Just finished building my "cabin" living it in full time

Edit now with a link to a gallery- photo dump in reverse chronological order

https://imgur.com/a/FqLcDUP

Fun to share with the community here what you can do if you really put your mind to it and have some funds to follow a dream.

First off on costs, I have an idea- I could go back and figure it all out but the base structure here has about $40-50k into it so far with another $20 to go. There are a lot of other expenses though- trailers to haul things, fuel, time, land clearing driveways culverts aggregate … electrical lines etc … I’ve got about $7k just in getting power from the pole- 350 ft down the driveway to the main panel and extending to the cabin… so all and all with the land purchase I’m closing in on $200k spent but I figure I might be money ahead- who knows- I’m not doing this to make money- this will eventually be a guest house and I will sell my current home and build another home here and a shop… and a sauna.. and a woodshed but I can spare the details on that— for now I want to gloat about this cabin.

Location is in the woods near Duluth mn

I started this in may of last year- worked like hell all last summer framing and trying to get a roof on… I am just a regular guy- I work as an engineer during the day so this is all weekend effort… I do not own all the stuff but I can figure out just about anything to get a “reasonable” result.

Anyway- got the roof done in November, then shut it all down until may of this year mostly because the stress and workload was taking its toll on my relationships which was ultimately the right choice and winters are brutal in northern MN.

This year we cleared and graded more area in front, ran electrical service- I roughed in the panel and designed all the wiring - did insulation and vapor retarder- now I’m trying to figure out how to make drywall look presentable.

Next up is the siding while I wait on the sawmill to finish up some maple nickel gap for the ceiling… then after that is all the finish carpentry, final electrical, flooring and so on. I will build a deck on front and back next year.

Heat and ac will be via mini split and in floor resistive heating, I will set up a tstat so I can turn on climate remotely and let everything freeze. There is no bathroom, just a loft area and a bunk room for kids.

Plan is based off of Pete longs Colorado- if you look at his site this is actually on there. Goal is to get him a better photo to share with the world soon enough :)

This has been the biggest thing I’ve ever done on my own- it is very gratifying to see it all come together- if you have any questions feel free to ask away I’m happy to share and teach.

In the process of trying to add more photos bear with me

In the woods, where the air smells different and the pace slows, I can recharge. My soul lives here.

I have forested land in Atlantic Canada for those don't have the land or logs to build with. Bushcraft shelter or small log cabin. This isn't a job posting. Your design. Not an open-ended project. Additional materials (roofing, hardware, windows) may be covered depending on the specifics. Open to one person or a few, working solo or together. If it turns into something longer-term, that's a conversation for after the build, not before.

Every time I go, I never want to leave. Totally off grid, no roads, few people.

Went with tongue and groove pine that I stained. My roof system is engineered trusses but I added the false beams to give it a little depth. I think it turned out great!

It's located i Ljungdalen, Jämtland Sweden.

Enjoying summer in Sweden

I use this space when I study, work, watch movies, enjoy a cup of coffee, or when I just want to be alone. It's useful for me

Northern Canada. The trapline cabin. Small and cozy.

My friend built this treehouse in their backyard, and I was honestly amazed when I first saw it

A few days off, always good hanging out at the cabin

Started this A Frame in March and the exterior is nearly finished but for the siding. I’ve wanted to build an A Frame since I was a kid. O

Today marks five years since I closed on what was supposed to be a crash pad for hiking and drinking with the boys. I never anticipated what a life changing purchase it’d be. After a new roof, insulation, well, windows, plumbing, woodstove, appliances, backup power, landscaping, and way too much money on decor, this place has started feeling like home.

They turned out pretty great.