I bought an ABANDONED CABIN in the WOODS - Vacant for over a hundred years! 

It might have been built in the '30s, but it hasn't been vacant that long. It has had doors/siding/roof/ and interior parts upgraded way more recently.

There is no way that has been abandoned that long.

Looks more like the suburbs than the woods. I'm sure the neighbors love that you are renovating the place

Great job you remind me of a mini version of my husband he spent the last 14 years rebuilding his family home that hits over 200 years old. I have the privilege of living in this with him and on 28 acres. He brought the home back to its original form and much of the furnishings consist of five generations, and my husband is approaching 70 years of age My hats off to you. At one point in time when this home was originally built the entire area belong to his family. It’s now a small town, but still the feel of the country. You basically got one red light in the entire town. I wish you success, and I’m sure you will do it, and do not worry about all the naysayers. They’re not there they don’t know the full scope of what’s going on and what you’re doing and what Hass to be done

I was a bit worried when I saw you gutting the interior first but I think you stopped and had a think and rightly started in the basement levelling up the floor. I would start with the piles, check that every pile is solid on a solid base and is level throughout the house then you can level up the joists and bearers. This will level the whole structure and amazingly you will suddenly find that windows and doors will open and close without jamming. Next I would repair the roof until it is completely watertight now you have the top and bottom sorted you can continue with the interior. It's a lovely old cabin and deserves your best efforts to make it live again.

AWESOME PIANO!!! In 2011 I was going through a terribly painful divorce and was looking for a project to keep my mind from hovering around ideas of being prematurely adjudged by St. Peter (if you understand my attempt at a metaphorical way to describe it). I found a 80-year old piano that somebody just wanted gone. I took it home and stripped it down, taught myself how piano hammers, dampeners, pedals and keys work within the piano. It was probably the most satisfying thing I have ever done. I used the old keys but had to sand them a bit because they had gotten wet over the years & warped. Some were out of order and many of the veneers were broken. I used all the old keys but put new veneers on every key, I installed new pedals, patched the missing pieces of trim... made a music stand for it and all. Once it was finished, I had it tuned. While the man was at my home tuning it, I told him the story & showed him photos. He told me if he had come to tune it before, that he'd have offered to take the piano to the landfill for $100. But since I had already done the work, he urged me to insure it for $30k because it was absolutely worth it. I only did it to keep my mind occupied. I ended up donating it to a youth center a few years later.

It gives off a cabin-in-the-woods vibe. I'd love to see the house before and after, seeing the step-by-step transformation. It would reveal how much you've turned it from a creepy, abandoned old cabin in the woods into a completely new and lovely home.

Its crazy to think about the lives of the people that lived there before he bought the property. An old piano like that has to be someones Grandma/Grandpa's prized instrument. I can see the family gathered around the living room while someone plays the piano for them all. Precious memories made with that thing.

When it said "in the woods " I didn't think your neighbors would be so close. You can see A blue house like right next door,, but I loved watching what you did with the place. 🙂

I'm sure that this cabin was built in the 30's but I don't think it's been abandoned that long. Too many things that are newer since the 1930's. It's definitely old and needs lots of love. You are very good at repairing and rebuilding. Good luck

That mini bulldozer is a GREAT investment. Ive never seen one that small and it has so much strength. 👍

I love when people restore old houses. They have so much character

I also bought an abandoned cabin in the woods. Mine was vacant for 30ish years and had trees growing out of what’s left of the roof. I wish mine had an old piano! Still working on mine. Huge project but so satisfying

It's a very cool house. I love that you went right to work instead of taking two hours to tell us what you were planning to do someday. Congrats on passing 10,000 subscribers!

If you find an old tape recording in the cellar with a book made out of human flesh sitting next to it, for the love of god dont play the recording. 😬

This is so awesome!! I grew up right up the street from this dilapidated cabin and always wondered what the interior looked like!!! ❤

I just watched an hour of this guy rebuilding a cabin and didn't get bored. Keep up the good work, I will definitely be following up on this series.

I know this house! I drove past it nearly every day for 20 years. I’m eager to see what you do with it! We no longer live in the area so it will be fun to watch 😊

21:05 Had me thinking MJF was about to run up 😂😂

That doggo is the goodest supervisor!!!

Check the inside of the fireplace where it goes into the chimney really well, my house is “Civil War Era” built in 1870 and it has a shelf built into it and it was common for people to hide stuff in them !!

I’d also try to save and reuse whatever of the wood that’s still good. Because wood that’s more older and probably used out of old growth wood is much more durable than standard wood of today. And plus it would also cost less money to reuse some of it and it will last longer as well. While more modern wood isn’t grown as long at all there for it’s more at risk for moisture damage and decay,

what got me was your safety, at the start you where showing the outside and there was a wall collapsed in the basement, I've very glad it didn't take a dump while you where working on the upstairs.

This place has electricity, with standard knob panels, early sheet rock, plank siding, a piano, its only been empty maybe 10 to 20 years ..itd be trashed by elements any longer ... Id say 12 years ... ask the neighbors in the homes across the busy road... theyll tell you Great job working on restoring a lil treasure

People knock down houses like this because its so much more cheaper to start from scratch, but it's amazing when you actually rebuild what was there. So amazing keep up the hard work

I just found your videos and love the house demo…please don’t pay a lot of attention to all the negative comments.These are your projects and you have invited people to share your visions…Stay true to yourself and keep living your dreams

I am impressed of the power of that little excavator, it lifts up those huge pieces of tree and also has no issue in moving your truck aside. That thing is a blessing.

I can hear traffic noise. It's definitely not in the sticks as we call it in the land downunder. Nuff respect for your hustle. Bless up🙏🙏💝 Kudos

Just an idea for anyone else doing this. I found that if I removed the plaster first it was easier to shovel up, only then remove the lath. Then I wasn't trying to sort through a heap of random rubble. A chute from the first window to a trailer skip is handy too. A big fan blowing at an open window helps keep the air clear. With hindsight, clear out any junk or stones from the area, stepping over it twenty times get old and it's a hazard. I had to take a break occasionally, doing this work is depressing as nothing looks better for a long time, YMMV You were unlucky with that tree, that was a big tap root, lol 😸 This looks like an interesting project, hope it goes smoothly 👍

Stumbled upon this. Wowza, that’s a huge project. I’m currently in the middle of a hot mess renovation myself. I get frazzled by all that needs to be done. I’ve started making a list before I get to the property and make myself stick by it rather than walk by something and think “ I need to take care of that now”. It has helped immensely and I’m not so overwhelmed. Good luck. I’ll be following your progress. Happy Holidays!

Could look at past paper work for the place to find out when it was built, county clerks office, ….

Please tell me your wife/spouse knows where you are. I kinda freaked seeing you alone out there with all the sketchy floors and that basement. Panic attack. The 1940s is my era of furnishings I choose to live in daily so I appreciated this one. Only 9 minutes in, so far. Thanks for upload. Take care.

I had a similar project,saved a hundred twenty year old house and it was about the same condition. Was a great house . You'll be happy you did it.

Being able to get aerial footage like that is priceless, man. Remember when you would have to pay pretty big coin to get aerial photographs of your land and movies had to rent a helicopter to get video.. times change so fast.

i love people that dont just tear it all down. shit held up that long for a reason

Might be better to fix or tarp the roof and make sure the outside is sealed to prevent more dampness coming inside. Lathe and plaster replaced beadboard in the 1900s, drywall sheets began about 1940s. Square nails indicate prior to 1900.

32:40 That conduit hanging from the basement beams looks like EMT, which wasn't widespread until the 1960's. Before that was Rigid thick wall galvanized conduit, and I don't see any of that, so my guess is that someone was living in this structure at least up to that point.

Wow ~ what a fabulous project! I look forward to the restoration and revitalization of the cabin. 😀

Some mention this house is from the 1930's.I tend to disagree,the fact that the original Joists still have bark on them says it's more 1800's,with various parts replaced over the decades and changed to suit a family situation. The area around it was probably pasture until 20 or so years ago ,hence the youngish woody weeds growing around the place.

I LIVE for projects like this! Subscribed! I love seeing people save the "irreparable", especially houses that 99% of the rest of humanity would have knocked down!

reminds me so much of the house I grew up in.. My dad worked endlessly on renovating each room, floor to ceiling in a ten room old victorian... It took 50 years to complete... lol never done. Your new neighbors must be happy to see you putting new life into the old cabin....

Thus is great. Love watching old to new projects. Thanks for letting us watch as you go.

This reminds me of remodeling our old 100+ year house. I still remember the smell of of the lattice and plaster. It has a distinct smell. One thing to make it easier on you with all of those intertwined pieces of lattice is if you take a few seconds when pulling it off the wall to put it into a nice pile. That way you can easily grab a huge pile of it at once instead of picking up the pieces one by one. Saves a lot of time for a few seconds of prep.

Nice find, I use to do restoration jobs on old houses. It’s a lot of work but there’s nothing like the feeling when you step back and look at all you accomplished and you saved another one from falling down.

Wow. That is a heck of a project. Make sure you spray multiple times for mold. Not an expert but lots and lots of mold Dogs are the best. Cut three times measure once 👍neighbors are probably going wow. Good job. I’ve worked on some nasty projects that most wouldn’t touch. Very rewarding in end. Hard work is the best. Too many lazy people today. Awesome job

My thought as far as what you could do with all the trees you cut down is make a giant pathway for your driveway coming up to the place. I think it would look pretty cool to come up and see a thick wall of brush for a few years. I see there’s a part 2 so I’m going to watch that next

This is right down my alley. I bought a house very similar to yours at least design-wise. I had to gut the upstairs, take out the middle partition, remove the bannister and replace the windows because they leaked so bad. I also tore out the chimney that went through the middle of the house because it was so brittle. A skylight took its place which totally illuminated the upstairs. Yeah I totally get your project.

No way this cabin is empty for 100 years . Some of those construction materials are pretty new.

Was anyone else waiting for this to turn into a horror movie

A good stick for a goodest boy. 😊glad you had the pupper for some company.

It’s going to be a ruff uphill climb but I’m definitely looking forward to the journey

This cabin was well designed & furnished. Its a blank slate for you too improve with modern furnishings, technology, whatever you desire. The basement is dry. ( Huge bonus there. ) The bay window upstairs! Stained & polished wooden floors, a piano, a brick firplace. Solid colored wall paper, in different colors per room. Someone, either skilled or wealthy built this gem. Good find. ❤

Those storm windows are actually pretty cool. Just need an easier way to get them on and off vs. nails.

I will be honest. Just came across this video today. You’re one hard ass worker!!! And that house is a MAJOR project. But it looks like it has a lot of potential! FYI, I subscribed after watching. Can’t wait to see the progress!✔️

I love renovating and restoring old historic houses so much love goes into it!

I love the cabin renovation so far. I wish there were more videos like this as I am an avid lover of "fixer uppers". Great job so far and I'm looking for more episodes. I just read some of the negative comments (don't watch, I say), and regardless of when the cabin was built, it's obvious that it's VERY OLD. That type of construction hasn't been used in ages and for that matter, WHO CARES. At least it's not being burned down and replaced with some double wide trailer. The area may not have had any homes nearby when it WAS constructed and the woods may have been dense and thinned out since there seem to be a lot of young trees. I just don't understand why people can't appreciate and say positive things.

Wow! Good for you! Very ambitious and thrilled you’re choosing to save it rather than raze it! Glad you know your limits and that you can’t save everything! Look forward to your progress!

Max seems like a good work companion! And maybe the cutest coworker there is! 😍

Old Homes have great bones. Your wood frame exposed after gutting, shows how super strong it is, my house was built 1935 and is as solid as a rock. You purchased an awesome house!

We’re living in a 100 year old house with the original 200 year old cabin and farmhand cabin on the property. I think your house may have been built 1930-1950 but updated probably in the 70’s judging by the small rooms, the paint colors, wallpaper and the shape of the nails. Chimney’s newer too. Still an interesting project to watch.

AS A BUILDER AND HISTORIC HOME RESTORATION PROFESSIONAL, I’d like to applaud your initiative and intentions👍 That being said the house most probably was built in the early 1920s perhaps abandoned at the latest in the 70s 80s or 90s judging from the tree growth in the yard and perhaps the stone foundation is some indication of its age…… THE MOST BASIC POINT IS THAT IT is not of any particular historic value and it is not built particularly well nor designed with the best dimensions, Loadbearing capabilities installation capabilities utilities capabilities and just basic architectural ugliness of the place I would have to put my vote for a tear down plus it seems it COULD VERY WELL BE VERY HAUNTED !! But I appreciate your video brother and I did enjoy it. Again build something new that looks way better way safer less haunted less creepy and not as expensive😊

Loved it! Watching you make it your home. Worked side by side for 16 years with master carpenter. Enjoyed gutting his 200 year old home. Built new stairs the lath was a pain. Found newspapers in floors and walls. Thanks for sharing this.😊

This cabin was well designed & furnished. Its a blank slate for you too improve with modern furnishings, technology, whatever you desire. The basement is dry. ( Huge bonus there. ) The bay window upstairs! Stained & polished wooden floors, a piano, a brick firplace. Solid colored wall paper, in different colors per room. Someone, either skilled or wealthy built this gem. Good find.

I love watching renovations of old places! Looks like the house has good bones but I was a bit worried about the basement. Max is a great foreman! 😊 can’t wait to see the finished product! ❤ New subscriber here!

If this was abandoned 100 years ago it would be a rotted pile on the ground today. If left another 20 years it would have rotted pretty fast judging by that roof.

Excellent work! I am amazed that this house was abandoned for such a long time. It is not in the woods but in a neighborhood! I am eager to see how you are going to rebuild this old house! thank you! I like to build reinforced concrete, earthquake-proof houses.

Either someone is lying to you or that house was built real sturdy. It's hard to believe it has been vacant almost 100 yrs and still standing. I can't wait to see what you do with it. It appears you are in some sort of campground or neighborhood or something. I see a neighboring house. You cabin looks so cozy.❤

I think this is an awesome project. I myself and my wife live in my grandmother's house that was completely restored by us. It dates back past 1914 I still have a dirt floor root cellar.

Fantastic process your very intelligent too the structure thick framing not like thin pine used today

Fascinating - you have all my resprct to tackle this project! It is in the woods, BUT there is a regular street near by with cars going by - with houses on the other side of the street - I was caught of guard about that!

That piano is a fine piece of furniture that probably has real ebony and ivory keys ! Henry F. Miller Piano Co. founded in 1863. Pianos are still made under that name but the Chinese are involved. I wonder how much of the house is American Chestnut, Black Walnut, etc.

Very cool to see you fixing up that old place. Can’t wait to see what you do with it

The quickest way to get people to stop criticizing you about how you treat your project cars is to say "If you really think it needs to be done your way, then cut me a check for the parts." It's amazing how quickly folks shut up, step back, and wash their hands of all involvement the moment you ask them to contribute and put their own neck on the line for it.

getting electric and plumbing will be a fun part of this project--probably has a well somewhere since there is a sink...heck of a project and can't wait to see your progress.

The very first thing that he needs to do is have the foundation checked along with all of the main support beams that are holding up the lower floors and the walls and then the roof's main support beams. Most likely those will have to be shored up or replaced. He may need to have the house leveled again. The roof and porch will basically need to be torn down and rebuilt. To check your home for leveling -- you can use a visual method which is to check to see how all of the doors and windows close and open, are they fitting properly inside the frame? If all of your doors and windows close evenly in the frames, your home is pretty level. There's no bathroom or kitchen -- was it ever plumbed? Where is the septic tank and a clean water supply coming into the house? Wow! What a project !! .

I fully expected this to be some kind of haunted house arg video.. but seeing a dude, just rebuilding the old cabin he bought, was even better.

Crazy to try and think back when this was built... happy little family kids running around .. so crazy I LOVE old buildings... if only they could talk man... the stories they hold

Great work! Hazmat suit maybe would have been a good idea. My Dad passed away from asbestos exposure. My Mom still gets tested every year because she washed his clothes. It takes many years for the damage from asbestos to surface and it is terrible. Just stay safe. I really want a mini excavator! So cool! Can't wait to see what you do to your little home!

That mini-excavator is an impressive piece of hardware!

I know this sounds strange, but when I see an old home/dwelling being allowed to slowly deteriorate, it breaks my heart. To me it's disrespectful and sinful. So needless to say, this video makes my heart jump for joy. I love seeing homes like this transformed back to their former glory or even better. To the gentleman in the video, (sorry, I don't know your name), I thank you a million times for taking the time to bring life back into this cabin that once was a place of joy & security to those who lived there. Your respect for the cabin is so heartwarming. I can't wait to see the end result. I'd like to fast forward to the very end, because the anticipation is killing me, but to see the transformation as it happens will help me appreciate the hard work, dedications, determination and time it took to complete this backbreaking project.

That upstairs window hardware looked just like the last place I rented, built spring of 1924. That's likely horsehair-lime plaster, heavier than crap, almost like concrete. That lath, if it's like mine, is mostly oak and will make great kindling.

Hey guy just found your video and man I gotta say you're doing an outstanding job! I watched the whole thing and enjoyed watching your progress. Thanks for sharing. Keep up the great work look forward to more of your projects. God bless, Be safe. happy New year!🙏🙏👍👍

Obviously foundation first then roof. It's just about move in ready. I love it. I can see so much potential. I'd love to get an old cabin

No truck built after 1980 can really be depended on. The more electronics, the more failures. And watch out for lead paint exposure for your awesome doggo. Hell of a project, good luck!

I love seeing old things restored 👏🎉

dude, i'd love to find something like that, only out in the woods where nothing was around for miles. also that place would be very cool to metal detect, it's hard to tell what you could find. cool video , good luck with the build.

Looking at the neighborhood, it's kind of surprising in what good condition the house is, considering how long you said it's been abandoned. With other people so close I would have expected more vandalism, trash and graffiti inside.

"Rough" is the understatement of 2023. Good luck brother. You have a lot of work and money ahead. Hope it all works out for you.

Walls after removing the plaster/sheetrock/paneling has great space for insulation. Cool!

Awesome project, and dont forget everyone in the comments are experts!

LOVE YOUR VIDEO!!! I can't wait to see your next one for this cabin. Please, keep the old piano! That piano would be a cool piece of history to keep, and/or to revive! Also, if you can, keep the original fireplaces. Another real cool part of history to keep alive for this cabin! Again, great work, and looking forward to the next video!

So impressed you taking this on👍🏾

Looking forward to seeing end result! So exciting!

Great job. Glad I found your channel. Believe me if you continued with this work and long videos like this, you will have hundreds of thousands of subscribers in no time. People are into renovation stuff these days.

The old house certainly has potential, personally i would not just rip it too bits SAVE as much as you can just make it SAFE CLEAN and tidy and livable!!!! Fallen trees FREE firewood 👍👍

TREE FALLING TIP less deep notch (1/3 tree diameter) leave you back cut attached. This will keep the tree going in the direction you want. When it is cut through you lose all control. Love your work ethic and the videos. Fun project. Great work on the floor joists.

That has got to be the most compact little excavator I've ever seen, I love it

This video appeared on my feed today and I enjoyed it so much. My late brother tackled many renovation projects both big and small. You may have already done this but his first step after buying a property was to find the original plans. Doesn't matter if the home is 100 years old or younger, unless there was a fire, there are plans. This is a very small house but in a larger renovation the plans can provide a lot of information. Have fun!

I am definitely not a fan of the electric 4 wheel drive. I prefer the shifter on the floor. But sadly it is hard to find a vehicle with a floor shifter now.

Holy crap don’t listen to anyone. I love your projects. Save what you can and move on !