Living in my garage

[jinman]

Terry, a little over three years ago I bought a 24' x 24' portable building that was bare to the studs inside, but finished on the outside, and moved it to my property to use as living quarters while I built my house. (see attachment) I had my well drilled and an aerobic septic system put in in preparation for the house. The wellhouse is the building on the foreground in the photo. I gave the county information based on what my house would be when I got the septic permit. No permit for a well is required. I now have my house built and I need to sell the portable building. I bought the structure for $5000 and moved it to my property by pulling the sections behind my pickup on a trailer. I slid it together using my tractor and spent about $2500 finishing out the structure inside. I wish you were closer, because now that my new house is built, I need to sell this little building. I could make you a pretty good deal, but you're a little far away from me to make that possible. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
In the subsequent posts, I show how I finished the inside. I kept a 12' x 16' storage area behind the garage door and finished out the rest.

 

[jinman]

Living area looking toward entrance door. Single bed and futon sleeps up to 3 people.

 

[jinman]

Living area looking toward kitchen. Laundry room/closet/bathroom entrance door is on the left.

 

[jinman]

Kitchen...

 

[jinman]

Looking through the laundry room/closet into the bathroom. I had room in the bathroom for a water heater, 38" vanity, corner shower, and commode. For heat in the winter, I mounted a wall heater (4000 watts on 220 volts) and it will keep the whole cabin very warm. since the walls and roof are insulated. I lived very comfortably while my house was being built. Since the building is portable, it never showed up on my property tax as a stucture. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[herbenus]

I think this is an incredibly clever way of getting a furnished garage. "Honey, we're going to live in it a while." It's brilliant. I wish I had thought of it. At this stage it's too late. I can't say: "Honey, I want to keep beer out there, and tv, and a couch when I'm tired,..." She won't buy into it now.

 

[Golfgar4]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( At this stage it's too late. I can't say: "Honey, I want to keep beer out there, and tv, and a couch when I'm tired,..." She won't buy into it now. )</font>

Well, you could help the situation along by making her get mad at you. Then she'd send you out there and she wouldn't care what you were doing.....at least for a little while anyway! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Dozernut]

Heres a thought, why not look at a cold weather rv. Swap your present camper for a new or used travel trailer or 5th wheel, that is built for the cold. Arctic Fox, a Canadian made rv, is one brand that comes to mind. They have heated and insulated tanks and water lines as well. When your house is done, you would have a nice rv which you could keep or sell. There are other winterized rv's out there, I just can't think of the brands right now. Do a search for rv's, I believe there are 117 makers of 5th wheel and travel trailers. One of those should fit your bill.
I don't think they could keep you from camping on your property. Good luck!

 

[B7500]

Jim,
Very, very nice (temporary) setup. Just what I'd love to convert my garage into for a few years.
You showed me it can be done and done right.
Thanks Jim,
-Terry

 

[B7500]

Dozernut,
I like the idea of converting my garage more because it would be roomier but if I can't because of code it is interesting that they do make a "winterized" RV. I wonder how "winterized"? Would they stand the 20 below my area gets?
Thanks for the idea.
-Terry