DIY Cabin – An inexpensive way to spend a weekend getaway

Last Updated on June 30, 2023 by teamobn

Need a weekend getaway but on a tight budget? Why not build your own cabin?

There’s something about owning a cabin in the woods that continues to fascinate and capture people’s imaginations. The attraction endures even in our age of smartphones and wifi.

But dreams are a poor substitute for reality. If that cabin is ever going to be yours, you will need a willingness to get dirty and the ability to see a project through to completion.

Getting a contractor to build you a cabin can be very expensive. But by building it yourself, you can significantly cut down costs. Construction might take some time, but it’s worth all the free vacations it can give you!

This cabin was made by Jim from New York with the help of his dad. It’s a simple structure that provides good insulation and soundproofing. Perfect for when you want some time to yourself and simply relax without having to spend a lot of money.

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You’ll need these materials:

Rafter Board
Facia Boards
Soffit Boards
Rough Sawn Lumber
Metal Roofing
Metal Batten Strips
Pencil/Marker
Quick Square
3×3/8 inch Lag Bolts
Nails

And these tools/equipment:

Hole Digger
Mitre Saw
Table Saw
Electric Nail Gun
Electric Screw Driver

Steps to build your DIY Cabin

Here is the 12×20 floor plan showing where the 4x4s and the floor joists would be located.

This is my Ford tractor and my neighbours post hole digger he let me borrow.

This photo shows the post planted and the bottom 2×10 Stringers.

This shows the upper 2×10 x 12 and the 2x10x16 upper stringers being nailed in at 7 foot 8 inches.

This picture shows the centre rafter board. I measured over 6-foot to the centre. The roof is going to be a 5/12 pitch roof so the rafter board had to be 30 inches to the top of the board.

This picture shows using a quick square, putting the pivot point at the top of the board, and turning the square till the 5 on the * COMMON TOP CUT* line graph lines up with the outside of the board and then drawing the line to make the angle.

Once you cut your first angle then you have to measure from the tip of your cut down the length of the rafter to get your measurement for the seat cut. Once you have that measurement then you put the pivot point on that mark and turn the square until you get your 5/12 angle again then measure up that angle 2 1/2 inches and draw that line.

Take the edge of the square and line it up with the 21/2 in line and turn the square until the tip is lined up with the edge of the board. Then draw that line.