3-Year Build Schedule

Strategy: 8 seasonal trips from NYC over 3 years. Work during optimal weather windows (Spring/Summer/Fall), skip harsh winters.

Year 1: Foundation & Main House ($38,500)

Spring Trip (April-May) - 10-14 days

• Site clearing and grading
• Drill water well (contractor - 200ft)
• Dig foundation holes for main house
• Pour concrete piers (44 total for all buildings)
• Order Main House arched cabin kit

Summer Trip (July-August) - 14 days

• Install beams and floor joists
• Subfloor installation (OSB)
• Erect main house kit with helpers
• Install roof sheeting and weatherproofing
• Frame and close in end walls
• Secure building for winter

Fall/Winter

• Skip - Winter prep in NYC
• Main house secured and weatherproof
• Plan Year 2, order materials remotely

Year 2: Infrastructure & First Cabin ($39,000)

Spring Trip (April-May) - 10 days

• Main house interior insulation
• Electrical rough-in (all buildings)
• PEX plumbing installation
• Install septic system (contractor)
• Begin solar panel installation

Summer Trip (July) - 14 days

• Finish main house drywall and interior
• Pour foundation for Cabin 1
• Build deck/joists for Cabin 1
• Erect Cabin 1 kit
• Complete solar installation and testing

Fall Trip (September) - 10 days

• Cabin 1 interior work
• Install wood stoves (main house + Cabin 1)
• Basic kitchen setup
• Flooring installation
• Test all systems before winter
• Milestone: Compound livable for first time!

Year 3: Remaining Cabins & Deck ($29,000)

Spring Trip (May) - 10 days

• Foundation for Cabins 2 & 3
• Pour piers for octagonal deck
• Build floor systems for both cabins
• Order final cabin kits

Summer Trip (July) - 14 days

• Erect Cabin 2 and Cabin 3 kits
• Complete all roof sheeting
• Frame octagonal deck structure
• Run utilities to all buildings

Fall Trip (September) - 10 days

• Interior finishing on Cabins 2 & 3
• Complete octagonal deck
• Install remaining wood stoves
• Final electrical connections
• Landscaping central courtyard
• 🎉 PROJECT COMPLETE!

Key Planning Notes

• Weather Windows: San Luis Valley has 250+ sunny days but extreme temps
• Best Months: April-May (spring), July-August (summer), September (fall)
• Avoid: November-March (too cold, snow), June (unpredictable)
• Trip Length: 10-14 days per trip, 8 trips total
• Helpers Needed: 2-3 strong helpers for kit raising days
• Material Delivery: Can store in completed buildings between trips
• Lodging: Year 1 requires hotel/camping, Year 2+ can stay on-site

This aggressive schedule assumes good weather, no major setbacks, and available helpers. Budget 15-20% time contingency.