UPDATED  OCT  2007

Please note, our  custom order sheet for projects this year is almost full.
While we do have a number of  trailers, vans, and one cottage, it will be a while before any of our new, leading edge healthy projects for people with MCS are completed. Custom orders are completed in  the order that they are received, specifications are completed, and payment schedules are in place. We do have one or two spec trailers that will be available in July if they are not purchased before that date. Call for spec sheets on what is available. Leave a fax number or mailing address. Thank you!
 
 
 

Please see our  HANTA VIRUS alert for trailers on our AIRSTREAMS page. By the way, it's not only the 40's, 50's , and 60's  that can be contaminated, but we have seen  environments newer than 15 years old ruined by rodents, and odors that overwhelm from mice droppings. One should take great care to try and avoid being in contaminated trailers, especially  if they are not going to be totally rebuilt by tearing them down to the studs, decontaminated and cleaned before rebuilding.
[ don't forget to make that trailer rodent proof, or they will be back !!!]
Also, with winter on it's way- are we going to have another snow load year? See the snow damages article on trailers, caused by heavy snow loads in the north east from last year and how to prevent this next year!

Please note we are cash buyers of old trailers. We appreciate your business, and sales of trailers that need TLC, a loving home, and brand new future!

Snow from late winter storms has made access to certain trailers difficult!!!

Please note, orders are being taken for projects for next year  starting  NOW!!!
 

Designer Tad Taylor is recognized as a leading authority in converting new and antique Airstream [ as well as other aluminum trailers] into upscale healthy living, travel and work environments. Many of these trailers are designed especially for those with allergies and chemical sensitivities, but others are purchased  by those simply interested in protecting their good health. Tad's trailers are custom designed for all uses, including location trailers, guest houses, emergency clean or sleeping rooms, safe travel accommodations, and for full time living environments.

Though we prefer to use the higher quality aluminum skinned trailers, we may work with other types to fill a client's requirements. Over the years we have worked primarily on Airstreams and have renovated models from as early as the 40's- all the way up to new models. A client's choice of  individual models or types may be influenced by space or size requirements, aesthetic preferences, and personal financial guidelines.

Interiors can be done in any number of materials, including organic fabrics, bedding and soft goods, stainless steel counter tops, special  wall panels, and our own specially milled hardwood or ceramic floors. We currently have trailers underway with beautiful maple and cherry floors- ceramic [with custom inlay work], commercial and even custom painted floors.
Tad's trailers have any number of new innovations, including lifting the trailer roof to a new height or adding lots of glass windows or skylights.
Equipment options are endless and may include, full sized bath tubs and showers [including antiques claw foot tubs!], stoves and refrigerators, air filtration, reading or computer boxes vented to the outside, off the grid solar power, or any other item a client may need to live or work in a healthy environment.
Tad's abilities in design range from the bare minimum and clean room design, to 40's and 60's period interiors, and all the way to outrageously lavish! Healthy Homes design center is working on  several custom designed trailers that use new materials with color and light to the max. Bright colors, all custom designed furniture, lighting and graphics -  by Tad, bring the AIRSTREAM  to a new level in interior design!! We currently have three limited edition  Tad  Taylor AIRSTREAM works of art underway, including our "THE DUKE- Hawaiian model" , "METALICA" with deco look , and the "ART  FACTORY  SPECIAL", Tad's wild and way out colors and lines.  Photos to come.

We follow strict processes that we have developed from years of experience. The data for all our projects is gathered and entered on computer, and updated numerous times throughout the project as a check and balance for all parties to review. These guidelines have been created after years of private testing and experimenting, using different building methods and various materials, as well as exposing trailers to different types of weather and environmental conditions. Tad has taken the time to actually build and then take apart trailers that have been renovated after certain periods of time, to see the affects of different conditions on various building methods and materials. This has been invaluable in helping determine what risks exist under varied conditions with numerous materials and methods, as well as how to avoid those risks in the future. There are scores of details that may vary from trailer to trailer that can influence the long term integrity of the work, and therefore the health quality of the project. These two areas are intricately related. Educated and very experienced in the field of chemical sensitivities and sub odor level toxics, Tad understands process and detail is everything, along with paying attention to the individual signs that may influence integrity. This is extremely specialized work. Missing or overlooking one simple step, of any one in a list of exact processes, could easily cause project failure.

Locating a specific trailer for a client is fairly simple. Each person usually has an interest in a certain type or size trailer, which we can  locate, inspect, and video tape for the client to see. Or we purchase trailers ourselves, and start the renovation process right away, which provides clients with an option of looking in our trailer yard for that special beauty! Our network of dealers and private parties provides a great opportunity for locating that exact year and model a client may want. Our inspections follow detailed checklists to give the client all the details necessary to analyze that trailer completely for their project and use. Our checklist becomes the foundation for the cost analysis and estimate sheets for the project. Obviously the condition of the trailer will determine costing for certain areas, like rebuilding mechanical, repairing damages and so on.

We usually have a number of trailers available for clients to see and purchase at our center. Typically there are several trailers being worked on for spec, as well as any number being prepared  for clients who have already purchased a trailer. Our yard is a private closed yard and  is opened by appointment only for viewing work in progress or completed models. We have over two dozen on the lot right now,  and we are known to have the largest number of antique trailers in the country undergoing renovations.

We specialize in 60's trailers, though we usually have some 50's and 70's as well, and design a myriad of  interiors to accommodate all tastes. Though Tad is a published designer and visual are the juice of life [for him],  a main concern is health, and because there are so many toxic materials in standard trailers, this is becoming more and more of a concern for all people today, even if they may not have serious health problems themselves.

Material options are always a concern for highly reactive people. For them, from our well stocked design studios, we are able to suggest the latest in  new, as well as our  time tested materials that have been successful for even the most reactive people, and we can provide sample materials for each client to test, if required. We also have a list of options for all  materials, as sometimes people are highly allergic to specific components of coatings or even freshly cut edges of  metals! Occasionally we have clients who are allergic to hardwood, stainless steel, and  materials that most of us think are inert or odorless. The key for us is to create a risk free environment by determining client sensitivity levels and key trigger items. Following our process brings a successful resolution to all these concerns.

Costs for renovating the trailers vary widely, as the type, size, general overall condition, specific requirements for individual clients, equipment, and material choices influence the final cost. For a detailed look at the many cost concerns,  see our book "Renovating Trailers and Rev.'s.," second edition , or our General Project Cost Sheets. Costs are also influenced by the year and model of the trailer, and how much work needs to be done for a renovation. Certain models of trailers suffer from specific problems and may increase renovation costs considerably. Typically we contract renovated trailers out at a minimum of $1000.00 to $1500.00. a running foot. This means a 19 footer could possibly be completed for $19,000.00 to $27,000. There are numerous options and variables that influence this costing scale. For example,clean room trailers are at the bottom of the costing scale, while a 12 volt solar and full dress trailer would be more costly.

Trailer lengths start at 12 feet, and go up to 34 feet. We occasionally do larger models of other type trailers and park models, but the ease of towing or maneuvering  fade with the extra length and weight. Our renovations are generally on the lighter side of what the original  gross vehicle weight of the trailer was, but if you decide to go with a big trailer with full dress options, the weight can be the same or more than the original.

Interiors designs are generally of three types, clean room, standard  and deluxe. The deluxe is a completely buffed interior with all the toys and comforts of the finest homes, but many of our clients are so sensitive to the slight odors, that this may not be an option for them.Clean room trailers, especially designed for those with severe sensitivities, typically have no running water and facilities, while a standard design has all the requirements for full time living, such as tub or shower, sinks for bath and kitchen, hot water heater, stove, refrigerator and so on. The clean room trailer is a great place to get away from all the odors including very low level toxics that may be generated by household equipment like a stove or refrigerators, while the standard renovation may have some low level risks with this equipment. Costing for the clean room is obviously less than a standard design. Clean room trailers are great for sleeping and work, especially for highly reactive people. This type of clean room environment, with no odors from any toxics, gives us the edge to help our body clean out and gather strength.

If  you are interested in converting a trailer by yourself, we recommend you take your time and gather all the information you can before you commit to this type of project. This is a very detailed and difficult undertaking.  We are happy to consult with you regarding your project, along with all  the other types of building and renovating projects we do.

If  you have any questions in regards to our trailers or renovations, costs or options, please give us a call at (802) 896-6891.
Request the INITIAL TRAILER PACKAGE, which explains our process and how we work, and let us know any questions you may have. Please note that COSTING SHEETS  dated earlier than Jan 2001 are outdated! Please call for
an updated cost sheet!

We take work in the order that we receive retainers and deposits. Completion time tables depend of current work loads.
Generally our time table is 3 months for any trailer we have in the yard, and four months for any search and location project, where we have to go out and find a specific year or model.

Call 802-896-6891 or mail to Tad Taylor's Healthy  Homes, 494 Cobb Reed Road, Wardsboro Vt 05355.

Please note that Tad has written a book called "THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO TRAILERS AND R.V. RENOVATING for people with environmental illness " which answers hundreds of questions relative to this whole area. It is well worth the price if you are seriously considering investing in this type of project.

The following photos are from one of our finished solar powered trailers, that has a split electrical system, with separate 110 and 12 volt rcuits. Especially designed for clients who love to travel and who have elecrtro magnetic sensitivities, this little 25 foot beauty has a
battery pack of 6 on the custom made rear bumper, and two solar panels mounted on the roof.
 
 

The bumper was extended and a custom made box fabricated to hold 6, but up to 10 deep cycle batteries. This trailer can operate on 12 volt with no converter noise or EMF pollution.

The interior has custom made metal sinks and shower pans, and all custom insulation, walls, bed frames, tables,closets etc.
Mounted overhead in the front of the galley is the original command post, with gauges for water holding and so on. This trailer was totally rebuilt, starting from bare interior studs and ripped up floor.Soft goods and final finishing are in the works!!

Our decontamination crew, suited for warfare against all the toxics found on gutted interiors, is removing layer upon layer, until they reach the exterior wall skins and studs.

more photos to come!!!!

Also, to view more photos, see our "AIRSTREAMS FOR SALE" page  !

I get feedback over the years from people who have had bad experiences trying to do specialty work. Most of our work is quite specialized and takes years to perfect.  I recently had a friend come and stay and work with us to complete his project. A 2 week stay turned into a month and what appeared to be a simple set of specifications became a struggle to complete with some degree of quality and competency.
So, I need to pass along the word on people who become involved in detailed leading edge [ many times health specific] renovation projects, because they want to help someone out, or they have been asked to, or they just want to try something new. This is addressed both to clients who are about to enter into this type of renovation project with inexperienced people- and to their friends, family or local good intentioned builders who are giving this a whorl for the first time.

I  write my books and pass on information  to help people understand all the areas of healthy home construction, but these in no way should be considered to be the key to absolute success in any leading edge project. Nor should good intentions be considered a key attribute in the list of requirements for completing a successful leading edge health project.
People with sensitivities and contractors or owner-builders alike should know without a doubt, that this is an area ripe with reasons that can cause project failures, emotion stress and financial loss, primarily because of people with good intentions, little experience, and little knowledge of when to find out the right way to do things. I spend large amounts of time dealing with people who have spent a lot of money, and have had serious problems with failed projects that must be totally scrapped, because the people doing the project didn't know what they are doing.

Not knowing what we are doing, when admitted, may be a good place to start. This way, if we seek the truth, full knowledge, and we are receptive to experienced instruction, we may be successful. When it is not admitted, we will certainly have project failure. There is no way that a person without experience will be able to accomplish the work that needs to be done properly.
Not only is it a combination of special skills, experiences and consciousness that makes success a possibility, it is also the ability to recognize the endless number of variable risk elements that can affect health adversely. In all the areas relative to environmental illness, anyone who doesn't have it, can not grasp the intensity of the experience, or the fine details that need to be addressed to be successful. Nor can they begin to imagine what we who have it, consider to be risks.

Everyone has a different situation, and this may require them to take advantage of whatever resources they may have. But if you are going to make an investment in this area, and your health depends on it, you must be prepared to do what is historically proven to be successful. Half way is not acceptable- and with health, usually 95% "success" still means failure, simply because if we only know how to get 90- 95% of the offenders, we usually have overlooked a bare minimum of  20 to 30 % of the other risk items.

If  you are going to be working with people who do not have chemical sensitivities, and who are not experienced in this area, there are two strikes on your project before you start. Without knowledgeable, experienced guidance, you have strike three.

For example, most projects are put together and the visual appearances of the finished product may seem impressive. But it's the unseen things that will create the most critical health risks. Over the years we have taken numerous trailers apart after a year or two of their completion, to see what has happened and why. Even with the most diligent attention, things can be overlooked or they can develop. This is especially true of a number of areas, especially leak control, which is affected by hundreds of things, including condition of trailer, types of rivets used and the concentration or degree of skill of the person who put them in originally, and things you can not imagine would have an impact on trailer integrity.  We work taking into account all with the cumulative experiences we have, with avoidance of any possible problems as the goal, not just dealing with what appears to be the obvious problems. We use methods to back up and overlap other methods to ensure problems don't develop. Time tested, experience created methods.
This type of vision can not be had by anyone without very strict goals and commitments, a thorough understanding of all the problems, how they relate to those with chemical sensitivities, not just what appear or are visible, and lots of experience in each area.

My words do not convey the gravity of this situation. Though immediate results may be obtained from any effort directed toward cleaning up an environment, everyone should understand that the risks involved are tremendous, and that most home owner projects result in compromised projects relative to health and overall quality. I have even seen [over the years] professionals fall on their face in this area, never mind weekend warriors. They do one or two projects and all of a sudden they are "experts". Generally, if not right away, a short time after their projects are completed, problems develop that many times are unfixable without total rebuilds. Valuable time, financial resources, friendships, relationships- all gone. Obviously there are exceptions to this, and personally I hope that every project will be a successful one. We hate to hear of any problems like this. But we must be honest. Skills in this area are not obtainable by theoretical analysis, book study, or discussion.  It is gleaned through time with the loss of blood, sweat, and tears of environmental illness.

There are a number of new people out there doing what they call healthy trailer renovations. Some may even say they are associates of ours. It is critical that people know we support none of these people, as we don't know anyone who is capable of  this work. We are recommending all potential clients check the history and credentials of people out closely, unless they expect to be fooled about their capabilities. Do they have chemical sensitivities- another words, do they understand this area? How do they determine what is a risk and what is not a risk? What is their qualification? We do not consider that simply knowing us or some one else who is chemically sensitive to be a qualification for this type of work.

Now a days, anyone can be a so called " expert"  in any area, all they need is a sign with their name on it! We do not subscribe to or support this nonsense consciousness. We are of the old school pattern where a person earns credentials relative to his ability, experience and training. Not every one has the ability or is qualified to be a doctor or a sanitation person! It may be possible for a person to train to do this work, but being successful in any specific area requires a consciousness that must be lived. This is why we recommend team participation for projects that involve multiple skills. Each area is no less important than the other, and how they intertwine with each other is essential for a successful outcome. We don't use people who feel they "want" to do something,  we choose people who are assuredly qualified for their area!
It is not about people with good intentions, nice guys or trying to help out, it is about people with years of [successful] experience.

We recommend people play the role they are best at, and don't deceive people into thinking they are something else. This is dishonest, deceiving and will cause great trouble for all people involved. If you are a contractor, let your clients know when your experience is limited so you do not get into a situation where your integrity is destroyed by a failed project and a disappointed client, or you are financially liable for your mistakes. Get support from a professional- I can tell you that that good technical support will easily pay for itself, and in most cases, save you more money, frustration and time than you can imagine. If you are a client with someone assisting you, take the time to plan the project in advance, write it all up in contract form, and have it analyzed by a professional so you do not loose all your financial resources, your health and possibly a good friend with a big heart.

Thank you and best wishes,

TTHH

For photos of ongoing projects, trailers for sale, and so on, see the following page!!

Airstreams for Sale

• Tad Taylor's Healthy Homes- LLC