posted 13 years ago
i have been reading up on homesteading for a few years now and getting closer to purchasing land.
sometimes it gets a bit overwhelming in trying to plan everything out so that i don't waste money. the more i'm reading the cheaper everything seems it will be, i.e. rocket stove for heating will save money, composting toilet.
i will be settling in the northeast in cold winter climate.
right now i am trying to decide about the property purchase and what will meet my needs and wind up saving me money in the future.
i plan to build at some point a large space to accomodate music, maybe 1500-2500 s.f. or more. i have very little building experience but a lot of reading experience.
i also have landlust pretty bad, so i am always wrestling how to get as much land as i can afford which is at odds with savng money for the building.
whole tree building and timber framing interests me as does cordwood and earthbag.
cordwood needs to be seasoned 2 years from what i understand. how long do timber and whole trees need to be seasoned before it is safe to build with?
are there any building systems that can use green wood?
is it possible to harvest trees in the winter?
for a single floor timber frame building about 1500- 2000 s.f., roughly how much money would i be saving in timber costs if i harvest and mill the wood myself. this would include renting or purchasing a milling machine. i have lots of time so i am not counting labor costs.
earthbag with scoria fill seems to be the cheapest way to go for now as far as i know but i really love wood, so i'm trying to find the cheapest way to go this route.
i was also looking at the lumberlink joinery system which can use regular lumber and requires no trusses. any opnions on this?
i am looking into cost savings on foundation and roof as well. the building will be sparsely or unfinished inside, just home made raw kitchen, spartan bathroom and the cheapest flooring i can muster.
i am looking at at least 2 years to finish it so some land with a little cabin on it seems to be the best route.