Small Home Ideas? Why not for Everyone?
4Fathoms Designs
These pages dedicated to designs and documentation associated with small Ideas.
Book ideas and designs are a welcome addition to the bigger is better society we live in today. I will share and explore changes to life that give another option if you care to take it.
My idea for small homes is based on physical life facts for 90% of the working population my designs are scaled and accommodations included for: As we age, eyesight and hearing are affected if we have spent our working life in industry. so building a home with more that 12' from audio/visual accessories makes little sense. Just as having a home without another half bath or without laundry facilities, when lifting heavy laundry bags and getting dressed for town most times makes no sense for seniors....Or most people for that matter.
All my designs incorporate these features and the degree of luxury of the finish materials determines the overall costs as well as how many will be produced. We can feature the Silver Brushed Nickle on all fittings and metals as in our French Glenn model or we can take that another direction with just accessories and go to a Pagoda or Castilian theme....The location and styles will be almost equal in costs to a factory. We will always need kitchens and bathrooms which are static costs in ANY home. They can fluctuate with quality but they will always be in the formula.
The main problem with all this is the OWNERS of factories do not live in what they build for the lower income or retirees....They have their McMansions in their Country Clubs usually and these factory's are just tools to generate spending money and power. They have been building virtually the same product for 35 years and have no desire to improve or even notice the Paradigm shift to smaller homes. We live in a time where our Ruling Class(KOCHGRESS) has seen fit to eliminate Interest Deductions for the housing of the poor and middle classes...Factory owners should have MAJOR ALARM BELLS going off. I could not have imagined a better opening for Alleyway, ADU and Mother-in-Law housing opportunity. Get out of hat big house by converting it to a business(rental) and live in the back yard in something you can care for as you age....Eventually your grand-kids might live in the big house and be your caregivers keeping the family units closer like most of the rest of the world does.
These pages dedicated to designs and documentation associated with small Ideas.
Book ideas and designs are a welcome addition to the bigger is better society we live in today. I will share and explore changes to life that give another option if you care to take it.
My idea for small homes is based on physical life facts for 90% of the working population my designs are scaled and accommodations included for: As we age, eyesight and hearing are affected if we have spent our working life in industry. so building a home with more that 12' from audio/visual accessories makes little sense. Just as having a home without another half bath or without laundry facilities, when lifting heavy laundry bags and getting dressed for town most times makes no sense for seniors....Or most people for that matter.
All my designs incorporate these features and the degree of luxury of the finish materials determines the overall costs as well as how many will be produced. We can feature the Silver Brushed Nickle on all fittings and metals as in our French Glenn model or we can take that another direction with just accessories and go to a Pagoda or Castilian theme....The location and styles will be almost equal in costs to a factory. We will always need kitchens and bathrooms which are static costs in ANY home. They can fluctuate with quality but they will always be in the formula.
The main problem with all this is the OWNERS of factories do not live in what they build for the lower income or retirees....They have their McMansions in their Country Clubs usually and these factory's are just tools to generate spending money and power. They have been building virtually the same product for 35 years and have no desire to improve or even notice the Paradigm shift to smaller homes. We live in a time where our Ruling Class(KOCHGRESS) has seen fit to eliminate Interest Deductions for the housing of the poor and middle classes...Factory owners should have MAJOR ALARM BELLS going off. I could not have imagined a better opening for Alleyway, ADU and Mother-in-Law housing opportunity. Get out of hat big house by converting it to a business(rental) and live in the back yard in something you can care for as you age....Eventually your grand-kids might live in the big house and be your caregivers keeping the family units closer like most of the rest of the world does.
Designing and finding examples to present for creative peoples is a niche that needs to be filled one web page at a time. Social Media outlets like Facebook are not dependable due to the continuous censorship by the 1% and Russian screening of what is presented. Promoting small efficient housing has not been on he docket since the demise of the Farm Home program in the 1970's....But then we were a growing Industrialized Country and now we are a minimum wage service Plutocracy since 1980...
We (as the poor and Middle Classes) need some sort of outlet and ability to share Ideas and the product of the paradigm shift to small homes that the 1% will never understand. WE don't need the costs and upkeep of McMansions that are the only thing presented for consumption....We want what Europe has....Homes that last and have character for CENTURIES not just the current five year plan...Mix or Match and get OUT of that box...YOU are the consumer, USE your power and buy and build what pushes YOUR buttons.
Several changes with what I am posting since May of 2019. First off I am looking at several Hempcrete sites and the possibilities are endless for the Park Model Format. Imagine a Baroque sample with cast in moldings and sculptures in a tilt up wall system. With the super hard surface sandwiched SIPS function supplied in 34' and 12' lengths in 9' or 10' heights already molded, colored and ready to set either on trailer or hauled to a slab site. I am even looking at a molded Turtle shell shaped roof system for high wind areas. These units are specifically designed for our Native American Reservations to produce, give education and training in the building and trades as well as a source for them to export units anywhere a disaster has occured. FAR superior to any crappy FEMA trailer offered today at a lessor cost and with ten times the efficiency. A whole building system with a crew of ten could produce a finished product in less than a month in a small portable structure measuring as little as 40'X24' with rollup doors on each end. Moving the structure close to the planned community of disaster zone would be a never ending source of pride, diversity and friendship with the Native American community. A way for their values and tribal leadership to flourish in this dog eat dog world where cash is king and after the conservatives has stripped the capital out of the aid programs as they say "I got mine, screw you". Imagine the application of the Chief don't eat until the last child is fed...
After our recent Park Model purchase and minor remodel I am no longer demanding a full 13'9" overall height for EVERY home. Our unit does not exceed 8' with a vaulted ceiling...True it is a little claustrophobic compared to a 11' vaulted ceiling but for us seniors over 70 the restriction of fixed income makes less heating a cooling costs a real issue. On the following pages I will show some photos and a drawing of said floor plan with the Mods to the inside we made to accommodate and change the impressions at purchase time. The seniors park we are renting space in is pretty typical of the parks in the southern half of the country. True almost non offer the owner finance we secured but under these terms we expect the inevitable lot rent raise every year...I anticipated we don't have many years left and by the time we are in the $900 a month range my XYL will be in a nice care facility and this place will be our daughters or grandkids place to market. The improvements I am making should balance depreciation as we secured the structure at a very modest price on contract.
Addition of the 6'X 8' deck was our first addition to the exterior. We plan a raised flower bed in front and a large brick paved patio for a pot garden. We will have to change all eight windows to double pane very soon for maximum efficiency. We may reduce the front window to 96" X 24" and use a corrugated roofing as siding with a stylized light module I will build in the shape of a Gila Monster or Zuni symbol. Something I can set up solar powered lighting behind as we are at the end of the street and very visible...A very rare floor plan and offered a extra large bedroom as well as walk in closet you don't find much. With the clubhouse facilities two blocks away and our full time use I figured I could use that as our half bath. I negotiated the moving of a stub wall by the fridge 2' to allow a washer/dryer stack unit as well as a new French Door Fridge. Due to a LOT of work by our terrific Maintenance man Larry we were able to have 90% of the work done, we painted the whole inside including the Cabinets and although it was Acrylic paint I will be fine as it is suited to the value of the unit. Remember if you are not experienced in the purchase of real estate or RV'S, hire an expert to represent you. NEVER pay Full Price without upgrades in the southern USA.
Appliances , carpet, and small cubby for fridge coupled with the wall to wall wood paneling really dated the unit.
Wall to wall Hard Floors (Vinyl planks) and paint make a World of difference.
Changing the cabinet colors improve livability a ton as well as putting sweat equity into your project(considering we were both well over 70 years old). Picking colors you want to experiment with makes this project VERY rewarding as it not being done for resale and is colors we want, not being concerned with what happens to the unit after we are gone.
After moving the stub wall we had room for the new French Door Fridge and a used W/D stack unit we found. I will still need to do some work as the new maintenance crew installed the dryer vent in the wrong place instead of directly between the washer and dryer as designed. Putting the vent there will allow me to recess the W/D back 4" and the front will be flush with the pocket door into the bedroom. Kind of a mistake on my part not trimming the stub wall down to 24" from the 28" wide it is now. I may take the wall out and put a 24" hutch in that area allowing the fridge to receed another 4" as well...Every inch gained in the passageway ids a major plus in a Park Model.
We also had the bath vent fan and the Microwave replaced. This application was installed improperly and does not vent to the outside properly so we still have work to do. As you can see having a plank floor allows replacement of damaged planks as well as having a waterproof floor. Carpet is so unsanitary for seniors just as much a for children and somehow never looks clean. As I have said before I am not the keeper of knowledge, share it or lose it has been my motto in life.
Adding single pane windows can be as little as $2400. The trick is finding the right contractor as we are no longer able to do the work with our physical restrictions. Planning for our contracts is about the extent with the two of us being over 75 and basically remodeling for the few good month we will have left. The home we will be leaving for our Daughter to either use or sell will have a short time on market if she sells is probably all we have to count on.
Adding single pane windows can be as little as $2400. The trick is finding the right contractor as we are no longer able to do the work with our physical restrictions. Planning for our contracts is about the extent with the two of us being over 75 and basically remodeling for the few good month we will have left. The home we will be leaving for our Daughter to either use or sell will have a short time on market if she sells is probably all we have to count on.
As we are still on our target for total costs including purchase ($25,000) figuring a kitchen remodel is also in planning as that would be an added cost not in the original project budget. The home is fully functional at move in but as I need to make it as efficient as possible for my surviving spouses life after my passing, a kitchen made to fit her needs will be a "for her use only" as she will want upper shelves, a two burner cook top and a water filtration system built in. I am considering a water softener company service for the years she will not be in a retirement facility(probably in Mexico as AmeriKOCH will probably just be using ovens again if 45 is allowed to rule)using THAT kitchen will go a long way to extending her comfort. I am leaning to inset cabinets as we are only talking three drawer base units, 24" sink unit and D/W. She wants no oven but shelves for small Crock Pot, Bullet Blender and possibly a narrow pantry pull out. She can only reach one shelf level now so I will lower the first shelf to 50" from finish floor. The second shelf will be for little used items. I would like to put the plate rack shelf over the window as shown as we have no view other that the Oleander bushes at the back of the lot and the unit next door...However I also could build an interesting pot garden when the patio is paved and leveled( that part hinges on park management permission as it is on their property as we are merely renting space) as with a dishwasher a lot of time at the sink is not necessary.
The wife likes Corrugated Galvanized metal for the Backsplash so that was easy, finding cabinets at a cost we can afford is the hard part. Hanging the shelves has a LOT of options. I had considered doing a pipe and flange hager system with whatever powder coating she would like or any of the wall hanger type. Speaking of hanging for those that are not familiar with how '80's Park Models were built need to understand the wall studs are 3/4" X 3" and not 2"X4" as stick built housing of that period as well as 1/4" sheetrock NOT 1/2"...Hitting a stud has to be precise as well as I recommend pre-drilling all screw holes to help prevent splitting.
Since my last posting there have been some other thoughts about relocating to Prescott area so I will add moving costs projections when I get them. No as many options or locations in Prescott area but a big improvement in four season living conditions and quite a bit closer to Mountain Living as well as a lot of wildlife viewing. My wife does not mind snow as much as I do so it will work for her.
I have also had three more used Park Model Homes moved onto my street and believe getting a remodel is the best value for most of us seniors to consider. Getting a contractor and setting the budget is a bit of a struggle but I have high hopes there will be Industrial Hemp options for fiberboard, SIPS and insulation soon. So many new products from the Hemp plant can deliver better construction materials as well as near market crops for transportation costs. The new Hemp SIPS projects are just in infancy but I can see unlimited for panels lighter and stronger than anything currently on the market. Imagine a 1/4" thick corrugated roofing that no hailstone can dent. Bulletproof roofs and walls can only be a good thing.
I have also decided for us the "J" Wall floor plan is the most efficient I have come up with. Giving the most options in the small space limits. As most Park Model interior walls are not load bearing, moving to a center wall system and only two cross walls cuts costs as well as moves most of he plumbing o the ceer wall cutting costs of that by 15%.
I have also decided a co-op seniors park is the best possibility for the future as the 1% investor sharks are snapping up parks everywhere and jacking rental site fees beyond any reason. Raising space rent each year by 20% for fixed income seniors is criminal.
The wife likes Corrugated Galvanized metal for the Backsplash so that was easy, finding cabinets at a cost we can afford is the hard part. Hanging the shelves has a LOT of options. I had considered doing a pipe and flange hager system with whatever powder coating she would like or any of the wall hanger type. Speaking of hanging for those that are not familiar with how '80's Park Models were built need to understand the wall studs are 3/4" X 3" and not 2"X4" as stick built housing of that period as well as 1/4" sheetrock NOT 1/2"...Hitting a stud has to be precise as well as I recommend pre-drilling all screw holes to help prevent splitting.
Since my last posting there have been some other thoughts about relocating to Prescott area so I will add moving costs projections when I get them. No as many options or locations in Prescott area but a big improvement in four season living conditions and quite a bit closer to Mountain Living as well as a lot of wildlife viewing. My wife does not mind snow as much as I do so it will work for her.
I have also had three more used Park Model Homes moved onto my street and believe getting a remodel is the best value for most of us seniors to consider. Getting a contractor and setting the budget is a bit of a struggle but I have high hopes there will be Industrial Hemp options for fiberboard, SIPS and insulation soon. So many new products from the Hemp plant can deliver better construction materials as well as near market crops for transportation costs. The new Hemp SIPS projects are just in infancy but I can see unlimited for panels lighter and stronger than anything currently on the market. Imagine a 1/4" thick corrugated roofing that no hailstone can dent. Bulletproof roofs and walls can only be a good thing.
I have also decided for us the "J" Wall floor plan is the most efficient I have come up with. Giving the most options in the small space limits. As most Park Model interior walls are not load bearing, moving to a center wall system and only two cross walls cuts costs as well as moves most of he plumbing o the ceer wall cutting costs of that by 15%.
I have also decided a co-op seniors park is the best possibility for the future as the 1% investor sharks are snapping up parks everywhere and jacking rental site fees beyond any reason. Raising space rent each year by 20% for fixed income seniors is criminal.
We have not decided where to put the
As we see the removal of the sliding Glass Door and replacing the single pane windows in the end wall was accomplished with my neighbor Dave's great work and my astounding ability as a gofer. As I no longer have full use of my hands I was very lucky to find Dave as my builder recommended by Vivian my other neighbor down five houses. Finding such an honest and creative person close by was AMAZING and cost effective...I think we were able to do both jobs for under $800 and my closest bid for another contractor was $2800 PLUS materials.
This opens up a speculation for the possibility of doing a remodel with another unit and configuring a "J Wall" floor plan. I had forgotten how easy the Mobile home format is to remodel as all the interior walls are not structural support walls and can be put any location needed. As I have not worked in a factory since 1971 I can probably not feel so bad about forgetting.
We have still plans for converting the kitchen as we are now following a more KETO friendly diet and do not need a large kitchen just to stir fry fresh veggies and meats. A modified "L" shape with an Island 36" X 12" should give us plenty of work space, but we have decided this unit will still need to rework the walk in closet and bedroom storage function by moving the wall hung cabinets into a stack unit at the back edge of the closet and making a double rung hanging area using the existing cabinets. We will not use this unit to convert to a "J Wall" and probably keep it as a rental when we get the next unit finished. A word about why we went with the French Door entry, as we age moving a heavy slider gets harder every year so with a lever door opener and swing in door(found at Habitat) we can open it with one hand easily and the added loss of glass area helps with energy costs a lot.
Mrs. Tugboatwilly (Barbara) has painted the deck with me doing the screws and rehanging the Iron Sheet as we have decided to let it rust naturally and see how it looks. We have not finalized the lattice pattern for shielding the under deck area as I am thinking 1" 2 " and 3" strips would work well as we used that pattern on a place in Alaska and it worked well. Our deck costs $250 from a local handyman....You would think as many mobile in southern Arizona a Aluminum Fab shop would have deck parts in stock at a reasonable rate, no such luck.
As we see the removal of the sliding Glass Door and replacing the single pane windows in the end wall was accomplished with my neighbor Dave's great work and my astounding ability as a gofer. As I no longer have full use of my hands I was very lucky to find Dave as my builder recommended by Vivian my other neighbor down five houses. Finding such an honest and creative person close by was AMAZING and cost effective...I think we were able to do both jobs for under $800 and my closest bid for another contractor was $2800 PLUS materials.
This opens up a speculation for the possibility of doing a remodel with another unit and configuring a "J Wall" floor plan. I had forgotten how easy the Mobile home format is to remodel as all the interior walls are not structural support walls and can be put any location needed. As I have not worked in a factory since 1971 I can probably not feel so bad about forgetting.
We have still plans for converting the kitchen as we are now following a more KETO friendly diet and do not need a large kitchen just to stir fry fresh veggies and meats. A modified "L" shape with an Island 36" X 12" should give us plenty of work space, but we have decided this unit will still need to rework the walk in closet and bedroom storage function by moving the wall hung cabinets into a stack unit at the back edge of the closet and making a double rung hanging area using the existing cabinets. We will not use this unit to convert to a "J Wall" and probably keep it as a rental when we get the next unit finished. A word about why we went with the French Door entry, as we age moving a heavy slider gets harder every year so with a lever door opener and swing in door(found at Habitat) we can open it with one hand easily and the added loss of glass area helps with energy costs a lot.
Mrs. Tugboatwilly (Barbara) has painted the deck with me doing the screws and rehanging the Iron Sheet as we have decided to let it rust naturally and see how it looks. We have not finalized the lattice pattern for shielding the under deck area as I am thinking 1" 2 " and 3" strips would work well as we used that pattern on a place in Alaska and it worked well. Our deck costs $250 from a local handyman....You would think as many mobile in southern Arizona a Aluminum Fab shop would have deck parts in stock at a reasonable rate, no such luck.