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Small Cabin Forum / Cabin Construction / Kits are a joke, and a rip off.
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Anonymous
# Posted: 24 Dec 2011 09:41pm
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Kits are just a way for people to make easy cash off people who have no plans,materials list and no imagination. Go to home depot, they sell shed kits for 3 to 4 times what it cost to build it. when you buy a kit, you still have to build it. We just finished a 30x30 cabin with loft, all steel roof and siding, insulated windows, foam insulation, all new applances, stove, hot water heater,washer, fridge for only 18,000.00

Jared
Member
# Posted: 24 Dec 2011 09:51pm
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Got a drawing of the floorplan? I'd be interested in seeing it. I'll spend all this coming year trying to find a floor plan and refine it to meet our tastes and I'd like to see any example I can.

MtnDon
Member
# Posted: 24 Dec 2011 10:05pm
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Not everyone can saw a straight line let alone draw one. Not everyone knows how to calculate rafter size let alone how to cut them. Etc etc. I've seen some projects in other places where the owner-builder should have used a kit.

I'm happy to hear you have the skills to plan and build; perhaps you could show those viewers who are unsure of their abilities to complete a cabin project on their own how you designed and built your cabin?

Merry Christmas!!

TomChum
Member
# Posted: 25 Dec 2011 12:29am - Edited by: TomChum
Reply 


Quoting: Anonymous
Kits are just a way for people to make easy cash off people who have no plans,materials list and no imagination.


Mr Anonymous, I think you under-estimate the value of social skills. You may also under-estimate the value of the design-build skills that you may possess. Kits are overpriced for people who have your skills, but are reasonable for everyone else.

I think kit prices are held reasonable by the constraints of the free-market. Kit prices that are too high don't sell very well.

PA_Bound
Member
# Posted: 25 Dec 2011 03:15pm
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@Anonymous- Be careful here. One man's "joke, and a ripoff" is another man's palace! I didn't buy a kit, but I did buy a shed to finish inside that is, in your opinion, probably no better. I certainly could have built the shed- I have skills with tools, built another cabin in the past, have a fast internet connection for research, a great library close that's filled with construction-related books, friends that build houses for a career and, of course, this wonderful forum for specialized guidance. What I didn't have was the time to build it from the ground up. For me, buying a kit/shed was a great solution to that problem. Will it be as nice as other cabins on this forum? Absolutely not! But I'm just as happy as those cabin owners as it certainly beats the 18degreeF, 4'x6' pup-tent I slept in the last time I spent an overnight on the land.

Retired
# Posted: 25 Dec 2011 06:28pm
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Kits are fine if you don't have the time. Like someone stated you will still have to follow directions from the plans they give you to put it together anyway. So you will still have the problems that go with that as well. Building from scatch you will get overall a better finished product. Building plans are everywhere on the internet, a person with no experience definately needs a set of working drawings. Cabin plans are pretty simple, as far as trusses or the roof structure, you can always hire an experienced carpenter or two for five days or so, and the electrician and plumber can be hired as well. All three are worth the money, the rest can be done with books, research on the internet and help from the suplier of the building products you purchase. Part of it is picking a plan that is not to elaborate. I built a Kenora II and hired two carpenters to help with the trusses, dormer and gabel end walls, sheet the roofs, $2000, plumber $700, shower toilet kitchen sink ruffed in. Haven't done the electrical yet but will hire it out as well.

Anonymous
# Posted: 26 Dec 2011 01:04am
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Only 18,000!! I'll buy two.. In cash even lol..

Swamphunter
Member
# Posted: 26 Dec 2011 03:33pm - Edited by: Swamphunter
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Wow.... Anonymous really has a strong way about him. I too agree that a kit costs a lot more than to build one entirely by yourself, but not everyone has the time or the ability. I went off a kit design, but am stick framing my own cabin. There is no need to be sarcastic to those on the forum that may not be carpenters by trade. Many guys in here are business professionals and family people with neither time, the tools or the skill to build what you allege to have built. IF you have built what you CLAIM, show some pics... let us use your inspiration... sign in and be a member.. lots of good guys and gals in here... you can even try being friendly too...

Erins#1Mom
# Posted: 26 Dec 2011 05:30pm
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there are a range of cabins here on the forum. Several expensive but most not so. I have never built anything other than a platform bed. I do a few home repairs (changing out lightswitches, etc). I am no expert. If I had the money, I would have already bought a kit. Why, because I can't wait to get into a cabin. But, I don't have the money for a kit. So, I wait and wait and wait.... On one of my last visits to the local HD, I was in the two story shed with my husband showing him how I would lay it out for a cabin. The salesman walked in. When I explained what I was doing, he asked if I could come back another day and talk to the manager. He wants to set up the shed as a cabin with my suggestions. Anomymous, I do have imagination and a plan.
YOU MISS THE POINT. IT'S ABOUT THE CABIN LIFE NOT HOW YOU GET THERE.

larry
Member
# Posted: 26 Dec 2011 07:02pm
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my needs were more time oriented and not money driven. it cost me about $14,000 U.S. for my cabin including the furnishings. it is 12'x32' and took 4 days to build including foundation. not so bad i thought.

mrmiji
Member
# Posted: 26 Dec 2011 07:12pm
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I hate to see threads like this in this forum. It's like a cancer.

Erins#1Mom
# Posted: 26 Dec 2011 07:19pm
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I agree. We each build according to our ability and funds. Any build is a good build whether we do it ourselves or build shed and adapt it to our needs. A RETREAT, a REFUGE from the day to day life we must live. THE END GOAL OF EVERYONE HERE IS TO HAVE A CABIN. Sorry to shout! and I don't even have one yet.

mrmiji
Member
# Posted: 26 Dec 2011 07:26pm
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Ma'am,

So well said.

Borrego
Member
# Posted: 26 Dec 2011 07:27pm
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Quoting: Erins#1Mom
and I don't even have one yet.

When are you going to start? :-)

Erins#1Mom
# Posted: 26 Dec 2011 07:30pm
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Borrego,
I pray to start soon. I have septic approval. Need building permit and have $1500 in cash to start.

naturelover66
Member
# Posted: 26 Dec 2011 07:39pm
Reply 


Erins mom.. ...... you will get there.... And I agree with you....its about the retreat. I wish only members could post here...... Maybe the haters would stay away.

mrmiji
Member
# Posted: 26 Dec 2011 07:47pm
Reply 


I'm drawing chalk lines on the floor for a modified Feenix build with a shed roof. I'm going with a 12X12X14' tall but will put a rotomolded shed on another site on the ranch for guests that choose not to camp. My current blind has a hammock in it and it was constructed from a shipping crate. My ranch will have a full spectrum of construction methods.

Erins#1Mom
# Posted: 26 Dec 2011 07:49pm
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mrmiji,
that's what i'm talking about!

mrmiji
Member
# Posted: 26 Dec 2011 07:51pm
Reply 


Time to let the hair on your back to go down now, though.

mrmiji
Member
# Posted: 26 Dec 2011 07:56pm
Reply 


Hey, Erins#1Mom, if you can find a way to give me your pay pal or something I can send you cash to, I'd happily send 100 dollars to you to support your cabin construction and for nothing more than to take ownership of a miserable thread. I like the camaraderie of this site.

Erins#1Mom
# Posted: 26 Dec 2011 08:31pm
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mrmiji,
Offer much appreciated. However, I am a proud northeast tennessee hillbilly woman. I will remember your offer and may remind you of it in the future in my own southern style. God Bless.

naturelover66
Member
# Posted: 26 Dec 2011 08:50pm
Reply 


warms your heart.......... this forum.

Erins#1Mom
# Posted: 26 Dec 2011 08:55pm
Reply 


Amen..... I am thankful every day. This is what keeps me sane; being able to come here and look at what everyone is doing.

larry
Member
# Posted: 27 Dec 2011 09:44am
Reply 


MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Erins#1Mom
# Posted: 27 Dec 2011 02:47pm
Reply 


I'm registered as ErinsMom but keep forgetting my password.

Borrego
Member
# Posted: 27 Dec 2011 05:45pm
Reply 


Quoting: mrmiji
Hey, Erins#1Mom, if you can find a way to give me your pay pal or something I can send you cash to, I'd happily send 100 dollars to you to support your cabin construction and for nothing more than to take ownership of a miserable thread. I like the camaraderie of this site.


Great idea, make something good out of this thread....I'd throw in a few bucks, more if I could find some work out there. Or ErinsMom, have a big party and we'll all show up and work (gotta have lots of beer though :-)
And I'm originally a Virginian so I understand that Southern pride. A blessing and a curse at times. Happy New Year!

adakseabee
Member
# Posted: 27 Dec 2011 07:57pm
Reply 


Better make that non-alcoholic beer or you may end up with a cabin that will need a lot of "we'll need to fix that later" work! :)

turkeyhunter
Member
# Posted: 27 Dec 2011 08:29pm - Edited by: turkeyhunter
Reply 


Quoting: Borrego
Great idea, make something good out of this thread....I'd throw in a few bucks, more if I could find some work out there. Or ErinsMom, have a big party and we'll all show up and work (gotta have lots of beer though :-)


i would show up for a "cabin raising" for sure!!!!!!
and i will throw in 3 windows i had left over from my build....and a 1/2 roll of house wrap---- lets break ground!!!!!

trollbridge
Member
# Posted: 27 Dec 2011 08:37pm
Reply 


Quoting: adakseabee
"we'll need to fix that later"
SSSHHHHHH...none of us has had any of those problems here ;-)

fthurber
Member
# Posted: 27 Dec 2011 09:19pm
Reply 


My wife suggested a "Roofing Party" with our friends...HA! We would lose a lot of friends.

Maybe when we do the siding we can do a Cabin Raising / siding party; that would be fun and no one will get killed.

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