I just want to say that when I was young my grandmother was big in the arts and crafts scene and my grandfather built her a small building to have a craft shop. He set it on cinder block piers, framed it up, ran electricity, insulated it and did all the finish work. I honestly couldn't tell you how big the original building was but if I had to guess I'd say it was 20x10. Later on my uncle and his wife needed to get out of a rental situation they were in and my grandmother had given up on running her little store and the building was now being used for storage. So they added an additional room on to the back of this little building put in interior walls for a front bedroom and bathroom and plumbed in everything for the bathroom and kitchen. Later on they built a larger home on the same lot but that little 2 bedroom 1 bath house is still standing today close to 40 years later (being used as storage again) Now the reason I mention that here is because that building was never sealed with tyvek, in fact no houses were sealed with tyvek at that time. My grandfather didn't use pressure treated lumber and when I asked him about it (because THAT was a thing back then) he said that the house would be there long after he was gone (how right he was). And the thing is my grandfather lived in a home that he built for his family back in the 50s when construction standards were even more basic and THAT home is STILL being lived in by somebody today. So don't get caught up on this construction standard BS that people try to insist is necessary to have a long lasting and durable home. People live in homes in places like Charleston SC that are approaching 300 years old and I promise you they aren't sealed in tyvek and they weren't built to some building code standard as to how far apart the joist were supposed to be. As Scotty once said in a Star Trek movie, "the more they over think the plumbing the easier it is to stop up the drain!"

Hi there. For those who have their doubts, I've seen this utilized and it's actually very cool. My ex-husband did this, he had a tiny piece of land with a tiny little shed. He got two of the largest sheds he could find and put in lofts. I wasn't able to get back to see his progress before he passed away and I regret it very much. He was so proud of what he started and rightfully so.

I did this and bought a prefab kit and built it myself and insulated it added windows and drywall electric .I am a woman .I was 55 years old when I did it so you can do it

Please like athe video and subscribe to my channel. The cattail cabin plans are available on my website: www.simplesolarhomesteading.com

I've been living inside one of these, since 2013... Once you get the interior insulated & arranged to your liking, it can be a wonderful home... Especially if you live alone...

Good video ..this is what I did ..I would have been burned out and not wanted to finish the inside if I started from scratch ..also many shed company's well let you lease or rent to own ..with small down payment ..my payment is 3 years then i own..payment is cheap so I just build as Ihave the money...solarcabin videos gave me the guts to do it...thanks

I've done the married life (twice). I've done the homeless thing once.. fyi. Sleeping in a car with a big dog doesn't work very well at all. I have been thinking about doing something like this myself for at least the past three years or better. Now that I don't have a wife to support anymore, this would be a fantastic idea for a home just for me and my dog. So, more than likely if I'm able to do what I plan on doing. This should happen over the next year or so. I don't make a lot of money, but I do work for a tool company. And with my discount I can get whatever tool is necessary to do all the things I need to do in the building process. And that 16 X 20 looks very inviting. Just enough room for my dog n I. Peace.

In VA a lot of people buy land and shed kits build them and finish them out .My shed kit was 1000 dollars drywall and insulation ,windows and deck and electric was at a total cost 2280 dollars.Of course i had to pretty it up ,i am a woman .I did it all myself .Except the electric which my son a licensed electrition did .There is also water and a small kitchen shed is 14x20 .I can do it any one can

I've watched a lot of videos on shed conversion, and yours is, by far, the best. Where I hope to be, within the next ten years, is one of those places where you can do just about what you want. With your info, I know I can start saving and be able to pay cash. Thank you!

This is what I been a waiting on my whole life.

wow the song at the end was so unexpected but so good, thank you for all of this, God bless you

I actually just finished a very similar project in my back yard. I ordered a 12 X 20 building from Tuff Shed. 2 guys delivered it, and built the whole thing in 3 hours. Only cost about $4500. The floor is a steel frame with strong panels to cover it. I put in flooring to make it look like hard wood floors. Once the building was up, all I really had to do was run the power, insulate, dry wall, and paint it. I have all the plugs I need as well as overhead light. Because I insulated it so well, it only takes a little window AC unit to cool it down. Once it's cool, you can turn off the AC, and it will stay cool for quite a while before you have to turn it on again. I split the building in to two rooms with a connecting door. Each room is 10 X 12. My son wanted to build one of the rooms into his bedroom, which he absolutely LOVES. He's a teen now, and he likes to get away from the woman drama inside the house. :) He enjoys the peace and quiet, and the wifi signal is still strong in the back yard, so that's awesome. I set up the other room to be my new office. I work from home, and my other office was rather cramped. Now I'm in the 10 X 12 with a big wrap around desk, and I still have room for guest chairs and a hammock. I initially wanted the big barn roof, but the 2nd floor would really stick out in my neighborhood ... and code compliance is a real pain where I live. I'd rather just keep it low key and under the radar.

Thanks for the concepts you have contributed here.

You're right about the colar ties in the rafters of the 16x20 shed. The longer 2 x 4's lower down on the rafters can be removed once the shed is set in place since there are colar ties near the top of the peak. I agree with what you said also about dropping the loft floor down to 7' and making more room in the loft.

Nice song. "I am my own man." I'm not a man but I can totally relate

I have been thinking about doing this since I was a kid. Every time I ride by the hardware store and see these houses. I need to buy some land badly, I'm looking all the time and saving money all the time for this. The trailer I rent now is basically a house payment and the landlord doesn't even care if the roof falls off this place!

I'm almost done raising my second batch of children so my husband and I are both looking forward to seriously scaling down. I don't WANT a big place to clean and take care of anymore! And I sure as heck don't want any more bills! Many times I've driven by really nice looking "sheds" and said, out loud, that I could make it a home. Everyone just rolls their eyes at me. Can't wait to share this video with them. Thanks for a GREAT idea! Nice to know I'm not the only one thinking about living in a shed-lol.

THANK you for the walk through! I have been looking at home depot, they offer just the delivery of all supplies with or without windows if you want to choose where you want them. I have been looking at their 16x32 with a 7'1" loft. Great tips as well. Thank you!

Thank you. Wanted to add a guest house to our property and this seems to be the most affordable way. Double thanks for the ideas...will purchase blueprints. Blessings

Another thing to remember is that you can ATTACH several of these buildings together! One shed for a garage, one for cooking and dining, and maybe a TV area, and one for sleeping quarters... you could 'zone heat' the sleeping quarters warmer at night, and the open eating/tv space warmer in the daytime. Maybe build a triangle "Living Room" area and back each 'wing' to one of the 3 walls. You could include Sky-lights over the Living room for natural light during the day. But even something as simple as 2 sheds side-by-side -- one as living space and one as garage, with an indoor bathroom in the rear -- would be pretty decent low-cost living! Or Space them 8' to 12' apart, and add a section of roofing -- slanted slightly rearward for rain and snow shedding -- for a nice screened porch area for outdoor relaxing... at very little additional cost.. LOTS of low-cost possibilities with these Sheds! Everything is pre-measured, so no wasted lumber, and can even be finished inside with wood panelling, rather than sheetrock, to keep the wooden cabin theme...

This is something I've been thinking about for years.. My problem is I don't have a piece of land to put one on.. Lowes, here in Kentucky, has sheds with windows for under $2,000..

I've had this idea about home improvement center sheds myself. In a short period of time you could have a livable structure. I've also wondered about cargo containers like the intermodal ones you see on ships, trains and trucks. You could stack two on top of each other and have a hella stout two story home that's heavy gage steel and bear proof. They sell old ones pretty cheap and getting one delivered would be your biggest expense. That would require more modifications to make it insulated and livable but once done it would be virtually maintenance free.

I love your song!! Very much!

Excellent option. However, I will be building my own using your 'Simple Solar Homesteading: Off The Grid' book. It's good to know that these options are available.

Thanks for sharing Lamar . I'm looking for something like this . Keep them videos coming my friend.

I'm an so happy to have found your insightful videos! I'm going off grid soon, starting from square one. This is just the help I needed to start my process with little money. Thank you!

Awesome video! very helpful. Love your song at the end as well.

Many small cabin, shed and house plans on my website: www.simplesolarhomesteading.com Come sit on my porch and share a yarn!

put two facing each other, so the doors are pointed towards each other. cover the space with a roof, and add a porch. now you have a covered porch/dog porch. It'll funnel the air through, cooling the whole place and providing nice ventilation. The second structure could be of whatever size you want, but I would think a simple homemade shack would suffice and be used for storage, like a normal shed. This provides benefits like cooling and storage, and all for just a little bit more. Just my two cents, but seems like a brilliant idea

thanks for taking the time to make this video it cleared up alot and gave me the confidence to do my own

Great idea! Though unless you are in a particularly arid location I'd strongly suggest removing trim boards, wrapping the structure in a Tyvek vapor barrier, sheathing over it with a layer of T1-11 (vinyl, shake, whatever), re-applying the trim, caulk, prime and paint the exterior sheathing and trim as needed. Without this measure the original sheathing will be subject to rot and mold over time. Well worth the effort IMHO. Not too sure of snow loads on 24-inch stud spacing tho. This is probably the way I'm gonna go. Great channel! Hope to see more from you!

I had a 12 x 16 Tuff Shed with 6 foot walls. I installed a full loft with 2x10's and 3/4 plywood. It has a barn stile roof so lots of room. I added 2x2 to the studs to build out the walls and roof so that the standard 24" insulation would fit with out too much compression. I then sheet rocked the walls. I also build up the floor with 2x4 on their side in a 2' x 2' grid and then put 3/4" plywood over the grid. This mad a very strong floor. I also spread boric acid powder in the grid and walls.This will keep ant and other bugs out. I also treated the wood with Tim-Bor to keep termites out. The Tuff Shed came with steel door and windows. You can get a sky light as well. Tuff Sheds are some what custom so you can request that they use 2x6 studs for walls and roof. The second unit that I had built I made that request and also had 8 foot walls for more head room in the loft.

awesome idea I'm going that way and digging a finished basement thanks so much .

I dont know if you still make videos or not but I wanted to let u know you give me alot of hope. I'm saving up all of the money I can to get my own land and live off grid

A wrap around porch would be pretty nice.

love your design and the background music

I have been searching the internet and your site is the most interesting and informative for what I would like to do some day. Thank you!

Really enjoyed your video. Love the plans and music at the end -- brought tears to my eyes. Blessings.

Great video...lots of good info. Enjoyed the song towards to end as well. Thank you.

Very awesome video and excellent ideas. I am going to look into this for my daughter and myself to live in cheaply. Thank you so much. I am encouraged.

I am wanting to live off grid in the Blue mountains... this will help me so much !

My folks and I just finished having one built for me. I don't see the model here that we had built. Ours is a full two story model with regular stairs. Barn style. We are not off the grid. I have electricity but no water. Ours it set off the ground on cinder blocks. Because we live in hurricane country we added 6 metal strap tie downs. They were put in over the floor framing and before the walls went up. We were able to customize everything. We had them cut the openings for windows and doors. Then we went and bought the ones we wanted. We added 2 dormers upstairs and a porch on front. We are not DIY people. We upgraded the floor to the treated kind. As far as permits..because we were adding electric we had to go through the parish and get permits. However, since we did not add water and we did not put it on a concrete slab it is permitted as a shed, a movable structure. I would suggest going that route. Initially I wouldn't add the bathroom. After it is fully permitted and signed off on you can do what you want and add it later. A lot of mine was constructed on site. The walls were prefabbed bit came in sections. The only other thing prefabbed was the room trusses and each one came in two pieces that had to be put together. Everything else was built on site like a house.

The grinding sound you may hear is my brain. Great information!

There's a very cool two story one at my local Lowe's. Double doors, lots of windows, well built. This one was around 14-16k (built). Easily convertible into a cabin. The second story is amazing, full height ceilings. Good stuff. Summer Wind I believe is what it was called.???

Nice to hear from you again Lamarr! Looks awesome! Can't wait for the next vid :-)

Nice plans for converting shed to cabin. Since I think about these sheds and this option a lot, I'll likely get this ebook soon. Thanks.

a few years ago I saw a two story shed at either Lowes or HOme Depot, don't recall which. I was really impressed. It would be entirely possible to make a very livable cabin out of the larger shed.

Thanks for the Video. I'm thinking I may pickup that That 10 X 12 for my Mother-in-law (nothing but the best). I can most definitely add a Kitchen, Master Bdrm, Master Bath, Guest Room, Half-Bath, Living Room, and a Sewing Room. Upstairs I'd build a Bedroom, Study and a Half-Bath. Yep, she gonna like. She is in a wheelchair, so I might have to install one of them Chair Elevators on the Loft Stairs! Thanks again my friend! Great ideas!!!

You have some real good ideas. Thank you for sharing Thank you Thank you

This video really helps and on point. I've thought about the uses for a shed to have as a shelter. Thanks, wtr7

I've had my 10 x 16 with a regular house door I almost have paid off been paying for 3 years now I couldn't do anything until it was paid off but I'm so close I jumped the gun and started workin on it 6000 dollars all metal outside 2 window and a regular house door I had it custom built and thanks to you I know everything I dreamed I could do can be done with the RV my neighbor is letting me gut for my build it's a double loft shed I have a hammock and a low peak

Glad to see a video from you again. Thanks

You just gave me a great idea I have property in NH with no building code this Is perfect for a tiny basic cabin. I don't need water or electric. Just a place to keep warm and dry

I have watched you for a while and have really grown to like what you post. Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing this information.

Great video, sir. Thank you. I've been thinking about doing this for a while.

thank you. I love your song at the end

Thanks for posting I love this trend

I'm looking to secure a simple flat piece of land and put a small but attractive dwelling on it to live in among well groomed garden and trees. These plans look perfect. I will look into it some more soon hopefully. Thank you for your creative talents and craftsmanship. Peace to all.

I really enjoyed this video sir, and it was very helpful. I have often wondered if these prefab cabins were built right or up to the job, and you've answered that question for me. Thanks for doing this video!

Damn I remember your tiny house vid, every since then I have wanted one.

I really like the idea of converting these into tiny houses. I don't need all the space a traditional house provides.

I enjoyed that song. thanks!

Thank you for your encouragement!

I would suggest PU foam insulation. It's not cheap but it's the most energy efficient. Closed cell foam provides not only insulation but a sound, vapor and air barrier and adds extra rigidity to the structure.

Keep em coming Lamar. We missed your video postings!

Looking good LaMar, u should be on TV if u haven't been yet!

Thanks. Great song.

Gosh solarcabin! You just don't know how much I appreciate your video here! I was thinking about this idea a while ago but I was under the impression that maybe sheds probably wouldn't be a viable option because I was thinking that maybe sheds probably wouldn't be strong or heavy enough. I have noooo construction or building experience at all. I barely know what a hammer is suppose to do. lol Thank you soooooo much for this solarcabin. New subscriber here and a new purchaser of your package your selling. I need this. I'm hoping the wife and I can do this May of next year. Thank you again solarcabin...

You should really take your song to Nashville, because they don't get good songs like that very often. Country music has changed too much and that song really takes me back to when country music was country . God bless you!

I have a 12x20, and I made the bottom floor a workshop, and the upper floor a guest room with a/c and heat, insulation and drywall. I have an event style porta potti, and I built an outside stairway and landing. It's quite comfortable and I did it all for $5000.

I have been looking at these and seen one with a upstairs stairs and all It was nice!! Enjoy your videos!

Lovin that song..thank you..givin us all some hope

Lemar thank you, this gave me a lot of material to think about on a small cabin house.

Just a heads up. I put these things up for Lowes..Some one has to build it because Its delivered to the site..in pieces. Atleast that's how ive gotten the last 5.

Great lyrics. Love it

Thank you so much for all your ideas and knowledge! Planning to buy a small piece of land and build a retreat for the kids. ❤️

can you turn a metal shed into a tiny house or does it have to be wood?

I'd take the 16x20 and use a ladder and rail system to access a storage loft. Easily across all 4 walls. Then tuck away the ladder.

This may be the perfect solution for my addition to my off-grid house being built now. I wanted another bedroom for my 18 by 24 ft house. I have children (grown). A 2 bdrm would be perfect. This is definitely worth considering.

nice video,, love the song at the end . i am , my on man,..

hey old man, you don't need a gun to be a revolutionary, nice work

Oh , you stole my idea . I was thinking at this when I see this fancy " sheds " in Home Depot Parking lot . Nice song at final . Next you can provide info about a combination of those sheds to separate the kitchen by house . We are dreamers . Thank you to share my dream .

Lowes and Homedepot in my area have much bigger barn sheds with staircase to a second level which is really nice and sturdy also with windows upstairs.

I have already made a "man cave/work shop " from a 12x20 shed with a gambrel style roof. I bought it from a contractor who makes them for Lowes. I had a 13 degree pitch on the roof for maximum usage of the upstairs space. The upstairs is insulated, heated and air conditioned. I put a staircase on the back (outside) with a landing to the upper floor. The lower floor is all work space with multiple work benches and shelves for power tools etc. The entire project costed around $5000.

love the sketchups gave me perspective on how big i need to go thanks!!!

Thank you so much! I can’t really afford to buy a house and land so this is a great compromise. I love the added porches and would love to see cabins created using 2 sheds with a salvaged greenhouse in the middle. Thanks again!

LaMar thanks for the tour of the sheds..I think though we already have decided to build our own..we have your ebook which gave us a wealth of info. We will be starting the house build at the end of month. There is one thing though..I do spend about 5-6 a day in kitchen. So extra tbought will be in the kitchen..also we live in NH..wood is the cheapest for us. I look foward to your vidios thanks so much. Be well.

I liked this video so much that I subscribed to your channel & have now watched almost every single one of your videos. Great ideas & thank you SO much for posting!!

Thanks L. Missed that tune of yours at the end of the vid.!

LaMar, thank you very kindly for showing, how 'Sheds' can be converted into a spectacular off-grid cabin. Cheers! :-)

Thanks very informative!

My sister has a sliding patio door on her florida room. It keeps freezing up in the winter. I had a home with a back door called a deckmate door. It has the width and glass area of a sliding patio door but the door in the unit is hinged like a regular door.

For people who buy one of those to live in a 16 x 20 with a Gambrel roof is going to be the best option and will be about the same size as a small apartment. The area above can be made into a loft. In most cases there won't be enough room to stand up fully, but it can still make good sleeping quarters with about 320 square feet. Even if a floor is not built in one of them for a loft, it's not hard to add one.

👍I’m thinking...🤔2-3 sheds connected, 1= a master bedroom, a 2) kitchen and 3) a main living area with office. Maybe combine 2 & 3 so I’ll only 2. I’m still undecided if I’ll do this or get a couple of shipping containers & connect then. Thanks for sharing. 💞

I can build a small house (same size) for less - and it'll be tight, it'll be 2x6 construction (necessary to keep cool in summer and warm in winter), and it costs less. It's only a little more work than a conversion, and you save $. The roof is a weak spot on all these Lowes sheds - bottom of the line shingles, windows are single pane, the doors are shed doors with large cracks. By the time you replace all the substandard parts you spend a lot of $ and time and effort. I recommend building your own, it's only a little more work, and it'll cost you less. :)

Great info always liked your videos

Thank you for the information sir. It's much appreciated!

I have converted a 12x24' portable garage into a cabin and living in it(54 yo woman). It makes a nice living space. I did almost all the work myself. Future plans to do a basement with a shipping container or semi trailer then put addition on cabin to access basement as its probably not square (I got a great deal on a repo)...btw, its gambrel not gamble roof. I do have an issue with water leaking through the roofing nails(metal roof) and will have to address. The only concern are these monster tornados we have been having! Cant wait for basement!

Fantastic video !

This is an awesome video; very informative. Thank you!!!!!