Best off-grid cabin I've ever toured- SEE WHY
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- čas přidán 19. 05. 2024
- My brother-in-law Scott's tiny off-grid cabin has long impressed me.... so here's a full tour with the hopes it will inspire YOU to build your own off-grid cabin!
He takes us through all his systems: water, solar, heating, plumbing, electricity, lights, and his unique foundation. He also talks about how he spaced out his build over several years to keep it affordable and manageable.
Thanks for your views, comments, and support!
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I’ve been in home construction for 45 years. I can confidently say I’ve pretty much done it all. It takes a lot to impress me. You sir have blown me away. You’ve been able to fill every need a person needs to live comfortably without worrying about keeping up with the neighbors. No HOA, no ridiculous energy bills, very low maintenance exterior etc… you are a blessed man. Congratulations!!!
Thank you. Glad you like it. Best wishes. Scott
That propane bill though.
@@silvermediastudio Small taters in relation to other expenses. Or lack thereof. 😉
I've watched a million builds n rebuilds for tinies and rvs, vans. This takes the cake!
@@silvermediastudio It would not be impossible to get a 100/200 gallon lpg tank as a once a year fill backup but my opinion is the least who are aware of this acre of heaven, the less worries of issues, and less cost.
This guy is the archetypical American frontiersman. Resourceful, frugal, self-reliant, happy. A rare breed these days. We can learn so much from him.
As someone unfortunately born, raised and still living in Brooklyn, NY, I heartily agree with you. The only way we're taught anything like that is if we're in the scouts, or a family member teaches us from a young age.
Independence, integrity, intelligence, initiative, and inspiration.....The best of what made America the greatest nation in history....and what we are too rapidly losing to those who only want to profit at the expense of others. GOD bless the American Republic we need it now more than ever !!!
Archetypal*
@@GlorifiedGremlin Duh. Of course. Thanks for that.
It's a rare breed because his generation gave all the land to a few billionaires, somehow, legally, no less.
What impressed me most was Scott himself. Seems like a downright decent bloke and I hope he and his lady enjoy years of peace and happiness. His dad also needs a big shout out for obvious love and help he's contributed.
I agree
Absolutely.
I especially like the part where you said “this is supposed to be a free country”. That really hit home with me
But law makers ( humans ) make the laws so that they can capitalize from the rules. There will always be cold war among humans whether it's among same country men or from different regions. It's never ending battle for survival.
@@andykumar4103 And here come the whacks...keep an eye out for those black helicopters.
Jeez this salt of the earth gentleman needs a CZcams channel just to express his vast knowledge in his humble way.
i knowwwww!
I fully agree
Aww, he's living the good life and needn't be bothered with all of us! Our loss. What a gem! I'd just love to hang around him for a few days soaking up the knowledge!
I think he needs a wife. I volunteer
Came down to the comments to see if anyone else expressed this. Couldn’t agree more!!!
Self sufficiency doesn't mean living in a cave. You can be comfortable by being creative with your resources and using what's available. This is awesome!!!
absolutely!
Coolest dude ever!!!
So well said!
Thank you. Happy you liked it. I really don’t feel like I’m giving anything up. Hot shower, cold fridge, stove to cook on, warm woodstove. Thanks. Scott
Practicality on another level ...🐱😊
This gent is right about the "tiny home" trend. If you get one, it doesn't take long to realize you aren't so happy w/too cramped home so you end up adding on. My husb was crafty and thrifty like this man & knew how to do most of the labor & luvd it. We had a lot of fun thru the yrs. I'm 78 now and he's gone. I miss those times.
Yeah, with those tiny homes you have to be REALLY sure that's what you want. That being said, I think it's good to show that we can live with less, too.
My condolences to you concerning your husband.
I just lost my bride of 40 years,,,I'm 79 living in a custom 4 bdrm 2 bath house on 40 acres,,,way to much for me,,,i'm going to wait til interest goes down, then sell and buy a few acres and build, this is a great way to go,,,i'll live in a small trailer while i build the initial house...thanks for the great ideas
God bless and angels be with you always
It's how my Grandpa made his house when my mom was a kid. They just kept adding on when more kids were born lol. Final product was a 2 story house with the first floor being a 4 bed 2 bath house and the top floor was a separate fully equipped 2 bedroom apartment.
Ya, to me the tiny home thing is like putting soft, runny dressings into a crunchy taco: it’s a practical joke but nobody ‘got it.’
The thing I like about this set up and this guy's thought process is that he clearly values modern conveniences- running water, electric lights, etc. Other off grid videos I've watched have never appealed to me because I could never get on board with the "isn't it noble to live rough?" Actually, it really isn't. Living rough wears you down over time, that's why humans invented what we now call modern conveniences (indoor plumbing, indoor toilets, electric lighting, central heating and cooling, etc.) This is essentially a regular house without all of the extra bills and neighbors and making great use of mother nature.
100%, humans wouldn't have invented the modern day conveniences if they were not important. I really like this point you made, he has created an off grid scenario where he can still have modern day conveniences like indoor plumbing, cell reception, refrigerated food.
@@dbrennan1523right
Noble? Adding all the modern conveniences is expensive and adds complexity, as the gentleman said in the beginning of the video, it would have been overwhelming to build it all at once.
I 1,000% agree with everything you said lol
@@kidmosey Unlike Dave Whipple's outhouses.
I actually like that the wiring is all exposed and accessible. As an electrician with decades of experience I would say that his wiring is safer than it would be if it were in the walls. By being exposed you don’t have to worry about where your connections are and it’s much easier to troubleshoot if need be. And you don’t have to worry about hitting wires with nails or drills either. I really like how he has everything plugged into switched outlets so he can prevent electrical “leakage” by keeping everything in the off position when not using each item. Great solution for the cell signal! I was already thinking that with an unlimited data plan you could stream stuff sometimes. What I do for my travel trailer sometimes is I download stuff onto my laptop or phone when I’m at home using WiFi then simply play it from one of those devices while camping. I can cast shows from my phone to the tv or I can use the wire that connects my phone or laptop to the tv. He really does have a sweet setup and I liked hearing him talk about his dad helping him even at his age lol. That’s how I am with my son. Everything is so expensive to do anything I don’t know how most young people are ever going to get ahead in life. My son and I came up with a nice solution. My wife passed away a few years back so I was living in a good size home alone. I hated seeing my son rent a place where he’s basically paying the mortgage for the landlord. So he found the property that he and his wife wanted to put their house and raise my two grandsons. So I sold my big house with property which was paid for and I used that money to build the house they wanted with an extra “wing” for me lol. He also put money in and I did all the electrical myself (I’m licensed) and together we did quite a bit of the work. The stuff we either didn’t know how to do or didn’t want to do we subbed out. When it was done we filled it with all the furniture approved by my daughter in law lol and purchased whatever else we needed/wanted. Now we are all moved into a house thats paid for on land thats paid for and I still have my travel trailer and camping gear which I use all year round for when I feel like getting outdoors with my grandsons. I still have a substantial amount of money left and life is good. I figured I was leaving my house to him in my will anyways so why not bless them now instead of when we are all old lol. One house with 3 incomes and no debt is really great and I get to see my grandsons every day which makes me and them very happy. They’ll be able to tell their kids and grandkids all kinds of stories about our time together which means I’ll be remembered for at least the next 3-4 generations to come. That makes me feel good.
Cheers
So that is how to get rid of those pesky "smart" spy-on-you power meters. Just fire the electricity monopoly.
Wow, this sounds so nice and your thought "I figured I was leaving my house to him in my will anyways so why not bless them now instead of when we are all old lol." is wonderful!
Very nice.
Amazing story
Thank You for sharing Prepper Jon. Such a wonderful life story! You guys are so fortunate to have eachother! I think all kids benefit from having the grandparents or grandparent in the home as it really reinforces the family!
I’m 68 and have prayed for 30 years for a husband who is passionate about living off grid. It was a beautiful dream….
but it never happened for me. Blessings on the ones who see their dreams come true🙏
Thank you. I’m happy you enjoyed it and got a glimpse of what it can be like. Never give up on your dreams. My dad will be 84 next month and helped me with all this building and he still dreams of living more remotely. Good luck and best wishes to you. Thanks Scott
Keturah Ogletree: Do you live off grid?
@@daphneraven6745 not now. I have I. The past and loved it.
@@ladyketurahinwaiting : I wonder if dating websites actually have a category that a person can check off, for those who wish to live off grid.
@@daphneraven6745 maybe, I don’t know. But I don’t do those dating websites. Heard too many bad stories.
I started the video thinking I might watch a couple minutes of the video, but nope, I watched the whole thing. Smart resourceful guy!
I've realized through my life that there are 2 types of people, ones who throw money at problems and ones who throw creativity at problems. The minute he said that he found his lights at a garage sale my heart was on board for this vid. Fantastic build, he is obviously always looking forward. Even if I won a lottery tomorrow I would still approach my build like this, it's about investing your soul not dollars.
There are 2 types of people; those who think there are two types of people and those who know better.
1) This is in Michigan
2) Scott has a washing machine in his garage hooked up to another well which he uses seasonally. He runs his generator to do a load of laundry, which at the same time charges up a battery that is connected to his lights in the garage. Although the battery is hooked up to solar, might as well charge that battery while the generator is running. The washing machine load is too much for just the solar panels. He dries the laundry on the line. In winter time he goes to the laundromat.
3) Scott uses the window AC for those occasional times in summer when it's just unbearably hot. If his dad is visiting on one of those days, he can't breathe well in extreme heat at night, so Scott fires up the generator to run the AC for a small amount of time and cools the cabin down.
4) He plows out his own long driveway to the road.
5) There's power at the road! Just goes to show you don't necessarily have to live "WAY OFF GRID" to implement this lifestyle.
You're awesome! What a cool cabin!! Thanks for the tour!!!
Thank you for sharing this.
Is this in the U.P.?
Love this! I wanna do something similar.
I'm from WI. originally, now in WA.
His accent reminds me from back there.
Love the end, no more meter! They came and took it away! Hilarious! So satisfying! Screw you world!
Thanks for those in fills. It kind of answers all the questions I had?
In Australia you don't get the option to take your house off grid..... If there is infrastructure there, then you are paying for it no matter what? They won't come and take your metre away....they will just send you a bill because you need to pay at least the minimum to enable that service (even if you were to get ALL of your power to live not from mains power). In Australia you need to be far enough away where there is no electrical infrastructure and would normally cost a land owner to have it connected? You simply don't get it connected and then you don't have that problem
What is the total square footage now?
That’s fantastic! I’m 60 years young gal, planning to sell the house I have now to buy a piece of land to build off-grid on, very much like this one you have. I’m a nurse, I cultivate many medicinal herbs, I raise chickens a goats, and garden, too. Been on my own for many years, but maybe someday I’ll meet an off-grid thinking guy. Who knows?! Thank you for the video, you’ve provided a lot of good info! I actually had been thinking of the hand-pump well inside the cabin.
Love it good luck!!
Where are you located (generally speaking) Kelly? :-)
Me too! I am 61 years young. No matter what age, learning and challenging ourselves help keep us young. My two dogs and I already LOVE country life. Time to take it up a notch. Ha!
Kelly, ya gotta go to the square dancin' shindigs on Saturday nite.
@@gregf5730 I live in the Adirondack Park (wilderness and mountains) of upstate NY. I plan to sell this house this summer and find a piece of property soon to off-grid on.
He is definitely a modern day pioneer! He lives his life the way we all should. His fiance is a lucky woman.
I have been trying to find something to jokingly pick apart for a laugh but I can’t even do that. Where was this video when we built ours.
This sir is the nicest most practical cottage I have ever seen off grid or not. 10/10.
It may be simple, as he stated several times, but it's thoughtful, straightforward and intelligent. As well as, frugal and self-reliant. Thanks for sharing!
Absolutely
Thank you. I’m happy you liked seeing it. Scott
Just a note, on CO Detectors, from someone who installed these professionally (Fire and Security Tech) - Carbon Monoxide moves up with heat and down with cold. Detector placement is important to be installed where people spend most time and should actually be installed between 40" to 60" on open wall space (Not corners because corners do not circulate air well). You want the detectors where occupants heads are sitting or laying - the 40-60 rule is an average height for temperature but gives the best detection for the occupants. Also, last thing, the CO Sensor is only good for about 6 years and then needs to be replaced as it will stop being effective.
Thank you for clearing that up better. My bedroom steps down so my detector is about 12” lower than the head of my bed and at the doorway going to my bedroom and close to the fridge and stove. Not perfect but in the ballpark. Thank you. Scott
Thanks for the tip!
Yep, I think the confusion is, carbon monoxide is lighter than air; carbon dioxide is heavier than air.
CO2 goes to ground install lower on the wall
@@jmhqueens CO2 is Carbon Dioxide, CO is Carbon Monoxide, Lee is discussing CO.
This is beautiful . So organized and clean .
This man's a thinker and a worker . So rare .
Firstly, congrats for beating the cancer! Second, I love the build and appreciate common sense ingenuity. Very cool place you have there! God bless you, sir!
It worked out just as God had planned. You may not have foreseen the additions and modifications, but they were always part of your life plan! Job well done, Sir! Adorable pup!
Well said :)
Thank you. Happy you liked it and Roscoe. He is snuggled of a dog. One thing I have learned is tell God your plans and he’ll laugh at you! I truly have been blessed. Best wishes to you and thanks. Scott
@@scooter1796 Man plans, God laughs! HIS plans for us can be so much greater than we can wish for that it us silly to limit ourselves to our own wishes.
@@pinschrunner Bullseye!
So totally true!!!
Pray for forgiveness and ask for Gods blessings and guidance. Get up and do and God will guide your hands and Journey.
No need to apologize for life being simple. I imagine most people would prefer it if given a chance to live this way. Marketing has blurred the lines between wants and needs. You can feel the joy and satisfaction coming from this man without having to ask him anything.
Thank you. Happy you enjoyed it. You are right. Big difference between want and need that a lot of us get caught up in sometimes. For some of us less is more! Best wishes. Scott
Yes
This man is an inspiration for us all. We live in a time where people are spoiled and think they have to have 2k square feet and every gadget known to man. This man is living proof that you don't. I loved all of it, but my favorite part is where he says we are supposed to be living in a free country. I love his outlook and wish we could all be like that. I wish the powers that be would keep their noses out of our business and let us live our lives.
But law makers ( humans ) make the laws so that they can capitalize from the rules. There will always be cold war among humans whether it's among same country men or from different regions. It's never ending battle for survival
Three years of seasoning is pro-grade for firewood 👌 takes a serious commitment and a lot of work to get that far ahead. Kudos!
That hand pump to toilet tank was pure genius! And then the solar-powered instant water heater stole the show! Hats off to an outstanding example of off-grid ingenuity. Excellent interview & edits GITW!
agree!
Those turn tables for the solar panels are genius, actually the entire cabin is. What a wonderful man, so humble and kind. I wish you the best in the future, health and happiness always.
Seems the wind could blow them around though.
Bet he's added a locking mechanism to prevent that. I'll have to rewatch that part to see.
@@jh4675 Seems a worm gear motor, stop switch, threaded rod and a nut would make a "good enough" sun tracker.
Solar people say it's cheaper to just buy more cells but that's no fun. :)
This has truly inspired me! It's official, I been planning on giving up the city life and live my dream of living without everyone charging a toll at every turn, for the right to exist in America.
It's upsetting. The time I've served, the wars I've fought in, the blood I've shed, and the brothers I've lost along the way, to come back to a system designed to keep the American citizens in a constant state of obligation to pay exuberant amounts of money for God given freedoms, is not true living. You've achieved it, and for that, I salute you sir!!
I'm an old man now (75) .. and what impressed me most here .. is your character ..
you are a deep loving soul and were lucky to have a good father .. but even so you were smart enough
to appreciate him, and listen and learn ... your tips here are some of the most important things to consider
to anybody starting out that anyone will find here on youtube ... the thing that touched me the most, is when you
said you are cancer free for the last ten years .. (pause) ... this "pause" here .. is me taking the time to pray for your
cancer, and you will go forward in peace for many years to come! ... God bless you and your wife .. aum
You have inspired me! I’m older than dirt, but I’m currently in the market for a very small piece of land. Mine is gonna be a one room cabin.
Me too!
Im 62 and i love it and have thought alot about doing the same.
That's awesome! You can do it :)
Awesome!
👍😎🇨🇦🌲
This is probably one of the coolest "Living off grid" videos ive seen. This guy is honest and genuine. Love the fact that he realizes having indoor plumbing and some simple amenities (shower; hot/cold water, A/C) are hard to do without once you have them. Id love a piece of property with a home like this but for sure i need to start with a little more than the basics. Off the bat indoor functioning plumbing is a priority. Then of course the Mrs has to have a spare room for guests.
I absolutely agree just Awesome
Agree, I'm in the process of moving off grid and I'm having modern conveniences. I want to be as self-sufficient as possible, not rough it for the sake of roughing it.
@@peoplingwithdree Good for you! I think a lot of content creators say they live totally off grid yet they are a 10 minute drive to all types of shopping and thats where they get their water from. Very few live entirely off their land.
So happy for you. Ive been building for 24 yrs. Ive never understood the Mcmansion mentality & small cozy spaces always held a special place in my heart. I hope to one day have something like what youve accomplished here. With every camera shot I thought - oh how comfortable & inviting each space looks. Happy for you & your bride. God bless.
this guy is living like a King ,I like the simplicity of the cabin but with all the creature comforts
It must feel so good to be self sufficient. To find a bride that agrees with you , and having someone who appreciates the safety and coziness in a home, made with your own two hands. Amazing. I love your advice to be patient when building not to get over whelmed. Good stuff. Good luck with your wedding and your lives together.
Thank you. Happy you enjoyed it. For me it is a great feeling knowing I hand my hand on every part of it and it is cozy for my. Kendra loves it here also. Thanks and best wishes. Scott
His piece of advice: do it one small piece at a time... It's comforting and encouraging to hear that from someone who got to where he is.
Thanks. Just takes patience and realize things get easier and better every step of the way. Best wishes. Scott
You were right Brooke, this was inspiring. Your brother in law Scott is awesome. Such a thinker. I love how he has a back up for everything. I would have loved this when I was younger
I'm a retired electrician. Everything looks awesome to me. Don't concern yourself with neh sayers. It's a awesome setup. I'm totally impressed.
God bless Scott. Nice to see some real advice from somebody who actually lives the life, not instagram filtered "perfection." Big thanks to him for opening up his home to us and taking the time to explain. Salt of the earth. 💪
Thank you so much. Best wishes. Scott
That's a cabin in the truest sense of the word. Unfortunately the word "cabin" has morphed into the mega large log homes of the wealthy. Thanks Brooke for keeping cabins real. 🌲 ♥️🌲
appreciate that!
Thank you. Happy you enjoyed it. I’m at 712 sq foot with the porch but not counting the loft and i feel like that’s the right size for me. Thanks again. Scott
Out in rural Western Pennsylvania "cabin" means old single wide trailer.
@@KennyRider137 we have an 800 sq.ft two bedroom cabin , its framed ...In Western Pa.
Love this!! I currently have a 14x16 off-grid cabin. At first it was the perfect size. Years later, 3 teenage boys, wife, myself and a German shepherd… it’s a little tight. Considering following in this man’s footsteps and adding some additions!
LED lights are game changing!! Love his cozy cabin. One of my favorite features is the bathroom basin water gets recycled to the toilet. Brilliant!
Loved everything about his home, his way of thinking and the love of simplicity. Really lovely home and way of life. Best of health and happiness for your future.
agree thanks much!
Thank you. Glad you liked it. Best wishes to you also. Thanks. Scott
I like him. He seems like such a really cool guy. He was right about taking his time and adding on when it made sense to do so because it would have been overwhelming had he tried to do all the things he's done at once. So by him adding rooms later he kept his sanity and he didn't waste money.
That is huge. I bit off more than I could chew in our homestead build and it drove me insane for 5 years. So much so that we are now selling.... Once I'm finally done. So no enjoying the finished product just the insanity of the work
I love that..."You've been living in denial!" When people say 80 degrees is too hot until they experience it...what they've been missing! Being warm and cozy is a blessing!!🤗
Scott, I like your clever resilience and your patient ways. You've built yourself a very cozy and comfortable cabin. God bless you.
The older I get, the more I want to retire in a house like this. Off the grid, peace and quiet, self sustainable. You can't put a price on all of those things!!
A big garden, an outdoor kitchen to process the food, and a root cellar are all I would add. Hard to believe he only spent $20K, but he did all that work himself and with his Dad. Amazing!
@@joanies6778 yeah, garden or greenhouse to grow year round
Scott, I have been my own general contractor on my own homes, done a number of remodels, and also worked as a Realtor for twelve years.....plus worked for a builder as a new home project sales consultant. You have proven the American Dream of home ownership is still doable by a do it your selfer as well as getting off the expensive power grid. This video was an inspiration for all and a reminder that being alone in the woods can still be achieved if need be. What is important to me is we need more areas in the USA without cumbersome and prohibitive deed restrictions and less regulations. This will allow people especially our veterans ( which is one of our largest homeless groups) to have access to and be able to buy land cheaply enough where they have the freedom to live independently and off grid if they choose it. Congrats on your upcoming marriage and wishes for many years of health, joy, and happiness together. Thanks for the inspiration.
Spot on Kim. I moved to a city in Florida 10 years ago, and if you did a project like that here by yourself the city would do everything short of put you in jail. And that's the city itself not a HOA. He would have a hundred thousand dollars in fines for a $20K build, and they would go after his bank account to get it. And yes, I've seen them treat veterans extremely poorly with no regard. Don't dare replace a window here without paying for and submitting architectural drawings from a licensed engineer along with a permit application. Not city code? Big fine, no matter who you are or what resources you may not have. It's a lie if someone says they enjoy more freedom in Florida, unless they're only talking about riding a motorcycle without a helmet.
Since you mentioned that he’s getting married soon, he’s going to need to get out his tools again to double the size of his home. Dollars to donuts, the new wife will want to change everything.
Very well said! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
@@nomp6455 This is awful! I'm very sorry to hear this.
Especially after all the *good* things one hears about the Gov. Seems he needs to (maybe) be more proactive, unless these issues are city and/or county, and they make their own punitive laws and regs. Then its up to the citizens to change things - which CAN be done!
@@gregnixon1296 since 50% of marriage end in divorce and more like 70%+ if its either persons second marriage...and the man usually gets screwed over ... I wouldn't recommend marriage to anyone much without an Ironclad Prenuptial contract.
yeah, he better double his tools because high probability of losing half. *
I love this cabin. It's so cozy and very beautiful. I wish I had thought about this when I was younger. I'm 74 and in 4 months I will 75 and permanent disable. I admire your work and the beauty of your cabin....
When my sister built her outhouse, it was really cool. I loved it. She built the outhouse between spruce tree's. All you heard were the bird's. When the wind blew, you heard the tree's and wind. I Loved it. I never thought of it as an outhouse; only an extension of her home built among tree's. Thank you for sharing.😉🦌
I LOVE everything about this cabin, especially the hand pump in the kitchen. What a wonderful guy to have as family ! ! Thanks Brooke
agree!
This guy knows what's up....Great build.
Thanks. In my first original build the hand pump in the kitchen sink was one of the most important things to me. Glad you liked it. Scott
Brooke as always your the best thanks for sharing this wonderful video this cabin is so beautiful just like your cabins your the best this guys amazing again thanks for sharing it 😊 Margie
@@scooter1796 Scott, are these separate water wells are do they pump from a single cistern/storage? Nice scenery and gotta love that oversized lazy solar susan....very cool.
What a cool setup! What a great storyteller too! He’ll fit right into the family!
thanks chad!
Happy you liked seeing it. Works good for me but never know if others would see it the same way. Thanks and best wishes. Scott
Kudos to the gentleman who built that cabin-home. Its the best project Ive seen so far. That home seems so cozy and comfortable. No big bills. No crazy project its all made with love and detail. I could live in a place like this the rest of my life. Amazing wonderful job.
As a master electrician with a fully energy independent home in northern Dallas. This is a dream for me. We have opted for the state-of-the-art route with 2 Tesla powerwall 2's and 36 400 W panels. I absolutely love being independent.
Legally we're not allowed to get rid of the meter but that's okay, It's actually beneficial to have it there. One day a smaller, efficient place like this is definitely in the works as soon as all three of my kids are off on their own. My heart smiled seeing this man dream of the place and make it real. Congratulations old timer 👏
"I've been told my whole life I live in a free country, and I'm just doing what's right for me"
Amen brother. Awesome setup. Thanks for the video!
that one hit hard , it made me sad , our freedoms are stripped away one tiny bit at a time ... take care
Amen!
I loved this off grid cabin. What a nice guy he was explaining everything. It's simple yet makes complete sense. Oh boy he's going to be family soon!! Yay!!
he's been family for about 6 years now but it will become official soon!
Thank you. I’m happy you liked it. Works good for me but never know if others would see it the same. Thank you. Scott
I plan to start with a 16x20 cabin and do what Scott did, slowly add on to it and before you know it you have a decent size home. For people who live on a tight budget, this is the way to go. Not to mention you will build what you need not what you think you will need when you build a full size house that many people do. I do like the idea he turned the windows into doorways when added on the additions. This is smart because windows are usually framed like doorways so removing the bottom part doesn't effect the load on the wall. Scott has a lot of ideas that I like and will look into incorporating them into my build/home. I like Scott's thinking about while it might not be right but it works for him. That is how most people should live. Simple but comfortable
the heat from a woodstove hits different it really does, I hate being too hot in a regular house but for some reason cabins with woodstoves always feel so much nicer
After watching thousands.... well more like hundreds of "off the grid" videos, this is, by far, the best I've seen. Finally, a guy who keeps life simple. Systems for everything kept basic. Really enjoyed his take on not having to get the biggest or the most expensive or the hottest off-grid thing on the market. Made so much sense to use things that are readily available like the propane tank sizes... solar panels...etc. Very well made video "Girl in the Woods". I learned a lot.
Yeah, it is up there. Her header subject line might be well chosen !
LLP
There's 'nothing' wrong with a simple life! This man is both 'blessed and rich = attitude'. He also has a 'Fort Knox' woodpile = YIKES! And 'ready'! WELL DONE! Thanks 4 sharing with us Brooke. Health and God Bless! P.S. Beautiful temperament for a dog and pretty/handsome.
LOL yep lottsa wood there!
You said it exactly. I truly have been blessed. Glad you like seeing it and yes, Roscoe is great dog and companion. Thank you and best wishes. Scott
That cabin is amazing. I would be honored to to live there.
Wow man...wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. WOWEE man!!!! Very cool. From the propane powered freezer/fridge to the 12 volt LED bulbs, stick on LED mini-lights; To the propane cook-stove / wood-stove/ old timey hand water pump at the sink even! Cozy, and comfy! Warm, and dry! Hot ,and cold running spigot water yet?!? (And well lit for reading in a comfy chair no less?) And an indoor bathroom yet? ...Wow man!
WAY , WAY , WAY, WAY COOL BEANS!!!
i knowwww!
@@therealgirlinthewoods Hee hee hee hee hee!!!
This guy is a GEM!!! Where have you been hiding him. Great video!!!
LOL well we been waitin on this wedding for a while.... LOL love ya scott & kendra :)
Thank you. Happy you enjoyed seeing it. Best wishes. Scott
This man is very content in life, and will probably outlive most ppl his generation. Love the metal behind the TP trick never thought about it.
So inspiring to see what he has created. As a native New Yorker with a beautiful piece of land my heart always fall after I watch something like this bc the building codes are so stringent we couldn’t get away with it. You can be off grid, but doing everything yourself is impossible with the codes. Happy for him and people who live in freer states! Thanks for the inspiration
I'm in NY as well and as soon as a structure of any type is erected the tax assessor increases the assessment. I wanted to build a two car garage but the increase in taxes made it unaffordable, I erected a non permanent metal roof carport and he still raised my assessment. If I were to enclose it he would tax it just like a garage. Guess I have to be happy that the ice ,snow and sun stay off my vehicle but I really wanted a workshop that I could use in winter. I couldn't understand why the T.E.A. party was constantly attacked by the left. Afterall we ARE Taxed Enough Already. My mortgage is paid off yet it still costs over $400 a month for school and property taxes. In other areas of the state it costs much more than that. We DO NOT live in a free country. We lost our freedom in 1913 with the Federal Reserve Act.
@@edschneidmuller9496 I agree. it is said that taxes is how retired people loose their houses.
@@edschneidmuller9496- I feel for you with all the taxes in New York. After living in Arizona all my life, I see just by the property taxes I couldn’t live back East, then there’s all the other (2nd) restrictions. On the West side of Phoenix we have Sun City, Sun City West and few others that were founded by Del Web. They were set up to avoid the school taxes that are build into your property taxes, so they are much cheaper than even our rather lower rates (compared to the East). Also, here in Maricopa County (& I think much of the State) once you are 65 you can file with the Assessor’s Office, and your Prop Taxes not longer go up. BIG help when housing prices rise drastically like they were for a good while. And will do nothing but go up to some degree, no matter what. Good luck all.
Amen on the daily naps! It's one of the joys of retirement.
lol totally
Very nice! We call that a goodyear cabin. He had a good year, so he added on. By the looks of things, I believe he will be spending many more good years in that wonderful place.
love that :)
@Dave Kinney, LOL on the name for the cabin...a good year for the additions.
You are so resourceful on using things that you find at garage sales or things that people throw away !! Your cabin is amazing and dont worry about the negativity that people say , as long as you are happy that's all that matters ... good job on your amazing cabin build !!
Another delightful off grid tour and featuring such a pleasant guy. And Scott, don't listen to the critics, everything you've done is perfect.
Brooke, I think your sister in law is one lucky girl! If I ever meet a guy like that, I’m gonna scoop him right up! ❤️😁
Lots of peace of mind built into this cozy cabin. That's worth more than gold. It's simply great!
Thank you. Happy you liked seeing it. It is different feeling just showing your place off to strangers like that for me but so many heartwarming comments have made it worth it. Best wishes to you. Scott
Real freedom is total independence from the grid. His setup is well thought out in form and function. Produce your own food(covered greenhouses will protect plants from chemtrails,toxic rain, uv damage, pests), trade with, and provide security/build trust with your fellow neighbors/new village.
Thank you so much " Girl in the Wood's"...
Watching videos like this is like taking a little vacation!!!...
Ty for your hard work, and Dedication!!!...
Still shaking my head in wonder at the cabin being built AROUND the well pump! I plan to do that. Can't believe more people don't. Fantastic video.
That’s the way smart people should do it now we are waiting on your video next mine will be a while 🤪
My mother, born in 1911, on a small farm in Champion, Mi., lived the same kitchen hand pump, without the plumbing for her first fifteen years. Grams said costs money, need to save for that..but had fresh farm foods and no gmo s.
Ha..no more meter, they took it away. 😉😉👍🏼
My grand father built the farm house (2 rooms and an attic) over the pump well in the late 1920's. In northern Canada, and most of the neighbours did not (so in the winter their pumps would freeze).
@@Barracuda48082 Champion?......geez
It’s an amazing cabin!!! I love the pump in the kitchen!
Thank you. Happy you enjoyed it. The hand pump in the sink in the original first build was one of the most important things to me. Best wishes. Scott
Love the idea of the BR Sink draining into the toilet.
99.9% people don't understand a toilet will not over flow.
Great Build 👍👍
I'm so happy to have found this. You have done an amazing job, Sir, and I love your attitude of building and making this the way you want not answering to anyone. Thats awsome and the same way we feel. We own farm land that was my grandparents and I purchased it after a divorce. Im now married again and my husband is an excellent carpenter we have a home thats drenched in mold from a poor job done by some gypsy contractors when i was single. We are pushing the home down as the mold has caused me many medical issues. We are building just like youve done with a tiny home. We are at a point we wanna owe no one so this will be great for us. We do have a sawmill so we cut our own lumber which is a major savings. Thank you for inspiring us. Your place is beautiful. Prayers you continue with great health .
One of my dearest friends was a wonderful man from Michigan. Always thought Scott and Jerry looked so much alike. Sooo.. my question.. does Scott have a brother? Lolol! Scott is so awesome and a pilot to boot!!!
hahaha he does but not sure his status :O
I have two brothers both married. lol. Neither lives off grid though. Interestingly my one brother is a lineman for a power company. I used to call him early in the morning whenever there had been a storm and complain my power was out. He’d just reply I don’t even have power. Best wishes to you. Scott
Scooter, he “ is a lineman for the county” sometime it be hard to get the light on.
What a simple way of life ! He should be very proud of himself for the accomplishments on so many levels !
Happy you enjoyed it. Thanks and best wishes. Scott
“she Gone”… final favorite out of many. You are right, many good ideas. The hardest truth is, the best deal is one that is planned for or patiently waited for. I am a child of instant gratification so I am reminded “good things come to those that wait.”
I like this guy's style. Simple is the way to go. Life is already complicated as it is.
Absolutely perfect in every way. I would change nothing and he is a lovely human being. I am glad he gratiously gave us a tour.
Thank you so much. Happy you enjoyed it. I always tend to joke when someone says I’m nice with an answer of “Yes, but you should try living with me” lol. Seriously, thank you and best wishes. Scott
What impressed me the most is how nice it looks. What impressed me the second most, is the way he built redundancy into so many aspects. All the critical items. Probably the coolest thing I have seen in a very long time.
Grateful to his dad & grandparents.... This was an uplifting conversation...
"No more meter- they came & took it away" Ladies & gentlemen, badass comes in many different forms & that is one of em. You go Scott
This has got to be the nicest, well thought out cabin that I have seen. The outhouse with the corrugated metal to protect the toilet paper is genius! His lights are backed up - 2 becomes one, one becomes none (a statement that reinforces redundancy) :-) Brooke you came through as advertised!
glad you enjoyed it :)
Thanks. Happy you liked seeing it. I do like the redundancy. Never any panic or emergency if something does fail. When you use and outhouse every day opening a coffee can gets a little old. Best wishes Scott
You know… in the last few years my family has given more thought to the benefits of living off the grid and how one day it may be a necessity depending on the direction our country/world goes.
But this gentleman has done it exactly how you would want to do it if you really had to live off the grid.
He has thought of everything. And he has made it so simple yet it seems so complex.
He truly seems to be a genius.
I love how he did everything. So much thought. And it’s just perfect. So much of our world has become so caught up with trim and siding and kitchen cabinets etc. etc. and it takes hundred thousands of dollars to make most Americans happy. But none of that brings happiness… Living this way, with peace and tranquility and elimination of stress… That’s what it’s all about.
Thank you. Happy you enjoyed seeing it. I agree with you but to each his own. For me less is more. I really don’t want for anything and feel like I give nothing up. Just the feeling of not being under someone’s thumb is wonderful for me. Good luck and best wishes. Scott
I love how neatly done everything is…..so cozy and well done! I appreciate the tour. Nicely done Scott!
This guy is the real deal, not a youtuber trying to get clicks
Perfect cabin. I love it!!
thanks Lilly!
I’m happy you liked it. Thank you. Scott
I need counseling. I can't stop watching this video. Whenever I am having a bad day I just watch this. Smart small and build out. I love it.
lol.
I spent 5 years living with my wife on a 38ft sailboat in the Caribbean. We lived on 12v and only used 110v if I could not find a way to convert to 12v. I have 12v in my entire on-grid 110v home. I love the fact that you found all that stuff that is mostly sailboat tech. a little solar power I also have 400 watts of solar power and 6 Trojan 6v wired into one large battery. That power can go a long way. I can run my entire workshop on 12 volt charging the battery's for my power tools from a small inverter. I admire you ingenuity. Making something from nothing is always a blast. Thanks for making the video.
I admire your electrical knowledge!!!
I NEED to learn even the meaning of 12volt and converting to 110, etc...
I am hoping to run a similar electrical off grid system but I NEED to learn the basics of electrical.
Does it ever get lonely no one near you and if anything happends to you, you can't get help
@@noaha9604 - They showed his fiance in the video.
Wow! That is a beautiful cabin! I can appreciate the bedroom, as I'm also a stage 3 esophageal cancer survivor! Also I turn 82 this week, so I likely won't be replicating any of Scott's work, but I surely enjoy seeing and hearing about it! Thank you!
You are a real American and there are no code violations to living as a human being and being content. Godspeed!
You gotta love a guy who has an eye for such pretty and unique bathroom sink from a garage sale no less. Love all the wood, inside paneling to the furnishings and wow all the cut wood. Great video, very inspiring.
Couldn't agree more!
I really enjoyed this. It reminded me of the house my great aunt had when I was little. It was built in about 4 separate pieces by my great uncle after he got back from WW1. (He was a lumberjack when he was young.)
nice
Thank you. Happy you enjoyed it and brought back good memories. Best wishes. Scott
100 % Respect Do your own what makes you feel comfortable! PERIOD absolutely beautiful and cozy all you need the simple pleasures in life
So practical. Liked his thought process, has a problem, solves it in such a practical, functional matter. Takes his time to not get overwhelmed.
I literally feel like I just found my twin! My wife and I built a 12x12 cabin with a sleeping loft on our 20 acre property in northern Vermont. We found that 12x12 is a little bit too tight and just bumped out the bathroom 4’x6’ to acomidate our 3’x4’ full size shower, composting toilet, and a small vanity. With that recent addition, our next plan is to continue to bump out our kitchen area 6’x8’.after that addition, we are going to bump out our living space 6’x12’ to a total of 18’x12’ for living room and bunk area, a 6’x8’ kitchen, a 4’x6 bathroom, and our 6’x12’ master sleeping loft. Currently we have 2 100watt solar panels wired through a renogy MTP solar charger wired to a 12v commercial battery. 12v under cabinet LED strip lights which are super bright. A 4000w inverter for any 120v needs as well as a generator for backup. We don’t a septic system installed as of yet, and rely on a composting toilet which is a godsend! As of this moment, our water is brought in each visit to our cabin, but we are currently installing a 250 gallon rain water tank to cover showers and washing dishes. Watching this video really gave my wife and I a chuckle as we are doing all the same things! Thanks for the video,! And by the way, my name is Scott also!👍🏼
An electrical engineer here agreeing with staying 12V. Maybe change to some bigger wires to lower losses, but 12V stuff is easier and cheaper to find. I have thought about moving to a 2-way or 3-way fridge, but with that propane usage I think I'll stick to electric.
Thanks. Yes, for me the 12 volt just seemed easier and less expensive. I really don’t need much power for the lights, on demand water pump and tv is pretty much it. I do use a generator at times for bigger power stuff when I need to, interestingly the Dometic fridge I use mainly and the Servel that was my main fridge each were about identical in propane use. Pretty close to 1 20 pound every 14 days. Best wishes. Scott
And with the increase in camping and van life, suppliers are now supplying some really clever, efficient 12-volt amenities. Not so much for 24-volt.
Bravo! A home that's a true synergy of efficiency, frugality, convenience, wise redundancy and comfort. I wish I had a clue about building and self-sufficiency. Much happiness to you, Scott!
Yes, so cozy! So soothing to see simple living in the woods. He has everything he needs and more! What an accomplishment. I’m happy for him!
Thanks. It is cozy for me and I don’t really feel like I give anything up. Glad you liked it and best wishes. Scott
I cried tears of joy at the end when he said,”No more meter. They came and took it away.” Great job with the construction. Thank you for the tour.