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dtucker73
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# Posted: 11 Jul 2014 14:21
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Background - My family owns land that is part of restricted indian land in Oklahoma. The property is very rural and wooded but not that far from paved roads. Others have lived on different sections of the property in the past including my grandparents. Permits are not required so that's an expense I don't have to worry about. Septic is still there and usable as far as I know and electric services were used on the section that I want to build on at one time before so the pole is there (the meter is no longer there though of course).
It is my dream to build and live on this land that my ancestors lived on and raised their families. I would love to build a one room cabin with a small kitchen and small basic bathroom so it would have plumbing and electric. I'm thinking something around 14'x24' and something that I might be able to add on to in the future if I decide to. Can anyone give me a ball park figure as to what something like this might cost in materials alone? I have people that can clear land and do carpentry and electrical work for next to nothing so labor itself isn't too much of an issue. I would like something economical but sturdy at the same time.
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Steve961
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# Posted: 11 Jul 2014 15:42
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I did some cost estimates recently for an owner built 20x24 cabin and came up with about $35/sq ft. It would be single story, concrete slab, 2x4 studs, trusses, fiberglass insulation, OSB sheathing, lap siding, drywall interior, laminate floors, Ikea kitchen cabinets, etc. Unfortunately it's hard to extrapolate this cost to your location and needs. So much depends on local material costs and labor in your area, and also what level of finishes you expect in a cabin.
You can also reduce your costs dramatically by scouring Craigslist and ReStore (Habitat for Humanity) for good deals on building materials.
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Shadyacres
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# Posted: 11 Jul 2014 16:32
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I started adding up some of my costs for my 20 X 30 on a 1-04-14 post in my ( 20 X 30 in central PA) post in "members projects and photos". I do plan to sit down someday and add up the total cost. I think I will be surprised as to how much it will be. It really depends on how you plan to construct it. There can be a lot of shortcuts and savings if that is what you want. Hope this helps a little . Shady Acres
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rayyy
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# Posted: 12 Jul 2014 08:21
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Iv'e been in my cabin for 4 years now and I'm still spending lots of money on improving things.I fear running out of ideas on projects to do so I'm always thinking up new things to add to my To-Do list.I just finished building a new and improved chicken coop.I rearranged the horses run in shed in the barn to make room for more hay and a place to park the truck inside in the winter time.Still gots lots to do on the list,no problem there!
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bldginsp
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# Posted: 12 Jul 2014 10:56
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You sound pretty iffy about septic and electric. Better verify that they are available, if not, they could be expensive. What about water?
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dtucker73
Member
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# Posted: 12 Jul 2014 14:24
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Steve961 - Thanks! That is helpful and i will definitely plan on using our local habitat for humanity store and craigslist to shave as much off the cost as I can.
Shadyacres - I'll check out your post. Thanks!
Rayyy - I bet that happens a lot. I really want to get at least the basic structure up enough to live in and then improve it from there.
bldginsp - I'm really only interested in the actual cost of the structure materials. I already have the cost of the septic and utilities.
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 13 Jul 2014 16:34
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I'd guess a dried in shell, 14X24 would be 13K in materials. Using good stuff. No OSB. And this is a full footing/stem wall foundation. You doing the labor. This is probably high estimate. If you build with efficiency, then expect to save money. Lay it out in such a way, little wood goes to waste. Example, gable end sheathing, if its over 4 feet high, its going to take twice as much, but if its 4 feet high, the part you cut off, flip it and use it on the other side/gable, ie comes in 8 foot long sheets etc. Stuff like this saves you money. Use multiples of 2 feet for dimensions as much as you can. (14X20 is a good start, but consider 16X20???) but 4 foot multiples is better.
We had a thread on ways to save money in building a while back.
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dtucker73
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# Posted: 15 Jul 2014 11:13
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toyota_mdt_tech - This is great information and very helpful. Thanks! I'm not planning on building for another year so I can save some $$ in the mean time and look at the best money saving and efficient ways to build. I will definitely consider 16x20. Would you say that most people build from plans they order or do most just sketch out their own and build?
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Shadyacres
Member
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# Posted: 16 Jul 2014 19:16
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Easycabindesigns.com has very reasonable plans that you can follow or tweek a little if you want.
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redlandfd
Member
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# Posted: 16 Jul 2014 19:20
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I'm in eastern Oklahoma, so our costs comparisons are going to be similar. ToyotaMDT is right on the number; I came up with 11K. That's with a metal roof (low pitch), t-11 plywood siding, low-end windows and doors, electrical and plumbed to existing connections; but I figured it on a 16 x 24 with concrete block piers and a framed floor, some interior paneling. Add a central air and heat pump and you'll be at that 13k mark. If there is a septic tank, then there is a well or water meter on the property somewhere. They wouldn't have installed a septic tank without it. Keep us updated
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 16 Jul 2014 21:40
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Quoting: dtucker73 toyota_mdt_tech - This is great information and very helpful. Thanks! I'm not planning on building for another year so I can save some $$ in the mean time and look at the best money saving and efficient ways to build. I will definitely consider 16x20. Would you say that most people build from plans they order or do most just sketch out their own and build?
I bought mine from http://www.townandcountryplans.com and moved a few things around, ie a window, interior walls, simplified it and made it more efficient.
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dtucker73
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# Posted: 17 Jul 2014 17:20
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redlandfd - thanks, that's helpful. I've been trying to locate people in my general area to compare costs since I know location plays a big part in what materials can cost. Would love to see pics of your cabin if you have them posted anywhere.
toyota-mdt-tech - I love these plans and some of them are exactly what I was picturing. Thanks!
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 17 Jul 2014 21:36 - Edited by: toyota_mdt_tech
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Quoting: dtucker73 redlandfd - thanks, that's helpful. I've been trying to locate people in my general area to compare costs since I know location plays a big part in what materials can cost. Would love to see pics of your cabin if you have them posted anywhere. toyota-mdt-tech - I love these plans and some of them are exactly what I was picturing. Thanks!
I built the Whitehorse, I have some details from start to present day at: http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/6_431_0.html
Get a few extra sets too. I used whiteout to make adjustments to the plans to submit to the county.
Just looking at the first photo where my foundation and lumber pkg was all that existed and cant believe how tall the trees have gotten since then? That was taken in summer of 08.
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redlandfd
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# Posted: 23 Jul 2014 22:16
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Here is the thread that has some pics of mine right after we finished it (the outside is much neater now than in the pics)
http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/6_1824_0.html
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