What type of structure did you put on your hunting land?

[catscratch]

One thing to consider with off-grid would be batteries with generator backup. Run your house with a few batteries when you want things quite and peaceful, then run the generator for a couple of hours to top off the batteries when you're out. Your generator would just be a "re-charger" for a short period every day instead of the main power supply.

 

[Mo-Ape]

You specifically asked about off the grid builds, so I'll add a little more about mine:
1. Like I said earlier, I've got grid power available at my site, but based the costs I've seen in our area for similar locations, I'd probably be looking at $6-10K for hookup. On top of that, I'd have the monthly cost to serve electricity, even if none were being used. I just decided I didn't need it. If I use 25-30 gallons of gas a year for my generators, it would be a lot. Plus, I like the idea of being independent from the grid.
2. I wired my entire place with LED lighting. I've got a 220V pump. I've actually got two generator hookups, one for a large (7500 watt) 220V Generac, and a second for a small 120VAC Inverter (Honda). Obviously, for safety, I've got it wire up for either, but not both to be connected at the same time. If I'm running power tools or have a need for the pump, I run the large gen, otherwise for lighting and small appliances, etc, I just use the Honda. The Honda is miserly and seems to run forever on very little gas. I can have every light inside and out on with the Honda and it never comes off idle.
3. Eventually my plans are for a solar system, but currently I have other priorities.
4. Having a deep well and a constant source of water is invaluable. I actually drilled the well before I even had my building done. Like I said above, I buried 4 fiberglass bladder tanks at the well site, below frost line, I have a frost-free hydrant there. That was something recommended by my well driller, and it's worked out fantastic. I also had a Wintrex valve installed at the well site, which is a valve below the frost line with a handle you can operate from ground level. It's equipped with a valve stem so you can shut off the water supply, hook up compressed air, and blow out the downstream line(s) wherever they go (cabin, building, outside faucets, etc). That's the extent of the winterizing.
5. We've got a on-demand hot water heater purchase for a couple hundred bucks from Amazon. It runs off propane and has battery ignition. Really simple, and nice to have hot water available.

That's a start. Let me know if there are additional questions.

Awesome, thanks!!!


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[savanna]

Guys, I am the OP and am still looking into all of this. My plan is for this to be my last "camping" year. I am really looking at the pole barn/cabin. If any of you don't mind giving me an idea of what you paid for yours? I know there are a ton of variables but my initial thought is something like a 30x50 A frame building on a concrete slab, electric baseboard heating and wood stove. 1/2 cold storage, 1/2 insulated to have bedrooms, bathrooms, and a common area. Can this be done for 60k or am I way off?

 

[Turkey Creek]

Guys, I am the OP and am still looking into all of this. My plan is for this to be my last "camping" year. I am really looking at the pole barn/cabin. If any of you don't mind giving me an idea of what you paid for yours? I know there are a ton of variables but my initial thought is something like a 30x50 A frame building on a concrete slab, electric baseboard heating and wood stove. 1/2 cold storage, 1/2 insulated to have bedrooms, bathrooms, and a common area. Can this be done for 60k or am I way off?

Depends on how much of the labor you do yourself. Materials wise you will be fine, at least for the estimating that I have done for my plans the last couple of months.

 

[savanna]

Ok. My thought was get it built and the cabin portion insulated, framed in, dry walled, plumbing to the kitchen and bath and electric run. Then do projects to it as time goes on and I can save, ie knotty pine the inside, more furniture, etc.

 

[TheOldOak]

Not to throw a wrench in the plans as i am late to the game. My cabin is 16x24, 2 stories, concrete slab. Bunk beds up stairs. Smart things i did, built custom doors, each 3+ feet wide, one bolted down. The other is used 90% of time. Can store 4 wheeler or small tractor on first floor. Have a one inch deep rain catcher that prevents water from blowing into cabin during heavy rains. 12 inches wide, runs length of doors. Wood stove and generator. Didn't want a bill. Cost=$7,500, built it with my bro and nephew or two, they hunt whenever they want for that! Most of the wood came from property, so it was dirt cheap. Pond in back of cabin. Not uncommon to have does snorting outside in middle of the night as they think i am a trespasser on their property! Could have added more creature comforts, but i like the roughing it aspect. Dont expect to ever live their, but it serves my needs very well.

 

[Kwood]

Savana, is your $60k including concrete, electric to site, well, septic, etc? Or just structure?


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[savanna]

Hi, we currently have a well septic and electric on site. Right now we have a park model trailer we plug the electric and septic into an fill the trailer with water. So we have those. We would need the concrete pad, structure and then tie the utilities in.

 

[Osceola]

In the process right now. When all said and done the cabin will cost about $18,000. Wired for a generator. No plumbing.

 

[Osceola]

Here's my storage. $2,500 delivered. Not pretty, but pretty secure.

 

[Mennoniteman]

Guys, I am the OP and am still looking into all of this. My plan is for this to be my last "camping" year. I am really looking at the pole barn/cabin. If any of you don't mind giving me an idea of what you paid for yours? I know there are a ton of variables but my initial thought is something like a 30x50 A frame building on a concrete slab, electric baseboard heating and wood stove. 1/2 cold storage, 1/2 insulated to have bedrooms, bathrooms, and a common area. Can this be done for 60k or am I way off?

If you weren't outside of our build area my company (shirk pole buildings) would do a 30x50x10 post&frame building, 1' vented roof overhang on 4 sides, 10' wide front porch, vinyl& fiberglass entry door with window, 4 thermalpane vinyl windows, 2 garage doors, fiberglass reinforced concrete floor, rainspouting and ridgevent, all 40 yr maintenance free and finished on the outside, built on your level site for well less than $30,000. That would leave you 30 plus thousand to insulate and finish out several rooms on the inside.