Newbie Here... trying to find resources for building a tiny, natural home in Northern Idaho!

Hi friends! I have very little building knowledge and experience so I'm wanting to get opinions on what y'all (who do have the know-how) think I should do in my particular situation.... I have a small piece of property in North Idaho I'm looking to build something small (under 1,000 sq. ft. due to Additional Dwelling Unit regs.) for myself on. Here are my questions:

1.) How difficult is it to connect to the grid via a close by RV hookup?

2.) I want to live in my home year round, even in the dead of Winter. Is strawbale the best building material for that in the long run? I initially wanted to do cob for cost savings.

3.) The property backs up to a hill where I could dig underground and create a "hobbit home" but how much more difficult is that building process vs. stick frame ect. building?

4.) I want to stay under $5,000 all in budget, if not cheaper, but I'm having a hard time finding free building supplies in my area. Any tips for finding good natural materials that I can reuse and recycle?

5.) I would love to attend workshops in my area and tour natural homes/buildings if possible. Do you know of any within a few hours drive of CDA,ID?


Thank you all for your help!! It's very appreciated and I hope to connect with more of you on here

Wow, its taken me yeras to get the knowledge you have asked for.
There are so many aspects to cover.
Lets start simply;
1.) How difficult is it to connect to the grid via a close by RV hookup? MORE DETAIL IS REQUIRED, BUT ASK THE RV COMMUNITY

2.) I want to live in my home year round, even in the dead of Winter. CAN BE ACHIEVED
     Is straw bale the best building material for that in the long run? NOTHING IS BEST, THEY ALL WORK AND A HARD
      I initially wanted to do cob for cost savings.  TIME VS COST IS A BIG ISSUE, IF YOU HAVE NO TIME THEN YOU NEED TO SPEND MONEY, IT JUST HAPPENS TO BE THE WAY OF THE UNIVERSE

3.) The property backs up to a hill where I could dig underground and create a "hobbit home" but how much more difficult is that building process vs. stick frame ect. building?
    LOOK UP UNDERGROUND HOUSING, WOFTI BUILDING, READ TOPICS ON THIS SITE
     STICK BUILDING CAN BE FASTER, BUT INSULATION REQUIREMENTS ARE DIFFERENT,
     WATERPROOFING IS EASIER WITH STICK THERE ARE MANY VARIABLES.      
4.) I want to stay under $5,000 all in budget, if not cheaper, but I'm having a hard time finding free building supplies in my area.
    Any tips for finding good natural materials that I can reuse and recycle?
    I KNOW EVERY TIP SITE, JUNK YARD AND DEMOLITION YARD WITHIN MILES OF MY PLACE. ITS A LEARNED ART FINDING LOW COST STUFF, YOU WILL NEED A TRAILER AND A THICK SKIN.
    YOU HAVE TO BE ADAPTIVE IF YOU ARE USING SECOND HAND MATERIAL
5.) I would love to attend workshops in my area and tour natural homes/buildings if possible. Do you know of any within a few hours drive of CDA,ID?
     WHAT DOES [ CDA,ID? ] MEAN ACRYNOMS ARE TIME WASTERS FOR READERS
     RESEARCH THIS AND OTHER DIY BUILDING WEB SITES, BUILDING WORKSHOPS, NATURAL BUILDING, COB, STONE,  GO TO BUILDING FESTIVALS LOOK AT HOMES YOU HAVE IN MIND, BUY BOOKS FOR DEEPER INSIGHT, KEEP AN
     A4 NOTEBOOK HANDY

I would start with Mike Oehler’s books ($50 Underground House is the first title). He was based in Idaho. I would also look into Paul and his crew’s evolution of the concept into what they call a WOFATI. Searching for these in the forum will lead to many other people’s insights that are more informed than mine. Best of luck!