Building a DIY Tiny House A-Frame Cabin - 3 Years and Counting

After 3+ years of planning, scavenging materials, and framing the walls in my garage, this video tells the story of building a DIY 110-square-foot, 4-season, “off-grid” tiny house / A-frame cabin in my semi-rural Illinois backyard. I’ll take you on a guided tour of the unfinished interior, including 3 distinct small spaces that together make it feel surprisingly roomy — even for a fat guy like me.

You’ll also hear the origin story of how a pole barn fire inspired me to undertake this DIY construction project and why it did not need a building permit. It's the start of what I hope to further develop into a self-sufficient backyard homestead, including a sustenance / survival garden, as well as composting and rainwater collection systems... Maybe some chickens and bees too – because prepping is important.

I also share a couple of the many challenges I overcame building this tiny A-frame cabin. You’ll hear the story of how my 85-year-old dad played a critical role “encouraging” me to seriously consider the safety risks involved. You’ll also get a glimpse at how I constructed the rolling mobile platform / foundation for the cabin, pre-fabricated the component parts, insulated the floor, and added storage compartments with faux antique produce crates.

Finally, I talk about the personal satisfaction that makes a project like this worthwhile. Drawing on the wisdom of others who have influenced me, I share how a challenging hands-on DIY project –– complete with pitfalls and setbacks –– can serve as a framework for creating meaning in your life, elevating the potential for greater happiness. Even if you don't yet have the space or tools needed to build a tiny cabin, I outline the 3 basic criteria for a "Soul Project" lifehack that virtually anyone can do, no matter your skill level or housing situation.

Do you accept the challenge? Join the community and share your project pics with me at https://www.patreon.com/bigguyinatinyhouse. Who knows? I might feature it on a future episode of 'Big Guy In A Tiny House'.

If you watch all the way to the end you’ll be rewarded with a fast-motion timelapse showing a fat guy (me), a Puerto Rican Latina (my wife), a high school teacher and Eagle Scout (my neighbor), and an old man (my dad), raising the walls. You'll also see me installing the windows and a custom front door I built from scratch, getting it all dried-in before winter.

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EPISODE CONTENTS

00:00 - Why Did It Take 3+ Years?
01:26 - Shout Out To Those Who Helped
03:30 - From Barn Fire To Tiny Cabin
05:40 - First Look Inside
08:07 - Disaster Averted
11:38 - Just Because It's Not Perfect Doesn't Mean It's Not Good
13:47 - Finding Joy In A Backyard Tiny Cabin
15:40 - Build Timelapse

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10 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD SUBSCRIBE:

1. Learn what inspired me to build a tiny cabin in my backyard.
2. Why I did not need a building permit
3. Why it took me 3+ years to get this far
4. How much it all cost and what I did to save money
5. The power tools, hand tools, and other equipment I found to be indispensable.
6. The solar electric system I am installing.
7. The steps I too to minimize the chances of a fire.
8. How I keep rodents out, including those pesky field mice.
9. How it is designed to be disassembled and moved to a remote location in the future.
10. How I finish the interior and build custom furniture to make the most of the small space.

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COMMUNITY & SUPPORT

VOTE IN POLLS and SHARE YOUR DIY PROJECT PICS WITH OTHERS WHO WILL APPRECIATE IT:
https://www.patreon.com/bigguyinatinyhouse

STAY MOTIVATED TO FINISH YOUR PROJECT WITH A 'BIG GUY IN A TINY HOUSE' T-SHIRT and OTHER MERCH:
https://store.bigguyinatinyhouse.com/

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EPISODE SUPPLEMENTARY LINKS

Buy the book ‘Microshelters: 59 Creative Cabins, Tiny Houses, Tree Houses, and Other Small Structures’ from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Wbx74R

By the book ‘Micro Living: 40 Innovative Tiny Houses Equipped for Full-Time Living, in 400 Square Feet or Less’ from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3jt4v8w

Buy the same plans I used to build this half A-frame cabin from @relaxshacksDOTcom:
https://relaxshacks.myshopify.com/products/the-dart-plans-deeks-half-a-frame-2-story-cabin-tiny-house-getaway-camp

See Deek Diedrickson and Lloyd Kahn building a prototype of ‘The Dart’ at the 2014 Home and Garden Expo in Charlotte, North Carolina: https://youtu.be/g2qcNWhcpqM

Watch the full interview with Victor Davis Hanson on @JohnAndersonConversations: https://youtu.be/vmMNVEv6fI8

Be inspired by JBP and @akirathedon: https://youtu.be/cUQoSaBGRGU

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B.G.I.A.T.H. ON THE INTERWEBS:

OFFICIAL WEBSITE:
https://bigguyinatinyhouse.com

SOCIAL MEDIA:
https://www.instagram.com/bigguyinatinyhouse/
https://twitter.com/BGInATinyHouse

If you've got nothing against modern technology, but the idea of living off-the-grid in a rustic cabin doesn't sound so bad, then you’re in the right place.

#tinyhouse #aframecabin #tinyhousenation #aframe