Building Off the Grid

Week after week this show illustrates the problems in building off the grid. Anyone interested in doing this must watch this show. Even if you're not planning to do it, it's still worth watching to educate yourself.

Part of the enjoyment of this shows is not only what you can do, but what you shouldn't do. The #1 problem is under-estimating the time to build. #2 is failing to account for the weather, which is a major part of any construction. #4 is materials and #4 is personnel. Watching people struggle through this is very interesting.

I also like the locations which are usually beautiful, though I don't understand why you can't build off the grid in more hospitable places.

I am in construction, have huge problem with lack of good safety practices on this episode, COB building in Oregon. The young lady doing the work has flip flops and doing concrete work. She had no dust mask when concrete dust was flying, no gloves when applying wet concrete on the footings, did she not ever hear about lime poisoning? Then, I really had enough of the show when I saw her digging with shovel with her bare foot. One older fella had only hard hat on when all were standing about while cutting out an unstable middle support. Sloppy all the way around and just wrong way to do a good job and stay safe thru it. Terrifying examples on how to work safely! I would bet they all end up with some terrible skin,lung problems or injuries due to their awful work habits.

Oh my! First, I'm amazed with folk who attempt building off the grid and truly don't think through the details of the process. Second, why do the wives all have their full face make up on, hair swinging down voluptuously....; no dirt...? I guess their concern is more the camera and TV than the build! Silly females!! So i guess the show is more fake than it'll admit to!!

The first couple seasons were entertaining. Then the show started to repeat the same formula. Most folks built when the weather was bad. Endless shots of ....golly it's snowing we're behind. Getting six minutes of building, a cut to the next segment with a recap of what we just saw was annoying.. The building off the grid wasn't necessarily green. Lots of styrofoam and plastic included. By season three I just watched the intro to find out where the home was going then headed to the end to see what was built. Really liked some of the buildings. But too much similarity in the furnishings and interiors. Six different owners claimed their log end walls were unique. I get the complaints about construction safety. I was annoyed by families with kids that didn't think they needed hand rails on the stairs or outside areas. Might also add if you have a toddler and a wood stove you need to prevent them from burns. My biggest complaint is about the use of horticultural plants in the builds that claim to be natural. In season two old crunchy hippie guy claimed everything came from the land. Chrysanthemums are not natives. I made it through all 13 seasons by skipping forward except for Cappy. He was okay.

Definitely, some creative ideas with homes.

BTW svader, I feel the same way when I see British TV in the US. I mean really, driving on the Left side of the road, people can get killed doing that.