Going Off Grid in East Tennessee (upkeep, geothermal, estimates)

[Loves mountains]

Lisa - check out this blog of my neighbor's (Vicki Lane Mysteries) and search around for stories about tomatoes. She says you have to keep the leaves near the bottom of the tomato plant cut back so they don't touch the soil - the leaves carry the blight up the stalks. Good luck!

[Tinman313]

Need to teach the cows how to read...So they don't chew on your sign.. Looking good as always..!!!

What week is this.....

[HawaiiLover]

Hi Lisa, the patio table is beautiful. You will surely enjoy that. I would have done the same thing with the legs, measure them!! LOL.

[TerriC]

Lisa, I just found all of your post yesterday and started on page one, it's Monday evening & I just finished. Your story is so interesting, you and Mike have accomplished so much in such a short period of time. When I first started reading I thought your story should be published. But also there's other stories within a story. There could also be the cutest Childrens books about 98 and all the animals. But also a great childrens story about how you overcame so many obstacles to build your special home in the mountain's. I need to go back and re-read everything because I really find it so interesting how Mike hooked up the solar power. I've read all the suggestions everyone has written and I'd like to add one more. lol

If you haven't paved part of your driveway yet I have a couple of suggestions. We have a Asphalt Paving Company we produce our own Asphalt with sales to the entire area and also have paving crews (In another State). When I 1st saw the drainage ditch along the driveway I thought you'd have a few problems with some going off into the ditch. Paving is done in two applications 1st is the base coat which is usually 3/4 of the cost of the drive. Second is the top. To save some money consider just a base coat. Also you mentioned you were going to put curb on the drive. Instead of curb please consider a thickened edge. It's stronger because it is apart of the drive. Curbing especially on that corner of your road will be hit and most likely will eventually break up. Also another suggestion example: when the motor home's rear tire went off in the ditch to avoid this from happening and possibly helping the existing drive put cement in the ditch line in the area of the curve with a ditch drain on top. The cement form would be shaped as a U with steel grate ontop. Water would flow down the cement drain (former open ditch) onto of the cement would be a steel grate where a vehicle could even drive onto it and not damage it. Mike is so talented it's something he could even do a section a year. (Sorry Mike) lol But just in that curve section of the drive you'd have no more vehicles in the ditch. Also possible put a few deliniator's that reflect at night along the drive just a couple in that area where it curves... Also get several bids and I also would suggest go with someone who actually produces the material. If they have a plant they'll be there if you have any questions or problems. In our area we have alot of traveling paving crews that skim people. Saying you'll get a two inch base when actually you only get 1/2 inch and then all of a sudden that deal you got wasn't a deal at all just a pain in the rear. If you have any question's Lisa or Mike let me know my husband can really give you detailed questions. Also I'm not familiar with it, my husband is but he wants to put a heated driveway in. Possible in that one section of your drive you might want to do that some time? Not sure of the cost but I know it involves heated water in tubes like I said you'd need to ask my husband....
Lisa & Mike I'm so envious, I love the tri city area. Everytime we go to FL we have to go way out of our way and go up 26 to Johnson City. I hope one day we'll be able to have a vacation getaway in TN. Also have you sold your RV? What yr is it and also the towing capacity? 10,000 or 15,000? I love your home and everything you've done is so fantastic!!!

One other suggestion to you all. In our area we've had problems with TIMBER THEFT. I know some people who had over 100 High Valu trees logged out and another 100 trees damaged. The owners and also the lumber company are in court sueing the neighbor who allegedly claimed the land was there's and to ignore the fence and no tresspassing sign. Anyway, they say to walk your fence line on a regular basis, post signs. And also get to know your neighbors. Also if your going to be away for any extended time make sure your trusted friend or neighbor knows and that there should be no trucks etc. In these difficult economic times unfortunately this is happening more and more.

Lisa, sorry I'm one for rambling on and on but I want to Thank You and Mike for sharing your hard work and letting us be apart of the building of your home. It's beautiful. And tell Mike I loved the Bear Lamp. Take Care. And please keep posting pictures when the seasons change........soo beautiful.

[Hawk J]

Howdy L&M.................

ALL is lookin' Reel Beautiful...............

I have a long steep shale & gravel logging road driveway. When i'm going to be pulling up my loaded utility trailer i put some sand bags or firewood into my pickup bed to give it more traction. Sometimes i take out some air from tires. Then later re-air them with my compressor or air tank. This works out good.................


Y'all have a Wonderful Day now.

[TwoWheelMan]

Hi Lisa and Mike Last night I spent about 5 hours transfixed to your excellent documentary on the progression of your new home...I thought perhaps I would stop after a few pages but the next thing I knew it was 2 a.m.! Then I had a dream or 2 about the beautiful land around that area and living there myself.... I awoke and realized that I too want to relocate to Eastern TN...not necessarily building off the grid and from the ground up like you have...I am no where near as talented or creative or energetic as you and Mike. OFC you know and feel the pride of building this yourselves...its a labor of love. So I have caught up with your report and will be following the rest of the way. You guys have alot of grit!

[younglisa7]

Originally Posted by jbos333

Hi, I would just like to say AWESOME!!! I have read this entire thread (not all at once) and it is great. Thank you for taking the time to provide such detail.

I hate to be a copycat, but I have a great location on my land that your place would look/work great! I would love to do the same as you have- did you patent any of your plans?

Well, I too was looking into solar/wind etc. I was wondering if you have any dollar figures on your solar setup if you don't mind? Also what is the kwh output? Oh heck, while you're at it, do you have any $$ figures on the house itself? If you don't want to divulge, that's OK...it would just help me plan a little. For comparison, I was looking locally into a solar/wind setup good for about 3 kwh/day avg. It is self contained and they quoted me $16,000.

Please forgive me if this was already discussed, I was trying to go back through and find it but there's a LOT of pages!

Thank yu for writing in. I'm sorry we didn't patent any plans. We made so many plans, changed them, and fixed things as we went.

I will give you an estimate of costs. Our paperwrok is put away so this is from memory.

All concrete work 35,000
Lumber, sheetrock, material, and trusses 10,000
roof 1,000
kitchen & appliances 5,000
bathroom 2,000
ceiling 1,500
flooring 4,000
plumbing and electrical 750
spray foam insulation 3,500
front doors 2,000
paint and gutters 500
fireplace 1,000

Outside of house-
well 6,000
septic 1,000
grading for homesite and roads 10,000

Solar(as we have it now)
12 135 watt panels 7200
2 charge controllers 1300
combiner boxes 650
inverter 2500
14 batteries , 980
wiring for solar completed 1000

I'm sorry I have no idea how many kwh per day we get. All I know is we can run hairdryers, vacuums, and the microwave now. It's enough for us unless we change out the refrigerator.

That is all of our costs that I can remember. You can save a tremendous amount of money by building a wood frame and doing regular insulation but it will be harder to heat and cool.

I hope that helps.

[Sunnydee]

Great update! You guys are just amazing! Thank you so much for sharing your story with us each week. I know there are so many of us who look forward to our weekly dose of Mike and Lisa World.

[cruxan]

nice spot lisa and mike. good for you guys.

i've been renovating for 5 years when will it end

i started renovating and i got carried away, 400 tons of stone walls 8 tons of finished wood work, and still going. i figure i have about one more year of work and i will be done. thank god

someday i will hopefully post pics on cd.

[TerriC]

Lisa,
I can't wait for another update!!!! I don't remember anyone asking you but have you had any bears ?? I loved the pics of the deer. Right now we have twin fawns along with they're mom that go thru our property every day. I love just love seeing them!

By the way I love your patio table.........gave me a great idea that maybe I need to look for one. Would never have to worry about the wind blowing a table like that over.

Hope your taking some time off and enjoying that patio along with that gorgeous view!!!

Take Care,
Terri