Recycling in a small rural town - part #6

**homesteadmamma** · 09-17-2002, 10:23 PM

When we moved to our home there was an old dilapitated garage in the back of our home. Here is the story of what it became.

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When we purchased our home, there was a garage on the lot but wasn't big enough for a car. One window was broke and the other one covered up with wood. The back door was broke and the big doors were hanging kinda crooked and with a large gap at the bottom.

We have a small craft business and I felt that dh should tear this one down and we should build a new one. Dh on the other hand felt he should redo this one (a true homesteader). So relunctantly I agreed.

After going to the local hardware store here (that is another story in itself), he found a good used window for $50.00, brought it home and put it in. Wow looked pretty darn good for only $50, even the neighbour commented on it. After seeing this window I told him he should buy the other one and instead he picked a door/window combination to put in the front where the large 2 doors were for $100. Wow now this shop is looking pretty good, he has more light in it and I tell him he should see if he can buy the other window and he got that one for $47.00.

He needed to put the electrical in so we order a book from the library and a friend gives him some electrical wire. We purchase what else he needs for $30.00 and he does all the electrical himself. It was approved Friday night by the inspector.

About 2 years ago he was able to get chipboard "free" and we stored it in our basement which he is now using for the walls/floors and ceilings.

We purchased R-20 insulation because he is making his walls 6" thick so he doesn't have to use much heat in the winter. He has also found a place for the shingles, of course they are recycled from a house that was tore down and have 20 years warranty on them.

I plan on painting his shed red with white trim. Thats the color of it now but I will redo it. On the side that faces our home, I plan on finding an old washtub and painting it black, stensilling it with pansies. On the front, I plan on making a sign titled "Smitty's workshop". The color or red he picked was "million dollar red".

Soon he will once again be producing crafts of course with recycled material picked from furniture stores dumpsters.

There have been so many questions in regards to homesteading of late. Homesteading is a lifestyle, learning to become as self sufficient as possible. When we priced a new workshop the price came to $5,500 to over $6,000, but because we are working more and more at being self sufficient, the cost will be under $400.00. Gotta love that!!

Added on today: We have now added on a garden shed from recycled material. Even the door and lock will be recycled from a door being replaced in our home and the lock will come from that door. The floor is pallets our friend at the warehouse had. Yes recycling is cost saving.

**~Sherry~** · 09-29-2002, 01:14 PM

Way to go homestead mamma and dh!
What a thrifty family.

**heaven** · 09-29-2002, 01:19 PM

yes oh that is so great but take photos of the work shop so we can see it when it is done. Sounds like it is going to be quite the place.

**Kindred-Spirit** · 09-29-2002, 01:26 PM

I tell ya Homesteading mamma, our hubbys would be good friends. Mine is amazing too, what he can make with nothing.

**cozyquilter** · 09-29-2002, 05:39 PM

I love it!! DH would like a "shed"...I would like to find a small single car garage from a house moving company....there used to be one in our area, but I am sure that there are others out there. You just confirmed that it would work!! I have no idea how much one of these "used" small garages would be, but its gotta be less that NEW...

Thanks for sharing CJ..Love you contributations!!