In Novemeber 2013 I bought 7 acres of raw land for $5,500. Over the winter while I was living and working in the city I was able to pay off the land and I spent the summer saving all my extra money. I drove up to my property with camping gear, a shotgun, and $4,000 which was my budget. So far I have been quite successful. My uncle, my cousin, my brother, my dad, my neighbor, and my best friend volunteered their labor and took turns helping me out on weekends. I salvaged the lumber, doors and windows. The rest was bought at retail. The build took 2 months to get to this point.
After I made this video I bought a woodstove w/stovepipe & fittings and insulation for the cabin, altogether costing about $800. I also got a propane gas range kitchen stove like-new off craigslist for free. I plan on doing a composting toilet and rainwater harvesting system with a gravity feed for the indoor sinks/shower and a driven point well for backup.
Shout out to LaMar Alexander over at www.simplesolarhomesteading.com. His book really gave me the confidence that a project like this would be possible on a very small budget. I hope I can be another example for people who want this lifestyle, or want to build their own small home but are still building up the confidence to do it. Start with what you can afford and build from there.
“Don’t tell me how to think, don’t tell me how to talk. Don’t lay your trip on me, ’cause you don’t walk my walk; I am my own man…” – LaMar Alexander
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2 Responses
Jane, I am in Northern Maine 45 min outside Bangor. If you want to talk send me a private message on my YouTube channel. I can build for you.
Where are you in Maine? I have small property there, and would appreciate more info. Are you interested in building for someone?
Thank you,
Jane TP