tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996018374520170820.post2150527426403425680..comments2023-11-17T09:55:03.546-07:00Comments on A Porch of My Own: You Can't Always Get What You Want.....Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02116054197324232137noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996018374520170820.post-30337978417945320522011-06-30T10:45:32.577-06:002011-06-30T10:45:32.577-06:00Thank you, Tammy, and I am sorry about your mom. I...Thank you, Tammy, and I am sorry about your mom. It is a different world without them, that is for sure.<br />We searched for 2 years before we found our property. We narrowed down an area we wanted and subscribed to newspapers from some of the little towns in that area. When we would see something interesting we would go and check it out.<br />We originally only wanted 5 acres. But it is hard in this area to find that small acreage unless it is either in a restricted subdivision where you have to build a big house and in a short time period or else you never know what kind of messy neighbors you might have to look at! We had made that mistake once before. We purchased two beautiful acres in the piney woods and before we could begin to get a place to live we were surrounded by folks with trash all over their yards, and the beauty of the area was destroyed. <br />Unless you know a rancher or farmer that will sell you a few acres of their property it is hard. So we ended up with 54 acres instead of 5.<br />The shell, materials for finishing, labor we had to hire for things we could not do, all came to about $45,000. Then we had the septic tank, and caliche driveway added to this. Our property already had a well when we bought it and it was fenced.<br />We could have built the cabin cheaper but we did some energy saving things, like radiant barrier under the roof, double pane windows, foam insulating panels on the walls in addition to the normal wall insulation.<br />We had porcelain tile installed on the floor and in the shower. We wanted saltillo tile, which is cheaper, but it was more to install since it required about 4 times as much grout and had to be sealed. And the upkeep of sealing often also. So we went with a tile that resembled saltillo.<br />We also used the tongue and groove boards in the living area and ceiling and that was more expensive.<br />We are considering adding a bedroom on. If we do we will use cheaper finishes, such as a vinyl tile floor we can install ourselves and painted beaded board panels on the walls.<br />The cabin could have been configured as is to make a bedroom, either by dividing the kitchen area in two, with a u shaped kitchen on one side and a small bedroom on the other. Or the back screen porch would make an 8 x 12 bedroom.<br />Spring Branch Trading in Spring Branch, Texas did our shell. They also sell little cabins that they deliver to your property. For a little larger size, such as ours was, they built the shell on the property and it only took them a couple of weeks! Here is their website for some info and ideas.<br />http://www.springbranchtradingpost.com/index.htm<br />Good luck with your cabin! You will love leaving suburbia, I think!<br />SueSuehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02116054197324232137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996018374520170820.post-866046496827681972011-06-27T12:57:47.046-06:002011-06-27T12:57:47.046-06:00I am touched by your blog and your relationship wi...I am touched by your blog and your relationship with your Mom. I lost my Mom (best friend) 3 years ago, and I miss her every single day.<br /><br />I also ADORE your little cabin!! This is EXACTLY what I want to build in the very near future. I'm 54 years old, single and am tired of "suburbia". Do you mind telling me how you found the land i.e. un-zoned land? Do yo mind tell me roughly how much it cost you to build your adorable home?<br /><br />All the best,<br />Tammy LakeTammyLakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15801727205754899030noreply@blogger.com