I bought a smallish big thing

"RockRam" (rockram)
03/09/2015 at 11:20 • Filed to: None

I just bought an 800 sqft of man cave. At 24, I don't need much, and this is plenty. Only thing is it's street parking and I don't have a garage. I have plans of dumping some gravel in part of the backyard and park over there. I assume I'll have to get approval from the City in order to do so. Any opponauts have experience turning grassy backyard into a driveway? Here is my new little abode.

DISCUSSION (52)

thebigbossyboss > RockRam
03/09/2015 at 11:22

That looks perfect. I would love a little thing like that. I would just park on the lawn till someone complains lol.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > RockRam
03/09/2015 at 11:24

That would be perfect for my needs. I assume you would be able to get approval to make a paved driveway. Pick up some cheap concrete slabs and lay them over sharp sand and you've got a decent cheap driveway.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > RockRam
03/09/2015 at 11:25

That's a cute little abode. 800 sqft seems small, but if it's just you, then that would be more than adequate. Sometimes I wouldn't mind a smaller house myself. When you have a large house, keeping it clean and kept up is so much more time-consuming.

RockRam > thebigbossyboss
03/09/2015 at 11:25

haha I'm thinking of doing this. Probably have a neighbor call the police on me. Though I can just play the dumb new homeowner card.

505Turbeaux > RockRam
03/09/2015 at 11:25

nice! Yeah you will need approval from the city likely enough. Depends on how the neighbors are, if you have a curb cutout to run it from, and how much they care

thebigbossyboss > RockRam
03/09/2015 at 11:27

When you move in bbq a lil and have your neighbours over or invite them over for a beer. You'd be surprised what people tolerate when they like you haha. (Unless this is in a real bad neighbourhood then don't do that).

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > RockRam
03/09/2015 at 11:27

Awesome :) Good on you mate, good on you.

E. Julius > RockRam
03/09/2015 at 11:28

Is this your house or did you just buy a separate building to escape to? Either way, awesome!

Stupidru > RockRam
03/09/2015 at 11:29

If I were still single, I could definitely rock something like that. It beats the heck out of renting and hearing your neighbors bang at 2am (especially if there's a screamer).

The bad part: Houses cost a lot of money because all of the sudden things break, and everything is now customizable to your liking. It's worth it, though. Congrats!

RockRam > thebigbossyboss
03/09/2015 at 11:30

Yea I'll gauge it and see. Thanks for the reminder. I'll add a grill on the list of items to buy.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > RockRam
03/09/2015 at 11:30

Congrats. My wife and I are hoping to take the plunge into home ownership at the end of this year or beginning of next.

If it's just you, 800 sq. ft. would be perfect. I've never understood the people who buy these enormous 3,000+ sq. ft. homes. So much more to clean and maintain. We have an 850 sq. ft. apartment at the moment and it's only slightly less space than the 2 of us need. All I'm really missing is a garage and workshop area.

Stupidru > RockRam
03/09/2015 at 11:31

Just get a few buddies over, dig a square, throw some sand down, tamp it, then pour the concrete. It'll cost $500 after all the pizza and beer is taken into consideration

RockRam > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
03/09/2015 at 11:32

When I'm all ready and moved in, I'll be making a call. I think I'll start with the police dept. you think this would be cheaper than going the gravel way?

Hey, y'all, watch this! > RockRam
03/09/2015 at 11:33

That's about the perfect size for a house for one person. I'm jealous; I am so over this apartment living thing.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > RockRam
03/09/2015 at 11:34

The gravel would probably cheaper but the concrete surface would allow for use of jacks and stands if you work on your own car. If you dont wrench yourself gravel will be fine.

RockRam > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
03/09/2015 at 11:34

Thanks. Yup just me, and the occasional times the girlfriend or other buddies will visit. It has a open concept which makes it seem larger. I really like the fact that I won't have too much to upkeep.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > RockRam
03/09/2015 at 11:36

Fuck a driveway, dirt circle track to make it a real man cave.

OPPOsaurus WRX > RockRam
03/09/2015 at 11:37

i had a big bon fire the first night I bought my house. someone called the fire department on me. I was drunk they were not happy, I had the fire out in seconds and they let me off with a warning. I also can do garage plans. Oppo's resident garage designer. where are you located?

Funktheduck > RockRam
03/09/2015 at 11:37

I think gravel would be cheaper. In my gf's parents neighborhood about 1/4-1/3 are fancy gravel. I asked why and her dad said it was because the HOA mandates you have to have a stone or paved driveway (basically you cans drive on just grass or dirt) and the gravel was cheaper.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > RockRam
03/09/2015 at 11:37

Open concepts are really nice. I looked at a manufactured home a couple years ago, and it had an open concept, and despite being fairly small, it was really nice. I just didn't have any way to come up with anything close to the $200k it would cost for the house, land, and foundation.

RockRam > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
03/09/2015 at 11:38

hmmm allright. This will have to come down to cost. Thanks.

RockRam > Snuze: Needs another Swede
03/09/2015 at 11:40

Thanks. I would not look forward to keeping up a place that big. This was such a good deal too, I couldn't not make a move. I hope your process goes smooth.

Funktheduck > Snuze: Needs another Swede
03/09/2015 at 11:41

My job takes me in a lot of homes and it's amazing the different ways people live. Everything from tiny apartments to massive homes.

I told my gf when we get a home I need a garage. I have no room for the tools I have as it is. Half are in my parents garage. And I want power tools. I'm tired of trying to break free bolts and nuts with regular wrenches. Get me some pneumatics up in here.

RockRam > Stupidru
03/09/2015 at 11:42

Oh I bet. Yea I was living in row town homes with paper thin walls. Neighbors made noises that sounded like they were in the house with me. Haha here's to hoping nothing major breaks within a year.

Sejji > RockRam
03/09/2015 at 11:43

Let's get you some concrete blocks so you can set the bar low with the neighbors. Acquire beater truck, and place on said blocks as a project. Save money by not mowing the grass. ??? Profit.

In all seriousness, congratulations on the new home, and I hope everything works out well for you! Having your own space is an amazing thing!

RockRam > E. Julius
03/09/2015 at 11:43

Thanks. Yea my house.

RockRam > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
03/09/2015 at 11:44

One day

Funktheduck > Stupidru
03/09/2015 at 11:44

The lady next to my gf when we first started dating was a really loud moaner. She was in her 40s I think. There were 2 different guys that would come by (not at the same time) and eventually down to just the one. I'm pretty sure he was an alcoholic. Never saw him without a beer in his hand, including when he pulled up in his car.

RockRam > Hey, y'all, watch this!
03/09/2015 at 11:44

I was tired of hearing my neighbors noises and it made financial sense.

RockRam > Funktheduck
03/09/2015 at 11:47

haha mamas gotta get what mama needs.

RockRam > Funktheduck
03/09/2015 at 11:48

Oh yea my ultimate house will have at least a 2 car garage. if not, I'll build one.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > RockRam
03/09/2015 at 11:51

That's really great, glad you were able to make the move. The biggest issue we have around here is finding a reasonable deal. But I'm sure when we are ready, something will turn up.

RockRam > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
03/09/2015 at 11:52

wow that's a lot. I'd hold out for something less. Some of those manufactured homes are sick though.

RockRam > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/09/2015 at 11:53

haha that's awesome. Will be planning something like that in the spring. I'm in Harrisburg, PA

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > RockRam
03/09/2015 at 11:55

Well, I ended buying the house I grew up in, just this past summer. $35k-ish or so for 5 bedroom, 2 1/2 baths, around 3400 sqft. It's an old house, but it has a lot of character. The way it's built, and the lay of the land make a garage completely impossible though. Beyond that, it's a nice house, and plenty of room for everything we need.

OPPOsaurus WRX > RockRam
03/09/2015 at 11:58

nice I think my old college roommate was from there. cazzyodo also might be having me do a garage. Garages for everyone!!!! this is my current project i'd say the guy is doing fairly well for himself. the garage itself is probably bigger than my whole house

Kinja'd!!!

RockRam > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
03/09/2015 at 12:00

Oh man that's you. I remember reading your post about that. Congrats. This is old too and would like it to hold out a few years before going bad on me.

Roadster Man > RockRam
03/09/2015 at 12:03

Cool! Congrats! You'll probably need a demo and building permit just to put in a gravel driveway. I plan on working in this field, and I have one piece of advice: Be nice to your neighbors. If you don't have any neighbors showing up to fight your application, you'll be all good. But things can get complicated: the town might want a drainage and environmental impact study because you are altering the path of storm water runoff, your property might be subject to easements so there may be places on which you simply cannot build on, etc. Towns take this shit seriously, so do a little research. If it seems like a big job, just suck it up and hire a lawyer to handle the stress.

Stupidru > RockRam
03/09/2015 at 12:05

Yeahhhhh I'm glad those days are behind me, as far as loud neighbors are concerned. Now I just have to deal with nosey neighbors.

We're coming up on a year in our house and *knocks on wood* so far so good. If you're handy with a wrench, you'll be plenty handy around the house. My first year has consisted of making the house more energy efficient by sealing up the rim joists, insulating water pipes and air ducts, and re-doing the attic venting. Thankfully nothing else has gone awry, but I've picked up enough knowledge on how houses work (and they can be complicated at times, so read up!) that if the water heater goes tomorrow I think I could handle it. My first piece of advice: Get a headlamp like this: and a pair of Mechanix gloves and don't be afraid to peek around. Know exactly how everything works, where the water comes in, where your pipes/ducts go, where all of the valves are, what circuits all of your outlets are on, why it feels colder over there but not over here, etc. Of course, when working with electricity please be cautious and turn off the breaker before you get too carried away doing a re-wiring project (or, just call an electrician so you know it's done right). Houses are fun, but they can be a headache when you notice the little things (like water leaking from the ceiling when someone is in the tub upstairs, or when your bedroom closets are roughly the outside temperature, or when you feel that if the basement gets any more humid you'd be swimming, or when every other room in your house gets warm enough except the one you sleep in). Thankfully all of that is behind us

RockRam > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/09/2015 at 12:05

Wow that's massive. When I get a bigger house, and need to include it, I'll know who to contact.

Stupidru > Funktheduck
03/09/2015 at 12:07

We had something along the same lines in apartments we lived in. Definitely glad we bought a house so we can choose the neighbors we want (to an extent), how often we see them (to an extent), how much they know about us (to an extent), and how much I want to hear them (to an extent)

RockRam > Roadster Man
03/09/2015 at 12:11

Thanks. What department should I contact first?

RockRam > Stupidru
03/09/2015 at 12:13

Thanks. They gave me a home care booklet I'll be using. I'm not afraid to turn some wrenches/screwdrivers and actually looking forward to it.

Tohru > RockRam
03/09/2015 at 12:15

In Wisconsin you'd probably just need a building permit from the local zoning department.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > RockRam
03/09/2015 at 12:26

Thank you!

Hope it does last you as long as you need it to. Hopefully the construction is solid. But, fixing up a house isn't too bad. About the worst I've had to do is rip up floors, replace joists and cross pieces, put new subflooring and main floors in, and rebuild a couple walls and ceiling. One room in the house has new floors, walls, ceiling, and wiring, and more than anything, it's time consuming, tedious, and expensive, but not necessarily difficult. The hardest part is making sure everything is meticulously measured and accurate, as well as level. If you're ever doing anything like that, chalk lines, plumb bobs, tape measures, and levels are your best friends.

Roadster Man > RockRam
03/09/2015 at 22:06

check your town's website, your town will have a planning and zoning department and they should point you in the right direction. Something like a simple curb cut might be easy, but who knows.

epidemike > RockRam
03/09/2015 at 22:41

lol, depends on where but 200k for a house in NJ is a bargain. ive even seen a 980 square ft. in the burbs of NNJ go for 300k. If that wasnt bad, you then also have to pay mad chedda' in property taxes. Sorry bit of a rant...

congrats on the place and enjoy.

thebigbossyboss > epidemike
03/18/2015 at 16:05

Mad chedda. lol.

thebigbossyboss > RockRam
03/18/2015 at 16:06

Row houses are so terrible.

thebigbossyboss > RockRam
03/18/2015 at 16:07

Realative to the whole of the USA you are close to me. I am about an hour north of Ogdensburg NY. Which by canadian distances is small lol.

RockRam > thebigbossyboss
03/18/2015 at 16:16

haha If I ever make it up to Canada

Tripper > RockRam
05/01/2015 at 14:59

Congrats! Just get cool with your neighbors to avoid having to get permits, they are just a BS way for your local municipality to squeeze some extra cash out of you.