Building a Cottage: Slowly But Surely
It’s been a pretty good year for the cottage so far even if it is cold and rainy every weekend. There has been progress, particularly on the outside as you can see from the picture. We decided to add two more windows to the lake side of the cottage for a few reasons.
We will get a better view of the lake, increase air circulation, and most importantly add light to the dining and living rooms. We found out after the cottage was built that the corners of the rooms were very dark.
We struggled with the decision to add the windows because we are on a tight budget and this wasn’t in the plans, but now that we have them in I’m very happy we made the right choice.
As you can see we also had the siding installed. I found a contractor in the area and he did a fantastic job for a decent price. I’ll be calling on him again when it comes time to drywall. Other little projects outside were adding stairs to the front and back decks. We did a little landscaping and built a picnic table which turned out to be very good. At least we have somewhere to sit and eat and play games now. If you are interested in building a picnic table you can find the plans here. The only outside projects left with respect to the building are to install exterior outlets and put up the eaves troughs.
The inside of the cottage is a whole different matter. It is still bare studs, but I did have the basement floor poured in the spring. I’ve run just about all my electrical wires to their boxes and have a rough inspection scheduled for Aug 19/2009. Hopefully that goes smoothly and I can have power throughout the cottage rather than plugging and unplugging extension cords as I am now. I’ve also almost completed my drainage and vent pipes for the plumbing. A few more cuts and it will be dry fitted. From there I have to level it, hang it, and then glue it all together. I’ve met with both plumbing inspectors and both have been extremely nice and helpful. That makes things much easier on a guy like me that is doing everything for the first time. Once the drainage pipes are glued together I’ll run the flexible water supply pipes, no copper or soldering for me. I don’t think that will be too much of a big deal, although I say that about everything, because I only have a kitchen sink, bathroom sink, toilet, and shower to run the pipes to.
I’ll be contacting a HVAC contractor soon to install the furnace, water heater, ducts and propane line. Of course this will end up being way more then I’m going to anticipate, but it needs to be done before the winter comes. If everything goes to plan I should be able to have the cottage in a state where we have electricity, plumbing, heating, and is insulated by the end of the year. Which means by next summer it should be fully complete and I can start concentrating on my fishing! Did I mention the fishing on my lake is great? I will in an upcoming post.
Thanks for all the comments over the past months while I haven’t been doing much updating. I’m especially enjoying all the comments about the Mantracker show! They make me laugh. Keep it up!
salut merci pour votre partage
je veux faire avec vous un échange de liens
c’est mon blog
http://01movies.blogspot.com/
j’attends votre réponse
Aymen , Morocco
I love your cottage it looks cute and private. Great job on getting the windows added; I do not believe that you would have been happy without them.
Clean and quiet. Congratulations to you.
If you do not need space on the right, I think a garden or fish pond will make it more beautiful.
Your weekender looks as big as my house! The top balcony adds a great feature to the front of the house. I’m sure you have a fantastic view..hopefully overlooking the lake where you’ll be catching all those fish for dinner!
Very nice. My wife wants to knock down the house we are in and build fresh. Maybe u can let me use your weekender and I wont have to
I’m so glad I found your blog! We just bought a lot on an island on Lake Cecebe and this is one of the designs we have invisioned for the space. Can’t wait to read more about your adventures in building.
That’s actually better to just have a house, rather than building any tall building.
realy nice, you have a good adventure with your building process
cottage in the picture is wonderfull. everybody wants to live in a cottage like that. congratulation!
Your cottage look very cozy private it is not big, it is not small and it seem like it getting a lot of sun too
How many rooms in the house? From the picture it seems like there are 2 on the first floor and one on the second floor, right?
It is very natural and lovely environment.
Building cottage is the most beautiful task we can do to please ourselves.
I want to have a cottage of my own.
i want to build a little cottage in the uk, probably the scottish highlands or just a bit of woodland? i haven’t drawn up a plan yet and it wouldn’t be anything elaborate (no gas or electricity) its more of a cabin than anything. this is just a little dream im entertaining and i just want to know how id go about getting planning permission.
I like to build a cottage like that and I would put it near a stream. That would generate a cozy aura into it.
The cottage is looking very awesome…The outside view of the cottage is awesome..It is looking so beautiful that i am not having words to explain it..absolutely magnificient work..
The Planning Officer in the local authority where you want to live will be able to give you all the info you need, including whether you need planning permission at all. From what you describe, you might not…
The Planning Officer in the local authority where you want to live will be able to give you all the info you need, including whether you need planning permission at all. From what you describe,
If legally the Title is clear and sure that it will be completed in one year, then it is safe. But make stage wise payment.
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We found out after the cottage was built that the corners of the rooms were very dark.
Have all the walls boarded with bare wood, I ‘ve seen one for sale in Knockvicar, it looks like a stone built cottage and on the description it says under complete refurbishment.
Can you consider reversing the door frame so the door swings out? Otherwise you may have to live with it if it’s already built.
Very nice cottage… Its very natural and good looking…
Thanks for all content over the last several weeks while I have not been doing much upgrading. I’m especially experiencing all content about the Mantracker show………
I am a lover of your cottage it looks beautiful and private. premier job on getting the windows added; I do not believe that you would have been happy without them.