Off Grid Cabin Build
Contributors to this thread:General Topic
From: kra1956
19-Nov-22
Going to build a 16x24 off grid cabin. Anyone have any tips or advise I could use during the building process. Going to use probably use generator for power but not sure about water source.
From: DanaC
19-Nov-22
DanaC's Link
Might want to find a copy of this old book
From: cnelk
19-Nov-22
I just built one in Wyoming - 12x24. Put the wood stove in a couple weeks ago
From: RonP
19-Nov-22
over the course of a year i inspect quite a few off grid cabins and residences. the water source for most of them are storage tanks that are filled by a truck that hauls water. the electrical service is typically 30-60 amps 120 VAC (no 220/240) from solar panels and batteries, with a backup generator. the appliances are propane.
unless you have a specific question, i offer the following:
many are unsafe in that they lack proper emergency egress, smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, and proper clearance of wood or other heaters and the flue to combustible materials. some are downright dangerous.
you will likely have rodent problems so a proper base, foundation, flashing, sealing, etc. are important.
depending on where you are, you might have to consider winterization of the plumbing so make sure to install the proper isolation valves and drains.
From: fuzzy
19-Nov-22
Email me [email protected] I have some information i can send
From: cnelk
19-Nov-22
YouTube is your friend - some pretty crafty guys that have built Off-Grid cabins - lots of good ideas
From: Glunt@work
19-Nov-22
I spend time at a friend's. Solar electric, propane stove, cistern for water works great. Used the quiet Honda generators before solar was in and worked fine but solar is always ready, quiet and allowed switching from a propane fridge to electric. Nicer when leaving it unattended for a month or two.
From: Starfire
19-Nov-22
I have a semi off grid cabin. It has no plumbing, just a hand pump sand point well, but I wish I had put a shower stall in the corner. I made a gravity shower out of a five gallon pail, which works fine but I have to go outside to use it, which is tough when its below freezing. Check local zoning laws to see if you can just drain it to a buried rock pit otherwise put in some sort of holding tank.
From: Whocares
19-Nov-22
Pretty nice, Brad!
From: deerhunter72
19-Nov-22
cnelk, that is really nice! Congratulations
Lots of good stuff on YouTube. Check out The Outsider for his incredible log cabin build.
From: kentuckbowhnter
19-Nov-22
Check out Kyle’s cabin on YouTube. Videos from start to finish.
From: kra1956
19-Nov-22
Thanks everyone for the ideas and reply's. cnelk's cabin is exactly what I was thinking of building.
From: spike buck
19-Nov-22
Off grid also... honda generator.
Off grid also... honda generator.
This cabin is off grid. We bring in treated water is spouted 5 gallon containers. Use a 6000 Honda Generator.
From: Sam
19-Nov-22
If any way possible I can’t help but to think that open cell spray foam would be your friend.
From: Paul@thefort
19-Nov-22
Brad, I don't see a padded rocking chair on the front porch!
From: LUNG$HOT
19-Nov-22
Nice Brad looks like home!
kra1956- Good luck and keep up posted on progress.
From: fubar racin
19-Nov-22
We are going with a pole barnish style for ours. Will be 12x24x10 each with a 12x12 deck between and a 4x12 deck out front of each. We will use power poles from the local electric company then frame up a 2”x8” floor off the buried poles. All of the framing from there up will be 2”x8” inside the power poles. also due to wind and snow load for the area we are building. We are insulating the full depth of the 2”x8” then sheeting inside and out then covering with pro panel on the outside but just painting the sheeting on the inside. Planning on a radiant heater for heat and it won’t be plumbed for indoor water.
From: cnelk
19-Nov-22
Thanks for the replies about the cabin. No rocking chair allowed. Too damn much work to do.
From: deerhunter72
19-Nov-22
cnelk, would you care to share some inside pics of your cabin?
From: Bearman
19-Nov-22
Cnelk, iffn ya wanna make that dissappear, Whip up some good old mud (dirt) and paint it up.
From: cnelk
19-Nov-22
I haven’t done hardly anything to the inside - except hang up an elk rack lol
From: cnelk
19-Nov-22
From: kadbow
19-Nov-22
Built mine 25+ years ago. Keep it simple. (Painted it this summer) 12’x20’ with a 12’x12’ loft for sleeping.
From: cnelk
19-Nov-22
A few details about the cabin. I had to build trusses/headers and precut material at my house and haul everything up 300 miles to the site. No lumber yard in the area. I reclaimed the windows from a remodel job we did.
It was a big help to draw the cabin in CAD prior to building so I had all my lumber counts and details already completed.
I’ll be installing a Renogy 200watt solar kit - water capture will be off the metal roof for use as needed.
I also reclaimed lumber for the outhouse
From: cnelk
19-Nov-22
From: cnelk
19-Nov-22
From: cnelk
19-Nov-22
Pro Tip - when building an outhouse, install some galvanized flashing in front and behind the seat. This will keep any pooo and urine from sinking into the wood and cause smells. Also put a clear roof so it’s nice and bright inside
From: BULELK1
20-Nov-22
Damn nice Brad!
All you guys did good!
Good luck, Robb
From: Bearman
20-Nov-22
My hunting cabin is 14x14. I added a 8x10 room (bed) this past spring for the wimmen folks that come hunting. Exterior is reclaimed cedar fence boards. Bad mistake.gotta battle with woodpeckers.
From: Bearman
20-Nov-22
From: Bearman
20-Nov-22
From: deerhunter72
20-Nov-22
Really great stuff fellas!
From: Ambush
20-Nov-22
cnelk, that's looking like a great place to have the next annual Colorado Bowsiter's meet and greet.
You may want to upgrade the Little House to a two hole'r though. And judging by the advancing age of that crew maybe some arm rests and a grip bar. Or I guess Paul can always help the older fellows out.
From: Elauwit
20-Nov-22
Mine is 16 x 12. I have a small solar powered light and no plumbing. I did wire it when I built it in case, I ever want a generator.
From: wv_bowhunter
20-Nov-22
Great work guys! I love seeing these small cabins.
From: Inshart
20-Nov-22
Nice......: Brad, not including labor, (just materials) about how much do you think it cost you?
From: TGbow
20-Nov-22
Yal got some nice setups
From: c3
20-Nov-22
c3's Link
Now that I'm not building tightspot quivers anymore, I've been working on some ideas for a cabin some day. Did a bunch of testing on my new garage 'design studio' where I used some new construction idea's. I'm kinda into modern design stuff and this was a super cool video I saw on in-slab, forced air radiant heating for colder climates. YMMV as I'm guessing you'll be doing yours in LA and might not need such a great heating system.
I've never been much of a pier and beam fan as those things are generally super cold up here in Utah to Montana where I've lived all my life. Mine will definitely have something like the 'slab on grade', 'monolithic pour' or Legalett type foundation.
I've attached a few pics of my garage build, which is way over the top for what you're trying to do, but the construction idea with TJI beams instead of a traditional rafter roof can be super cost effective, especially if you want a giant over hanging roof for your porch to hang out on.
I know I'm way out there, but cool idea's are still cool ideas and we can all dream if we want to :)
Cheers, Pete
From: c3
20-Nov-22
guess it didn't like my pics
From: cnelk
20-Nov-22
What you see for my cabin is $5000
From: wooddamon1
20-Nov-22
Set up for off-grid or I can use the power or generator on my property. Solar eventually. The never-ending project ;)
From: wooddamon1
20-Nov-22
From: wooddamon1
20-Nov-22
From: wooddamon1
20-Nov-22
No water storage yet, but I'm driving a well next spring. I'll be glad not to have to haul water for showers etc. Great looking places, gentlemen!
No water storage yet, but I'm driving a well next spring. I'll be glad not to have to haul water for showers etc. Great looking places, gentlemen!
From: zeke
20-Nov-22
Here is mine. 20'x30' in western KY. off grid. Made from 4"x8" cypress cants. 12 volt lights.
From: zeke
20-Nov-22
Inside view.
From: fastflight
20-Nov-22
I have seen a bunch of small buildings or other structures that aren't poured on a concrete foundation or at least a concrete slab that end up rotting, sinking, heaving, and in general turning to junk. I am really curious what some of you have done to get a good stable base to start building on? What gives a small cabin the best chance to last a long time? Really curious to hear about the elevated cabins and why that decision was made?
From: DanaC
20-Nov-22
DanaC's Link
Poured concrete piers.
From: cnelk
21-Nov-22
Many don’t put good eaves on their building or don’t build in the right location. Gotta get that water away from the structure.
My cabin is built on 6x6 treated skids. If sometime in the future I want to relocate it, I can do that.
I follow a DIY builder on YouTube that says - “I do my things my way. It might not be the right way, but it’s my way - you do it your way “.
I like that saying
From: wooddamon1
21-Nov-22
cnelk, that's exactly what I did. 2X12 treated joists that I salvaged from a foundry roof that was being torn down on top of those. Totally "portable" building with quickly detachable porches.
From: eBike John
21-Nov-22
Awesome pics, keep them coming. I'm pretty remote myself but nothing like those cabins
From: JusPassin
21-Nov-22
I built this 30 years ago. I used creosote treated railroad ties for pilings and girders. Underside is completely wrapped in treated plywood. No plumbing, no wiring. Propane stove, and mantle lights. Built by hand, no power, no generator. Just as sound as the day I finished it. No one has stayed there in 5 years. What a waste.
From: Ricky The Cabel Guy
21-Nov-22
fastflight...
the key is good drainage. a good friend of mine built his on 6x6 treated skids sitting on a bed of sewer stone. its been there about 25 years... no rot whatsoever and hasnt moved an inch. if i can get him to send me some pictures ill post them.
From: kadbow
21-Nov-22
Poured concrete pilings (sonatube) for mine. Been there 27 years in the Colorado Rockies. No issues.
From: ben h
22-Nov-22
Overall foundation
Overall foundation
adjustable beam pocket
adjustable beam pocket
Framed cabin
Framed cabin
When I was in graduate school for civil engineering, I didn't have any money and still don't, but I did get to build an off grid cabin in Alaska (for someone else) which was a super fun project. We had to barge in all our supplies and plan everything months in advance because there are no trips to the store there. We used screw pile anchors for the foundation that has an adjustable beam hanger on the top if differential settlement did occur, you could just move the beams up or down accordingly. We used these because, concrete is probably $75-$100 a bag, by the time we got it to the site and have to be careful with shipping and storing. If your soil doesn't have many rocks, or roots these just screw in to the ground. We had to dig ours in about 3-4' and then backfill. The bases are about 12" in diameter.
From: fdp
22-Nov-22
It's interesting to me that these cabins don't have rain gutters and water catchment systems.
From: KHNC
22-Nov-22
Here is mine in SC . 20x20 , electric toilet and ran on Generator. Sold in 2019. Have to keep the squirrels out of the ceiling. Bear spray works good. Just dont go inside for a bit afterwards. :)
From: stick slinger
23-Nov-22
I’ve been in a fair number of hunting/trapper cabins. Storage is always an issue. Always need more places to to dry thing out. The foundation/floor and roof are the more difficult and expensive parts. Go higher if you can. A Loft for sleeping/storage is the cheapest way to increase space.
From: Two Feathers
23-Nov-22
Mine is 24 x 20. LP gas stove and lights. Also some 12 volt LED lights. No electricity, no running water, outhouse. Wood heat and kerosene heat.
From: dnovo
23-Nov-22
No matter where you're building, a good overhang and proper drainage will go a long way to preserve your building. As a retired GC, that was the cause of more problems than just about any other.
From: rooster
24-Nov-22
Built this in the back yard a few years back. It's 16" x 32'. The "man cave" portion is 16 X 20 and insulated. I heat it all winter with one of those oil filled radiators. I use the full loft for storage, but it could/would make a great sleeping area.
From: Beendare
25-Nov-22
I've seen some incredible off grid buildings in Alaska and other spots.
Passive and very efficient construction techniques....and off grid energy from Hydro, Solar...pretty slick. The problem is always wifi and good satellite communication.
From: Matt
25-Nov-22
You guys have build some really nice places, great work.
From: Jebediah
25-Nov-22
Really impressive, every single one. Even more so considering I’ll bet a good fraction of the builders have no background in construction. On here previously I showed my ~8x8 lopsided shooting house, building it nearly killed me.
From: Norseman
25-Nov-22
Norseman 's Link
From: Coyote 65
25-Nov-22
Not to be a killjoy here, but you might check with your local taxing authority to see what they will allow. Think building code. Built a house about 6 years ago in a rural county in AZ. Some of the things that they mandated were amazing. An example was windows. Had to have certain number, had to be certain height off the ground.
Neighbor put a small deck on one side of his house without getting a permit, the county fined him and made him take it down when they discovered it.
Terry
From: cnelk
25-Nov-22
Thanks for the YouTube video link Norseman. It was enjoyable to watch
From: Cazador
25-Nov-22
Funny the term “ off grid” there are thousands and thousands of these “camps” in UP of Michigan and Northern Wisconsin built in the 60s bd 70s and they are still gems. Beautiful places guys!
From: BlacktailBob
26-Nov-22
None of these look off grid or remote to me. I see pickup trucks. This is off grid and remote.
From: Catscratch
26-Nov-22
^^^ does that have ratchet straps holding it to the hillside?
From: cnelk
26-Nov-22
BlacktailBob - Did you build that?
From: BlacktailBob
26-Nov-22
I was there and helped do some of the work, but all the credit for it holding up to this years trip out there with measured and recorded wind speed of 139.8 mph goes to my late friend Roy Roth. Its literally strapped to the side of a mountain and has withstood hurricane force winds like a boom shelter.
From: BlacktailBob
26-Nov-22
Thats bomb not boom.
From: BlacktailBob
26-Nov-22
Roy pretty much built this one 50 miles up the the Unalakleet River too. I bought material from a previously collapsed cabin up there and Roy, with the help of two retards like myself, built it in two days. Everything was either boated 50 miles up the river from the village or salvaged from around the corner on the river.
From: ND String Puller
26-Nov-22
Bob that’s amazing! Thanks for sharing that....and RIP Roy. I’ve only read stories about him...that guy had some grit!
From: BlacktailBob
26-Nov-22
Put this new monument up in Roy's Saddle a month ago. Look for an article in Bow Hunter about that.
From: t-roy
26-Nov-22
The bears mess with the new monument, Bob?
From: BlacktailBob
26-Nov-22
Not that I know of yet.
From: Nick Muche
30-Nov-22
That’s a great looking monument Bob!
From: cnelk
30-Nov-22
Watch/follow Bushradical on YouTube - he's done some real cool off grid cabins
From: STRYKER
01-Dec-22
Not completely off grid. Built this on my place in Wyoming. Made out of eight foot fence post. Cabin door was custom built by a fellow Bowsite member.
Not completely off grid. Built this on my place in Wyoming. Made out of eight foot fence post. Cabin door was custom built by a fellow Bowsite member.
From: APauls
01-Dec-22
Myself and two friends were commissioned to build a small addition to a shack in the tundra 200 miles from nearest civilization. Lumber had been dropped off in the winter on a 14 foot snow bank. When we got there it looked like it was dropped from a passing 747.
This was the beauty of a shack we were supposed to add to. I will give my buddies all the credit, they're construction animals. We looked at what we had for material, what could be stolen from the old shed and decided against an addition and started from scratch.
From: APauls
01-Dec-22
Some of you might even recognize it and even stayed in it. It's fun to look back on, because the pics are time stamped.
We landed on August 24 roughly noon. At 1:00 we were organizing materials to see what we had to work with
From: APauls
01-Dec-22
By dinner time the next day we had a real cabin taking shape.
By dinner time the next day we had a real cabin taking shape.
Rolled roofing was a little flat...had to make some adjustments. You can imagine what some of the lumber looked like.
Rolled roofing was a little flat...had to make some adjustments. You can imagine what some of the lumber looked like.
6 hours later we had a foundation and floor.
From: APauls
01-Dec-22
3pm the following day roof was up, closed in and rolled roofing was on
3pm the following day roof was up, closed in and rolled roofing was on
By 5pm on day 2 (or 1.5) things are starting to get homey.
By 5pm on day 2 (or 1.5) things are starting to get homey.
I cooked while we worked!
I cooked while we worked!
From: APauls
01-Dec-22
Come noon the following day it was time to close her up.
Come noon the following day it was time to close her up.
At 9:20pm on day 2.5 we had ourselves a legitimate cabin.
At 9:20pm on day 2.5 we had ourselves a legitimate cabin.
Following day we added the interior touches.
Following day we added the interior touches.
From: APauls
01-Dec-22
bunk room.
bunk room.
Hot showers.
Hot showers.
At the end of 3.5 days we had done all we could do. The tin package that was supposedly delivered was nowhere to be found. 2 years later we found out that it had been delivered on top of the snow and I guess as the snow melted the entire tin package slid the 100 yards to the lake, way out on to the ice, and melted into the lake lol. So we took it as far as we could. Some bowsiters will have hunted out of this camp at Baralzon lake for CBG caribou. Pretty cool what can be done with the right 3 guys. I'm usually the manager, but it was also fun just to be the lackee on this one. I just hauled material to keep those 2 boys fed, and cooked meals to keep the tummies full while hauling. Worked sun up to sun down and I was pretty proud of the whole project. What started out as a 8 foot addition to a tilted shed turned into this beauty of a cabin with running water, electrical, shower, bunks and kitchen.
We hauled a tank way up the hill that gets pumped from the lake. Gravity feed water to the cabin, and dug a pit outside for septic.
From: Hh76
01-Dec-22
We are in the process of reconditioning our off grid place. A couple quick thoughts.
Wire it up as if you were going to have power, that way it will be easy to power with a generator or solar. It doesn't take much, a couple of outlets, and a couple of boxes for switches and lights.
Water system is nice to have, and can be pretty simple. We have a large tank that we can fill in the summer, and we bring 5gal pails in the winter. An RV pump, or a foot pump at a sink really makes it easy to wash up. Plumb gray water drains to a simple dry well.
Think of rodent proofing while you're building. I don't know the answer, but I'm envisioning a lot of hardware wire?
From: cnelk
01-Dec-22
1/2" Hardware cloth around the perimeter of the cabin is what I'll do, dig it in and then out from the edge 6-8" so nothing cant dig under it
From: cnelk
01-Dec-22
Question for those have finished the interior of your cabin.
What did you do for floor finishes - Im thinking about using a garage floor coating/paint - something washable
From: WV Mountaineer
01-Dec-22
^^^^bingo^^^*. That or ploy it.
From: BlacktailBob
01-Dec-22
We use a polyurethane paint over plywood at the cabin in Whalepass, Prince of Wales Island. Wet environment with everyone coming in with wet rubber boots and rain gear. Floor is subject to a lot of moisture yet seems to hold up well and is easy to clean.
From: dlpassthru
02-Dec-22
Best foundation. Don’t have to worry about drainage. 22 years young.
From: fuzzy
02-Dec-22
I did barn boards with poly except for the wood stove room. Did colored concrete over plywood and concrete backer board there.
From: Hitchcockhntr
03-Dec-22
If power poles are an option which is cheaper? Solar or Pole?
From: cnelk
03-Dec-22
Its about $2000 +/- to have 1 power set, then maybe some extra $$ to have an electrician wire an outlet box on the pole.
Costs of solar kits are dependent of how many watts you want [things you want to run] and storage
From: cnelk
05-Dec-22
Here's a new video from Bushradical about a complete Off Grid Cabin build he did - worth the time to watch
From: FORESTBOWS
05-Dec-22
I have built a few. Mostly bigger real log house style cabins but off grid
From: Hh76
05-Dec-22
Another note, insulate it as much as possible. People like to think that wood is free, so they don't have to worry about insulating much. That's true, but the better insulated, the longer the cabin will hold heat when the stove burns out in the middle of the night.
From: mulecreek
05-Dec-22
Used log siding rather than real logs, for the ease of construction. Real logs look better but are much more time consuming and difficult to build.
Used log siding rather than real logs, for the ease of construction. Real logs look better but are much more time consuming and difficult to build.
Extended deck and resurfaced with Trex for easy maintenance. There will always be alot of upkeep on a cabin. I try to simplify where possible.
Extended deck and resurfaced with Trex for easy maintenance. There will always be alot of upkeep on a cabin. I try to simplify where possible.
Built a set of log stairs from on site timber. This was a fun project.
Built a set of log stairs from on site timber. This was a fun project.
My off grid cabin in Wyo is 20' x 25'. Traditional framing on crawl space foundation.
From: mulecreek
05-Dec-22
Homemade ladder/stair. Works really well for kids to get to loft. Not ideal for older folks but it takes up the least floor space. Will most likely change to better stairs at some point.
Homemade ladder/stair. Works really well for kids to get to loft. Not ideal for older folks but it takes up the least floor space. Will most likely change to better stairs at some point.
Small kitchen with gas stove. Added shower to bathroom. One bedroom down stairs with queen bed. Loft fits two queen beds. Left everything open on lower level. Will most likely wall off bedroom.
Small kitchen with gas stove. Added shower to bathroom. One bedroom down stairs with queen bed. Loft fits two queen beds. Left everything open on lower level. Will most likely wall off bedroom.
T&G pine siding for most of interior except kitchen and bath.
T&G pine siding for most of interior except kitchen and bath.
Added small wood stove. Will take several lifetimes to run out of wood on our land. Lots of insulation. Still need to insulate the floor joists. This will help a lot. Wired in electrical just in case. Didn't have generator for some years but do now.
From: mulecreek
05-Dec-22
Added laminate flooring. Cheap, fairly durable. Easy to install and easy to replace if needed.
From: mulecreek
05-Dec-22
Added shed built with left over materials a few years ago. This is a huge help with storage.
From: mulecreek
05-Dec-22
Not a bad place to escape to. Have since added solar for all electrical except for well pump. That runs off gas generator. Have added refrigerator, hot water heater, Blackstone griddle and Starlink. This is the game changer. Almost no reason to leave anymore. Hot water heater is a portable one that hangs outside. Not usable in winter time. Wife wants to move here and live year round for our first year of retirement. Will need to get snowmobile or snowcat to make that happen. Its a mile snow shoe walk in after November.
From: Slate
05-Dec-22
Great stuff gentleman
From: mulecreek
05-Dec-22
Fun for an extended weekend in winter but needs work to make it more livable year-round.
From: LUNG$HOT
05-Dec-22
Lookin good. I’m a bit envious. ;-)
From: mulecreek
05-Dec-22
My place is the one on the right. In the end it burned up to within 100' or so. Aspens have flourished since the fire.
My place is the one on the right. In the end it burned up to within 100' or so. Aspens have flourished since the fire.
If you build be prepared for fire. We have had two fires come through in the last 15 years. First one just about got it. We had done a good bit of clearing around the cabin but if not for the FS and BLM fire fighters it would not have made it. Second one past through with little issue. Largely due to first fire. My place borders NF land and every year since the fire we see more and more elk and deer. It has turned into a place where you can walk out the door and be into solid hunting.
From: ND String Puller
05-Dec-22
Good thread...keep it going so I can keep dreaming ! Thanks for sharing fellas... they all look like paradise to me.
From: Whocares
05-Dec-22
Built this 22x24 38 years ago in northern Mn. Beams set on blocks. Wafer board siding. Insulate and 4x8 siding for paneling inside. Oxford tongue and groove floor with deck paint. Insulated ceiling. Barrel stove. Gas range and counter with sink. Haul water in 5 gal jugs. Outhouse. Honda 1000 runs lights and satellite tv. Lots of grouse and deer taken here. And good stories, except a couple of the guys lie. Will post an outside pic and one inside.
From: Whocares
05-Dec-22
Built this 22x24 38 years ago in northern Mn. Beams set on blocks. Wafer board siding. Insulate and 4x8 siding for paneling inside. Oxford tongue and groove floor with deck paint. Insulated ceiling. Barrel stove. Gas range and counter with sink. Haul water in 5 gal jugs. Outhouse. Honda 1000 runs lights and satellite tv. Lots of grouse and deer taken here. And good stories, except a couple of the guys lie. Will post an outside pic and one inside.
From: Whocares
05-Dec-22
From: Whocares
05-Dec-22
Trying to get the outside!! Grrr...
From: Whocares
05-Dec-22
Take my word for it! There is an outside to the building. It's painted green.
From: DL
07-Dec-22
DL's Link
You will enjoy this Documentary about an Iowa farmer that headed for Alaska and built a life for himself in the wilderness.
From: scentman
10-Nov-23
Dream homes, and if you could live in them 12 months out of the year I'm sure you would ;0)
