So, You Want to Live in a Yurt? Read Online Free PDF Page A

from our previous home, so I don’t think we’ll have too many issues. We also get wonderful breezes here, which we’ve already taken advantage of with an open dome, wide open windows and french doors and sunshine pouring in. It’s amazing. If you are planning on a yurt in a hot climate, think shade when you pick your build site.
    Furnishings & Appliances:
    Have fun with this part, I know I did. Just know that when it’s time to start making those purchases, you might not be as flush with cash as you think. We had a budget. A good budget. It didn’t stand a chance once we got going. So. Many. Unexpected. Costs. Again, be forewarned. Think about the things that are truly important to you, whether it’s really nice wood floors, high end cooking appliances, etc. Start looking at dimensions.
    Yurt itself:
    Real windows? Vinyl? Bathroom inside or in a nearby bathhouse? What size yurt do you need? Tinted dome, or no (I recommend YES! )? Lofted or no? On top of a stick built structure? Have fun with this part, it’s why you’re going through all of this work!

    STEP TWO: ACTION
    Land:
    Do you have your land lease signed or have you closed on your new land? No? Get back up there to step one. Pronto! Yes? Congrats! Now comes the fun part. Choose your yurt site. While many people choose to put yurts on steep hillsides (part of the attraction really, they can go virtually anywhere), we choose a flat spot of land on the property. It was a tad boring, or so we thought. But we knew the inspector wouldn’t have an issue with it. And in fact, we had him out to make SURE he wouldn’t. You don’t want to start building and then find that you have to start all over again. If you don’t have your sewage/water/electric figured out, now is the time. Expect it to take at least a month and a half longer than expected - whether you’re putting in your own septic tank or just dropping a new electric line from the pole to the yurt site. Your electrician (or you) will need to put up a electric box for the electric company to run service to. Again, this is simple but if you are depending on someone else, expect it to take longer than planned. If you are putting your yurt on a plot with city water/electric/sewage service, count yourself lucky, it shouldn’t be too complicated. But start talking to the utility companies NOW to find out what you need to do to be in compliance. IMPORTANT: Make friends with your county inspector, you won’t regret it.
    Yurt companies:
    Have you picked out your favorite? Spoken with a representative? Gotten a quote on your dream yurt? What about a estimated date of delivery? Do they help you set up the yurt or are you on your own? Are there added costs for delivery? If you have a difficult building site, see if they charge extra for that as well.
    Floor plan:
    Plan it out, you’ll probably need it for your building permit (we did), and it’s helpful to have, especially if you’re putting interior walls in your yurt. Also helps for planning out appliance dimensions.
    Building permit:
    Once you have your deposit down on a yurt (or have decided on the yurt company/size/deck plans), apply for a building permit from your county inspection office. We were lucky, the assistant at the office was quick, friendly and helpful. PS. This will cost you money. They will want to see a floor plan, engineering documents (get from your yurt company), deck specifics, septic/well certificates (if you don’t have city sewage/water), contact information for your contractor/plumber/electrician, and an estimate for the project cost.

 

    Contractors or DIY:
    Get in touch with your contractor of choice, or if you’re DIYing your deck, start talking to yourself. It’s going to be a lot of hard work. If you’re doing this yourself, enlist some friends for work weekends (try setting up a work share with them, with each friend getting a different date for their projects… or just offer beer or food, worked for us!). Order your