In Search of Site, Trailer, and Schedules

Lots to report since the last post.

First, we've been looking for somewhere to do the actual construction. Building at our apartment complex was a no-go, so we posted on Craigslist and some other places. After chasing several nice sounding leads that evaporated very quickly and one which fell through after an unfortunate amount of effort spent negotiating, it finally looks like we've secured a place. A family in the next town over has a few acres of space where they've set up a permaculture homestead, which seems like a perfect fit. We'll be paying them a reasonable monthly rate for use of their land, a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Second, we've been looking for a trailer. We know from my Sketchup model exactly what size would be ideal (24 foot by 8.5 feet to the outside of the fenders). However, going around to local fabricators for quotes didn't yield the desired results - everyone seemed to want a massive markup just because the trailer was "custom", despite being a very simple build. Still, I'm determined to leave welding for someone with experience - I'll be taking on learning enough new things throughout the rest of the build. So, we've decided to purchase a trailer from Tiny Home Builders. Even after the 7000# axle upgrade, drop axle upgrade, and a whopping $1.30/mile shipping charge (at a distance of 1,200 miles for us), it still comes in at around $2,000 less than any local fabricator would quote us. So in the next couple of days, we'll place the order for the trailer. After that, it will be much more difficult to turn back!

Third, we've been trying to nail down at least a vague schedule. This was particularly difficult to do as Tiny Home Builders states fabrication will take place in "two to four weeks", delivery is a bit up in the air as we're going to try and contract it out through uship, and even once the materials are in my hands, I have little experience to draw on for accurately judging things like "which takes more time: framing or sheathing?". Still, I'm confident that the house will be started no later than July, andwill be weather-tight before Rochester winter settles in (with any luck, that will be after Halloween for a change!).

Lastly, I'm still eager to share some actual screenshots of the Sketchup model, but still need to finish the details so it doesn't look quite as ugly. Once I'm satisfied with it, I'll post plenty of details here.