Small Cabin Homes
By Douglas Hanna

Small cabin homes are easier then ever to build today. You can find simple plans on many different web sites... You can also purchase complete kits that include not only the plans but all the materials required to build the cabin.

The first thing to think about is the number of sq. feet you want the cabin to be. This can give you an idea of price of materials. You can go online to various websites and find blueprints that you can use to start your project.

If you choose a kit, you’ll find that some of the kits come partially assembled to make it easier for the builder to complete construction. Most kits have interlocking notched corners to insure stability and strength.

Select the right wood

Some of the elements you should take into consideration are the type of wood you are using. You want to use a wood that will be easily waterproofed and also one that will not become to moist in the heat. You want your cabin to be warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Your primary materials cost will be the cost of the wood so it’s important to determine in advance which wood you will use. You should also decide on what style windows you want, since these will not only give you a good view of your surroundings, but also bring in your fresh air and keep out the cold.

Small cabin homes usually have one entrance and that is the front door. The door can be wood to match the cabin or you could look into purchasing something more durable like a steel weatherized door. Normally, a small cabin home will have one bedroom, a small cooking area and a living room. None of these rooms will be very large but can be designed to be comfortable for one to four people. Many people find the luxury of small cabin homes to be a great primary residence; others use them as get-a-way homes in which they can just stay for a week or two for some piece and quiet.

Where to find small cabin plans

My favorite web sites for small cabin homes are townandcountryplans and cabinkit.

As an example of what you might have to pay for a small cabin plan, townandcountryplans has plans for 168 sq. ft. cabin with a nice porch at $24.95 a set. It also offers plans for a two-story cabin with 378 sq. ft. at the same price.

As an alternative, Cabinkit represents a turnkey solution, as that it offers both plans and all the materials you will need to build your small cabin home. Two examples of these kits are the two bedroom Betony with 884 sq. ft. priced from $43,950 to $50,500; and the two-level, Lupine with 725 sq.ft. at $36,950 to $42,500.

If you are interested in a small cabin or a small home, amazon.com has a book that you might find interesting. It is called More Small Houses (Great Houses)

Douglas Hanna lives in a suburb of Denver. He and his wife have bought and sold many houses throughout the years - to live in, as rental unit and to "fix and flip." He is also the publisher of a popular blog on small house plans, http://smallhouseplansadvisor.blogspot.com