Wednesday, December 2, 2009

is building a mini cabin a good investment?

Very few people invest in log cabins as their primary home. Log cabins are usually bought as an investment in a holiday home which is available for the family for a getaway. Nowadays, log cabins are considered a good investment as you can get a good return on it by way of rentals. Apart from that, home loans
are available very cheaply and it makes good business sense to invest in a log cabin.

Some might people consider a log cabin construction a good investment by way of the relaxation provided by a mini-break there. Cost of holidays are also quite high these days and thus investment in a log cabin construction can help you save those costs as well as build an asset for yourself. Log cabins are especially good or family holidays as you get a number of amenities which might be very expensive to get at a hotel or resort.

There are some practical tips which you should follow when buying a log cabin for yourself. A good inspection and evaluation by a third party is always useful to make sure that you are buying a log cabin which is as per the agent's claim. Apart from that, you should also consider buying a log cabin in a good location and not jump at a cheap deal.

If you have the time and really love nature, it is advisable that you build your own log cabin. The Do It Yourself kits available today are excellent and very creatively satisfying. Once you build your own log cabin you are aware of what products you have used and thus enhance the value of your investment. So if you have some extra income and are looking at investing in something that will give you pleasure for a long time to come, do take a look at the option of buying a log cabin construction kit.

build a mini cabin for undr $2,000.00

If you’re looking for a simple tiny house that you can build yourself you might find the Mini-Cabin to be the right fit. It’s a 120 square foot cabin constructed from 9 separate panels that are easily built off-site and assembled at the building site. The plans cost about $20 (plans + shipping cost) and it’s estimated that it can be build with a $2000 budget for materials.

Window material & hardware: $65.61
Framing wood, plywood, & piers: $1,121.16
Entry door, window, z-flashing: $348.09
Fasttap screws: $21.98
Vents & vent paint (optional): $53.59
Redwood stain: $119.84
Hardware & caulk: $76.30
Roofing material: $154.56
Total: $1,961.13

The plans are printed on 11″ x 17″ paper and specifying the materials you’ll need, cut sheets, a detail page for each panel, and assembly instructions for a do-it-yourselfer. These plans also include details on all exterior construction including roof decking and an interior loft and ladder.

What I like most about this design and approach is the panel construction and simple shed roof because most people with basic skills could build the mini-cabin. There doesn’t seem to be anything complicated about the mini-cabin and with a little imagination and detail work it could be turned into a very cute little tiny house. In fact I’m not sure what would stop you from joining a couple of them together to make a simple gable design.

solar power for mini cabins

Do you have a remote cabin that needs power? Don't pay outrageous amounts for a professional solar panel system when you can build your own for 10 times cheaper. Follow these basic steps and learn how to build you own homemade solar panels for under $200.

1. The first step is to calculate how much power your solar power system needs to generate. If this is a seasonal/weekend cabin, 400-500 watts should be enough. If you don't have enough upfront cash to get a system this big all at once, don't worry. Once you get the basic infrastructure built, you can just add panels to increase your wattage.

2. Now you will want to decide what major appliances you need. Newer appliances are much more efficient, so if possible use newer models. Don't be afraid to scale down, this is a cabin we're talking about here. A brand new mini-fridge is a much better option than a 30 year old full-size fridge.

3. Consider if a water system is necessary. If you decide you want a water system, I would recommend a gravity fed system so you don't need to waste power on a water pump. If you use your cottage often, you might consider a solar powered well pump that would feed to a tank in the attic. Solar powered water heaters are a great option to consider as well.

4. Finally, and most importantly: Don't spend thousands on a professional system! You can learn to build your own solar panels for under $200. Don't get suckered into spending 10 times that. You may be thinking: "But I don't know how to build a solar panel. That sounds complicated!" It's not as tricky as you might think...

There are tons of guides and e-books out there that will teach you how to build your own solar panels, but which ones are worth your money? You'll want to get a guide that has detailed step-by-step instructions. The more pictures and diagrams the better. Consider a guide that includes videos if you're more of a visual learner.