How my friend built his house in 1976

He had just gotten his master's degree from UCLA the previous June I believe. He bought inexpensive property at that time (1976 is a long time ago now) and was recently offered 750,000 dollars for his land and houses that he has built on the 2 1/2 acres as of now. But, his initial investment was likely over the first 3 to 5 years (then) was under 20,000 dollars (maybe 5000 dollars for the land and 15, 000 dollars in building materials that he installed and built himself.

One way to do this without hiring a general contractor is to be an Owner-builder which he was too. So, he built his own house and friends sometimes helped him. His first structure was only about 10 by 16 feet with a loft and he slept in this structure while snow blew in the windows the first winter because he couldn't afford to buy windows yet just plastic to kind of partially keep the snow out.

So, by building a one room building to start with it allows you a place to live in a small space and later you can (build out from that one room) which he also did. However, this works best further out into the country and not within city limits so to speak depending upon the building codes where you are.

Another way to do this is to pull (where it is legal to do this) an Airstream trailer or other trailer or motorhome onto your property to live in while you build your first structure and get it passed by the building inspectors.

But, most places are going to ask you to put a septic tank in pretty quickly or make you get on the local sewer system if you are in a city. Also, you will need water so you either need to get on the local water system or drill a well. (even though you could put up a temporary water tank and haul water for awhile until you get money for drilling a well (but there has to be water under the ground to make it worthwhile to drill a well.

Also, outside of cities often people in forests or deserts or remote go with solar systems instead of plugging into non-existent electrical grids as well.

So, you have a lot to think about in regard to what you want to accomplish, how much it costs and all that and what your skills are etc.

But, just remember if you love where you are buying land this helps a lot. My friend bought his land in 1976 and is still blissfully happy looking up at Mt. Shasta from his land all these years later now.

Also, if it is legal to do this some people put up yurts or Teepees to live in while they build more permanent structures too.

We had friends in the Mt. Shasta area during the early 1970s  for example, who had a 2 story Teepee ( a teepee with a loft) so it would be warm most of the night even in snow in the loft above the wood stove.