so what did you DO for the first 80 days?

[unknownjulie]

This woman is without a doubt a genius. Genius comes in many forms.

[coastal]

Thanks for posting this. I just read the entire thing and was amazed. It's a beautiful space, not for me, but beautiful none-the-less. I'd fall off the outer deck within the first day!

[bluesboy]

Seemed like an odd way to frame up a two story space.

[unknownjulie]

Yes, it is "odd". That is why it is perfect for a woman trying to do this with minimal help. Now, this woman needs to get a job designing "userfriendly" solar panels.

[kalakoa]

"userfriendly" solar panels

Why? She was able to assemble a system by following written instructions. Too hard?

Sure, she violated the law by doing so ... and advertised it for all to see ... I expect the Building folks to follow up on that, since the rules are for everyone, etc.

[rainyjim]

Solar panels are so simple you can DIY - try DIY solar panels on youtube. No need to live in awe, its quite simple - merely take the time to familiarize yourself.

[bluesboy]

Odds good and all, until a magnitude 5 EQ knocks your house down

[fishenjim]

I know first hand that building permits and building to code does not make a house earthquake proof, I cleaned up the rubble from a few that were more than 20 miles from the epicenter of the Northridge quake. I had a buddy who had a new fully coded house burn to the ground 2 weeks old (bad wireing on the attic fan) that passed the electic inspection and the final inspection. Lots of people built lots of (safe) houses before there were codes. Yes people can be stupid about how they build. Some may have no choice no money no hope and have to live in a shack. Others may be truly stupid. I figure if Pele blows they got about as good of a chance as anyone.IMO

[Derrick Barnicoat]

Who cares if it is permitted or not why be such a tattle tale? Let the authorities deal with it if they want. Live and let live.

The place looks under the amount of sq. footage to fall under permits anyway, but hey what do I know. I don't care what she does on her own property. It looks like a nice place to chill out in. She seems to have gone about it in a smart way to. So I feel like she will have the brain power and tenacity to bring up to code if she needs to.

[Carey]

I agree with who cares, but to post ones HD receipt...with the start date & post the street & make it fairly easy to figure out exactly where (neighbors name & all....

Well, not sure I would define that as a genius move, nor would I think most would spend a good fraction of the day trying to square up walls with the wrong diagonal measure (doing a plan & the math in advance might have helped)

The shots of the floor the final days show that it may not fair really well over time...and the shower.... jalousie windows in the shower....& the deck floor over the drain...seen what kind of breeding grounds those wood decks over drains are on a boat... can't image the "friends & renters" will maintain that!

Not sure I would have spent any time working on a hanging bed during the last weeks, only to leave for the pigs & squatters... but I guess I am just not that kinda genius!

Also on day 8 they met with her dads cousins husband who is a builder on island that lives about a mile from where they were, and he helped with ideas....wouldn't have help to have conversations even prior to buying the lot (she spent the first day on the lot at the wrong lot even....)

And the bamboo glued exterior? well...I guess time will tell, but I have seen how some bamboo trim fair here.... Think I would have just used a good penetrating stain...quicker, cheaper, & might look better in the long run.... but that is me.

Basically she spent a wee bit more time than she posts (10 extra days here...) to build a large master bedroom without running water...a lot of time was spent on line shopping & retrofitting new things... & not sure I would have bothered with an irreplaceable vintage wallpaper for a place I am planning to let out...