Building Alaska

New builders tackle the Alaskan wilds to construct off-the-grid cabins; first-time builder Nick learns he cannot use the trees on his build site for lumber; Brannon's team develops a unique foundation system to build on permafrost.

Nick fights the tides trying to retrieve pylons for his foundation, then he realizes he doesn't have the right equipment to dig postholes; Brannon's team gets stuck on the muddy trail bringing in more build materials.

Jere, Ben and Tim put the finishing touches on a 112-foot floating barge; they struggle to figure out how transport it to the water, then hurricane-force winds change their plans and delay the launch of the barge.

While hunting for driftwood, Nick experiences firsthand how dangerous Alaska can be; Jere and Ben's 112-foot barge starts its half-mile journey to the water, but nobody knows if they will make high tide.

Brannon's cabin build is slowed by rain and mud; a family fundraiser collects enough money to provide Nick with some help; Jere and Ben finally launch the barge and tug it to its new home in Sea Otter Sound.

Nick races to finish his cabin before his mother visits again; Nick and Kent design and build a honey bucket, also known as an Alaskan toilet; Brannon's team hauls a heavy wooden stove over the trail to install in the cabin.

All the builders enter the home stretch; Jere and Ben install interior and exterior siding, but their progress comes to a halt when they run out of stain and nails; Nick finishes the sleeping loft, builds a bathroom and adds outside trim.

Nick's father, Paul, returns to help put the finishing touches on the cabin; Brannon's team builds countertops and railings for the cabin, then, his client, Dick, arrives with his family to admire their newly finished lodge.