Sunday, January 21, 2007

Pioneer Spirit...Live It In Your Own Pre-Fab Cabin

So you've decided to take a really big step in do-it-yourself projects. Building a prefrabicated cabin is one project you REALLY need to prepare for. Like building a traditional home you have alot of steps to take in completing this project.

Most of these cabins come panelized as kits, with the doors and windows pre-hung and already installed in the wall panels. The siding, if you choose that option, is pre-stained and pre-installed. These units also come with detailed plans that take you step-by-step down to where to put the last nail.

I'll assume you own the land parcel where the cabin will stand. Now understand there are a laundry list of things you have to do prior to starting:

Talk to your local planning office about planning permission, and check whether you'll need building regulations approval.

Find a local surveyor and ask their advice on whether the site you've chosen is suitable for a log cabin, what kind of foundations you will require, and the likely cost.

The cost of transporting your log cabin to your intended site.

Put together a project plan to include the physical aspects of your log cabin project, such as delivery, installing services such as electricity, plumbing and gas, and moving in, financial aspects such as any additional costs (delivery, services, foundations and land survey, planning permission and building services, removal services, kitchen, bathroom, furnishings) and when everyone wants to be paid, and people aspects - who you need, what do they need to do and when, and do they agree?

Take a reality check. If all is well, all you have to do now, is implement your plan.
So you've decided to take a really big step in do-it-yourself projects. Building a prefrabicated cabin is one project you REALLY need to prepare for. Like building a traditional home you have alot of steps to take in completing this project.

Most of these cabins come panelized as kits, with the doors and windows pre-hung and already installed in the wall panels. The siding, if you choose that option, is pre-stained and pre-installed. These units also come with detailed plans that take you step-by-step down to where to put the last nail.

I'll assume you own the land parcel where the cabin will stand. Now understand there are a laundry list of things you have to do prior to starting:

Talk to your local planning office about planning permission, and check whether you'll need building regulations approval.

Find a local surveyor and ask their advice on whether the site you've chosen is suitable for a log cabin, what kind of foundations you will require, and the likely cost.

The cost of transporting your log cabin to your intended site.

Put together a project plan to include the physical aspects of your log cabin project, such as delivery, installing services such as electricity, plumbing and gas, and moving in, financial aspects such as any additional costs (delivery, services, foundations and land survey, planning permission and building services, removal services, kitchen, bathroom, furnishings) and when everyone wants to be paid, and people aspects - who you need, what do they need to do and when, and do they agree?

Take a reality check. If all is well, all you have to do now, is implement your plan.