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What would you do differently if you could go back?

(17 posts)
  • Started 1 year ago by ryan112ryan
  • Latest reply from Grant Wagner

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  1. ryan112ryan
    Member

    Hind sight is 20/20, What would you do differently if you could build your house all over again?

    tell us about:
    • headaches and problems
    • time savers
    • things that didn't work out
    • Anything else that you would change
    Posted 1 year ago #

  2. thorsman
    Member

    I eliminated the loft in my second tiny house. The space was good, but I tried heating a 12 x 18 foot structure with a kero-sun 40 and at sub-zero F temps it couldn't keep up with the cold. I also eliminated the use of large windows, my original house was too shaded, my current location is better suited for them, but I didn't have any this time around. I also kept my ceiling height down to eight feet at the highest and down to 6 feet on the main living end and the sleeping bunk 4 feet. This structure is only meant to be a temp "house" until I finish my permanent tiny house, which I am only now beginning to think about. I'm heating with wood this time around and had a much warmer winter. I used pallets and recycled lumber this time with maybe $200 into it, I'm also using recycled nails when I can. the first one was built with brand new lumber from the saw mill and cost several thousand dollars. Hey I was just starting out and thought "from the mill" was alternative--baby steps right? The permanent house will be made from stone collected from my land and recycled timber.
    Posted 1 year ago #

  3. Yonderosa
    Member

    I'm not finished with mine yet but so far the only thing I'd change is going with a steeper roof so there would be more headroom in the loft. Right now it's 42" which is nice for a tent but the space is more usable than I anticipated and a little more headroom would make it easier to move around.

    Another change I am considering is adding a few more windows. The light is good but the surrounding area is too beautiful to be blocked by a wall.

    I'm pleased with the size, large enough to be comfortable, small enough to be easy and inexpensive to build.

    Image
    Posted 1 year ago #

  4. msoddgers
    Member

    I would make the door open outward. If I had made the door open out, I'd have a bigger living space and not lose any more heat really when it's forty below. Sadly, I was hung up on the big house convention of the front door opening inward.

    Shoulda thought outside the box.

    Posted 11 months ago #

  5. sam
    Member

    This is a good thread.
    My first small house (built for my daughter and her family)was 26X16,then quickly added 12X8, for a total living space of 512sq feet(counting the porch)This may sound like a lot of house for you Tiny dwellers---buy two adults and a baby it was just large enough.and free.
    What I'd do different is make it 28 long---adding a foot to the living room and a foot to the bed room.That really doesn't sound like a lot but would have made a lot of difference.
    This house was built Trailer house style(lay-out)Living room on one end ,bed room on the other,porch-kitchen,& bath room in the center.This house could have been built on a 16' wide trailerhouse frame.It's very liveable even with out the added 12x8.And built as a custom build as you on this site desire---it would fit many subdivisions after setting and under pinning.It wouldn't have the trailer house "look"

    Posted 11 months ago #

  6. bnance
    Member

    These houses are cool! Would make a weekend getaway. If I may, I would like to recommend our cabinetry products, please go to http://www.webinetry.com

    Posted 11 months ago #

  7. Dallas
    Member

    @ msoddgers: I always assumed doors opened inward so that they could not be blocked and get you trapped in the house. Neve having lived in a house that small is this a ligit concern? I know travail trailers always open out.

    Posted 9 months ago #

  8. northstar
    Member

    One thing I would do differently is build the loft 3"higher.After I let my house down from the jack stands it settled from the weight.I have it on a 10,000lb trailer with leaf springs.The extra 3"would have been nice in the loft.

    Posted 9 months ago #

  9. Deek D
    Member

    I would have NOT built my cabin on stilts, heck, no concrete poured posts AT ALL- I would have let it stand as a small floating/deck platform that I could jack and level over time if need be. The mixing of concrete by hand, on land with no running water nearby was hugely time consuming- not to mention back-breaking. Also, as I started my cabin at age 22 (about 10 years back), I can't even remember WHY I wanted it on stilts/raised (I think it had something to do with a bear den on the property- not that a cabin 8 feet in the air would do anymore than slow a bear down for about 2 seconds- and not that they'd bother me anyway). IN anycase, with a tall cabin, much more ladder work, and ladder positioning was required- which added so much time to this project. But hey, live and learn, and most of us can laugh about our mistakes now!

    -Deek D
    http://www.relaxshacks.com
    AUTHOR OF: "Humble Homes, Simple Shacks, Cozy Cottages, Ramshackle Retreats, Funky Forts (And Whatever The Heck Else We Could Squeeze In Here!)"

    Posted 7 months ago #

  10. MikeOnBike
    Member

    So if the door swings out how do you manage a screen door? Does it swing in? Does it slide over the opening from the side?

    Posted 7 months ago #

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