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Small Cabin Forum / Cabin Construction / Cabin building cost 2019
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# Posted: 2 Jun 2019 14:24
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Hello everyone.
I'm new to the forum but I love and actively participate in many other diy forums. I've just closed on a 5 acre parcel, which is a long awaited dream come true for me.

I saved up for 2 years and had plans to one day build a cabin, but I ended up with some money left over (just under 5k) and was thinking I could start now. With the summer just beginning it seems perfect. So I discovered this site and have been reading and drawing like crazy.

My question is: Can I build most of a cabin exterior myself with 5k?
I want a one bedroom with bathroom and kitchen/front room open floor plan and a loft for visitors. I was thinking a 16x40 floor plan would be nice but could easily adjust that. Pier sonotube foundation framed with in with dimensional lumber.

I realize I've a great deal to learn, and am mainly looking for ballpark figures. Thanks for taking the time, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 2 Jun 2019 15:28 - Edited by: toyota_mdt_tech
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Is a permit required? I ask because there is a certain time frame it needs to be completed. You can get an extension, but more $$$ and after one extension, may have to renew permit, same price as original. My area, we had 24 months, then extension would get me 18 more months, after that, permit again.

The time for permit, extension and renewal can vary. With 5K, my lumber pkg was almost 5K in 2008 and I was only 288 sq feet, but I used no OSB, all plywood, 2X6 studs and treated decking. This did not include my foundation (i did full footer/stemwall) and that was $3800 in itself. I did contract that out and it included all rebar, concrete and inspection.

This was for a dried in shell, finished on the outside. Bare studs inside, no mechanical s, insulation etc. You can continue to save while you build. I kept saving and had 14K to play with, I was unsure of the cost, so just keep saving and had way more than I needed. But I wanted to make sure money wasn't going to stall me.
I might add, lumber prices were very low when I built mine, there was a slump in the building industry and a glut of lumber. 1/2" plywood was $11 a sheet!

Take your plans to a lumber store, they can get you a price for all materials. Mine included Tyvek, felt paper for roof, all windows, no doors, no metal for roofing.

Nate R
Member
# Posted: 2 Jun 2019 15:39
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Also depends on many other factors. Window costs/quality, siding types.

I'm planning on spending more than $5K in windows and doors alone on my 20x30 cabin, but that doesn't mean it can't be done for a fraction of that!

Just make sure you understand any tradeoffs you make. X brand might be the cheapest, but would saving more and doing Y brand, or another method of something be worthwhile? Personal decisions, most of these, but important ones.

rockies
Member
# Posted: 2 Jun 2019 18:13
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Well, your cabin is 640 sq' in size so if you divide that into $5000 you get $7.81 to spend per square foot (including tax). That's not much, especially if you need to have anyone come out and do the most difficult stuff like installing concrete piers or putting on the roof.

The most critical thing will be getting the place dried in before winter. There's no point starting and then leaving it open and the weather ruins it.

I would go down to the lumberyard and price out 2x4's, 2x6's, joists, rafters, plywood, shingles etc and get a rough idea of the costs.

I might suggest that you build the cabin in stages. First a 16 x 20' section, then just continue the roof out to add on the second phase.

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# Posted: 3 Jun 2019 01:24
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Is there any truth to this? http://www.goodshomedesign.com/build-this-cozy-cabin-for-under-4000/ they changed it to build this cabin for 6000. But is this possible?

Nobadays
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# Posted: 3 Jun 2019 07:12
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The article includes a materials list.... jump on Home Depot or Lowes website and price out the lumber in 2019 dollars. In an hour or so you should have a pretty good idea.

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 3 Jun 2019 12:44
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Dont build 16ft wide. Go 20ft. 16ft is just to skinny.

Just
Member
# Posted: 3 Jun 2019 13:26
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Klick on my member tag “just” to the right ,then klick on 7 day build .I did it for 3500$ in2017 .good luck
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