Inexpensive Small Cabin?

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Olympus

Olympus

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Has anyone built a small, inexpensive cabin on their hunting property? I'd really like to get some kind of shelter built on my land this year so I'm not driving back and forth to hunt early every morning and late every night. I'm no carpenter at all, but I'm reasonably confident that I could finish out the inside of a some kind of building. I've got a budget of about $3-4k total for something about 250sq/ft. I know that's not a lot of money, but I'm not needing anything fancy or nice. Just needs to be dry, weatherproof, and reasonably warm. I've looked at the little portable wooden storage buildings, but in my area they are pretty dang expensive. Outside my budget for sure.

My latest possibility is one of those shipping containers, which are only about $1700 delivered. But it's basically a steel box with no windows. I have zero experience with metal work or welding so I would not be able to cut out any windows or doors. So while it sounds inexpensive, it starts adding up pretty quick when you look at converting one into a cabin type building.

I'm basically just looking for advice, suggestions, pics maybe of anything similar to my needs and that fits my budget. I'm thinking something small and cheap now because my son is only 2 years old so it will be several more years before he's big enough to actually start going with me and staying out in the cabin too. By then, I hope to be able to build an actual larger cabin. I just need something to get along by myself for say the next 6-8 years. I've thought about just getting a cheap little camper, but the wife says no. She doesn't want more stuff being stored here at the house. The critters would take it over if I left it at my property year-round. And she would certainly not agree to paying a storage fee somewhere for some cheap little hunting camper. As you can probably tell, I tried to pitch the camper idea already and got shot down!
 
Olympus said:
Has anyone built a small, inexpensive cabin on their hunting property? I'd really like to get some kind of shelter built on my land this year so I'm not driving back and forth to hunt early every morning and late every night. I'm no carpenter at all, but I'm reasonably confident that I could finish out the inside of a some kind of building. I've got a budget of about $3-4k total for something about 250sq/ft. I know that's not a lot of money, but I'm not needing anything fancy or nice. Just needs to be dry, weatherproof, and reasonably warm. I've looked at the little portable wooden storage buildings, but in my area they are pretty dang expensive. Outside my budget for sure.

My latest possibility is one of those shipping containers, which are only about $1700 delivered. But it's basically a steel box with no windows. I have zero experience with metal work or welding so I would not be able to cut out any windows or doors. So while it sounds inexpensive, it starts adding up pretty quick when you look at converting one into a cabin type building.

I'm basically just looking for advice, suggestions, pics maybe of anything similar to my needs and that fits my budget. I'm thinking something small and cheap now because my son is only 2 years old so it will be several more years before he's big enough to actually start going with me and staying out in the cabin too. By then, I hope to be able to build an actual larger cabin. I just need something to get along by myself for say the next 6-8 years. I've thought about just getting a cheap little camper, but the wife says no. She doesn't want more stuff being stored here at the house. The critters would take it over if I left it at my property year-round. And she would certainly not agree to paying a storage fee somewhere for some cheap little hunting camper. As you can probably tell, I tried to pitch the camper idea already and got shot down!
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Not hunting specific, but it WOULD suit your purpose, and SHOULD be within budget, you can DIY a lean to or pole barn type with a few posts, some 2x6s and I recommend tin. Peak your roof as needed with telephone type poles set to your height needs, (7-8' should be ok imo) set the posts 1/3 total length in the ground minimum, screw on a board at ground, middle and top and tin over it, doors are easily found and hinged wherever you want. Insulate with straw bales inside or out (I'd go out) cut a hole in the roof and put in a $2-300 stove (+150ish for pipe) and then all need is your cots, you can fashion your windows out of anything and tin is easy to cut.
 
Another way to cut costs, is to locate a local sawmill, near your hunting land. Build with rough sawn air dried lumber. Right down to the siding it serves well, and always has a rustic look.
 
You can buy a wooden shed kit in Home Depot for as little as $80. Less than $60 in Wally World and they deliver. Probably not to the Bush though. Insulate with foam slabs(not exactly cheap though).
"...those shipping containers..." Aren't insulated and require any windows or doors be reinforced with steel. A finished container building runs 14 grand. Not easily dropped in the boonies either.
 
Another option is a cheap used camper/RV, if you don't want to build something semi permanent.

At that price it won't be the Taj Mahal but it would serve your purpose.
 
Where are you? That impacts suggestions a lot. How much land do you have there? Is it pretty secure? I ask since a "cabin" will often get ransacked/partying in by kids in the off season while also eaten up by rodents in some areas.

Camper is out due to the wife it seems.

So, I'm back to a good quality hunting tent.
 
Yeah, camper/RV has already been ruled out. See the original post.

I've thought about a good quality tent, but I'm concerned about being waterproof and having a muddy and/or wet floor when it rains.
 
Ohen Cepel said:
Where are you? That impacts suggestions a lot. How much land do you have there? Is it pretty secure? I ask since a "cabin" will often get ransacked/partying in by kids in the off season while also eaten up by rodents in some areas.

Camper is out due to the wife it seems.

So, I'm back to a good quality hunting tent.
Click to expand...

I've got 100 acres. I have a good group of neighbors who all watches out for each other with trespassers and poachers. I'm not worried about other people.
 
Might be able to buy a small cargo type trailer, drag it out there and then take the axles off. Build the interior to your liking. Adding windows that are weather tight would take a little skill, but building the interior out would be basic woodworking, and you'd already have a door or two that seal up pretty well. Really wouldn't have to take the axles off, but it wouldn't get stolen if it was sitting on some timbers or a gravel pad.
 
Olympus said:
Yeah, camper/RV has already been ruled out. See the original post.

I've thought about a good quality tent, but I'm concerned about being waterproof and having a muddy and/or wet floor when it rains.
Click to expand...

I read it as she didn't want it parked at your house, figured if it stayed on the hunting land it wouldn't be an issue. Oh well.
 
I have a similar issue. During the WI hunting season, I have been commuting each morning with a 1 hour drive. I understand why you would like to stay on the property.

I have a neighbor that purchased a cargo trailer. During hunting season he puts bunk beds in the front and his gear in the back hunts and sleeps on site. I assume your wife will not go for that cargo trailer idea for the same reason the camper was out.

I was hoping to purchase a small pickup pop-up camper, but I have been disappointed with the high prices.

You could assemble a small shed with a treated plywood floor. The small wood stove is a good idea. That seems your best bet. Leave it unlocked and nothing of value during the off season. Bring out your camping gear before the season starts.
 
If you plan to build a larger cabin in a few years, I would suggest something you can eventually re-purpose for storage, game cleaning, wood, etc. A pole building would be the most economical, and a friend or two with carpentry skills would help.
You won't need much insulation in a small cabin if you have a wood stove for heat.
 
I've done it. It was an awesome experience that I really enjoyed, and it gave me time to spend with my son and expose him to the trades.

I built an 8x12 (96 sq ft) cabin with a 4x8 loft with a 12/12 pitch, corrugated metal roof and four windows. I didn't keep meticulous financial records, but a conservative estimate is somewhere around $3k. I live in Alaska, so the cost of building materials is high compared to the lower 48. I salvaged/repurposed the metal roofing and then pre-hung front door from another building. Everything else I bought new.

I started out with a plan to fell trees on my property and mill all my lumber with a chainsaw mill. (It's a semi remote, off grid cabin, so not transporting lumber would have been nice, but I quickly realized that such a plan was not an efficient use of my time. It was literally just as cheap to jut buy lumber and haul it in. Had I been building on a remote, fly-in only property, then the chainsaw mill would have been the best option.)

My construction/building experience is rather limited. I took shop class for three years in Jr. High (7th-9th grade), but that was 30 years ago. In 11th grade, I helped my dad build an addition to our home. Other than some basic projects (a back porch deck, a dog house, etc.) I have no real carpentry experience. I had to call in help from a friend who is a 7th grade shop teacher to do the rafters and the roofing.

If you're at all handy, and can use basic tools, I would definitely encourage you to go out and build on-site. It's definitely an opportunity for personal growth.
 
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You might want to just build a small shed on skids, that you could easily move to another part of your property. Probably wouldn't have much more than a 1000 or so, so long as you kept it simple.
Another thought , are there logs enough on you're property to build a small cabin?
 
Tuff Shed or Greatland shed from one of the big box stores sounds like what you're after.
The Tuff Sheds are better built.

A shipping container will provide better security and fire resistance, but you'll need access to a low boy to deliver it.
 
Whatever kind of structure you decide to build/put on your property make sure you have a working CO detector and smoke detector in the living space.
 
I'm getting ready to do the same thing and I have done it twice before. My plan is to buy a 10 X 24 or 12 x 24 portable building and most States have many manufacturers locally. The size will depend on getting it into the location. My place has a 14 foot cattle guard on the gate so I may buy a 10 wide. It's built on 2 treated skids with 2 x 6 floor supports and 2 x 4 studs with a ranch style roof. Walls are of T1-11 siding and the roof is metal. Cost is about $3,500 delivered to the site. I will go to a farm supply and buy 4 railroad ties and cut them into 24 inch sections. When the building is delivered I will place 8 pieces under each skid on level ground. This places the floor about 20 linches above the ground. The building will have 1 window on each side and a 36 inch door in the end. I say this because most of these buildings come with a door and 2 windows. Buy a small propane wall heater that doesn't have to be vented like a ProCom and a 100 pound propane bottle. They have one that will heat 300 square feet. It will cycle on and off depending on the thermostat setting. Use the stick in the ground solar lights for inside lighting. Take them outside during the day and carry them in at night when you need light. I would stay in it as is the first year and as I got more money I would insulate the walls with Owens Corning insulation with batts and then sheet the walls with half inch plywood. It may take you a few years to get it the way you want but you can enjoy the process.
 
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Sks39 said:
This looks great for $3769. Complete with doors and windows. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Best-Barns-Fairview-12-ft-x-16-ft-Wood-Storage-Shed-Kit-with-Floor-Including-4-x-4-Runners-fairview-1216df/203284609?cm_mmc=Shopping|THD|G|0|G-BASE-PLA-D28I-InsideGardenOther|&gclid=CJ_Csa-spNQCFdY6gQodeMoGxw&gclsrc=aw.ds
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Looks good until you read the fine print. Windows and shingles not included. Too pricey for what I'm looking for by the time you get windows, shingles, etc.
 
John Joseph said:
Tuff Shed or Greatland shed from one of the big box stores sounds like what you're after.
The Tuff Sheds are better built.

A shipping container will provide better security and fire resistance, but you'll need access to a low boy to deliver it.
Click to expand...

The shipping container companies locally will include delivery and they are very reasonable on cost. $1700 includes delivery for a 20ft container and $2100 includes delivery for a 40ft container.
 
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