1) COSTS Here is what it cost us to build back in 2010-2012 We took two years to build the house and spent our winters camping in Arizona. We are not rich but you could camp in Arizon for 5 months for $185 US$ back then. That gave us a camp spot in the dessert, drinking water, garbage collection and sewage dump. Now for some construction costs: All numbers Canadian dollars back in 2010-2012.
Driveway - $5,000, Well - $10,000, Solar - $32,000, Spetic System - $10,283, Windows (triple glaze) $34,000, Building blocks - $30,000.00, Roof Trusses - $10,000, Plumbings Fixtures - $9,252, Interior Walls - $2,796.77, Light Fixtures - $935.49, Framing - $785.11, IKEA Cabinets - $10,587.66, Steel Roof - $11,918.95, Spray Foam Insulation - $8,903.79 DRywall - $4,326.89, Plumbing - $5,889.75, In-Floor Heating and HVAC system - $18,000 Wood Stove Installed and Chimney - $6,000, Electric Outlets, Switches, Panel Box - $5,686.80, Dig for footings - $6,837.90, Steel Siding/Construction Labour/Concrete/Gravel, Etc - $220,581.56, Architect Fees - $42,541.40 Land Purchase $69,000 TOTAL ≆ $530, 000 approximately
2) MEDICAL - As we age we seem to see our doctor more often. We wanted to settle in an area serviced by a hospital and Bancroft has a small 10 bed hospital and a variety of medical professionals. We were fortunate to get accepted by a young dynamic GP who takes the very best care of us. Our medical coverage is provided by the government and we seldom see a bill for medical expenses. Mary had spinal surgery a few years ago for a tumor, spent 4 days in hospital and then had to have radiation treatment a year later. We never saw a bill and the doctors and nurses were outstanding. She received the very best of care from everyone. When I fell off the roof and broke my ankle the ambulance was here within 20 minutes. I was taken to our local hospital for an x-ray then transferred and hour and a half by ambulance to the closest hospital where two pins were placed in the ankle and a cast applied. Once again, no cost to us.
3) SOLAR SYSTEM - 16 – 8L16 East Penn 6 volt/740/Amps
12 –
Sharp 235 watt solar panels
Magnum MS
4448PAE 4400 watts inverter/charger
Outback
fm60 60 amp MPPT Controller
Mid-Night
E-Panel
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Thank you for sharing this, wish you all the best and you guys are full of life. Keep it going
ReplyDeleteThanks Jorge
DeleteJust saw your video on exploring alternatives. Simply amazing! Thank you for opening up your lives for us to see what it's like. My boyfriend and I having camping property where we have built our own home away from home, but it's nowhere up to your speed! This definitely gives me the motivation to learn and try new things. Best of luck to you both!
ReplyDeleteIt's a fun journey and if you are both onboard a great trip. Mary did all the taping and mudding of the drywall and learned how to do it by looking at videos on Youtube. The internet is a fantastic source of information. All the best.
ReplyDeleteHi your adventure sounds fantastic. I lived off grid for six years in Alaska, How do you get internet? do you have a phone line, satellite or other communication line?
ReplyDeleteHi Super-cowboy. Good to hear from you and Alaska is a beautiful state. We visited there many years ago. We have internet service through a satelite provider. We have a cell phone and use the internet to keep connected with the world. It is so much easier to live "off-grid" these days.
ReplyDeleteWatched your YouTube video, thank you. Please tell us how you are connected to the internet. Best of success.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the video. We use "Explornet" satellite service for our internet provider.
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