How to Build an Off Grid Cabin on a Budget?

Every once in a while, we all need to have some time away from the chaos of city life. For that, having a cabin off-grid will be one of the best ways to refresh your mind.

Found an off grid cabin for sale? But, it will be more diverting if you spend time building a cabin yourself! Here, I will help you with all the essential details on how to build an off grid cabin on a budget.

Building a Cabin Off-Grid

Constructing a cabin off-grid requires one to collect many supplies and some basic knowledge of constructing houses. Most importantly, you need to know about the cost to build off grid cabin.

How to Build an Off Grid Cabin on a Budget

From here, you will know how to build a cheap cabin. Also, you will know- what supplies to buy to build your own cheap cabin. Furthermore, there is essential instruction for building off grid cabin.

Note that this is one of the cheap off grid home ideas. The off-grid cabin I will be suggesting you to build is a really simple off grid cabin. And it’s easy to construct.

Things You Will Need

• Different sizes of wood pieces: Pallet wood is the most common
• R13 insulation with a craft face
• Plywood sheet
• Portable sawmill
• Chain saw jigs
• Axe
• Hammers
• Nails
• Hand gloves
• Hacksaw
• Measurement tape
• Shovel
• Concrete footing pads for foundation
• Drilling machine and nail drilling bits

Selecting the Site for the Off Grid Cabin

While selecting a spot for the cabin, there are a few things you need to consider. First, pick a site that will provide you with a good view of the surrounding. If anything is blocking the view, you should just decide on another spot.

Another thing is, you need to build the cabin by a tree. That way, you will have some shades over the cabin. So, look for a site that has some trees. Besides, the cheap cabin will look aesthetic and peaceful with a tree beside it.

However, the most important thing here is- you pick a place where you think you will feel good and love the view. And, finally, build a cabin that will look like it belongs there.

Trimming the Tree Branches and Clearing the Spot

Next, you need to cut the tree branches that are hanging down and creating an obstacle for the house to stand. A portable sawmill and hacksaw will do the work here.

Clear the spot once you are done preparing the tree to stand the house against it.

Select the Corner Closest to the Tree and Dig for the Foundation

When you are done clearing the place, you need to pick a spot that is closer to the tree. That would be the first mark to set the foundation pit.

After that, take the measurement tape and four wooden posts. Now, pin the first post near the tree. Then, with the measurement tape, gauge the size of the cabin. And pin the other posts with the help of the measurement tape and the wooden posts.

Remember that the bigger the house, the better has to be the foundation. Since it’s a light cabin, you won’t have to work on a real foundation. So, you won’t have to worry much about the foundation.

Besides, your aim is to build a cheap cabin, right? And, the light foundation work will save you a lot of work.

Anyway, when the corners are selected, dig the chosen places for the corners. Then, place the concrete footing pads in all the corners.

And, the off grid cabin foundation is ready!

Making the Floor

In order to make the floor, set 4 wooden blocks in the 4 corners. Make sure the blocks are enough to create a crawl space under the floor.

Then, start building a frame with the support of the blocks. So, that will be 4 pieces of slabs. After that, you need to add joists inside the frame. The joists will help to hold the floor.

When the joists are added to the frame, place plywood between the gaps of the joists. Then you need to complete the insulation.

For insulation, I suggest you use r13 insulation with a craft face. This insulation for off grid cabin plans is rather unconventional. Once again, this suggestion is to build a cheap cabin.

After that, you put heavier plywood onto the insulation. Next, nail the plywood with the joist.

Making the Walls

The making of the walls and floor is pretty much the same. However, I better explain it. You need to make the back wall first. That way, it will be easier to set the other walls.

To make the walls, create a frame. After that, add joints inside the frame. Next, pin plywood pieces to cover the wall.

Now, you can set the wall to the floor. Use nails and hammers to pin the wall with the floor. There is one more thing you should know.

The wall won’t be standing with the nails only. That’s why you need to add a slab by the side of the wall and the floor. That will keep the wall steady for now.

Creating Windows and a Door Opening

First, make the frame of the wall you want to include a window. After that, you need to add joists. This is you need to leave some space empty while adding joists.

You will have to add shorter joists around the window. Also, you have to add plywood over the joist to cover the wall according to the size of the window.

Window frames will be needed too. Add frames on the short joists when you are done fixing plywood around the window opening. And, door space can be created the same way.

By now, the window opening would be ready. There will be instructions for adding a window and door at the end.

Setting the Rafter and Completing the Roof

To make the roof, you will need more wood slabs. All you need to do is, cut notches to set the slabs on the wall.

After that, you simply nail the rafters on the top of the walls. The work for the rafter is not entirely done here. You need to add some wood slabs above the rafter.

Following that, you add tin sheets from the perfect roof. You can secure the tin sheet to the entire roof frame with a nail drilling bit.

Adding Window and Door

You should have a window and door opening created by this stage. You can make a window and door yourself. Or, you can just buy them.

If you want to buy them, go for glass windows and doors. Those will look good on a building off the grid. And, if you’re going to make them, buy glasses. You can combine the design with wood slabs.

Final Steps

Once all the works mentioned above are done, you can complete the colouring task. Choosing a colour is certainly your choice.

Also, you might want to add any colour. After that, you can set up a chimney and stove for cooking. Finally, check if there is any undesirable opening around the walls and ceiling. If you find them, make sure you seal them.

FAQs

You might have some questions related to building a cabin. Check them below to clear the confusion.