Building Off the Grid Episode Rating Graph

A couple plans to build their home out of straw bales in the desert.

« Previous Ep. Next Ep. » Novice builder Danny Clark attempts to construct a 600-square-foot stone cabin in Vermont's White River Valley; the home is sure to be a true work of art, but his inexperience, the harsh winter and the unusual architecture push him to his limits.

A couple constructs an upcycled off-grid homestead deep in the sprawling South Carolina islands; plans for the catamaran-style home include a luxury yacht aesthetic, but the couple must build during hurricane season to meet their deadline.

A family is determined to build an off-the-grid cabin along Idaho's Salmon River; the family members take on Class 5 rapids to portage out materials, and they must race to complete their cabin before low tide hits and they can't return home.

Matteo Lundgren is taking the art of natural building to a whole new level with his custom-designed Cob houses that blend with the environment surrounding them. Together with his designer, Peaches, they're creating homes built solely from the earth's ingredients, and he wants the whole world to do the same. Follow along as they hand-sculpt houses that are literally grown from the ground up.

A couple faces flooding and fire while building out an inherited property.

A snowmobile guide and his wife build an off-the-grid cabin by the rivers and mountain ranges of their beautiful home state of Wyoming. The build includes a 272-square-foot cabin with a small shop and garage that are all constructed with zero fossil fuels, meaning no gas generators or grid power will be used and all of the heavy lifting will have to be done by hand. The team faces many challenges, including snowdrifts and visits from four-legged neighbors, but the five-week project will prove to be just as grand as the scenery that surrounds it.

A GA family builds a remote cabin retreat in the Appalachian foothills.

Marine scientists in Florida hire engineers Nicolas Derouin and Arnaud Luguet to create a first-of-its-kind floating home. They have nine months to complete it, but unpredictable weather and building hiccups may sink this project before it can swim.

A family attempts to build a 400-square-foot cabin situated on a small island in Northern Idaho; access to the property is limited, and rough waters make it difficult to bring materials in; it's a race to the finish as winter hits the island early.

A nature-loving architect builds a modern California cabin that rivals the views of nearby Big Sur.

An outdoor enthusiast works to build his dream retirement home in the Idaho mountains, but weather and material shortages slow his timeline. As things get back on track, he receives devastating news that brings his build to a grinding halt.

Montana for Earthship enthusiast Jeff Saad. Michael and his crew battle nature and time to try and complete this amazing house on Building Off the Grid.

Deep in the backwoods of Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota's premier off-grid builder Jared Capp sets out to turn four shipping containers into a stunning two-story mountain hideaway. The five bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms property will have a well for water, a living roof, solar panels and other high-end amenities. Getting the containers to the remote location will be challenging, however, and will require Jared to cut a road through the forest first.

A family faces Mother Nature’s forces while building an underground home.

An eco-friendly couple plans to build a timber frame, straw-bale cabin in a heavily wooded forest of Maine. But when winter comes early, the already difficult build nears impossible as single-digit temperatures threaten to end the dream before it even starts.

Cat Taylor uses her artistic and naturalistic background to construct a remote sanctuary for her and her husband in the woods of Northwest Texas. The two-story home uses a mixture of sand, clay and straw with a touch of comfort to entertain family.

After witnessing the demise of Casco Bay's Halfway Rock Lighthouse, history-lover and Maine native Ford Reiche now has the chance to return this American icon to its former glory. It will take barges full of scaffolding, brave masons and the cooperation of Mother Nature to pull it off, but there's nothing worth doing 'halfway' when it comes to Halfway Rock!

After getting engaged, Summer and Jack move away from New Jersey to fulfill their life-long dream of living off-grid; they buy a plot of land in Sedro Woolley, Wash., and commission Sunray Kelley to design and build their dream mud home.

With help from a team of friends, an avid outdoorsman takes on the challenge of building a cabin in the remote White Mountains region of Alaska. The crew must work through snow, wind and a whole lot of mud to haul materials and build the perfect cabin in just seven days.

A couple faces challenges as they build a watchtower 30 feet in the air.

Beau Dunavant bought a piece of land in Tres Piedras, New Mexico, as a gift for his girlfriend, Samantha Inman, where they can build a home made of mostly recycled materials and dirt. They plan to construct a modest, self-sufficient structure, but with blowing dirt, blistering sun and freezing temperatures, they may have underestimated the power of the desert.

Chris and Catelyn Williams are building the home of their dreams, a 30-foot tall, 700 square-foot, off-grid yurt in Montana, complete with a breathtaking view of the mountains. And with solar power, its own stream, hot running water, a modern kitchen, all-weather insulation, a second floor loft, and even a guest room for friends and family, this definitely isn't your grandfather's yurt. Follow this young couple as they prep their own land and break ground to build their ultimate luxury yurt in the woods.

Professional treehouse builder Michael "Murph" Murphy wants to build a cottage retreat for his family in Washington. He enlists his friends to create a natural siding and a massive fishing net for lounging above the living space.

A college student and musician wants an off-the-grid treehouse compound with three structures, with each serving living and sustainability, in the Arkansas woods.

A couple simplifies with an advanced off-grid home on Colorado's eastern front with solar, passive solar, septic and water catchment features.

A couple teams up with experts to create a dream glamping experience.

A couple looks to bring the shores of Key West to their donkey sanctuary in Missouri; despite having experience with building off-grid properties, they face challenges as they attempt to construct a double container home deep in the woods.

A family of three in the North Georgia mountains are building a unique, geodesic dome home at the top of their property. After endless rainstorms, their build site becomes nearly inaccessible and they question if their forever home will ever be completed.

A young couple is leaving their Air Force to build a log cabin together and start a new life in the last frontier of Alaska. With only three weeks to make it ready before the winter, they’ll need all the family, friends and determination they can muster to get it done. Follow their journey as they endure the elements and long northern days to handcraft their new home from the ground up and completely off the grid.

The Walker family takes on a multi-generational construction project rebuilding their 100-year-old mining cabin in the Colorado wilderness; they're a family of engineers who are game for any challenges that will face them in the months ahead.

A family attempts to build a 400-square-foot cabin situated on a small island in Northern Idaho; access to the property is limited, and rough waters make it difficult to bring materials in; it's a race to the finish as winter hits the island early.

An adventurous couple builds a home with self-sustaining features near the Ozark National Forest. And while they both have renovation experience, building on the dangerous mountainside terrain in a location plagued by flash foods will be a challenge.

A group of off-grid-living enthusiasts come together to build a 300-square-foot bungalow. With a variety of eco-friendly features, including a solar-powered water pump, this house is a welcome addition to the environmentally friendly community.

A creative family builds a custom home where the mountains and desert collide in Colorado’s last frontier. The dream project quickly turns into a job when the harsh terrain combines with the demanding pace they’ve set for themselves.

A young cabin builder creates a one-of-a-kind cabin in upstate New York during the harsh winter months. Because of the new and complicated design, the crew must adapt to the environment, work efficiently and leave no room for mistakes. The end result is the ultimate off-the-grid cathedral in the Catskills.

In Ohio, two brothers build a high-end, off-grid vacation home on their family's cattle ranch.

An Alabama family deals with building delays during hurricane season.

A young man builds an off-the-grid home on family land in rural Illinois.

A father-son duo builds an off-grid home in Montana's Flathead Valley. The 720-square-foot stick-frame home takes advantage of the mountain winds using a wind-turbine generator for power and features plenty of upcycled materials from the surrounding area.

A mother-and-son team pulls up stake from the crowded confines of Orange County to build an off-grid family commune outside Keaau, Hawaii. With the help of skilled aircrete instructor, the duo overcomes a learning curve to make a dream come true.

Peter and Ashley Jensen build a sustainable straw bale panel house in the Hudson Valley -- the first of its kind in the States. With only three months to work, the race against nature is as they attempt to finish before the East Coast winter sets in.

A Montana carpenter has big plans to build a unique pontoon houseboat so he can live on Flathead Lake year-round. As both a builder and artist, he has the skills to turn his vision into a reality but an early winter threatens the whole project.

A mother-and-son team pulls up stakes in Orange County, Calif., to build an off-grid family commune outside Keaau, Hawaii; with the help of a skilled AirCrete instructor, the duo overcomes a learning curve to make their dreams come true.

Two renovators realize their building method is more work than anticipated.

A young family builds an in-earth cavern in the mountains of North Georgia.

Novice builder Danny Clark attempts to construct a 600-square-foot stone cabin in Vermont’s White River Valley; the home is sure to be a true work of art, but his inexperience, the harsh winter and the unusual architecture push him to his limits.

Kolin Buzerak returns to his family's 100-acre property in Upstate New York to put down some roots; he plans to build an off-grid timber frame cabin with a full kitchen, living space, dining area, and open loft bedroom.

After experiencing a devastating tornado, a family wants to build an off-grid retreat overlooking Tennessee's Ocoee River; as amateur builders, they must rely on the help of friends and family, and each other, to reach the finish line.

A group of off-grid-living enthusiasts come together to build a 300-square-foot bungalow. With a variety of eco-friendly features, including a solar-powered water pump, this house is a welcome addition to the environmentally friendly community.

John Beal is ready to leave the city behind and embrace a life off the grid in Isla Mujeres, Mexico. He hires Richart Sowa and his son Eden to build an eco-friendly private floating island made from recycled plastic bottles. Despite facing many challenges, Richart, Eden and the crew work to make John's dream a reality.

Alaskan adventure guide Don Lee is building a remote survival cabin on top of a glacier where no man has stepped before. But in an area plagued with avalanches and unpredictable weather, this fearless bushman needs to time his construction perfectly. And when you're building in an untouched area only accessible by air, logistics are just the tip of the iceberg.

A couple looks to build an eco-friendly, off-the-grid geodesic dome, cooled using geothermal caves, with a view of Tennessee's South Cumberland Mountain Range; uncertain weather; an intricate design; treacherous mountain paths.

A man battles turbulent weather to construct a Greek cottage in Tennessee.

A family builds thousands of earth blocks while withstanding winter monsoons, freezing temperatures and more to finish their San Antonio forever home.

A couple races to finish a modern, off-grid lodge overlooking the south shores of Lake Superior.

A Colorado couple attempts to build one of the most energy-efficient homesteads in the state. Mother Nature and bleeding edge technologies give them a run for their money as they race to complete their high-end alpine lodge before winter hits.

A pro builder constructs an off-grid dream home for his family on a remote riverside plot of land in the heart of Canada's east coast.

Jared "Cappie" Capp showcases the luxury of off-grid living by building a modern home in the Black Hills of South Dakota. This stunning all-solar-powered abode will have a wood-burning fireplace, gourmet kitchen and a 400-square-foot loft.

A family is challenged while building a silo greenhouse home in Georgia.

A couple builds a rainforest retreat within the edge of an active volcano on Hawaii's Big Island.

A realtor and his three children set out to build their dream home together on a wooded ridge top in the Ozark Mountains of Oklahoma. But they aren't building a conventional house. They plan to convert three shipping containers into an off-grid paradise. Follow the journey as they navigate the hardships of their remote setting and unorthodox construction project. Surrounded by stunning views and with a little help from friends, they'll build it all by hand completely off the grid.