Inexpensive Small Cabin?

[Sunray]

A good quality tent doesn't leak and you can make a waterproof floor if it doesn't have one already. Used a cheap plastic tarp and remnant vehicle carpeting in the 15 x 15 tent I made. No water issues even when set up on a slope during rain. Never used it except in summer. Despite the rumblings from my landlord several years back. snicker.
Trenching the thing helps too. That's digging a wee ditch around the tent.
"...on putting a structure on your land..." Mostly about permanent structures, I think. And you'd likely need a building permit.

 

[Tilos]

I have had many sheds of varying designs and makers, all built to house specs with 16oc 2x4 studs, etc.
I had a slab poured for one that had a standard garage type overhead door.

For me the Tuff Shed has the best floor design/system, a steel framed door, and the vertical siding is way better than T111.
TS shop builds the walls and stick builds the floor on sight, erects the walls, then stick build the roof (with trusses).
I put in transom windows (up high) to let it light but too high to look into.
I have bought narrow windows (14") and 12"x12" (for transoms) off amazon that fit between the 16oc studs, no framing required, sold as Play House/shed/chicken coup windows, ebay might have them too... way cheaper than what TS sells.
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_12?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=shed+windows&sprefix=Shed+windows,aps,224&crid=3EDSLIM8MHZJI&rh=i:aps,k:shed+windows

A 200 square foot limit is a common residential restriction for sheds so my go to size is 12x16 with 8' walls and steeper pitch ranch type roof to allow me to build a loft on each end for storage.
The barn type sheds sold by Tuff Shed are the best bang for your buck, as you can build a loft/2nd floor you can stand up in.

I live near "wilderness" and the Tuff Shed builders/installers told me half their business is "dry cabins" built out there.
People buy Tuff Sheds from Home Depot because they can use their HD credit card but the models sold are the lower grade/end sheds that TS makes/sells.
hope this info helps you decide on a design or builder,

Pics on request...

 

[Rembrandt]

Might be what you are looking for, 8W X 12L X 8H....cost about $4000 to build. Doubles as a kids playhouse and hunting blind. Built and painted walls in my garage, hauled them to the site on a trailer, assembled and added the roof. Kids love it, one of the best projects we've built to date.

 

[Patocazador]

You still haven't said what part of the country you live in. It matters as to insulation, heating or cooling, and critters such as bears. If it is in the South, then forget wood unless it is pressure treated. Termites will eat it away in less than 5 years if the wood isn't PT.

 

[Olympus]

Might be what you are looking for, 8W X 12L X 8H....cost about $4000 to build. Doubles as a kids playhouse and hunting blind. Built and painted walls in my garage, hauled them to the site on a trailer, assembled and added the roof. Kids love it, one of the best projects we've built to date.

That looks great! I would think you could save aot of money by not needing it elevated and not having stairs.

 

[Olympus]

You still haven't said what part of the country you live in. It matters as to insulation, heating or cooling, and critters such as bears. If it is in the South, then forget wood unless it is pressure treated. Termites will eat it away in less than 5 years if the wood isn't PT.

I'm in Missouri. I've got electric and a meter on a pole not 30 yards from the site I'm looking to use. Worse case scenario is I can use an electric heater. Probably won't use it much in the summer so I'm not worried about cooling.

 

[MCgunner]

One thing to consider on putting a structure on your land, the county assessor may raise your property tax, due to the "improvement".

This alone would keep ME from doing it.

 

[redneck2]

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.

That was gonna be my suggestion. You've got heat, you could hook up water, and you could have a generator. If you check around, you can find old but running motor homes for $500 or less.

I have a friend that bought one. Parked in the weeds behind a barn. Ladies husband had died. He Never could get it to move. All it needed was filled with trans fluid. Motor started right up.

I have another friend that bought a REALLY nice 5th wheel for $3,300. And since they're mobile, no property tax. If you've got power, you're good to go

I'd be real tempted to pound down a well.

 

[Olympus]

Property taxes in my county are ridiculously cheap. I'm paying $125/year property tax on 100 acres. Whatever amount the taxes would be up for building a structure would be pennies more a month. Well worth it, in my opinion.

I like I said in my first post, a camper/RV is out the question. The wife won't allow one to be parked at the house and if I left it at the property, it would last maybe a year before it became infested with critters.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Those same critters will infest a cabin

 

[stoky]

You might want to consider an A frame.
They make efficient use of standard (or salvaged) lumber, are the quickest to dry in, for storage of finish materials. They go up quick and are easy to add conventional extra rooms to.
http://www.motherearthnews.com/diy/buildings/how-to-build-an-a-frame-ze0z1111zhir

 

[Armored farmer]

I like the shipping container cabin idea. I think you could hire someone pretty nice work done by a carpenter and end up with a clever cabin plan that can be totally locked up for the off season. It could be built off site and delivered after completing.

However,....my son's and I built an elevated 6x6 blind that has been a joy for the entire family. We have often said that had we built it bigger, we would have camped in it the night before opening day of deer season. My house is only 1.5 miles from the blind.
The idea of making an 8x10 or 10x12 elevated blind is certainly worth your consideration.

Property taxes should not be assessed unless the structure is permanently attached to the ground.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Property taxes should not be assessed unless the structure is permanently attached to the ground.

Every locality is different. I bought a portable building built on skids that was set on the ground. I had to get a building permit and have a set back inspection. Within 2 weeks of having my final building inspection, the county assessor came and reassessed my property.

 

[Mn Fats]

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!

You said your no carpenter, so building (quality) isn't going to happen without skillset. The camper idea sounds prime for you. I paid $900 for a nice pop up tent camper for one of my locations. Parked it on stepping stones and leave it year round. Tarp it up, stick dryer sheets and moth balls in it, and no critters come around. Year round, no mice, damage etc.

 

[Armored farmer]

Every locality is different. I bought a portable building built on skids that was set on the ground. I had to get a building permit and have a set back inspection. Within 2 weeks of having my final building inspection, the county assessor came and reassessed my property.

I see.
I assume that Rural hunting property wouldn't have too many rules.
My wife tells me I need to "get out of my bubble".

 

[Hanzo581]

You said your no carpenter, so building (quality) isn't going to happen without skillset. The camper idea sounds prime for you. I paid $900 for a nice pop up tent camper for one of my locations. Parked it on stepping stones and leave it year round. Tarp it up, stick dryer sheets and moth balls in it, and no critters come around. Year round, no mice, damage etc.

I think we're beating a dead horse here, I think he has some negative preconceived notions about campers (assuming it wouldn't last while whatever he built would).

 

[Mn Fats]

I think we're beating a dead horse here, I think he has some negative preconceived notions about campers (assuming it wouldn't last while whatever he built would).

Camper beats a shipping container or the best tent ever made imo. Either way, good luck with the project op.

 

[HoploDad]

You said your no carpenter, so building (quality) isn't going to happen without skillset. The camper idea sounds prime for you. I paid $900 for a nice pop up tent camper for one of my locations. Parked it on stepping stones and leave it year round. Tarp it up, stick dryer sheets and moth balls in it, and no critters come around. Year round, no mice, damage etc.

Mn Fats has a point: whatever you end up doing (and good luck, it sounds like fun to me!) lay some dryer sheets inside near the corners, windows and doors when you leave.. I have a Hi-Lo (slide up, not a pop up) at our lease with a crack 360% around the perimeter so it can raise and lower. All the other hunters around me have mice in their domiciles and I do not... Bounce dryer sheets all 'round covering the cracks. Vermin hate that smell. If you keep a vehicle out there, or anywhere long term, be sure to weave some Bounce sheets in the wiring under the hood to keep the rats from chewing your wire loom.

 

[Mn Fats]

I have a neighbor who built an ice shack on skids. Hunts in the fall with it, loads it up and drags it out on the ice in the winter. I've been seriously considering drilling a hole in my camper for dual purpose.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

For every guy that says dryer sheets work repelling mice, there is a guy saying they don't work. There is plenty of reading both ways.

I believe a better plan is to leave no food in the structure and put out poison bait blocks around the outside perimeter. A 5 gallon bucket trap would make a good alternative to bait blocks.

 

[Mn Fats]

Mn Fats has a point: whatever you end up doing (and good luck, it sounds like fun to me!) lay some dryer sheets inside near the corners, windows and doors when you leave.. I have a Hi-Lo (slide up, not a pop up) at our lease with a crack 360% around the perimeter so it can raise and lower. All the other hunters around me have mice in their domiciles and I do not... Bounce dryer sheets all 'round covering the cracks. Vermin hate that smell. If you keep a vehicle out there, or anywhere long term, be sure to weave some Bounce sheets in the wiring under the hood to keep the rats from chewing your wire loom.

Yep, any crack or tiny opening I used to use peanut butter and traps, but then they smell that and come in. Dryer sheets and moth balls is a very useful trick I learned years back for small spaces. My 2 barn cats are my mice repellent now and they do better than any trap or trick I've come across.

 

[Armored farmer]

Mice have caused me so many problems over the years that I have zero tolerance. I kill them on sight if possible.

We heard that Irish Spring soap acted as a repellant, so I bought a couple bars and put them in my semis during the off season. The next time I got in it, the soap was half eaten and the box it came in was part of their nest under the seat.

I've never tried the dryer sheets. I will try that. I'll bet it makes good nest material too.

I also think the camper idea eould be the cheapest, easiest solution.

 

[buck460XVR]

I built a 12'X20" "bunkhouse" on my son's property so my wife and I would have something decent to stay in when there. We tried the "old camper" thing and even considered doing a new one and finally decided to do something more permanent. Since then I have converted several "storage" type sheds for friends on property they own for similar reasons. Many times, as long as the structure is built on pads or runners and not fixed to the ground(like with a slab or piers embedded in the ground) it's not considered permanent and does not significantly add to property taxes(if at all). What started out as a simple protection from the elements for hunting season and an occasional weekend for us has become a pretty nice place for most every weekend we can make it. It can be easily and safely heated in cold weather by a propane heater and is cooled in the summer by a small window air conditioner. Bare plywood floors now are covered with a laminate flooring and the walls are insulated and drywalled. We still need to go outside and use the outhouse, but have a simple gravity type water system so we at least can wash our hands and face inside. We have two full size beds in ours, a table, two comfy chairs to read in a dorm room type refrigerator and a small counter with a sink. We never leave food in the building and remove the garbage when we leave and have never had rodent or pest problems.(other than wasps and flies). It has taken us several years to turn it from a bare bones shack into what we have, but it has been done for well under &5000. I have done all of the work myself, but none of it is fancy, nor extremely difficult. Several of the storage type sheds I have converted for friends were only around $2500 and were pre-built by others and delivered to their site....all I did was add electricity, insulate and cover the insulation with either wallboard or paneling. I would stay away from any type of foam insulation in walls that were not to be immediately covered with drywall as fumes from ever they smallest amount burning will kill you before you know it. One thing I always install is a Smoke/carbon monoxide detector. Some of the converted sheds use a heavy duty extension cord to run from the box on the power pole. If you start with a decent shell you can add to, you will always have something to improve upon if you want. Old campers and tents just turn into junk after a few years that need to be replaced. If at sometime you decide to build something bigger and better, the old place will still be a decent place for friends and family to stay when they visit.

 

[GAF]

There are also outfitter tents like this one, but I do like the sky fort on stilts .
http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/browse/outfitter-tents/_/N-1100672/Ns-CATEGORY_SEQ_104481180

 

[stoky]

Filling gaps with spray can urethane, especially around the ground perimeter, will help vermin control. Just allow room for it's expansion..........messy stuff.
For stuff that you think you might have to service, fill gaps with course (#3 or 4) steel wool.