical in 10 units horizontal (10-percent slope)."
From your concern... Is this above an increasing grade and what is the "strike and dip" of the shale? In other words is the mountainside shedding loose shale downslope or is is bedded such that weathering is having to stroke the cat backwards, and what is beyond the edge of the footprint?
Do you have naturally decay resistant tree species to make a retaining wall out of that you can spike into the hill downslope and backfill with rock to make a level base?
Overturning in wind is a concern.
You can also dig down to form a level footprint and build a level crib of treated timbers log cabin style and at the desired height begin a floor system on top of that.
How far and steep is the hike in?
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