I wish I could say more has been done. The crew I hired to install the trusses, also sheathed the roof. I slowly took down the scaffolding, returned it, waterproofed the main level and been slowly cleaning items up and framing inside.

Just got most of the membrane installed and here we are.

Current Items:
- Contracting the Roofer
- 2 weeks windows arrive
- Cleaning Openings
- Applying Seam Sealer
- Pouring Front and Rear Door Sills
- Installing Hurricane Ties
- Cleaning

Wow, what an amazing journey! It's looking really good so far. I hope you keep us updated, I'd love to see the finished product!

I'm in the process of building a new, sustainable home that I can rent out as temporary accommodation. With ZERO building experience and knowledge, I've found the whole process extremely difficult. One builder tells me one thing, another builder tells me something totally different.

I don't know which way's up anymore!

After months of deliberation, I've decided to make things as simple as possible and build a tiny home instead. It was this article that steered me in this direction https://podlife.co.nz/airbnb-invest...iny-house/. It looks like the most viable option, and it's far more affordable than anything I've checked out so far!

I'd love to know you're thoughts seeing as you're deep into the build process yourself.

Posted By EmilyB on 13 Mar 2023 08:04 PM
Wow, what an amazing journey! It's looking really good so far. I hope you keep us updated, I'd love to see the finished product!

I'm in the process of building a new, sustainable home that I can rent out as temporary accommodation. With ZERO building experience and knowledge, I've found the whole process extremely difficult. One builder tells me one thing, another builder tells me something totally different.

I don't know which way's up anymore!

After months of deliberation, I've decided to make things as simple as possible and build a tiny home instead. It was this article that steered me in this direction https://podlife.co.nz/airbnb-invest...iny-house/. It looks like the most viable option, and it's far more affordable than anything I've checked out so far!

I'd love to know you're thoughts seeing as you're deep into the build process yourself.

That wouldn't be my wheelhouse - I'm building a home for living not utilizing for income or resale. Very different objectives regarding size, quality, materials, etc.

Finally able to return the scaffolding, after months and months on rent....



Purchased some red cedar to build the front awning.







They were all rough sawn. Power and hand planed them down with a final pass with the sander.

Carving out the joints. Never done anything this big, used combo of power tools and hand tools. On smaller parts, much easier to sneak up the fitment a little at a time. This wasn't necessarily harder - just a lot more cumbersome. Used epoxy to bond the joints together, but they were so tight, and we pegged them - so probably could have done without it but good insurance.

You know what goes next.

So, another learning tip for those reading. Go a full INCH bigger on your bucks for all openings. I went a half inch on some openings and that was not the best decision. Had to utilize a power planner and grinder to open up some of the openings for the windows. While that was a pain - all of the openings were super flat for some reason.




Went with the Prosoco stuff on the windows. Glad I did. I've used the blue "goo" now and the red "goo". Red is better. I've also experimented with both the "paint grade" and tool grade Prosoco flashing. The tool grade is the way to go, the "paint grade" is more like smearing honey than painting.

Biggest thing I can say about the window install - if you can get your buck to go across the entire width of the ICF - do it. Much easier to install. I used mineral board for mine and they don't produce anything larger than 8.5".











Installation: - seam sealer (fiber goo) - Liquid flash - Install of Window (used metal brackets - easier IMO) - Latex Caulk on fins - Liquid flash over top to finish up

Time to get the big windows prepped for a professional - no way I could do these. Gotta do the final lift for the multi-slide and prep the large windows.

Nice to hire pros but dang expensive. They knocked out the three big windows in a day and the multi-slide the day after.

Getting closer to framing inspection!













Garage Wall

Prepping for Front Door Entrance, final lift.

We had to wait on order the last few windows until we figured out the exact opening size for the pivot door and how we wanted the windows to look. After some back and forth went with this.

Currently getting quotes on Spray Foam for the roof insulation. Until I settled on a contractor, working on final items for inspection, and sealing up the rafter sections with polyiso

Best part - took the wife to the site to show her for the THIRD time since starting the build.


First time I took her to the future home - she cried. We were standing in mud, in the middle of a big pit, as I had just finished the excavation.


Second time was after the first floor was just finished. I was thinking - this will really help her show that we are moving forward, all the work put in had a real purpose. Her response "Is this it??". Not exactly what I wanted to hear.


This time, she finally smiled. She could see light at the end of the tunnel and she was able to figure out her kitchen layout, finalize the size of the cabinets, and kitchen island. We can finally order the cabinets and start thinking about getting a plumber in while I work on supply and electrical.

Insultation in the rafters/exterior wall



Installation of the first panel (sub)





Window Dressing for Front Porch

Flooring the Attic



Building Mounting Blocks for Exterior Fixtures and Penetrations





Installing Support for Large Wall Mounts

Spray Foam Done!





Last Min Adjustment - Walk in Shower Prep





More Mounting Blocks