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| getting_started_and_best_practices [2024/11/28 22:16] – vtclz | getting_started_and_best_practices [2024/12/01 13:51] (current) – grammar vtclz |
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| ===== Introduction ===== | ===== Introduction ===== |
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| Choosing the right housing option is a crucial decision for homesteaders. Your choice impacts not only your comfort and safety but also your ability to focus on developing your homestead. This guide explores four popular housing options among homesteaders: tents, portable buildings from Overmans, recreational vehicles (RVs), and modular homes. Each option has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, and the best choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and long-term plans. | This article will evolve to provide best practices to read through to help members make the best decision for their situation based on the community experiences. |
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| ===== Housing Options ===== | ===== Housing Options ===== |
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| ==== Tent Housing for Homesteaders ==== | ==== Tent Housing ==== |
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| === Introduction === | === Introduction === |
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| Tents offer a simple and affordable housing solution for homesteaders, especially during the initial stages of establishing a homestead. They are lightweight, easy to set up, and can be an excellent temporary shelter while you develop your land. | Tents offer a simple and affordable housing solution for homesteaders, especially during the initial stages of establishing a homestead. They are lightweight, easy to set up, and can be an excellent temporary shelter while you develop your land. We strongly advise against tents for any stays longer than 1 month. |
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| === Advantages === | === Advantages === |
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| * **Affordability**: Tents are generally the most cost-effective housing option. They require minimal upfront investment compared to other housing types. | * **Affordability**: Tents are generally the most cost-effective housing option. |
| * **Mobility**: Tents are portable, allowing you to relocate them easily if needed. This is beneficial if you're still deciding on the perfect spot on your property. | * **Mobility**: Tents are portable, allowing you to relocate them easily if needed. This is beneficial if you're still deciding on the perfect spot on your property. |
| * **Quick Setup**: Most tents can be set up within hours, providing immediate shelter. | * **Quick Setup**: Most tents can be set up within hours, providing immediate shelter. |
| * **Minimal Impact**: Tents have a low environmental footprint. They don't require foundations or significant land alteration. | * **Minimal Impact**: They don't require foundations or significant land alteration. |
| * **Immersive Experience**: Living in a tent can provide a closer connection to nature, which many homesteaders value. | * **Immersive Experience**: Living in a tent can provide a closer connection to nature. |
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| === Disadvantages === | === Disadvantages === |
| * **Limited Space**: Tents offer minimal living space, which can be challenging for long-term habitation or for families. | * **Limited Space**: Tents offer minimal living space, which can be challenging for long-term habitation or for families. |
| * **Durability**: Tents are not designed for long-term use in harsh weather conditions. They may not withstand heavy rain, snow, or strong winds. | * **Durability**: Tents are not designed for long-term use in harsh weather conditions. They may not withstand heavy rain, snow, or strong winds. |
| * **Security**: Tents provide little protection against wildlife or intruders. | |
| * **Comfort**: Temperature regulation is difficult. Tents can be too hot in summer and too cold in winter. | * **Comfort**: Temperature regulation is difficult. Tents can be too hot in summer and too cold in winter. |
| * **Amenities**: Lack of basic amenities such as plumbing, electricity, and insulation. | * **Amenities**: Lack of basic amenities such as plumbing, electricity, and insulation. |
| | * **Ground Stakes**: Ground stakes have almost no strength in the clay soil at community one. |
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| === Considerations === | === Considerations === |
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| * **Climate**: Consider the local climate. Extended tent living is more feasible in mild climates. | * **Duration**: Suitable for short-term or seasonal use rather than permanent residence. If a local expert does not properly anchor your Tent, it will blow away while you are gone. |
| * **Duration**: Suitable for short-term or seasonal use rather than permanent residence. | |
| * **Local Regulations**: Some areas have zoning laws or regulations against long-term tent dwelling. | |
| * **Health and Safety**: Ensure proper sanitation and be cautious of pests. | |
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| === Conclusion === | === Conclusion === |
| === Introduction === | === Introduction === |
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| Overmans is a manufacturer of portable buildings designed to provide flexible housing solutions. These structures can be an excellent option for homesteaders seeking a balance between affordability and permanence. | Overmans manufactures cheap, good-enough buildings. These structures can be an excellent option for homesteaders seeking a balance between affordability and permanence. |
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| === Advantages === | === Advantages === |
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| * **Affordability**: Portable buildings are generally less expensive than traditional homes or modular homes. | * **Affordability**: Portable buildings do not require concrete foundations which will cost $6,000+ |
| * **Quick Installation**: They can be delivered and set up relatively quickly compared to building a house from scratch. | * **Quick Installation**: They can be delivered and set up in less than a week. |
| * **Customization**: Overmans offers various models that can be customized to meet specific needs, including size, layout, and features. | |
| * **Durability**: Constructed with sturdy materials, these buildings are designed to withstand weather conditions better than tents or RVs. | * **Durability**: Constructed with sturdy materials, these buildings are designed to withstand weather conditions better than tents or RVs. |
| * **Portability**: Although more substantial than tents or RVs, these buildings can be moved if necessary. | * **Portability**: Although more substantial than tents or RVs, these buildings can be moved if necessary. |
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| * **Limited Space**: While larger than tents, portable buildings may still offer limited living space compared to traditional homes. | * **Limited Space**: While larger than tents, portable buildings may still offer limited living space compared to traditional homes. |
| * **Utility Connections**: Setting up utilities (water, sewage, electricity) may require additional effort and expense. | * **Utility Connections**: Setting up utilities (water and sewage) will require additional effort and expense to keep them from freezing. |
| * **Permitting and Zoning**: May require building permits and must comply with local zoning laws, which can add complexity. | * **Resale Value**: Portable buildings may not appreciate in value like traditional homes, potentially affecting long-term investment. Their value will be much greater than a tent. |
| * **Resale Value**: Portable buildings may not appreciate in value like traditional homes, potentially affecting long-term investment. | |
| * **Foundation Requirements**: Some models may require a foundation or level surface, adding to setup costs. | |
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| === Considerations === | === Considerations === |
| * **Customization Options**: Explore Overmans' offerings to select features that best suit your needs. | * **Customization Options**: Explore Overmans' offerings to select features that best suit your needs. |
| * **Long-Term Use**: Consider how the building will serve your needs over time; can it be expanded or modified? | * **Long-Term Use**: Consider how the building will serve your needs over time; can it be expanded or modified? |
| * **Local Regulations**: Ensure compliance with building codes and obtain necessary permits. | |
| * **Utilities Setup**: Plan for the installation of utilities and the associated costs. | * **Utilities Setup**: Plan for the installation of utilities and the associated costs. |
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| * **Limited Space**: Space is compact, which can be challenging for families or long-term living. | * **Limited Space**: Space is compact, which can be challenging for families or long-term living. |
| * **Climate Limitations**: May not be well-insulated for extreme temperatures unless specifically designed for it. | * **Climate Limitations**: May not be well-insulated for extreme temperatures unless specifically designed for it. |
| * **Utility Needs**: May require hookups for electricity, water, and sewage, or regular services like propane refills. | * **Utility Needs**: This may require hookups for electricity, water, and sewage or regular services like propane refills. |
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| === Considerations === | === Considerations === |
| * **Time Efficiency**: Faster construction time compared to traditional building methods. | * **Time Efficiency**: Faster construction time compared to traditional building methods. |
| * **Energy Efficiency**: Often built with modern insulation and energy-efficient materials. | * **Energy Efficiency**: Often built with modern insulation and energy-efficient materials. |
| * **Financing Options**: Easier to finance through traditional mortgages compared to other alternative housing options. | * **Financing Options**: It is easier to finance through traditional mortgages compared to other alternative housing options. |
| * **Appreciation**: Can appreciate in value similar to traditional homes. | * **Appreciation**: Can appreciate in value similar to traditional homes. |
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| === Conclusion === | === Conclusion === |
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| Modular homes provide homesteaders with a permanent, customizable, and high-quality housing option. While they require a significant investment and thorough planning, they offer long-term benefits and comfort akin to traditional homes. | Modular homes provide homesteaders with a permanent, customizable, and high-quality housing option. While they require significant investment and thorough planning, they offer long-term benefits and comfort akin to traditional homes. |
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| ---- | ---- |
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| * **Customization**: Highly adaptable designs allow for personalized floor plans and features. | * **Customization**: Highly adaptable designs allow for personalized floor plans and features. |
| * **Market Value**: Typically appreciate over time, representing a solid investment. | * **Market Value**: Typically appreciates over time, representing a solid investment. |
| * **Widespread Expertise**: Many contractors specialize in stick frame construction. | * **Widespread Expertise**: Many contractors specialize in stick frame construction. |
| * **Compliance**: Easily meets most building codes and regulations. | * **Compliance**: Easily meets most building codes and regulations. |
| * **Maintenance**: Requires regular upkeep to prevent issues like rot, pests, and weathering. | * **Maintenance**: Requires regular upkeep to prevent issues like rot, pests, and weathering. |
| * **Long Construction Time**: Specialized building techniques can extend the construction period. | * **Long Construction Time**: Specialized building techniques can extend the construction period. |
| * **Insurance Rates**: May have higher insurance premiums due to fire risks associated with wood structures. | * **Insurance Rates**: There may be higher insurance premiums due to fire risks associated with wood structures. |
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| ---- | ---- |
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| ===== Final Thoughts ===== | ===== Regulations ===== |
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| Selecting the right housing option for your homestead is a personal decision that depends on your budget, lifestyle, long-term plans, and the specifics of your property. Tents and RVs offer mobility and lower costs but come with limitations in comfort and durability. Portable buildings from Overmans present a middle ground, providing more permanence than tents or RVs at a lower cost than modular homes. Modular homes, while more expensive, offer a permanent, comfortable, and customizable living space that can grow with your homestead. | Always ensure compliance with state building codes and regulations when selecting and setting up your housing option. |
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| Consider all factors carefully, consult with local authorities regarding regulations, and assess your personal needs to make the best choice for your homesteading journey. | ====== Power Options for Homesteaders ====== |
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| <note important> | ==== Solar, Batteries, and Generators ==== |
| Always ensure compliance with local building codes, zoning laws, and regulations when selecting and setting up your housing option. It may also be beneficial to consult with other homesteaders and professionals to gain insights specific to your situation. | |
| </note> | === Battery Recommendations === |
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| | * LifePO4 batteries (last longer, do not erupt into flames) |
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| | === Generator Tips and Recommended Models === |
| | * Ethanol-free gas is available from the **[[https://g.co/kgs/oLQJXYQ|S & H Quick Shop]]** gas station in Imboden. |
| | * Stay away from the low-wattage Harbor Freight inverter generators (the ones less than 2000 watts); we've returned several of them. |
| | * **[[https://www.buchheits.com/p/generator-champion-4500-watt|Champion 4500 Watt Inverter]]** SKU: 346981 (Propane+Gas, Tool-less oil changes) |
| | * **[[https://www.homedepot.com/p/Honda-2200-Watt-Remote-Stop-Recoil-Start-Bluetooth-Super-Quiet-Gasoline-Powered-Inverter-Generator-with-Advanced-CO-Shutdown-EU2200ITAN/316604378|Honda EU2200i Inverter]]** (Very reliable engine, but annoying to work on. You may eventually want to disconnect the CO2 shutoff switch because they go bad often and cause random shutoffs.) |
| | * Although Harbor Freight hasn't been making inverter generators for very long, their **[[https://www.harborfreight.com/generators-engines/generators/9000-watt-gas-powered-portable-generator-with-co-secure-technology-epa-59206.html|open-frame non-inverter generators]]** have been around a long time and are much more reliable. |
| | ==== Solar and Batteries ==== |
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| | === Requirements === |
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| | * Inverter |
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| | === Recomendations === |
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| | * [[https://signaturesolar.com/]] |
| | * Any EG4 Kit, depending on your requirements |
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| | ==== Grid ==== |
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| | === Requirements === |
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| | For a free installation, you must meet these requirements: |
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| | * X Miles from the nearest power pole |
| | * Foundation for XXX sqft house |
| | * Septic System |
| | * Well |
