Over the past couple of years, G. Little Construction has occupied space in the Port of Port Townsend Shipyard. When we began construction no one knew what we were up to.
Among the big beautiful ships such as the Leader IV, Rich Passage I, Big Kitty, and Muskrat, something seemed different about what we were doing.
It was not a schooner or a shallop. It was not a yacht or a yawl. The unusual shape and all the concrete made it clear it was not something you usually see in the shipyard.
By now, you probably know we were building a floating home. No longer are we asked, “What are you building?”.
Instead, we are often asked why build a floating home on land.
There are three major benefits of building a floating home on land; the home is stationary, it is convenient for our crew, and it is less expensive for the homeowner.
Stationary: Building a floating home at the dock on the water puts construction at the mercy of the elements. Wind, tides, and waves can all have an impact on the stability of the structure. Slight movements at the wrong moments can have a negative impact on construction, in particular it can impact fine detail work. Building a floating home on land ensures the home remains level at all times. In this aspect, there is no difference to building a floating home to building a traditional home on your property.
Convenience for our Crew: After the float is complete, building a floating home is like building any other home. We can drive our vehicles, tools, and equipment to the structure. It takes less time and effort to get material and equipment on and off the site. Our crew also has access around the entire structure. Being able to bring lumber or building material into the house from any side takes less time and effort.
Less Expensive for Homeowner: Building a floating home on land allows us access we would not other wise have. We can use cranes and large equipment to accommodate steal, beams, large doors and windows. On land, it is as simple as maneuvering the cranes and equipment right next to the structure. Most of the large equipment is readily available in the shipyard. Stability of the structure and convenience for our crew also make the construction less expensive.
Your next questions may be how we get the home into the water. Read here to find out.