Any reallife contractors on here? I need some help, Not a coop!

[T M C]

motorhomes are really cheap right now. Get a twenty year old rambler and skirt it and have maybe five or six thousand in it. My neighbor has one in good shape, never asked how much. I live in Des Moines Iowa. Also you should see my portable barn Wow made mostly out of site waste on construction sites. Its for sale but your to far away.

 

[morelcabin]

I looked at the camper idea...it would be perfect for the summer, but you can't stay in one during winter here. We used to stop camping at the end of October, it was just too cold, even with a forced air furnace. That would be such a simple solution! There is one on Kijiji here, says it is able to be used all seasons...I am tempted to check into it a little further but I really think it would be a waste of money here.

 

[Firefyter-Emt]

Well, I hate to be the odd one out here, but as a father to four, I think she might just need to grow up by herself. This is only based on what I am reading into the story here though. If she is making a point that she will not come home, pregnant / new mother, unless you build her a place of her own... Well then, I think it's time she grew up and ran her life her way. As parents, we can only direct them so far, and so well. From there on, it's up to them to live and prosper on thier own.

I do hope I did not come off blaming you, or insulting anyone as that is not my intent. However, it appears that your daughter needs to become an adult. Whether the age has come, or been thrust upon her, the time has arrived.

 

[cmcgoun]

Yea well first with the water piping, you will either have to buy your own water heater, or connect in with your existing one, which is easy, and the cheaper way out. If you have a basement or crawlspace you will find the water pipes, and you wont have to go through foundation, there are ways out beside going through concrete!

Cord wood sounds like it would work, but are you doing the whole house cord wood or just the foundation, a foundation on bedrock would have to have some concrete due to shifting of the bedrock. As long as you have concrete reinforced with rebar you should be okay, and then start with the cord wood, but you might be able to do cord wood foundation for a while. By the way I think cord wood is beautiful!

Another thing, I know you said you wanted an insulated foundation, but how about you raise it slightly about 6 inches, and put large posts beneath it, you can do that with a rock bit in an auger, and you can still get great insulating qualities that way. You seal the bottom with brick, and use a lot of insulation under the floor. And if it will be 12x6 the house will be very stable still.

What ever you do I hope you have good luck, and keep in mind mobile homes have very little insulation if that is the way you choose.
I hope I have answered your question, and keep in mind I am no contractor I just turned 15 y/o but I have been building and framing for several years, and I hardly know anything! Good Luck!

 

[cmcgoun]

And Fire I think her daughter is just a little worried and wants to be with her parents during the pregnancy, you may not know the whole situation. I do understand what your saying, but lets not get this thread locked

 

[Firefyter-Emt]

Granted, and that is why I said that I am not insulting or accusing.

However, this late in the year, to build a living space (or else she will not come) is more than a scared child looking to come home for comfort. There is more at play and risk from what it appears.

Please, I do not wish to have this spin out of control and be locked by any means. My only point is to help the original poster here. Where the point is that you must allow your child to be thier own person can be a hard decision at times. They may not like it, nor talk to you for some time. Although, at times, it must be the thing to do so they grow into the adult they should become.

 

[morelcabin]

Hi ya'll thanks so much for the great ideas and suggestions! Building is getting underway next weekend. We decided not to plumb, that just adds too many hassles, she will use the house.

Fire, I know exactly where you are coming from and have the same view as you do:>) If not for the baby I would let her grow up her own way...but having been there myself I have a really good idea what it's all about to have a baby at 18...and I really have to have her closer no matter what the cost:>) I sure didn't admit I needed my mom back then...but I did, and my mom helped me huge! Maybe she won't appreciate it right now but later she will see the big picture:>)
She's been on her own since the age of 16...hopefully she has done some growing up, I haven't interfered until now.
The cabin will be 14x16 with a loft. We have a freind who is actually a cottage contractor who is trading labour with my husband. My husband is helping him with his firewood today and next weekend he will frame for us:>) He has done alot of guest cottages and has some really great ideas...and the know how!
Thanks again everyone!

 

[sianara]

Quote:
Good luck with everything. Please post a picture when you get it all done!

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

You might take a look at the Katrina Homes being marketed by Lowes Home Improvement stores. They are selling house "kits" that make a variety of small homes. Most are one bedroom with a tiny kitchen, bathroom, and living room. The tiniest is about 500square feet. The largest ones go up to around 1500sq ft or so. If I remember correctly there is one that is a bedroom and a half (an 8x8 office space that would be a great nursery). The houses have a cottage/island cabin feel. They are pretty cute. I'd actually love to have one on my property to serve as rental property.

Another thought is to check out the Tumbleweed Homes website. They also have cute smaller homes perfect for a guest house.

Good luck!

(I know this doesn't answer your question about foundation or anything. I just thought you might like the ease of using a kit type house. It's still stick built like a real home, but everything including appliances and stuff is all included in the kit price.)

 

[morelcabin]

Hey Girl, funy thing I have been using exactly those sites as idea sources. We're kind of going btween the two. Katrina's are too big, and tumbleweeds are too small, but they sure do show how to pack alot of the stuff into a small space don't they? Ours is going to have a total of 220 square feet living space. It will have a small nursery on the back, a loft bedroom upstairs and space under the stairwell for a closet and porta potti. Still playing around with plans but basicly have the idea:>) You know all in all this hasn't been a bad thing...we've always wanted to build a guesthouse someday...this is just pushing it forward a few years:>)
I will definitely post pictures when it is done...

Got some great news last night...my daughter is taking the train home in two weeks and will assist in the building of this thing...she's like her mom...uses all the power tools. I'll get her to help me hang drywall and finish the inside after the guys have the framing and the roof done:>) You know, this whole baby thing isn't such a bad thing after all...I think it will bring us closer and give us a common bond...