Thinking about converting a shed into a house.

[Madison320]

Yeah my first house was a 950 sf concrete block home in FL. I'm probably never going to build a house but if I did I would definitely check into it as an option.

My block house was built around 1950. Sometime around the mid 1980s the carport was walled off with wood to create a kitchen. I lived there in the mid 90's and the wooden carport kitchen room was having problems with leaking and wood rot. The 40 year old main concrete part of the house was in perfect condition but the 10 year old wood part was falling apart.

 

[tod evans]

My block house was built around 1950. Sometime around the mid 1980s the carport was walled off with wood to create a kitchen. I lived there in the mid 90's and the wooden carport kitchen room was having problems with leaking and wood rot. The 40 year old main concrete part of the house was in perfect condition but the 10 year old wood part was falling apart.

Masonry wicks moisture, moisture is the enemy of wood.

 

[angelatc]

My block house was built around 1950. Sometime around the mid 1980s the carport was walled off with wood to create a kitchen. I lived there in the mid 90's and the wooden carport kitchen room was having problems with leaking and wood rot. The 40 year old main concrete part of the house was in perfect condition but the 10 year old wood part was falling apart.

Yes mine was also that same era. But it had a small kitchen and a 1 car garage. I tore out the carpet and went with the original terrazzo. I loved that little house.

ETA - Here it is. The screen porch is new in the past 20 years. They put in tile over the terrazzo. Looks good.

And if you look at the Street view, I planted the tree when #1 son was born. It had sprouted in the yard of the neighbor to the left he dug it up (it was about 3" talll") and asked if I wanted it.https://www.google.com/maps/place/9...a3600f!8m2!3d27.8624636!4d-82.7097897!6m1!1e1

 

[Madison320]

Yes mine was also that same era. But it had a small kitchen and a 1 car garage. I tore out the carpet and went with the original terrazzo. I loved that little house.

I hate carpet. It's like a stink reservoir. I ripped out my carpet in the florida house also and tiled it and put down area rugs in a few places. I did the same where I live now only I used bamboo. I friend of mine at work finished his concrete block floor somehow. That sounded like a cool idea. I'm into low maintenance.

 

[angelatc]

I hate carpet. It's like a stink reservoir. I ripped out my carpet in the florida house also and tiled it and put down area rugs in a few places. I did the same where I live now only I used bamboo. I friend of mine at work finished his concrete block floor somehow. That sounded like a cool idea. I'm into low maintenance.

I live in MI now and have zero carpet. I hate it.

 

[phill4paul]

What annoys me is that there seems to be a huge gap between tiny houses and "regular" houses. Tiny houses are like 160 sq ft and then the next stop is a 1000 sq ft house and even 1000 sq ft is hard to find. McMansions are way more common than 500-800 sq ft homes. I think a major reason is zoning laws. 1000 sq ft is usually the minimum. My wife and daughter lived in a 900 sq ft concrete block house in florida for 5 years and it was no problem. That's another thing that bugs me about housing. Why is it that only florida builds concrete block homes? They're awesome in my opinion. They last forever, they're hurricane and termite proof and cheap to build.

Well, I've lived in many homes that originally started out as perhaps 800 sq. ft. and over decades expanded to 1600-2000. That's the case of the house I currently live in. It started as a 600 sq. ft. fishing/poker playing/whoring cabin. Over the years a master bedroom with loft was added. A kitchen. And 12 yrs. ago a master bath that is worth about what the rest of the house is. Lol.
Start small with plans for expansion. Your main goal seems to be "getting away from it all." It doesn't take much to do that. Try not to go into debt and if you do then pay it off as quickly as possible. Then start thinking about ways to add on to it in room-by-room increments.
There is nothing wrong with block homes. For all the reasons you mention. I grew up in Florida and know what you are referring to. There are advantages and disadvantages to every building material depending on where one sets down. Around here many build a block home into the side of a mountain. Basically it is a basement construction. They move in and pay off that construction and then build up to the "first floor" with wood. When they are done they have a fully finished basement to rent or for the kids.

 

[Anti Federalist]

Well, all I can tell you is this: whatever you have budgeted in your mind for the project when you make a final decision...take that number and double it.

 

[tod evans]

 

[helmuth_hubener]

I lived in a mobile home for about 6 years and I don't think I'd do it again. Everything is cheap and hard to work on. They use 1x2s instead of 2x4s. The drywall is like cardboard. The underside is made of plastic sheeting! I never figured out how to fix that crap underneath without it falling apart after a few months. Duct tape falls off in a few weeks.

As far as I can tell the shed I'm looking at uses the same construction as a normal home. The model I'm looking at is specifically sold as a cabin. 2x4s every 16", 2"x6" floor joists, engineered wood exterior panels, etc. I'm nowhere near a construction expert but when I look at these sheds I can visualize how to work on them, they're so simple.

Sounds like you needed this: https://www.amazon.com/Mobile-Belly-Bottom-Repair-Fix-Underbelly/dp/B00BJ5SPO8

But yeah, it also sounds like maybe this shed is ideal for you, and that a mobile home wasn't. You know yourself best. Everybody's different! Just keep in mind all the little things that can go into making a house really look finished and "right." Not to mention work correctly.

Electric. Don't forget the dryer.
Plumbing. Don't forget the washer.
Don't forget the venting
And then flashing, sealant, etc., to seal up the hole in your roof really well (you could vent out of the top of the wall instead -- I came up with that great idea years ago but never have tried it)
CAT5 or other network cabling? (optional)
All that you've got to do before putting up the inner walls. Then
Insulation
Walls. This could be paneling instead of drywall, by the way. That's one thing mobile home manufacturers got right in the '70s, in my opinion. Big labor saver.
Ceiling. Once again here: drywall is heavy and time-consuming. You might consider the various alternatives.
Flooring. Cushioned vinyl sheeting is a good, easy option, especially for your situation: one big rectangle. No fancy cutting. You don't even have to glue it down. If you're going to separate into rooms, you can again steal a page from the mobile home playbook and lay the flooring first, then put the interior wall(s) on top of it.
Trim. Trim, trim everywhere.
More trim.
Endless trim.
Tons of other finishing touches you never thought of. House-grade windows go in that list somewhere.

If it's just for you, you can always cut corners and rig something up that's good enough. You'll get used to it. That's the danger, in fact. If you don't finish it all at once, if you're living in it as you work on it, chances are you'll never finish it. You'll get to a point that's "good enough" (but pretty bad) and then take a break for a week, then a month, then.... why did I think I needed trim again? Or that this stub of pipe isn't good enough as a kitchen faucet? Hey, it works!

 

[jbauer]

Get a cheap used camper and build what you want over the time span you want. If its your vacation home away from home you might just as well build it big enough to be comfortable and have it be your own.

As for building in a shed you can probably build one of those sheds cheaper than you can buy one but that depends on your handiness. I'd look into a habitat for humanity restore if theres one around your area. You can get most of the items you're going to need pretty cheap if you're willing to not have the latest and greatest fancy faucet from Moen.

 

[osan]

Some questions I have are:

Would you put it on a concrete slab?

Personally, I would. You can certainly do with out it, but if you can do it, I say go ahead.

Also, $10K for a lot... what size? I bought a house on 2.5 acres a few months ago for $5K. Needs substantial work, but it was a decent deal. Belonged to my neighbor across the street. His tenants left after the flood last year and he was going to raze the house, so I bought it. It was built in 1902, much of it of walnut, so I figured it should be preserved.

Bought my neighbor's 13 acres plus building lot for $5K last year, bringing us up to 30 here on the mountain.

How much money do you think it would take to finish the inside? Insulation, drywall, electric, water?

Cannot say precisely, but not that much, especially if you do the work yourself. Plumbing is pretty straightforward. Electrical is not difficult, but if you are not sure of what to do, pay someone. It beats the hell out of dying in a house fire. Drywall is just busywork and a PITA, but if you do it yourself you will save substantial $$.

 

[Wooden Indian]

Sorry that I didn't see this thread sooner. I'd love to help you decide what's best for you and answer any questions you may still have.

I've recently been through what you're talking about and may be able to help some, but it's a lot to type out right now.

I'll try to hit this back up in a couple of days or maybe try to do a video.