Off Grid Mountain Cabin Build: Concrete Footings in Sweltering Heat

[@SierraOne]

Thanks for being humble and not bending the re-bar by hand...

[@LifeontheMoose]

Lol. Not a problem! Thanks for tuning in.

[@plaintruth4637]

I am planning to build the same size cabin on my remote 200 ac property this spring and your videos are my guide.

[@LifeontheMoose]

Awesome! Let me know how it goes.

[@geraldwilkinson]

i prefer to watch you dig holes than have to dig them myself

[@seazestyt]

I think you could get away filling half way the hole with gravel to save time and cement without compromising the footings structure.

[@LifeontheMoose]

I don’t doubt that… I tend to overbuild some things, and that’s probably one. Thank you for tuning in!

[@JaySiewers]

Just started re-watching your videos, from when I first started watching. But now I know, just off spur, 500' NE of a neighbor. Great videos.

[@thedrunkmonk8386]

I know this video is old at this point, but a pop-up canopy will help, like those folks use at tailgates/golf events.

[@LifeontheMoose]

I like the idea! 🙏

[@JohnAmes]

Great job buddy

[@LifeontheMoose]

Much appreciated!

[@Willow_and_Sage]

What is that intro song? I love it!

[@LifeontheMoose]

Yeah, it’s cool. Outrun by We are the Good. Thanks for watching!

[@rb-ex]

solid work

[@markcummings6856]

Great video. Thanks.

[@mikefesh4052]

Are you a fan of "surviving Ringworm" I like the way you two talk to the camera....

[@LifeontheMoose]

Thanks! I’ll check it out. I appreciate you tuning in!

[@hannahwells9397]

Im glad I was wearing my safety glasses when you cut that rebar.

[@mikefesh4052]

Good thing you put your Safety sun glasses on.....

[@WayneMoore-b8p]

When you get the cabin done. What sort of water supply will you have? A well maybe?

[@LifeontheMoose]

No plans for that yet. So far, just a dry guest cabin. Thanks for watching!

[@antoninosolano7667]

Just subscribed love it from Brisbane Australia 😂😂

[@LifeontheMoose]

Thank you so much, Brisbane!🙏

[@jcngoodnews]

You're welcome

[@lovestheSG]

Great video! How do you deal with cleaning your tools in that environment?

[@LifeontheMoose]

I appreciate that! It’s not easy…I found about a quart of water, barely enough to get by.

[@terry5545]

Hi mate, what kind of tube is going into the cement? How deep did you go?

[@LifeontheMoose]

It’s a cardboard tube called a Sonotube. I like to go 3 feet deep, depending on rocks etc. Thanks for watching!

[@longhairmullet]

So you can build this without any permits or inspections? That is what really kills a budget and adds huge time constraints waiting weeks, and now months for inspectors to come out and sign off on next step of build process. Eats up time and money..

[@longhairmullet]

This is a passion I have , to build my own cabin.. but just because one owns plot of land doesn’t mean you can buy materials and start hammering away building your shelter. Too many restrictions govern this process. Making home building out of reach for many who live off the land with tight budget. Separating us into the haves and have nots. We have the WILL🔥 but not the way. 💰

[@Machinist1755]

Some places allow a structure under a certain square footage and no amenities without a permit. A lot of places here in Michigan the max is 200 sqft. Just gotta be sure your do diligence is complete first.

[@cashman37able]

What's the name of the female singer at the beginning of the video? Love the beat

[@LifeontheMoose]

Hmmm, I started adding the song list…probably after this video! WEARETHEGOOD is the name of the band.

[@jimwilliamson7598]

You don’t need rebar where it’s back filled . No chicken wire!

[@LifeontheMoose]

Yeah it’s probably a bit overkill. Thanks for watching!

[@birddogmason9862]

Just came across your channel. Watching you cabin foundation video, and was wondering the brand of shoes you were wearing, looked like slip on’s 21:07

[@LifeontheMoose]

Great Q! Those are Georgia Boot’s Romeos. Thanks for tuning in!!

[@nickstevens885]

An old man like you used to stay home and drink wine

[@LifeontheMoose]

THAT would be much easier!

[@sesnc2145]

Enjoying your videos. How did you level all the beam brackets?

[@LifeontheMoose]

A 4’ level and a somewhat straight 2x4! I was in between lasers at the time. Funny you should ask! I’ll be featuring my new laser level in an upcoming video.

[@longhairmullet]

Ah tools of the trade. Thanks, I’m learning.. thanks for the schooling!

[@Brick-a-brac-LEGO]

Can you provide a link for those wet set brackets please?

[@karlhungus545]

This is WAY overkill on jackpine sand especially for such a small cabin. Nylon blocks would be enough.

[@karlhungus545]

@siriosstar4789 I built a 1600 sqft (3200 on two levels) walkout house in 2009 on the same sand using only a standard 24x8 concrete footing. The engineer suggested a full 6ft grade beam that would have cost another $25k. This is in central Canada...long winters of -45C or colder for long stretches. That house hasn't moved a single millimeter to this day, and it survived a supercell storm in 2012 that even uprooted the small 4ft spruce trees around the house. Only lost one shingle. Over-engineering things sometimes doesn't make them better or longer-lasting...just a lot more expensive.

[@karlhungus545]

@siriosstar4789 Germans I've met don't seem to have a sense of humor 😉. Ha, try living in a cold climate. Frost heave is what cracks most walls, not usually poor concrete, although that does happen. I am an engineer btw. I can't sign off on my own plans though obviously. My 'basement' (walkout) was built from ICF, 8" thick concrete walls. The upper floor (middle) was 1100 sqft of 18ft vaulted ceiling with two 6ft square triple pane windows with two 3ft triple rakehead windows above it, and a large woodstove sitting near that wall. That's a lot more weight than any concrete block wall. I've studied many countries and their build methods. Engineers tend to over-engineer in every country. Fine when you're designing a bridge or skyscraper...not needed in most residential housing, unless you are in earthquake zones.

[@longhairmullet]

Yes indeed, People are working with different budgets.

[@karlhungus545]

@longhairmullet please clarify.. What do budgets have to do with this?

[@jcngoodnews]

Video starts out okay, but then the guy talks.

[@LifeontheMoose]

The guy appreciates you watching.