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General => General Forum => Topic started by: jbos333 on November 01, 2011, 06:46:57 AM

Title: Wood-Tex prefab cabin
Post by: jbos333 on November 01, 2011, 06:46:57 AM
hxxp://www.woodtex dot com/cabins.asp

Hi all,

I still haven't pulled the trigger on my build, other than installing 450 ft. or so of driveway this summer. I've been researching, re-researching, trying to find the sweet spot where the bang for the buck is best. I've looked at earth berm, or no basement at all. Pole construction vs. stick build. Single wide mobile.

In my travels to and fro my land, a small cabin seemed to pop out of nowhere. There was a car in the drive last weekend, so I stopped and met the owner. Nice guy, let me walk in and look around. Turns out it's a Wood-Tex prefab 24 x 24 gambrel roof 2 story. Around 800 sq. ft., which just meets code requirement for a dwelling around here. 1/2 log siding. Small porch.  Finished out on the inside with Hardi-panel I think.

In talking with the owner, it sounds like that unit wound up in the $40-45/ sq. ft. range. I'm not sure I could stick build one for that, assuming I use local labor at around $12/hr. I would be open to doing interior work myself, but I would have to hire out the dry-in at least.

Thoughts?
Title: Re: Wood-Tex prefab cabin
Post by: lee5267 on November 09, 2011, 10:41:53 PM
Looks like this could be a good way to go if you are going to have to hire local help to get your place in the dry anyway.  I didnt look too closely at the materials used, such as 2x4 or 2x6 framing, size of floor joists and rafters, etc...  One option you may have is to pre-fab panels for your walls and then transport them to site which saves a huge amount of time in the actual build.  I went this route on my 12x16 and we had the subfloor down, and all four walls up in a little over half a day.  By the end of the first day we had about half of the rafters in place, and by the end of the third day the place was completely dried in.  If you would like more info on my build you can do a search for 12x16 and it is the one being built in NE Texas.  I would bet that if you were to do a shed roof you could have it in the dry in 2 days.  Either way, I dont think you will go wrong with the pre-fab you are looking at as long as it is on a good foundation and you will still have plenty of blood sweat and tears that will need to be added which will make it your own. 

Good luck
Title: Re: Wood-Tex prefab cabin
Post by: jbos333 on November 10, 2011, 07:48:49 AM
lee5267,

Thanks for chiming in. I'm still crunching numbers, looking to get the most bang for the buck. I started out thinking "basement with a roof" only as I have a great walk-out site, then I figured, while I'm at it, how much is it gonna cost to add a first floor, then while I'm at it, attic trusses with loft etc. etc. etc. Where do I draw the line?! This looked very simple, just large enough to be a legal dwelling, etc. But I'm sure if I'm willing to put in some sweat equity, I can do better on the price. I'm just not up to doing ALL the labor.
Title: Re: Wood-Tex prefab cabin
Post by: lee5267 on November 11, 2011, 12:14:45 AM
I understand about all the labor and where to draw the line. Crucial decisions indeed. If money is not an issue then I wouldn't hesitate to go with the prefab. If money is a slight issue then the prefab panels can spread out all that work and make it less intimidating. The prefab may be the way to ho just because it is an easy set plan that you can then work from.
Title: Re: Wood-Tex prefab cabin
Post by: CjAl on November 11, 2011, 10:09:57 AM
i am constantly fighting the urge to push it bigger. i started with the 20x30 then went to 20x32 and then pushed it to 20x34. now ive gotten my head out of my butt and went back down to 20x32. it makes better use of lumber with the east amount of waste.
Title: Re: Wood-Tex prefab cabin
Post by: jbos333 on November 11, 2011, 02:32:17 PM
i would just like to keep it to the minimum 800 Sq. ft. requirement. But also keeping in mind expansion down the road if necessary.

The problem, for me anyway, is rationalizing say, a 24 x 24 basement with floor for around $9800 vs a 24 x 40 with floor for 13000. $13/ sq ft vs. $17./sq ft. About 3000 difference for near double the space! and then of course whatever's going on top has to be that much bigger, whether a roof or a first floor and roof. And on it goes.

I'm over analyzing to prevent shoulda coulda's later.......
Title: Re: Wood-Tex prefab cabin
Post by: CjAl on November 11, 2011, 04:19:49 PM
your the only one who can make that decision but i will make a few points.

i kept upping my size because i have a 1000 sq ft min. then i found out if i screen in my front porch i can include it as livable sq ft. the township themselves literally told me to screen it in and then take it down when the inspector leaves.  so now at 20x32 with loft and 8x32 porch im at 1200 sq ft. so if you need 800 for that reason you may want to look into it.

building into a hill as an exposed basement is much more efficient than building above the ground.

its considerably cheaper to build UP than it is to build OUT.
Title: Re: Wood-Tex prefab cabin
Post by: john7255 on December 13, 2011, 08:09:54 PM
Hi Jbos,

I have just completed my build of a 24x24 woodtex cabin. I built in new york in steuben county. I found that with the economy in the tank that it was time for me to pull the trigger. I found that woodtex was very accomodating and did not nickel and dime me for extra work that I wanted done. I find that the cabin is perfect for my family of 4. i have a gambrel roof with a loft and a design that my wife created because she wanted a more open floor plan. I have a septic system and associated shower and toilet which are a big upgrade from what i had before. I did enjoy working with the people from woodtex and truly love how the cabin turned out. I am not sure if you are living in it or not, but I would not want it any bigger. I would love to discuss my experience with you, but work 10 or 12 hrs a day. i will respond but give me a day or so. It will be the best decision you ever made if you build the cabin!!!
Title: Re: Wood-Tex prefab cabin
Post by: jbos333 on December 13, 2011, 10:50:24 PM
Hi John7255,

Thanks for the advice! I would ultimately be living in my cabin full time, trading my 1600 sf semi rural home on 3 acres for a little place on my 70 acres of solitude! The thing is, I don't even use 800 s.f. of my current home, cause it's just me. I'm glad to hear you're pleased with your Wood-Tex. I found the price to be in-line with other options.
Title: Re: Wood-Tex prefab cabin
Post by: john7255 on January 05, 2012, 05:15:49 PM
Jbos,

sorry i didnt look at this earlier. I spent a week in the cabin over the holidays and I wish i could move in permanently. I am in Steuben county if you would like to take a look, i could give you a number to call and we could set up a tour. I only have 40 acres but really enjoy the time away from my stressful job. Let me know if you need any advice or answers to simple questions. I just got my tax bill and with it being a second home with no STAR rebate, that part stinks. All other parts have been great. The only advice I have is if you use a full basement dont put foam insulation on the outside, but make sure it is insulated. I had mice problems in the foam on the outside at my home so I did not insulate. I have a walk out basement at the cabin and it gets a little cold in the winter. i am currently looking for good systems that dont take up the whole interior of the basement. any ideas?
Title: Re: Wood-Tex prefab cabin
Post by: jbos333 on January 08, 2012, 06:53:28 PM
Hi John7255,

Thanks for the invitation. I may take you up on that as I get closer. I didn't think about the mice issue on the outside foam, but it sounds like it could be a mess. I am currently in the process of getting a quote on ICF's; maybe I should rethink. Unfortunately, I don't have any ideas outside of the conventional methods.
Title: Re: Wood-Tex prefab cabin
Post by: john7255 on January 10, 2012, 09:54:03 PM
I will check in periodically to see how it is going. Need anything let me know. Woodtex was truly great to work with. I can provide some other contractor references also if needed (steuben county of course)