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SantanaWoods
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# Posted: 9 Mar 2015 05:50pm
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Hello good folks
I just found this site and am very happy to see so many like-minded people in one place.
I am planning a small cabin and a bit concern with the cost.
If you have built a cabin what was the cost per square ft (construction not the land)? I understand there are many variables and different locations can change the price. But I am trying to form a general idea. It might help others too. Please include how many sqr ft (or sqr meters) and how long did it take to complete your project.
Thanks a bunch in advance.
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Jeremy
Member
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# Posted: 9 Mar 2015 08:35pm
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double what you expect... I have about will have about 12k into mine. thats without water or electric hook ups.
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BadgersHollow
Member
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# Posted: 9 Mar 2015 09:27pm
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Go big or go small. Check out this link. I bought his 7 dollar ebook and it gives you materials and step by step. He says his 14x14 cost 2k. It is not a palace, but I may go for it. I stumbled on it by answering a craigslist ad for lumber. I got 18 2x6, 4 4x4, 6 4x8 osb, and the ebook for 100. It's enough to get the framing for a floor and corner posts. Maybe someone else here knows this plan and can say on good or bad. The info is mid page, the 14x14 one.
http://www.simplesolarhomesteading.com/
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 9 Mar 2015 10:02pm
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Under $4K gets you a roughed in 12 x 10 A frame with 4' tall pony walls, 4x4 timber construction on bricks and skids
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Littlecooner
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# Posted: 9 Mar 2015 10:08pm
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I think the answer will run a wide range on their price for construction. It all depends on the mind set of the person doing the construction. There are really great bargains out there in the construction industry for small cabins, used lumber, seconds, free stuff, that can be obtained for a small fraction of the cost of the guy running down to Lowes or Home Depot and buying every thing new and shinny. A lot of nice stuff for sale on Craigs list if you shop for your needs. Rough saw lumber from a local saw mill, stacked for your own air drying vs the stuff at the local supply store. Large construction sites usually surplus out the unused supply and shopping can produce some wonderful bargains on top of the line fixtures at greatly reduced prices over run of the mill supplies. That's the fun for me of building my cabin, to see just how little I can spend to have my own great place. Roofs on and main cabin is 12x20 with two side porches complete, a lot more to go but I have spent about $600 so far. I hope to complete the 240 sq ft of living space for around $ 2500 total which will be around $ 10 a sq ft. We will see at the end.
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Just
Member
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# Posted: 9 Mar 2015 10:34pm - Edited by: Just
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9 x 12 closed in last fall Canada $2400 used doors and windows .skids on blocks . 8 days two builders
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Jim in NB
Member
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# Posted: 10 Mar 2015 05:56am
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"Just" you did well! I have constructed to small cabins - the first is finished inside & out 12x14 with 6" insulated walls - used windows & doors, softwood floor, metal roof - $3600. The other 8x12 used windows & doors, metal roof, cedar shingles - including two days of a carpenter's time - $1700. In my experience anything but a metal roof is foolish - easier to install and costs less - yes less. By the time you sheath, install some tar paper, buy the shingles - the cost is actually more than metal with strapping. A real joy is the installation - metal is soo much easier. And the peace of mind that comes with knowing you will never have to re do it. Shingles in Canada have gone down hill - even the good 25 year shingles aren't lasting 20 years!
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creeky
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# Posted: 10 Mar 2015 09:23am
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10x14. $3500. Super insulated foam (kijiji). Used door. Kijiji windows. Vented propane heater. 100lb tank w/first fill.
I'll ditto on the metal roof. Took me 1 hr to install the long side of the roof. By myself. Looking forward to doing metal for the walls next.
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Steve_S
Member
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# Posted: 10 Mar 2015 10:02am
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Right along there with Creeky... KIJIJI RULES !!! If you have the cash in pocket and can watch the deals & be ready to act when a good deal pops up you can save heaps of cash. I saved so much on Foam Insulation, Doors, Windows and more thanks to Kijiji.
Costs will depend on many many things....
Are you building it or will someone else build it.
Are you going to sub-contract out stuff ? like electrics or foundations etc...
Location, Location & Location, that always affects costs of materials, labour and goodies available through Kijiji & other sources.
Other considerations like 4 season Cabin or not and as your in Canada location + intended usage + insulation will have an effect on costs.
Do you have all your own tools ? Will you have to buy some ? Can you borrow the few that you may only need once ? Tools & Equipment can certainly add massive numbers onto your costs. BUT... Tools are an investment so I don't really equate that to the cost of building "one project", there is always more projects.
Time & how long it takes to build depends on the amount of hands involved and time available. A neighbour of mine (5 km away) decided last fall to "pop-up" 2 8x12's with shed roofs for his rabbits and storage... He (74) and his wife (70) had them up & roofed in 3 days with windows & doors installed. Built on "18x18x6 Cottage Blocks" with 6x6 skids/rails. They of course have the tools & kit to lift everything up but impressive nevertheless.
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SantanaWoods
Member
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# Posted: 10 Mar 2015 11:48am - Edited by: SantanaWoods
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I thank you all for your answers and hope it continues. I learned so much already.
My plan is:
150 sqr ft at most, composting toilet, no electricity (yup) shower and tub (maybe even a sauna if I can figure out how to build it)
4 season insulation and most of the work will be done by yours truly and a lazy but cheerful gf.
I wonder if it would be less expensive to build on two floors or a bigger footprint on one floor. Any opinions?
I am planning to use rubble and tire foundations. I am pretty experienced in wood working but have no power tools. Which I guess I would need to rent at least a saw. This is my midlife crisis in advance and no hurry. I am hoping to build a fireplace in the center to use for kitchen. So I am reading on stone work. (and metal roofs which I never thought about before but am considering now).
Based on your answers so far I think I have to have 5-7 k ready if I learn to shop smartly or 15 k if I don't. I am more optimistic than before.
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Steve_S
Member
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# Posted: 10 Mar 2015 12:49pm
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It's cheaper to build UP rather than out... You get the square footage but no need for extra foundation etc... but you get stairs or ladder which in later years can be an issue... for some.
4 Season build needs good insulation at all points (floors, walls & roof). Foam is by far the most energy efficient but can set you back quite a few bucks. That an be gotten around with careful shopping & Kijiji + Craigslist etc...
Have a peek at this from Lamar's site: Penobscot Cabin 12x20 Plans That would be a pretty sweet hideaway for 2.
You'll need (want) some power tools like Circular Saw, Table Saw, Mitre Saw etc... These are investments when you consider that you will likely be using them for more then just this 1st cabin... There will be shed's, shop, and a myriad of other things you'll get around to building....
Metal Roofing is terrific ! You just need patience, good metal snips, very good leather gloves. Found a local Amish Tin seller through Kijiji and no one can come close to his prices + they have the break-press to form the metal for trim, edges, etc which is also a heap load cheaper than any store offering.
Have a look for "Slip Form Masonry" which may be a pleasant surprise for ya... Here is a link to an article on it to get you started: dirtcheapbuilder / Stone Masonry
Foundation build really depends on "what" you are building on and what would be most appropriate for the site. If you have the land already go to the spot you want to put your cabin and dig a hole 4' deep 2' around and see what's in there. That will be the guide as to what you can put there.
You don't mention water. Water = life and without water you have problems. Well drilling averages $30-$40 per foot without casing, add an extra $15 for casing. Casing typically has to be a min. 2' above ground level, through the soil & 9-10' into bedrock. Have a peek at your neighbours and ask them how deep their wells are. Our well cost me $14,000 @ 230' deep last fall. 3 weeks of fracture drilling through granite. In Ontario we have this: Map: Well records which allows you to look at the registered wells (all must be) which tells you when it was dug, how deep, method used and by who. I'd think other provinces have similar accessible datasets.
Always add 20% to any budget as contingency / slush. Prices always seem to magically go up, just when you need product X. Or you hit a problem that takes extra to fix.
Mid-Life crisis or Mid-Life realization ? My vote is for awakening / realization as crisis implies major problem and becoming more self-sufficient is more of a solution than a problem.
Depending on region / locality... building regs & rules vary a lot, so before grabbing your shovel & hammer get educated about your township / county and the requirements, minimums etc... Many here can attest to some seriously flawed & idiotic rules & regs which can really mess up the simplest of plans. (Often written by bureaucrats who have only seen photo's of hammers and could not conceive of actually using one)
BTW: Our building inspector has been a tremendous resource and very helpful ! I've had him on-site a couple of times even before the spade hit the ground and afterwards as well and he's helped me around potential issues & problems, even gave me a couple of solutions which saved me thousands of dollars & a heap load of time... a very valuable resource ! NOT ALL ARE LIKE THAT 
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TheWildMan
Member
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# Posted: 10 Mar 2015 02:49pm
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it depends on what its built out of, and how skilled you are if you do some or all the work, and what kind of tools or help you have available.
i would say it can be as low as $100 to build a cabin and as high as $100,000.
if i was building with logs and using an ax to hew them and make wood shingles, rocks for foundation, etc, the old way, i could do it for little more than the cost of the tools.
if i was inclined to build another cabin i would buy 1 or 2 logging trucks worth of log length aspen (16 foot logs). aspen (aka poplar) is a low value wood thats often left behind because it costs more to haul to the mill than its worth, buying these could be very cheap, they are also very light (like balsa wood) once dried and easy to work. with a chainsaw mill i would rough them out to squared logs on 3 sides. then let them sit and dry for 6 months under tarps. then i would use stone to build a foundation, raised up enough to keep the logs off the ground and away from rain splash. i would be able to move the dry logs alone (I am a big man). building with some logs as floor joists, then walls 16 by 16 (interior 15 by 15). logs used for a loft then a long roof that overhangs to keep the logs out of the rain. the close fitting squared logs could be easily chinked with clay and straw, and the joists covered with planks cut with the mill. the roof could be covered in planks as well then shingles made from cedar.
add windows, a door, and a wood stove. total costs under $1000, and the slab and waste and left over logs from all the milling could easily be turned into a good stash of low quality firewood.
if i ever decided to leave my current cabin this is what i would do.
if using mill slab and rough cut 2x4s from a regular mill, to make board and batton walls the same size building could also be made for about $1000.
a 12x20 storage shed could be delivered on site for $3300, then another $2000 to $3000 to finish the inside with insulation, paneling, a stove and some solar electric.
a shipping container could be picked up for $2000 and fitted out for $3000.
hope this gives you some of my cheaper ideas
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creeky
Member
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# Posted: 10 Mar 2015 05:04pm
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wildman. i have a bunch of big cottonwoods (also known as aspen, etc) they're around 35 years old, which means they're pretty big and dying. i think you gave me an idea. thx.
I have a tractor. so moving is not a problem. a chainsaw mill. any recommends?
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Nirky
Member
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# Posted: 10 Mar 2015 05:50pm
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Creeky, here's a good video of cutting big lumber with a chainsaw mill.
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Just
Member
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# Posted: 10 Mar 2015 09:39pm
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Quoting: creeky any recommends
Lee valley sells one of the best > $300 and one of the cheapest less than $$60
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TheWildMan
Member
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# Posted: 11 Mar 2015 01:06pm
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I just have a yukon mill that fits over a saw like a depth gauge, combined with a ripping chain i ordered for it. set up to use with the same saw i use to cut trees.
aspen are straight and easy to work. they were a choice cabin log in the past because they are so easy to work with.
i read in the Foxfire books that bigger trees used to be cut and milled into 6x6 beams/logs and those were used for cabins. if you were lucky you could get several logs out of the same tree. squaring at least 3 sides would make them fit so close to each other the gap was under a half inch and easy to chink, flat walls on the inside too. the outside i would leave for a log cabin look but historically they would have been squared up as well so people could use board siding when they could get it later, but thats just something people did when building frontier homes.
the aspen around here (quaking aspen and bigtooth aspen mostly, the cottonwood are uncommon) get about 12 inches in diameter at maturity, they grow fast so big trees might be under 20 years old, but they don't usually live more than 30, they grow fast and light. they are often uniform in size and very straight, if you have them they are very easy to work with. i don't so i would be buying if i used this plan myself (already living in another kind of cabin).
as a logger myself i know the market for these trees is very poor, mills don't pay much for them, and they are less than worthless as firewood (about 14,000 BTU per cord, compared to Ash at 19,000 BTU and sugar maple at 24,000 BTU, its a poor firewood). they are not worth anything to a sawmill so the only market that buys them is paper mills (they are choice wood for TP but not much else), and maybe wood pellet mills.
the old movie about grizzly adams, and the movie jerimiah jonson show aspen being used for cabins.
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toyota_mdt_tech
Member
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# Posted: 11 Mar 2015 04:31pm
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I have 14K in mine, its 16X18 and sparing no expense.
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SantanaWoods
Member
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# Posted: 12 Mar 2015 08:43am
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Thanks everybody for your generous answers.
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creeky
Member
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# Posted: 12 Mar 2015 05:53pm
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thanks for the saw tips also guys.
this sure has me thinking. I have a bunch of white and red pines that need to be thinned. an ash tree on the way out....
that wranglestar fella makes some good points at the end of his video too.
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BadgersHollow
Member
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# Posted: 12 Mar 2015 11:35pm
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I just picked up two new double pane vinyl windows, 5x5 and 5x3 for 20 bucks a piece. I'm slowly amassing some material, to hopefully keep cost down.
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carr0406
Member
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# Posted: 24 Jul 2015 04:30pm
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16x32 and cost is about 12k. Most purchases from Menards.
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toyota_mdt_tech
Member
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# Posted: 24 Jul 2015 09:51pm
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My number came to $59 a square foot. But I went hog wild on everything. I could of cut that in half and would of been just fine or even less that that. I banned all chip board/OSB, went ultra duty (I'm a heavy duty kind of person in building) 
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sambelletto
Member
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# Posted: 16 Dec 2020 11:48pm - Edited by: sambelletto
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Hey, I know this is an old thread but still a valid one for people considering how to proceed. I live in CA where prices tend to be high, well, on everything. I have just completed just about everything except siding and my cost is right around 3k for my 12x16 with loft. The only way I was able to do it so cheap was scrounging. I pulled over when I saw wood on the road, checked CL and nextdoor constantly. I stopped by construction sites and asked about their scraps (remodels and demos were the best) and ended up amassing just about everything I needed, doors and windows included, for free. I spent my money on the foundation and sheathing primarily plus all the odds and ends. Mind you, I started collecting the wood 18 months before I started the build and everyone thought I was nuts. My wife had several moments of 'get this sh*t out of the yard' but she's pretty pleased now. Even my siding is free as I'm using discarded redwood fence boards I picked up every time I saw a house getting a new fence.
I'm not saying this method is for everyone and it brought its own challenges - 60-100 year old wood can be hard as stone, transportation, storage etc. - but it is an option if you are patient, cheap, environmentally conscious, or all three, like me. It has been very satisfying to have all that hard work pay off and knowing that the material avoided the landfill.
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BobW
Member
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# Posted: 17 Dec 2020 11:52am
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Building codes determine price many places. Investigate before buying anything.
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socceronly
Member
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# Posted: 17 Dec 2020 02:25pm
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I just paid $7.50 for a single 2x4 bend like a hockey stick.....
Lumber here (Vancouver) has gone insane.
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Shadyacres
Member
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# Posted: 17 Dec 2020 03:33pm
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20 x 30 and well over 50000
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Shadyacres
Member
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# Posted: 17 Dec 2020 03:41pm
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If you go thru my thread , a 20 x 30 cabin in central PA I explain different costs. Actually lumber is a lot higher now then when I built. Good Luck , let me know if I can be of any help.
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Irrigation Guy
Member
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# Posted: 17 Dec 2020 04:33pm
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Quoting: Shadyacres 20 x 30 and well over 50000
Adds up quick
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Shadyacres
Member
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# Posted: 17 Dec 2020 04:47pm
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Irrigation Guy , yeah and lumber prices are up although I’m told they started coming back down but never seem to get where they were.
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Irrigation Guy
Member
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# Posted: 17 Dec 2020 05:25pm
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Quoting: Shadyacres Irrigation Guy , yeah and lumber prices are up although I’m told they started coming back down but never seem to get where they were.
I just did a quick list of what I spent in the past 2 years and I am nipping at the heels of $50,000 and I am not even done yet. If you count the tractor I bought we are way over 50,000. In order to get my wife on board I had to agree to making things a little more “comfortable†than I otherwise would have.
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