Planning Process

Hello! This is my first ever post 😁

We are trying to figure out what we are going to build on our new property to live in and I would love some advice /ideas on which direction we should head. Here are some details:

We have experiencing managing a house build previously but it was in town and for resale
We own a concrete forming company and so plan to have a full (possibly walkout basement) but freaking is going to be a tricky one... No complicated roof lines please!!
Our property is wooded with mostly pine. We are likely buying a saw mill, however... We can not build any of the structural walls with unstamped timber.
We will be completely off grid. Considering solar and wood for energy and heat.
Our Time constraint is before the snow flies this winter (we will be living in our trailer until the house is up.
We dont mind spending money on solar or on things that will help us stay comfortable, but we have no concept of the limitations on things like solar, or how much space we can keep warm in the winter.

Here are a few plans I've found that I really like,but I want to be sure to think through all the details and have minimal regrets on things when we are stuck with what we have.

https://drummondhouseplans.com/plan/interval-scandinavian-1003357

https://drummondhouseplans.com/plan/calypso-cottage-chalet-cabin-1003207

https://drummondhouseplans.com/plan/hickory-lane-2-farmhouse-1003098

https://drummondhouseplans.com/plan/hygge-2-scandinavian-1003318

Thanks for your input!

Welcome to permies. :)

My 1st question was where?  Found it in your profile

"mostly pine forest in Southern Ontario. Cold Hardiness Zone 5a."

That sounds like a great project.  Blank land to improve to your preference.  

2nd question and always first in all land planning
What water is on the land.  
 Potable?   Streams?  Seasonal rain chanel's?
 Annual rain fall?  

3)  is the land mostly flat?

Are you sure about the stamped lumber?  My understanding is in most states if you use 1 size larger unstamped it is code.  I would rather have 8" walls then 6" anyway.  More room for insulation.  

Tom

Hi!

There is a tiny trout stream on the property. We can't build near it as we don't want to get involved with the Conservation Authority at all. Our first priority will be getting a well dug. And as for poop, there is already an outhouse there, but we will likely be doing septic. I want compost toilet but my husband is a bit weirded out by that idea.

I'll inquire about the unstamped wood... We would still have concerns about how wet it would be,but we could possibly get it to a kiln nearby. Not sure.

Today I was learning about passive solar... That seems like the way to go. I saw a YouTube video with a house in Calgary that didn't even have a furnace or woodstove! That's crazy.

Also, when I said "freaking will be tricky" I meant framing lol!

Do you need a well?
My signature contains a link about catching rainfall.
You can store 20,000L of water in your basement and the tank will not freeze, its size is about 3.6M dia. and 2.4M high.

Could you shift the van to the basement once the floor is laid down on the first floor?
Perhaps show you partner some working compost toilets he may be 'moved'!!!

Passive solar needs to have inherent mass inside to store the heat, masonary walls, benches, floor etc.