Now, up until now I hadn't really given this old building too much thought simply because I didn't believe it to be inhabitable. However, upon further reflection it would appear that there is potential to this building. This building, if redone would be a cross between my first ideas for a tiny house of a house on wheels, since it can be moved if I choose, and a Shouse, because I can gut it to its bones and have a shell to work with. Let's consider the pros and cons of this building.
Pros:
- The building is 14' x 75', which is double the size of the largest shed building I can afford. 1050 sq. ft.
- It is a three bedroom, two bath model. I could make it into a 2 bedroom model with one large bath and use the additional floor space for a rocking pantry and storage room as well as a laundry room.
- Parts such as doors and cabinets may be re-purposed.
- It is a greener option since I will not be sending it to a landfill as originally planned.
- The chassis is metal.
- The chassis is mounted off the ground far enough to avoid water in a flood and critters who slither.
- It can be considered "real estate" if it is redone and placed on a foundation.
- It is already there and free, as it came with the land.
- It is a mobile home that has been neglected.
- I will have to gut it myself. Hello respirator.
- Wiring will need to be redone ($700)
- Plumbing will need to be redone ($500)
- Kitchen will need to be redone. ($2000)
- Insulation will need to be redone. ($800)
- Roof will need to be redone. ($2000)
- Exterior will have to be redone. ($1200)
- Interior walls need to be redone. ($800)
- Basically, I will have to strip the entire thing down to the frame and build back out.
I know this building would add to my workload since I would have to gut it in addition to all the other work I already had planned, but it has already wired for electricity and plumbed, which I could use as a guide as I go along. I could essentially run the new systems parallel to the old for direction and remove the old when finished before closing up the floor or wall. Eventually, when it is finished, I could hire a moving company to haul it up to the part of my property where I envisioned my house being and have a great, custom home.
I don't want to abandon my Shouse plan, but I think I would be a fool not to recognize that I can use my initial capital in a much more effective manor if I don't have to pay for the Shouse building itself.
What do you think, dear reader? What would you do?
It's a challenge! I've never known you to back down from one yet though. I like the idea. Repurposing in a nut shell. It's already on the land. Someone loved it very much at one time. I say go for it! You planned out the Shouse in complete detail. You have a back up plan. Take ANOTHER risk and jump in with both feet. That's what living is all about.
ReplyDeletePS.
I feel some very nice energy from the video. Not much to heal :) You're needed!