5 Ideas For Building A Cheap Hunting Cabin Under 10k

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5 Ideas For Building A Cheap Hunting Cabin Under 10k

With time hunting cabins have garnered huge popularity. If you’re looking for a shelter for a hunting session during winter days, hunting cabins come affordable to every individual. Even though these types of cabins are small and rustic, they are completely worth the price.

How to build a small hunting cabin under $10,000? The dollar amount depends on the size of the cabin you’re planning to build. For a small cabin, you could just be ready to spend under $10,000. However, apart from this, you can go for other alternatives too:

Yurt
Shipping Container Cabins
Prefabricated Cabins
Pole Barns

These can be great choices, and build your dream cabin without needing to spend a lot of your savings. Let’s discuss each of these options in further detail.

Small Cabins

Small cabins are the miniature version of big houses and are a little bigger than tiny houses. They are easy to stand on their own constructed foundation than wheels. However, they still retain the small stature characteristics of small houses.

Frankly speaking, such bare-bones small cabins can be easily constructed by just spending $500. However, you would have to wait for people to donate things like windows, stoves, and doors before you can start living. But it is totally possible.

The $500 cabins are a fragile form of Spartan, while hunting cabins are the luxurious space for a good living. Especially if you’re planning to build these cabins yourself with no experience, it will consume about eight months of your time to build.

With your $500, you will be able to build a cabin of around 16 by 10-foot size. It will be relatively small but will suffice your need as a staying place after hunting.

For building a small cabin, you should use logs for the purpose. Logs serve as the perfect medium between effectiveness and reasonable price, so they will best choice. Then simply bring your inner child joy in building the perfect Lincoln Log Small Cabin for yourself.

Surely, if you’re living in a state like Idaho or Colorado with forest acreage in your place, then you would know how to cut logs. So, after cutting logs by yourself, put them together by means of a square cut. If you’re okay with spending something more, then it is suggested to safeguard the wood against parasites and harsh weather.

Also, you can fill the gaps between the logs to prevent the wood from bugs. This as well preserves the quality of the log for a longer time. For sealing the cracks of the log, a log check sealant or rope caulk can be used.

The loft can also be included in the $500 budget as it fills the floor space and makes your cabin look better. Additionally, it can be extended out to any side for building a ladder further into the wall. But, ensure that the loft is secured tightly to the sides of the cabin.

When building the roof of your cabin, you would just require constructing some tresses at an angle of 45 degrees. Next, wrap a tarp of good quality around the roof. However, it wouldn’t be enough to hold the roof secured against harsh weather or large birds. For this, you would require to splurge a little on shingling the cabin roof for proper protection.

Conversely, it will be difficult to build a bathroom for the cabin in this budget. For you, in this scenario, the wood’s would be nature’s toilet, and rivers the nature’s showers. Not to forget to mention, your cooking skills are going to be tested with meager cooking space. So, you will have to learn to live on prepared meals and campfires during your hunting days.

Along the same line, the cabin would be lacking insulation or heating system. Thus, either you would have to wait for that donation to happen or spend a little to install a wooden stove. You could still exploit the caulk used in filling log gaps because propane is a good source of power. This will at least provide a little insulation, but you would still require a proper heating system.

Since we would construct an adequate cabin by just spending a little amount, you can’t complain about the cheap floor. Nevertheless, you can make the foundation of a concrete slab, but that would be an extra expense. So at best, on the floor, you can lay down a few cinder blocks after digging beneath the cabin. Then, just level the entire floor evenly.

Although, you would be risking your cabin with warping and burrowing animals perking in. This is because of the floating floor that is not connected to the cabin. But, apart from saving a lot, this type of floating floor does get the dirt off easily, which is crucial when constructing a cabin.

So, here we are. This was the cheapest possible way of building a small cabin. It is definitely small, rusty, and crafty, but then at this budget, this would be the best fulfilling cabin.

Yurts

Yurts are simply a version of the likable wants of mountain men and hippies. Both want it a little rough, except that hippies are a lot more inclined towards “glamping.”

When it comes to characteristics of a yurt, it is typically a better stable edition of tents. Unlike the small cabins, it stands on a wood platform, so you can say the floor is above the ground and has stable wooden flooring. Not to mention, it is good for keeping it warm and protecting against flooding or burrowing animals. It is easy to carry a yurt whenever there is a change in hunting location or weather change.

Compared to tiny portable houses, a yurt can be the same way carried along but causes a little inconvenience, especially when often relocated. These yurts are quite feasible without any doubt, but the wooden platform isn’t meant for frequent moving.

The total expenses of building a yurt will account for somewhere around $5000. However, if you wish to include certain upgrades, a budget of under $10,000 will be well suited. For me, the rough estimate came out to be about $8500.

I started with selecting a yurt of 6 feet in radius. Even if it’s a little small in size, I got to choose my own color. Well, that was kind of exciting! To my list, I added further a deadbolt, door awning, and screen door. The purpose of adding up awning was that it would avoid pilling up of snow straight in front of my yurt door. Not to forget to tell you, it will significantly reduce the chances of getting blocked with snow inside my yurt. Besides, I added gutters to the budget as it avoids pooling up of rainwater.

Every yurt already includes two windows. Thus, instead, I incorporated window covers and roof insulation in my budget. In addition, my yurt was in dire need of insulation to keep the place warm on cold chilly days, so I added that as well. Insulation avoids condensation growth that will further lead to various other issues.

I as well included a stove flashing. A stove flashing is required when you’re planning to put your wood stove in the yurt. So, you’d be requiring space for a vent for the pipe in your tent. Surely, including the wood stove in your yurt would not only make it harder to relocate the yurt but also comes with the extra cost. But then it makes hunting during extreme cold climates easier, so the extra cost wouldn’t be bothersome.

These yurts are generally made out of the architectural fabric of high-technology, whereas its dome is made of acrylic material. They have the capability of withstanding even against extreme climate. Therefore, they are highly demanded in states like Alaska. You can also include center posts to your yurt to increase the capacity of enduring snow load.

In contrast to small cabins, yurts can be customized as per your needs and budget. For instance, you can bring in revolving ceiling fans and modern appliances. Also, lights and furniture can be fitted that couldn’t be included in the crafty DIY small hunting cabin.

However, yurts too run a little low in case of plumbing and electric supply. You would have to run errands with installing solar panels, and that’ll be running by a generator. Solar panels make a great investment to the small yurts. In addition, hooking up a propane tank or gasoline power-driven generator can be used.

You can also add a water conductor and running water. However, just ensure that the water tank is filled up often and doesn’t run out of water. When it comes to defecation, self-composting bathrooms are becoming popular these days. This is because they convert human waste into fertilizer that can be used effectively. Thus, you can as well build a garden in your yurt.

Therefore, yurts are definitely a better version of hunting cabins. Although they come along with a higher price tag, one can’t deny the conformability offered. They are easily portable and can be used for the long term. Not to mention, the extra space and insulation provided in these yurts are definitely worth it.

Shipping Containers

Many people sell their previously owned shipping containers at a relatively discounted price. The other times, there are websites like craigslist.com where you can usually find on sale a shipping container. They are sold in two dimensions: 40x8x8 ft and 20x8x8 ft containers. The first one generally costs about $4000 and the second one around $2000.

The biggest disadvantage that comes along as a huge expense is the shipping cost when you purchase them through a company. They will ship the container wherever you want it, but the shipping charges are high. So, here comes craigslist.com for your rescue, as you will be purchasing locally without being troubled by shipping costs. In addition, you can inspect the shipping container beforehand, and of course, it is cheaper. The thing is, there might be chances of a damaged container being delivered when you’re buying it from a company.

So, you can purchase the already built range of container homes through websites like craigslist.com or etsy.com. There are people who construct shipping container homes to earn some money. Thus, you can contact them to buy such homes or someone else who builds them in exchange for some commission.

The usual problem encountered while constructing a cabin from shipping containers is the inadequate square footage offered. In shape, they are quite narrow but long, which makes them incompetent to use for installing hardware like closets that are essential.

However, they are the quickest and easiest to install among our list of hunting cabins. Especially, the transport companies that deliver these shipping containers have enabled swung trucks. With the help of these, the shipping container can effortlessly be lifted and placed on the foundation. Also, a rough terrain forklift can be rented in case of no crane or swung truck availability. After the container is successfully placed on the foundation, further a large crowbar should be used for making adjustments.

In case you’re planning to do it by yourself, then you should know that there are two choices while laying the foundation. So, you can either go for the concrete slab foundation or pier foundation.

The concrete slab foundations offer a more stable foundation for the container. It is also used when you’re not planning on moving the shipping container anytime from the place. I would suggest using embedded steel posts for welding the corners of the container to the foundation.

If you’re deciding to set up the base by a pier foundation, you’ll have to dig beneath two troughs. This is for making space to place cinder blocks on each side of the container. Also, place the cinder blocks down the middle part of the container at equal intervals at the same level. Most people prefer a pier foundation because they are on a good budget and offer the portability feature.

In comparison, pier foundations are less invasive, but concrete foundations provide more stable land. Another drawback that comes with a concrete base is that checking on wires and pipes can be, at times, a little difficult. However, the pier foundations offer space below the cabin because they are laid above the ground. So, you can check up on wires or set up an exterior insulation system below the cabin.

Additionally, you would require setting up windows and doors in your cabin, for which you would have to break through the walls. I suggest using jigsaws for working on small sections cutting and plasma cutters for the wall.

The floors of these shipping containers require to be taken care of with pesticides. For this, you can use epoxy for treatment and isopropyl alcohol for a quick solvent wash. The best thing is you can simply replace the floor as per your wish.

It is advised to first install a proper insulation system and then enclose the interior. The reason being it will avoid settling condensation as well as keep the place warm. You should better cover the foam insulation to prevent rats from eating off the wiring and destroying the system. After completing the insulation set-up, you can now start sealing up the cracks, if any.

Ahead of enclosing the container, you should complete the wiring of electricity and any plumbing installation that is left.

Similarly, gasoline or a power-driven solar generator can be effectively used for running power in the outlets. I also recommend the use of propane for running power appliances like water heaters or stoves.

When it comes to plumbing with shipping containers, you finally have enough space to construct a full bathroom. So, you would require a water tank for this purpose. However, make sure to regularly drain out the grey water and refill it with drinking water. You can attach it to an available septic tank or an automatic composting bathroom in the case of black water.

There are a few varieties of options for framing the container by using steel studs or wood studs for your space. Steel studs are a great choice for saving up space, but you’d be giving up on structural integrity. This is because they are not durable while holding up against drywalls. But it can be adjusted by setting the studs on small intervals. Plywood also works here if you’re building the container in moderate climate conditions.

Here, the wood studs offer better structural integrity and a strong foundation. Even though they take up a little more space than steel studs, they are worth the quality. They are equally durable for handling drywall weight. This makes these wood studs the ideal material for framing the container.

With these shipping containers, you wouldn’t require to construct a roof for your cabin. However, if you’re shifting to a place where it snows a lot, then building a simple shed roof is better. By following a few YouTube videos and calling over some friends for help, you can easily build the shed roof. Thus, in just a few days, your cabin would have a well-built standing roof.

I would definitely say here that these container cabins are easy to install but require a lot of work and effort. When it comes to budget, it would cost you around $10,000. You would require plumbing, sealing, setting up an insulation system, and many other set-ups in terms of work. Surely, that’s too much work, but you never know, it might be really fulfilling.

Prefabricated Cabins

With prefabricated cabins, you wouldn’t have to put in too much work. They can be installed easily and do not require on-site set up like yurts.

You could say that they are buildings that are constructed off-site than on-site. On completion, they are simply trucked to their place. These cabins are constructed in typical warehouses that prevent the cabin from exposure to hard weather during construction. Thus, you can expect these cabins transported to your place in the best possible shape.

When it comes to customization, it all depends on your need. So, you can include that in any installation you require. However, most of the prefabricated cabin per square cost is about $150, so keep your under $10,000 budget in mind.

Frankly, the least work you would need to do is get ready the land for your cabin. Just clean up the location and place the foundation. Additionally, have a quick phone call with the hired company to know what else you can prepare before the cabin arrives. These cabins generally take only eight weeks to build.

Pole Barns

Unlike prefabricated cabin, pole barns require to be constructed on-site. They are a great choice when you need space for parking vehicles such as four-wheelers during hunting days.

You could say they are a version of shops having a garage door and concrete flooring. Additionally, they have some space for cooking and sleeping at the back. The shop offers ample space for storing vehicles as well as hunting gear during your stay.

There are two specific choices when it comes to building these up. You can hire a company to visit the site and construct it there for you. Otherwise, you can buy the pole barns kit to build it on your own.

These bare-bones pole barn of dimension 24x32x10 foot cost around $7,000. Besides this price, the final cost depends on the other installations you would include in the barn.

I, myself, made a budget by including all the potential costs and ended up budgeting it around $9,000. By me, the installations added were the rot protection, windows, insulation system, wall, and a simple shed roof. Also, roof sheathing is included in the list, and that’s all I think one would require for building a pole barn.