Yurt living. How awful is this going to be?

[Lairymary]

I'm hoping someone can convince me that this won't be as awful as I think it's going to be...
Here goes... My OH and I have just purchased a property that needs a lot of work, we're talking complete renovation and needs plumbing and electricity installing. We have found a property to rent while we do it up, (6 months) but that is a 40 minute drive away (literally no other options closer to the property). DH has seriously suggested that we just buy a yurt and live in that on site to save the money on rent and petrol. In theory, yes it's a good money saving idea (will probably save at least 12 grand in total) but in the pit of my stomach I'm a bit horrified at the thought of potentially 6 long months of camping. Hopefully the house will be habitable before then. I just have this awful feeling that it's going to make me miserable, also to add there is a three year old in this scenario too!!
Does anyone have experience of yurt living for longer than a "glamping" holiday. Is it going to be awful?
Just to add, we plan to get the bathroom and a washing machine sorted as a priority, fingers crossed, so hygiene won't be an issue.

@BoredZelda

I know you say this project has your attention full time but unless you're architects/builders etc or have experience please consider using someone professional in to help or advise. Speaking from experience not mine but close friends.

This.

It is my job to manage and cost these projects. I’ve 25 years experience in the industry and projects can still go wrong if the wrong people are involved. I know how to mitigate it and lessen the impact to get things on track but to a novice they’d be stuck.

I don’t assume I could walk in to anyone else’s job and do it with no training or experience, I’m not sure why self builders think they can do mine and succeed. Any episode of grand designs will show how people fail when they don’t pay a few grand to a PM or QS to manage the job.

@BoredZelda - I worked as PA in 2 architects firms for 7 years, still have architect and interior designer friends. Also worked briefly for very small Houzz type architect.

I also worked with George Clarke briefly.

Far far better to employ a small architect/PM who know what they’re doing than ho it yourself and risk alienating contractors etc!

You definitely need to spend money on a PM who will oversee builders - money well spent! I’ve not done a huge job mystic but friends have and they’ve overrun etc, even an architect friend of mine had issues with builders when converting a huge battersea house of 3 flats into one family home plus attic conversion and extension!

Few small iPhone typing errors but think you get my drift!

I stayed in a yurt for a week - it was humid, full of bugs, awkward shape so difficult to move around/get dressed - the people saying you should get a caravan are right but you’ll be cramped in that too and they aren’t cheap!! - all sounds very exciting though

As another option how about a motorhome?
Used ones have always held their value incredibly well even long before the whole lockdown staycationing madness became a thing, so you should be able to eventually resell it easily with minimal depreciation.
It could also be quite useful for getting bulky materials for your refurb project, large sheets of plasterboard, flat pack units etc will easily fit in compared to what you'd get in a car.

@Yants

As another option how about a motorhome? Used ones have always held their value incredibly well even long before the whole lockdown staycationing madness became a thing, so you should be able to eventually resell it easily with minimal depreciation. It could also be quite useful for getting bulky materials for your refurb project, large sheets of plasterboard, flat pack units etc will easily fit in compared to what you'd get in a car.

This is such a great idea, actually! My cousin and hubby bought a new motorhome just before lockdown, and have only used it twice in the last two years. It has increased £10,000 in value now because there is a shortage.

Sounds utterly horrendous.

Don’t live on site. You’ll need to get away from the mud, noise and general crappiness of building work.

Renting 40 minutes away sounds much more bearable. Plus the build will inevitably overrrun.

If you can save £12,0000 for your renovation, do it. DO IT!

You’ll be glad of the extra money and time. You really will. A caravan rather than a yurt is such a good idea.

But save money and time, really - you’ll need to. I lived with builders for 2 years while they did a huge renovation job on my house, and know that it always costs more than you think.

@crowisland

Well, for centuries millions of people in Central Asia lived year round in yurts. With no electricity or plumbing. The camels and other livestock were their sources of food.

It IS possible to live in a yurt (though the nomadic people that use them seem to have a winter base, and use the yurt to live in the high pasture in summer)

The main difference is the great British weather. Yurts were never designed to be used in prolonged wet weather.