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Small Cabin Forum / Cabin Construction / How far can I get on $5500?
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HopefulHomemaker
Member
# Posted: 22 Jun 2012 04:29
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I know, I know - it depends a lot on local prices and such. But it looks like that's about how much we can have saved up by the end of the summer (meaning by the time I go on maternity leave and stop bringing in any money) and so that's the most we'll have to start making a dent in the house that we hope to move into next year. So help me with a ballpark, so we can start making some kind of a plan. Just the floor? The shell, at least? Can we get it to a state that it would be liveable as a temporary home while we work on finishing it? It's a 16x20 with a half loft and porch, set on foundation grade lumber posts, and eventually will be insulated (probably with fiberglass, sadly) but will not have any plumbing or electric. We won't have to do any clearing, but will probably have to rent some a generator and possibly other tools. How much can I expect to pay to at least get this beauty standing?
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OwenChristensen
Member
# Posted: 22 Jun 2012 06:57
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All of it, At least if that's not whole log construction and your doing it all yourself, and you don't waste wood.

This 12 x 24 cost about $5,000 in materials.

Owen
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jbos333
Member
# Posted: 22 Jun 2012 07:21
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Well it looks like you can get a similar shell completely erected for $25000ish, if you don't do any of the work yourself. That's on the Christmas + Assoc. website.
I've never priced out anything smaller than 900 sq. ft. because, alas, I cannot build anything under 900 due to building code. But everybody seems to come back at $20-25 per sq. ft. for a completed shell. It probably would be substatially higher per sq. ft. for a smaller structure like yours.
DIY material only should be around $10-15/sq ft which falls in line with what OwenChristensen said above.
Oh how I wish I could "get away" with building only 320 sq. ft.!

VTweekender
Member
# Posted: 22 Jun 2012 07:33 - Edited by: VTweekender
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If you walk into a store and pay retail off the shelf for everything then I agree with Owen, $4500-5000 would be close to completing the shell. But there is really no need to go that route especially since you will be saving the money over the next several months. You could pick up windows, doors , shingles , some lumber etc..etc...off craigslist (under materials) (look under free too) at super deals as you go and store them until needed.....also watch scratch and dent sales....used material stores...tag sales. Be patient when scouring craigslist and places, wait for what you want, and at the right price. If you do find deals then you can figure on about $11-12 per square foot for the shell going that route and building yourself, shell standing as you say. If you walk into the store and say gimme this and gimme that then you will wind up around $17 sq ft.

I am in the same situation as you, have not built yet and looking at a budget, but no time frame for me. Here is what I have picked up and in the shed so far.
6 - 8' pressure treated 6x6 = free roadside find
12'x4' pressure treated deck cut into 4' sections = free craigslist
3 like new 24x48 vinyl windows with grids = $50 for all 3 craigslist
2 like new 21x36 vinyl windows = $75 for both craigslist
1 small slider window = free roadside find
1 prehung standard metal insulated door = free roadside find
4 pc. kitchen cabinets good cond. 1 bottom/3 top = $100 craigslist
1 nice wood rocking chair = free craigslist
13 lengths PVC pipe, 8-10' lengths of 2 and 3" = free roadside

jbos333
Member
# Posted: 22 Jun 2012 07:49
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http://www.luckylumber.com/luckys_package_homes.htm

You can check out this site for an idea on material pricing, even though they're not in your area I think it's fairly accurate.

These are "kits" which are usually higher than just buying the seperate components. But if you look at their smallest option, 20x24, it comes in at around $12/sf; shell without floor is 4999.00 and the floor system is 999.000. So 5998.00 for 480 sq. ft. Prices are a little old, though.

Also, if you do put together a package at a retail big box or other building supply, often you can get a 10% or better discount on the whole package. Shop the mom and pop lumber yards too, I was surprised that sometimes they will beat the big guys on price.

customrunner
Member
# Posted: 22 Jun 2012 12:19 - Edited by: customrunner
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HopefulHomemaker
Yes it can be done I live in BC Canada were prices are not cheep and I am close to finishing my 16'x20' cabin and I have done all the work myself and My cost to date is about $4000.00 and that is with T&G pine interior, cabinets, counters, fixtures, flooring and fire place and the extiror finished with ceadar siding, shakes, meatal roofing, vinal windows, steal door and the deck. All matirials were new (purchased second hand make craigs list and your local used building stores your friend...)
Good luck you can do it...
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HopefulHomemaker
Member
# Posted: 22 Jun 2012 14:47
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That is very encouraging, thank you! We're complete building n00bs so I expect we'll have some waste and make some mistakes, so our cost will probably be higher that what y'all have paid for yours. But it's good to hear that we can at least get mostly done with our current budget. We do intend to shop at the local salvage place up that way for windows and doors and such, but have nowhere to store anything now, so at the moment we can't really collect other materials. When we finish the inside though, I plan on picking up everything I can off Craigslist and the like for free or cheap. I can de-ugly anything that's too bad, as long as it's sturdy.

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