Private Message to Tom

OK, so I drove down and looked at the trailer.  I wish I had better news, but here’s my take on it.

I think the following would be necessary to make this trailer habitable (it definitely is not habitable now):

• At least $1500, probably more, just to take care of fixing it so bugs and “critters” could not get in the dozens of gaps, etc. all over the place;
• The water piping all over would need to be tested and repaired if needed;
• Ditto for all the electrical wiring;
• Ditto for the piping for propane;
• Water tanks would have to be cleaned and disinfected, maybe replaced;
• Probably need a new stove;
• Fridge was fairly new before AT bought it in 2009, but it hasn’t been operated or opened since then…so who knows;
• All the cabinetry is junk…warped, bent, doors won’t close, etc. and it needs to be replaced;
• Title and sales tax and such would add probably $150-$175, maybe more, to cost of trailer;
• New RV license tag required; AT said he thought it cost $49 when he bought it.

It would be a really interesting and worthwhile and probably fun project if you were 20 years younger and had the money and the time, and a place, to do the work.  If you had access to a very big, covered, concrete floor shop with access to electrical, water, and appropriate tools, I bet 4-6 weeks of daily work could get the job done.

Woods called a company in Huntsville that advertised septic systems on the radio.  He explained where he’s located and asked for a ballpark figure for a basic septic system (they apparently are still OK if the land passes the percolation test, but the guy says not for many more years).  The guy said the basic cost for an aerobic system would be about $5,000, plus costs for field lines.  An anaerobic system would be considerably more.   Water, I think I told you, is going to cost at least $950 to get a meter installed, possibly more…they’re supposed to go out and give me an estimate.

If we could find a decent, livable trailer or “studio” style building with bathroom, etc., it might still make sense to get set up with septic, water, etc.,  but I imagine a small studio style building, without finished plumbing, would be around $18K or more.  But, at that amount, you might be able to get a loan…you think?

Here are the photos I took.  They may make it look more attractive than it really is.  It’s not that it’s awful, but pretty shabby.  And I know I’d go batty pretty quick in something that size.