An outdoor cabin is a perfect place for recreation. It offers many advantages and benefits to those who enjoy spending time in the great outdoors. For some people, having an outdoor retreat is one of the top home improvement projects that they want to take on as soon as possible. This project can be rather challenging and time-consuming, but it will all be worth it once your cabin is done and you get to actually use it. In order to build or buy a cabin, there are several factors that you should consider first before making the final decision. Understanding what these factors are will help make your choice a lot easier when it comes down to choosing which option will work best for you.
Cost
Cost is a very important factor to consider when building vs buying a cabin. If you don’t have the money, hiring a contractor to build your cabin for you will be a much more affordable option compared to going the DIY route and building it yourself. An average log cabin can cost anywhere from $1500 to $12000+ depending on how elaborate you want yours to be. This price also depends on the size of your future cabin, so if you plan on building something small then it may or may not come with a higher price tag than usual. On the other hand, purchasing prefabricated or modular cabins can be the cheapest option in the long run for a number of reasons. Such as:
Durability
A cabin that is pre-built is usually very durable and can last you a lifetime. They are designed and built with materials that withstand strong winds, heavy snowfall, and harsh weather conditions. Your average log cabin on the other hand will only last for about 50 years unless you decided to pay extra for high-quality materials.
Energy Efficient
Most pre-built cabins have insulation in between each wall which makes them more energy efficient compared to most homes. This can save you up to 30% on your energy bill because it keeps the heat inside the cabin.
Cheaper Workmanship
On average, professional builders charge $50 per hour for labour costs so if you have a larger project then your expenditures really pile up over time. If you buy a ready-made cabin, however, you can have it delivered and installed in your location of choice. The delivery charges are usually included within the purchase price so there aren’t any extra fees or expenditures required.
Customisability
If you want to build vs buy a cabin, having options to customize or personalize these types of homes is one factor that you should really consider before making up your mind. Having the freedom and flexibility to make changes and add personalized touches can greatly improve the overall design and functionality of your future outdoor retreat. A benefit of the prefabricated cabin is that you are able to completely customize it based on your unique preference. Many pre-fab cabins come with a wide range of customization options so they are perfect for homeowners who have very specific requirements. If you decide to build by yourself, on the other hand, you may lack the expertise needed to include some specific features you desire.
Time
Time is another major factor that you need to consider when building vs buying a cabin. The average log cabin takes about 5 months of hard labour depending on its size and complexity which can take up an awful lot of time unless you have experience with this type of project before. On the other hand, prefabricated cabins are built in a factory setting so they can be produced at much faster rates compared to conducting construction on site.
Design License
Building vs buying a cabin can also depend on if you need to get a design license before proceeding with your plan or not. If you want to build by yourself, then it’s important to make sure that your future outdoor retreat is up to code and meets all local regulations and ordinances. Obtaining a permit beforehand might take several weeks or even months which can put your project to a halt. On the other hand, purchasing a prefabricated cabin usually comes with a design license included so your planning process will be much simpler and faster.
Ease of Use
Homeowners who build by themselves have often complained that their cabin wasn’t very easy to use due to its complicated designs and layouts. This is why it is highly recommended to choose an option that is built for ease of access such as a pre-fabricated cabin instead. These types of homes are designed from scratch based on how people actually live in them which makes everything from entering, exiting or just everyday life flow smoothly inside these well-thought-out retreats.
Location
If you want to build vs buy a cabin, another thing to take into consideration is your property location. If you already have a site in mind for your future cabins then building it by yourself might be better because it’s more efficient and time-saving. But if finding the perfect spot for this type of project is proving to be quite challenging or too pricey then purchasing an already established option from somewhere else and seeing all option of cabins for sale, can cut out all those extra expenditures and fees that come with conducting construction on site.
Clean up Processes
Building vs buying a cabin can also depend on what kind of clean up processes need to be done after construction has finished. Building by yourself often entails clearing out trees, rocks or other debris to create space for your cabin which can take up a lot of time and effort if you don’t use the right tools. On the other hand, acquiring an already built option means that all of these processes have already been taken care of leaving you with less work.
Building a log cabin is no easy task unless you’ve done it before this process can take months upon months of hard work. If you’re looking for time-saving benefits then purchasing an already constructed design might be better for your needs. Location is also another factor to consider when deciding between building or buying a cabin. If you have trouble finding the perfect spot for this type of retreat then opting for an established option elsewhere might be the best way to go in order to cut out all those extra costs and fees associated with constructing on-site. Lastly, be sure to consider the cleanup processes that need to be done after your cabin has been built because purchasing an already established option means that all of these things have already been completed.
