MY tiny HOMESTEAD

I purchased a half acre of densely wooded property on a steep slope. This was my driveway before I started clearing vegetation. My goal was to cut down as few trees as possible.

I rented a Skid Steer for a month to create space for a camping trailer, a small cabin, a carport, and a vegetable garden.

This is my driveway after spreading about 80 cubic yards of fill dirt and gravel (that's 8 full dump trucks). I wanted to use a water permeable surface so rainwater could infiltrate evenly across the property. 

I had to clear the "line of site" from the nearest electrical power transformer to my new power pole, so I used this expensive ladder.

I had dreams of living off-grid but I ultimately decided to install grid power. This will ensure a reliable, affordable  power supply while I build my homestead. I'll add solar and/or wind power in the future.

After several failed attempts at driving a well pipe into the ground, I decided to install a water tank at the top or my property instead. It will be refilled with rainwater that's collected from my carport roof. Water supply lines will be gravity fed from the top of the property to the bottom.

I felled a few trees on the south side of my property. This served two purposes:

 1. it removed shade from areas where I'll be growing food and building greenhouses. 

2. it will provide the posts and beams I need for my carport.

These timber posts will be the “legs” for my carport. These legs weigh between 300 to 500 pounds each. I used ropes and pulleys to hoist them into place. 

Carport build in progress. I've hauled most of my dimensional lumber and cement bags in my little Prius C.

A peek inside my 1971 Aristocrat camping trailer. This will become my "guest house" after I move into my tiny home.

I decided to convert a Tuff Shed into a tiny home instead of building something from the ground up. It has a metal roof, composite floor (more durable than OSB or plywood), dual-pane insulated windows, a metal sub-floor, a storage loft, and a radiant barrier in the ceiling. It has far more upgrades than something I would've built!

Carport structure is ready for rafters, a metal roof, and gutters.