Hello,
A friend of mine bought a lot on a small island. The lot has on it a disassembled cabin, laying in piles under tarps, right where it was slung by helicopter. It is a pan-abode type of cabin, which was assembled somewhere else, then moved onto this lot. It had been built on a different lot, but was contravening regs so it had to be moved by the previous owner.
My friend is hiring me to help him build it, because amongst his friends, I’m the most experienced carpenter. I’m mostly a trim guy at that, but he’s a computer programmer and most of his other friends are of that persuasion as well.
So we have the cabin, in pieces. It’s in wall sections, each one about 4’x6′ or 6’x6′, or some variation close to that. Each piece is framed with 2×4 and has plywood sheathing and cedar siding on it. The siding laps over its neighbours. We also have all the joists, beams, roofing material, etc.
I’m looking for any ideas about how to go about building this. For example, piece by piece, stacking and bracing as we go? Build one whole wall and try to raise it? The island we’re on is only served by water taxi. Building supply delivery has to be planned well in advance. So there’s no running to the store to grab more lumber, or going to grab extra joist hangers, etc. We have to plan well and execute well.
Does it sound challenging? It will be I’m sure. The island is called Savary Island, on the coast of British Columbia, Canada. Beautiful place. The whole venture is well worth it. As soon as he has the cabin assembled, his place will double in value or more.
I hope I’ve provided enough info for some helpful replies. Thanks in advance.
Replies
Sounds like a fun project in a spectacular place. I'm jealous!
What kind of foundation will it get?
Is it seasonal, or a year round home?
Ithaca, NY "10 square miles, surrounded by reality"
It'll be on sonotubes, which are already in place.
It's his getaway cabin. And mine too, after I help him build it.
I'm assuming that the first step is to frame and sheath the floor, or are floor panel sections part of the kit?
Do these wall panels bolt together through the framing? What size is the overall footprint of the cabin? Was this a commercially packaged kit? If so, can you can obtain assembly documents from the manufacturer?
Lacking any other instructions, and with the floor deck in place, I would probably start by assembling one corner, and then work out from there. Depending upon how stable (and how long) the wall sections are, you may need some temporary bracing.
Does the roof framing consist of trusses, or is it built completely from panels too?
Bob
OK, after reading your post through for a second time, the only thing that came in panels is the walls. Is this a bolt-together post and beam kit with wall panels, or do you have to stick-build the floor deck and roof structure?
Edited 2/13/2007 4:54 pm ET by bobguindon
Anyone take photos when the cabin was in one piece?
Thanks for all replies.
To the best of my knowledge at the present time:
The cabin is about 500 sf footprint. Also a loft.
The floor consists of 3 prebuilt sections built from 2x10 with plywood on top. These will sit on floor beams on top of the sonotubes. The 3 floor sections are reportedly "extremely heavy".
There is one reportedly very heavy HGL ridge beam, and two (?) other HGL of a smaller weight. These are supported by posts, I'm not sure if they are 6x6, I think they might be.
I have seen the plans and looked at them for a while, but I dont have a copy yet, and my friend is a 3 hour drive away.
Instructions are apparently difficult to get a hold of. My friend does have some photos, I haven't seem them yet.
I think the cabin may be some sort of post and beam/stick framed hybrid, with walls consisting mostly of panels. I dont know if the panels bolt together or nail together.
Thanks for all the replies. I know what questions to ask my friend now. You all have showed me how uninformed I am as of yet. I'll try to find out more. I have a couple pictures of the sonotube layout, maybe I'll try to post them.
Is this that of which you speak?
http://www.panabode.com/
If so instructions may be downloadable.
I must agree with Stray as my first impression was envy.
If you are waiting till spring that is:o)
only life affirming platitudes allowed -Doud '07Would a full cluster of enemies be called an enema? -Piffin
I just checked Rez' link - very cool! Good Luck!
If it was built by Panabode or a similar company, I'm betting you can get assembly instructions from the company.
I'm just beginning a similar project, although I was the one that disassembled this 12 x 16 building and moved it 60 miles. One complication for me - my lot floods every three or four years, overlooks a small creek. So I'm reassembling on 6 foot pilings. I, too, had cut the floor into manageable 8' x 12' pieces, all built of 2 x 8's and 3/4 inch ply. Yep, pretty heavy to man-handle to six feet above grade.
I'll be very interested in your progress.
Greg
We're going over to the island in a couple weeks, to put the beams in the saddles, and manhandle the floor sections into place. I'm going to go over the pile of materials and take a closer look at wall sections and what not and do a bit of an inventory.
It turns out the cabin is not a pan-abode. I'm still waiting for pictures of the cabin constructed. I wanted to attach a couple pictures, but the 'attach file' button is not functioning.
More later.
About 15 years ago a buddy and I built a rustic hunting camp that was two hour round trip from a store. It is time to start a list with catagories like tools, supplies, etc. If at all possible try to get access to a private boat so you can make a run if you have to. A generator should be a no brainer, and plenty fuel and of extention cords. A come along could be invaluable. Would it be possible to get over to the island to stage some of the project and give yourselves a last opportunity to get supplies before final assembly. Good luck, it is going to be a great place when it is finished. Oh yeah, don't forget the chainsaw.
Thanks for your reply.
We have a generator over there. I've started making several lists for lumber, joist hangers/hurricane clips, types and amounts of nails. We have a come along, lots of rope, etc. Also a chainsaw.
The only problem is that about 5 of us will be going over, and as far as I know I'm the only one who has worked on a construction site or done any building. I dont think my friend even has a tool belt. He's really gung-ho thoough, and has lots of energy and commitment.
A private boat is not available.
Luckily, another friend already has a cabin on the island so we can stay in it.
We will be having a good look at stuff before we all go over to build it, but it would take two days to look over everything and shuffle the pile around to take any sort of meaningful inventory.
Thanks.