And we’re off on the next big adventure! We have a building permit and just passed the first plumbing inspection. With any luck, a 28×36 cabin will be erected at Camp Many Moons this year and will be habitable next year.
This is almost as scary as starting on The Great Loop. (To read that story, start here.) Like The Loop, there are many decisions and uncontrollable factors and we’re learning as we go. We’re not using a builder, though we get as-needed help from a neighbor who is a General Contractor. Jeff and I are going to see how much we can do on our own, hiring day-labor as needed.
Doing it this way will save a lot of money but depends a lot on Jeff. He is a man of many skills and what he doesn’t know, he learns. And I’m learning alongside him. My first big “learn” was whether and when to build at all. When I bought this waterfront lot more than five years ago, it was an experiment to see what we could create together from wilderness. (To read the story from the beginning, start here.) By now, we have proven we’re a good team on a project. So, on to the next one! See photos and captions below.
When we cleared this spot two years ago, it changed the atmosphere of my first vision – a rustic waterfront. By creating a big empty spot in the middle, I had committed to building something. Then we left for The Great Loop, and lumber prices skyrocketed, and I had trouble visualizing just what I wanted to do. But once we got a house plan nailed down this year (thanks to help from our neighbor), discussion and doubt turned into action. Jeff likes action so he’s “all-in!”
Jeff borrowed our neighbor’s laser level to get the measurements just right. We’re using a heated slab (no basement or crawl space), so plumbing is integrated into the foundation and floor.
Putting the plumbing into the foundation is pretty scary. You have to get it right the first time.
One reason we agreed to do the DIY route is because I like to see what’s underneath that we take for granted, and also help when I can. These pipes will eventually carry water in and sewage out. (We also did the septic tank and septic field ourselves. Well, mostly Jeff, but I also get into the ditch, carry stuff, and get my hands dirty.)
The plumbing inspector gave us a green light today. One more milestone down!
The credit goes to Jeff, who has built before but had to learn new things. As for me, I had to find and fill out the permit–the first of many. (Permits alone will cost about $1,000.) It’s not much fun, lots of little boxes I don’t understand, but the on-line option makes it easier. Five minutes after I hit “send” and paid the fee, the permit arrived in my in box. That allowed us to call the inspector and schedule an inspection. We’ll have to do this for mechanical and electrical also.
Meanwhile, I’m splitting logs left over from our latest tree-cutting last winter. (There’s always trees to take down in this rough woodland with strong winds and rough winters.) It’s such a powerful machine. The hardest part is getting the heavy chunk of oak onto the splitter.
Jeff’s tiny woodsy cabin, less than a mile away, will get ignored this summer but he did make one big advancement today….a new “garage.” That’s how he plans to use this 48-foot trailer that he bought for $3,000 last winter and transported up his camp road today, with the help of a neighbor and his bulldozer. The trailer was once used for transporting refrigerated goods. (Backwoods folks excel at re-packaging, re-selling and re-using stuff. It’s impressive, not to mention economical.) Jeff added windows, shelves and a wood stove. It will serve nicely–though I wish I could figure out how to paint it. White doesn’t go very well in the woods!
Mary, Hello from the Md-Coast of Maine! This memo is in the “For what it’s worth department.”
We have Radiant heat. This winter, we had a cold snap from our friends up North. The temp. fell to -14F and the wind blew 50-70 mph. The interior of the house did not go above 50F. I am surprised that you went Radiant with the winters you will experience up there. We found that a substantial generation is an absolute must and that one room is dedicated to baseboard heat. I assure you that that particular room will be the ‘survival room.’
Good luck, I’ll be watching from the wings.
Jock
Understood. It’s become “the thing” up here. (Crawl spaces tend to get wet or even mold because of the high water table.) We have at least one backup heart source planned.
Excited for you two! We (especially I) are avid DIYers and I’ve learned that in order to do something you have to just “start”! You can always find out how to do stuff as you go. People who know stuff want to share with you! You have already learned these things and are on your way!! Keep us “posted”!
I put in DIY radiant floor heat in my house (tubes stapled to the underside of the floors in the crawl space). Once you try it you’ll never go back. One thing I did do that worked out great was put a loop in the bathroom wall behind the towel rack.
For Many Moons 
Mary, Hello from the Md-Coast of Maine! This memo is in the “For what it’s worth department.”
We have Radiant heat. This winter, we had a cold snap from our friends up North. The temp. fell to -14F and the wind blew 50-70 mph. The interior of the house did not go above 50F. I am surprised that you went Radiant with the winters you will experience up there. We found that a substantial generation is an absolute must and that one room is dedicated to baseboard heat. I assure you that that particular room will be the ‘survival room.’
Good luck, I’ll be watching from the wings.
Jock
LikeLike
Understood. It’s become “the thing” up here. (Crawl spaces tend to get wet or even mold because of the high water table.) We have at least one backup heart source planned.
LikeLike
Mary,
So excited to see this part of your adventures begin! What a good team you and Jeff make working on it together.
LikeLike
Excited for you two! We (especially I) are avid DIYers and I’ve learned that in order to do something you have to just “start”! You can always find out how to do stuff as you go. People who know stuff want to share with you! You have already learned these things and are on your way!! Keep us “posted”!
LikeLike
I put in DIY radiant floor heat in my house (tubes stapled to the underside of the floors in the crawl space). Once you try it you’ll never go back. One thing I did do that worked out great was put a loop in the bathroom wall behind the towel rack.
LikeLike
BZ on your DIY! Will have to consider that for the bathroom.
LikeLike