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spicyacres
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# Posted: 4 Mar 2012 16:30
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No disrespect also, but you might be getting a little ahead of yourself. You've stated that you don't have much money to invest in this project, you have no building experience, your time is limited, and you seem to have a reluctance to "rough it." You might want to reconsider your objectives before going ahead and purchasing any land.
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jgiffi
Member
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# Posted: 4 Mar 2012 17:17
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I took about a year before I started to break any ground because you need to clear a site, make access (dirt or stone rd), determine layout, etc. This is not going to be something that is going to happen that quickly, especially for a first timer. Take your time and don't rush things. You have to think about how your going to get materials back to your building site. I had a 24ft enclosed trailer that I put a twin bed in and stayed in there while constructing. It was great because I had a place to store tools and materials so I didn't have to keep hauling stuff back and forth. For me, it was important that I complete every aspect of the project and tried to make it an enjoyable time with friends and family. I purchased a small diesel generator(6500w) to run power tools and air compressor and I plan on using it combined with solar to power the camp eventually (4 gallons runs 8+hrs). You may want to check with the power company/ electricians in the area to see how much connecting your camp to power will be because for the amount of time that I am up there it doesn't justify the connection cost and monthly service fees. With led technology and high efficiency appliances you can really get away with some alternative power options. You can rent portapoties for inexpensive while you construct the camp if your concerned about having a bathroom. I would also meet the code enforcement officer in the area you are looking to buy the land and let him know what you are thinking about doing. Also sit down and figure out what your budget is going to be and calculate some firm costs and figure an overage of at least 10-20%. Things happen and you may have to bring in help or supply costs may change so just plan for the worst.
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MtnDon
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# Posted: 4 Mar 2012 18:02
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Some thoughts of mine... And opinions for what they are worth.
Working and going to school... How about finishing school first? Concentrate and give that your best otherwise why bother with school? Then live frugally and save money for a while; maybe get a better paying job and save all the new extra money. I am formly of the belief that nothing worthwhile comes easy and that it is impossible to fulfill all of one's dreams in a short time.
Is going to school intended to further your career? Will advancement in that career involve any moving to a different geographic area? Any school loans or other loans? Pay those off first. What about your wife's career; any chances of it requiring a relocation. True, anything acquired now can be sold later. But that is not at all an easy or a fast thing in this economic climate. If there's any likely chance of a career requiring relocation I would not buy recreational property right now. Hard to sell quickly without loosing your shirt. On the other hand right now can be a good time to buy if the right parcel comes along at the right price.
No building experience... After school is finished volunteer at a Habitat for Humanity site. You can learn a lot as a volunteer and gain some practical experience. And find out how good you are at it.
Slopes are more tricky to build on than a lot of folks think. Frequently it is better to try and reduce the slope with some earthmoving. Not usually cheap. There is an unofficial rule of thumb when it comes to slopes and building. If you draw an imaginary line horizontally from the bottom of the pier, there should be no less than seven feet before that horizontal line sees daylight. That can make for some very deep holes as the slope increases. It's hard to beat a flat spot to build on. Building on a slope is also logistically difficult. How do you raise materials to the top of the wall on the low side of a steep slope, for example?
Don't rush. You've said you are young. Take time and plan properly; fewer mistakes and less wasted cash and effort that way.
On the collecting rainwater and using for showering without a pump. For every foot of "head" or height of the water above the point of use gravity will produce 0.43 lbs of water pressure. So if the water was ten feet higher than the shower head you would have 4.3 lbs of pressure. Doesn't matter what size of pipe; pressure is the same. Gravity is not going to work for that. An RV water pump is used by many folks.
Once you have land that is suitable for building, determine the ground snow load for the area. That will help determine how strong the roof has to be as well as what style of roof is best suited. A simple shed roof, sloped from one higher side wall to the other lower side wall, may seem easy to build but may not be the best choice where there is snow to be accounted for.
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Seto
Member
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# Posted: 6 Mar 2012 12:27
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I'm off grid in NY, getting arround the building permits can be easy enough, NY code only permits 8'x8' without permits or one of the prebuild/Amish built storage buildings of any size that is build elsewhere and delivered-those need no permits, currently I am living in one, i put insulation in, finished the walls, added a woodstove and covered the roof with solar pannels. I did all the work myself over the summer doing it paycheck by paycheck, in NY we get a lot of rain, so i reccomend collecting and saving it, my place has no well, i use rain water only or melt snow on the stove. I guess my place cost a total of $5500 over the summer.
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jgiffi
Member
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# Posted: 6 Mar 2012 15:43
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Seto, could you provide pics of your place? Which panels did you go with? Inverter?
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mrcvs
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# Posted: 6 Mar 2012 21:32
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optimistic
I see you mention Chestnut Hill Township in Monroe County. I live just over the line in Northampton County. Not that much further, but taxes are FAR less.
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mrcvs
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# Posted: 6 Mar 2012 21:35
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Also, a large persentage of residents of Monroe County do commute to NYC on a daily basis. It is doable if you need to make it happen.
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Seto
Member
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# Posted: 7 Mar 2012 07:44
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jgiffi, I used a several 45 watt kits from harbor freight, wired them parrallel to a sunforce 30 amp charge controler, totals about 200 watts or 16 amps, i use them to charge 5 marine batteries (wired parallel for 550 amps capacity), i use an inverter i got at an auto zone, 200 watts, I only need it to run a radio and laptop, the lights are all dc (the ones i got in the kits)
I don't have a good picture at the moment
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HopefulHomemake r
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# Posted: 26 Apr 2012 21:58
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Seto, my husband and I are planning to buy an Amish-made prebuilt shed/cabin, which would be built at their shop and delivered to our place in halves. You say those don't need any kind of permit? Where did you find this out? Is there a link to a resource online that says so? We're on a very limited budget for time and money, and desperately trying to find a loophole in the permitting process, so this would be great news for us.
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hakalug
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# Posted: 2 May 2012 11:29
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watching thread with interest, new member in VA
thanks for the link VTweekender
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