Cabin Makeover

Super windy day in my neck of the woods.  It has been touch and go with the internet and even my phone.  Thankfully no power loss.  Hopefully I can get this post written before losing any service.  Getting right to it…

The one thing we have lacked since moving to our home 6+ years ago was a work shop for Hubs.  Our plan was to “someday” build a 30 x 40 foot barn.  We even went as far as getting some quotes.  Well, plans can change and with purchasing the property next door, ours did.

Although not near as large the barn we intended to build, we figured the cabin could make for a perfect shop for Hubs.  The biggest issue was the location.  As mentioned in my previous post, it was very close to the waters edge.  Per a contractor we hired, the cabin was extremely well built, so that was a positive.  Aside from the location, the trouble was that it was built on cement piles, raising it approximately 2-3 feet off the ground.  The overhead door was also essentially useless, so the best option was to move the entire cabin.

Finding a good location wasn’t the problem.  Getting the structure (as we were then calling it) moved was an entirely different issue.  Just to make things even more interesting, we decided to put it on a walkout basement.  While it would add to the cost, it made sense as this would double the space.  Enter the world of contractors!

We hired one company to handle escavating the new basement and move the structure up the hill.  This same company was also supposed to handle arranging for a crane operator to come lift the building onto the new basement.  We hired a mason friend of ours to do all the block and cement work.  We also needed a builder to put windows where the overhead door had been, move the overhead door to the walkout area of the basement, add a “people door” in the lower level, add stairs from the upper level down to the new basement and a lot of other stuff that I can’t even remember!  We also hired someone to paint the structure.

There were hiccups along the way, and that is putting it mildly.  Windows weren’t ordered, the crane operator had some issue with his crane, weather delays, lumber delays, etc.,  …I guess all usual stuff when you take on a project.  We ended up ordering the windows and finding a crane operator.   A lot of this was nudging all involved to keep the project moving ahead.  While there is still work to be done, the lower level is usable.  Hubs even installed a woodstove for heat.  There are a couple of boards around the outside of the new shop that will need to be added (and painted) in the Spring.  The upstairs will need to be wired, insulated and drywalled.  We don’t intend to hookup the electric until we make some changes to our house, but at least it will be in place.  For now, thanks to the Yeti solar powered generator we were gifted, we do have some power out there.

We have a short trail from the edge of our “house property” going through the woods to the new shop.  It means a little more snow shoveling for me, but that makes for good exercise!

As for a name, we are calling it Alberta.  When we first moved to our house, I took my elderly father here to spend a few days with us.  He kept saying how much our area reminded him of Alberta, Canada.  Back in the 50’s (before my time!) my mom and dad spent a summer there.  My dad said my mom would have loved our new place.  My daughter and son-in-law gifted us a new sign, which we installed on the short trail to the new shop.

Ugh.  I wanted to add some pictures but my internet and/or my computer is being really slow right now.  I’ll get them added as soon as I can.  Fingers crossed I can get this post published.