Going Off The Grid: The How-To Book Of Simple Living And Happiness (Off The Grid Series 1)

by Gary Collins

• Get everything in writing. • Make sure all bids for work contain “a no higher than” cost cap.

• Get a lien release agreement (a.k.a. lien waiver) for him and all sub-contractors. (This prevents a GC or sub-contractor from applying a lien against your property if he feels you still owe him money.) • Purchase all materials yourself. (This avoids inflated costs for otherwise inexpensive materials.) • Set a pre-determined schedule for completed work.

• Pay for work only when completed (Joe Six-Pack hates this one)—again, have the payment schedule in writing before you begin. • Babysit Joe Six-Pack by never letting him out of your sight while on the job. (Set up a lawn chair and read a book next to him if you have to!) • Avoid engaging Joe Six-Pack in c...

and charging you for ...

This is part of the bad contractor’s scheme: to get you to let your guard down, and then take advantage of your kindness.

Moreover, I have found that in small

towns, people really don’t like to talk negatively about anyone, or about a local company, for what are probably obvious reasons.

unlike many everyday choices, the building of a house is one of the biggest life decisions you will ever make, so it tends to have a much larger impact if

things do go badly.

find the local people who have recently had houses built or renovation work done. These are the folks you want to ask for referrals. If they had a negative experience, they will usually not give you the name of the builder. If they had a good experience, they will gladly give you the name of the company or contractor.

Good contractors will gladly give you an estimate/bid for your project.

TRAITS OF A GOOD CONTRACTOR • Provides everything in writing. • Will not take a deposit or start work until everything is agreed to in a signed contract. • Contract reads like a proper legal document and allows for contingencies (clauses that detail how unusual circumstances will be handled, such as if you want to exit the contract, or if the contractor needs to make a substantive change to the original plans). • Highly organized and professional. • New business is primarily by referral. • Does a great deal of local work. • Will provide references for past work (e.g., phone numbers for previous customers) without being

asked. • Is prompt and on time. • Is well known (in a good way) in the local community. • Returns your phone calls promptly. Has voice mail. • Isn’t necessarily able to start tomorrow, as he probably has several weeks or months of projects already lined up due to his good reputation. • Is currently licensed with the state or county

licensing board (requirements vary by state and county). Displays official license number on business card, work truck, or provides upon request. • Carries both general liability and worker’s compensation insurance (requirements may vary by state). • Is bondable or (better yet) bonded (protects consumer if contracto...

The policies are current. • Has a portfolio of previous work you can look at (this may be a book of photos, or these days, a full ...

One lesson I have learned is to be slow to hire and quick to fire:

Codes are intended to protect consumers.

What happens if something unexpected occurs, and you need to sell your property quickly? If it is an unpermitted property that is not built to code, the chances of you selling it quickly are almost zero.

Technology is at a point where you will eventually get caught for building an unpermitted or unapproved structure. That thing called Google Earth is pretty sophisticated these days. As an example, I was able to go to the county technology office and get full color overhead shots of my property to help me figure out my property lines.

I have heard of people sneaking structures on their property only to get caught and smacked with a nice back-tax bill … don’t be that person!

I have spoken with several people who are doing or have done what I’m attempting with my off-the-grid property, and all have taken years to complete their projects.

mobile tiny homes the house is built on top of the moveable chassis. These types of tiny homes are usually under 8.5 feet wide and vary in length from 12 to 24 feet, and are restricted to 13.5 feet in height in order to fit under highway underpasses when being moved.

In my view, mobile tiny homes are usually a horrible solution for off-gridders and simplified living enthusiasts. Here is why. • They are trendy, and anything trendy is usually a scam. • They are actually incredibly expensive, with prices that frequently range from $450 to $650 per square foot. In comparison, an average custom-built house is in the

$100 to $200 per square foot range, typically with the land included (although this does vary from area to area, of course). • They have to be inspected and registered by your local motor vehicle division, meaning you must pay ongoing, yearly registration costs. • A tiny home will typically have higher insurance premiums than an RV. • They are very heavy,

usually over 10,000 pounds. In comparison, my traditional travel trailer weighs a little over 5,000 pounds. • They can be dangerous to move because they tend to be very top-heavy. • They usually lack plumbing; if you want standard RV-style plumbing, it usually comes with an upcharge. • They are ...

RVs have been around for decades, and today, are incredibly comfortable at a fraction of the cost of a tiny home.

A good alternative to the mobile tiny home is a regular house that is constructed just like a normal permanent residence, only smaller.

To make sure that your tiny home will be built

at a fair cost, consider purchasing the materials yourself, and then have your contractor bid on labor only, with a “not to exceed more than” clause in the job contract.

However, building a tiny home from the resources on your own land is not impossible, and could be an option if you are both handy and have a lot of time to devote to the project.

still today, there are entrepreneurs, politicians and others who have figured out how to sell and regulate something that is actually free.

perfect example of just how powerful the sun is. Every day, it produces 35,000 times the amount of the total energy required by all who currently use electricity! Plus, it is 100% green and free.

There

is no better feeling than knowing you are in control of your own power, especially in how and when you want to use it.

The most effective and reliable system is one that incorporates all three of the primary alternative power systems, since they tend to be complementary to each other in varying weather conditions (more on this later).

Research the Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit before you build, as you could potentially save thousands of dollars on your green-energy-system costs. Also check out www.dsireusa.org for a nationwide listing of many other green-energy financial incentives, which vary by state, county, and local utility providers.

great tool to estimate the amount of usable sunlight per day in your area: http://www.nrel.gov/gis/images/map_pv_national_hi-res_200.jpg

What I soon found was that trying to learn every aspect of developing your own solar power system is probably a futile task and better left to professionals.

If I screwed something up installing the solar system myself, it could cost me thousands of dollars, either to pay someone to redo it properly or in damaged equipment.

I would rather pay the money to have skilled help, and have some piece of mind, not to mention lower stress levels.

Solar panels are so cheap today, it is more cost effective to add panels than to design an elaborate solar panel rotation system.

For wind power, I suggest using a small wind turbine (6-foot diameter or smaller turbine) to supplement your off-grid alternative power system.

With that said, smaller wind turbines have become incredibly affordable: many come in under $1,000 (not including installation).

The good news is most regions of the United States have sufficient wintertime winds to support most off-grid power needs. To find out how it’s usually blowing in your area, use this winter wind guide: http://www.primuswindpower.com/solarwind-solution/

Primus 46”-wind turbine.

a micro-hydro setup is a great way to go, provided that you have a stream running through your property.

Of the three main alternative energy-producing sources, hydro is considered the most reliable and cheapest because water usually

runs 24/7, 365 days a year.

I did initially try going for the off-grid “trifecta:” isolated land, with great views, and a hydro-worthy stream.

Because of this, areas with volcanic activity offer the best geothermal possibilities, while highly elevated and mountainous regions offer the poorest.