By far our most common questions are always cost-related, so we’re bringing you this detailed cost breakdown video regarding our A-Frame Bunk Plus and Tiny A-Frame Kit models!
We’re back at our client the Desert of Maine in Freeport, Maine, who just completed building 6 cabins. The owner Doug will walk you through costs for each DIY cabin model in as much detail as possible, covering everything from materials costs to labor to furnishings and more.
Stick around towards the end where Doug will give some insight on how much he’s listing these cabins per night to rent and how long it will take for him to make his investment back (hint- it’s quicker than you think)!
If you haven’t watched any previous videos of this huge cabin build, check out our playlist below. We’ve been documenting this place for the past several months from start to finish.
Check out the full video tour of these cabins: https://youtu.be/6Uy1Pl2lBc4
View how this build came together from start to finish (full recap): https://youtu.be/dcW-VdhVjic
Watch the entire Desert of Maine video series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRZ_UFLGzeLsR8R6dSPhEznABI4Qod1ZL
For another DIY cost breakdown video, watch the episode on our larger A-Frame House model: https://youtu.be/s4iSRbU_tAY
—
Get The A-Frame Bunk Plus Plans: https://bit.ly/BunkPlusPlans
View All Of Our A-Frame cabin Plans: https://bit.ly/DENOutdoorsAFrames
Learn More About DEN Outdoors: https://bit.ly/DENOutdoorsHome
Desert of Maine Website: https://bit.ly/DOMWebsite
Desert of Maine Direct Bookings: https://bit.ly/DOMBookDirect
Desert of Maine Airbnb Bookings: https://bit.ly/DOMAirbnb
Desert of Maine Hip Camp Bookings: https://bit.ly/DOMHipCamp
Videographer: https://bit.ly/EthanAbitzVideographer
—
A-Frame Bunk Plus Detailed Cost Breakdown:
Foundation: $9,500
Site Work: $2,000-$4,000
Campground Septic System: $16,000 (~$1,500 per cabin)
Kit Materials Cost: $50,000
Deck & Stairs Materials: $5,000
Furnishings, Lighting, & Electrician Labor: $10,000
General Construction Labor: $10,000
Plumbing Labor: $2,000-$4,000
Total Build Cost: ~ $94,000
Cost Per Sq Ft: $372
*Some Expenses Are Shared With Entire Campground and Other Cabins*
Get The A-Frame Bunk Plus Plans: https://bit.ly/BunkPlusPlans
—
A-Frame Kit Detailed Cost Breakdown:
Foundation, Site Work, & Labor: $10,000
Kit Materials Cost: $30,000
Deck & Stairs Materials: $1,000
Insulation: $500
Construction & Labor Costs: $5,000
Electrical: $2,000
Furnishings: $4,000-$5,000
Total Build Cost: ~$52,000
Cost Per Sq Ft: $473
*Some Expenses Are Shared With Entire Campground and Other Cabins*
—
A-Frame Bunk Plus Investment & Rental Analysis:
Renting for $225/night Weekdays
Renting for $300/night Weekends
Renting for $325/night Holiday Weekends
*Will Make Back Investment in 2-3 Years*
—
A-Frame Kit Investment & Rental Analysis:
Renting for $125/night Weekdays
Renting for $200/night Weekends
Renting for $225/night Holiday Weekends
*Will Make Back Investment in 2-3 Years*
—
Video Outline:
0:00 Intro
0:14 Meet The Owner & Overview
1:18 A-Frame Bunk Plus Cost Breakdown
7:50 Tiny A-Frame Kit Cost Breakdown
10:00 Investment & Rental Analysis
13:22 Outro
#DENOutdoors #cabinbuild #DIY
—
BINGE-WATCH MORE VIDEOS:
DEN Builds in Real Life Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRZ_UFLGzeLvy8Na0MiXVwD5osuoRKGRF
Learn How To Build with DEN Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRZ_UFLGzeLu4MsOCgS3ZY2fCegJof3p2
Desert of Maine Build Series Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRZ_UFLGzeLsR8R6dSPhEznABI4Qod1ZL
—
LEARN MORE ABOUT DEN:
Free Guides & Tools: https://bit.ly/DENFreeGuides
How It Works: https://bit.ly/DENHowItWorks
View All Plans: https://bit.ly/DENAllPlans
View All Packages: https://bit.ly/DENPackages
Featured Projects: https://bit.ly/DENFeaturedProjects
DEN FAQs: https://bit.ly/DENFaqs
source
Appreciate the breakdown and honesty. Really helpful
Thanks for the info on a great project…i am just wondering is there any showers in the cabin ?
I think u can have one built for half of what he spent
Airbnb is better choice..lol
SMH.
They trying to rip people off, to make their money back for some cheap over priced investment they've made……..
Wow you guys do a nice job. We have just bought an 62 acre island and we are in the process of building a tiny cabin and we have another few to build… this is a great resource! Thank you!
9,000.00 for the foundation? No thank you.
It's too expensive…the decent price is about 26k
Please lose the railings, and even better also the steps and the terrace, would be so much purer, cheaper as well, and what's the point of putting railings ? It's not as if such a cabin is fit for disabled people in the first place. A terrace like that is for urban environments, where it reserves and expresses outdoor private space where it would compete with other use or public space otherwise. Here, a fenced (!) terrace is a paradox. In reality, you'll put your chair generously anywhere around the cabin freely (check 4:08 !) making the terrace pointless. One big step-up rock would do perfectly instead of the stairs. Technically, the upwards beams of the A structure look very heavy. I'm not familiar with American ranges of commercial wood, but looks 50% heavier than what is needed. I'd also either pull the concrete supports a bit more inwards under the roof overhang, or use a somewhat higher metal shoe to give more spacing between the horizontal wooden beams and the concrete. Looks a bit delicate now for moisture from melting snow or rain splashing up. An A frame is all about simplicity. Most other A frames displayed are totally overdone. These are not too far off, a beautiful first go if you're not a professional designer. Well done.
Thank you for sharing.
$$$$$ LOL !!! Overkill foundation …only.
Way expensive my man.
Thanks for providing the cost info. That's one of the most important issues.
what the heck??
I am interested in having 6 units on my two properties (three units / lot) that are free and clear in the town of Lynchburg, VA. to be used as a Short-Term Rental. I have city water, sewer and electricity. Please advise.
Totally totally agree Concrete pillars
Too expensive!!!!
So, hypthetically speaking if you even rent each unit out for around 200 dollars a night for say half a year, it would take your 20 years to just recover the 250k investment !
Wait till someone carves their name into the framing. Maybe create a log books for guests… might help idk
I own a hostel in a small city with ten rooms. In a busy season, I will need to empty the septic tank maybe every three weeks. I was wondering. Do you have good vehicle access to allow a truck in to empty out your septic or is there a plan b ?
Free, cause I’d cut down those trees and use that instead of buying it all like an idiot.
Ummm 50k? Are they not aware that people are building barndaminums for 20-50k with up to 2000-4000+ sqft….with garages. They are nice but not that nice
Outrageous!!!!
Nashville alot diff price he said add 5k for decks front and back with those stair and light furnishings.. closer to to 10k
Really nice job 🙂
94000 for a tiny tiny house hahahahahaha
No kitchen tho
Pls send contact information for investors, thanks
Over priced imho
Screw piles would have been much faster and much cheaper saving $5k on each building or more. Sorry you paid through the nose. Gotta charge alot to get your investment back.
300+ $ per square feet is more than NYC… but yea those tiny log cabins the woods totally justify that
Hey there, I noticed that the framing that is directly in contact with the foundation isn't pressure treated. How are you protecting the base of the framing from the elements? Thanks in advance for any response!
1:50 – The city does not design the foundation. Consult your structural engineer relative the geotechnical soils report. Also, $9.5K is not a big ticket item for the machinery and locale you've chosen.
2:36 – Black toilets are gross.
4:04 – $50k for a kit seems crazy. Not pre-wired either. Interior Unfinished.
If potential owners are more understanding of the build process, you can do this for much less.