How to build a cabin in the woods.

Living the Dream: Building a Cabin in the Woods

It’s a familiar dream: your own cabin in the woods. A sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of city life, filled with trinkets and stories. Imagine found objects from the land and memories of past visits. This special place is where you can think, write, paint, or compose. You might even have a Pinterest board dedicated to this dream—don’t be ashamed; we all do!

At Offsite, our goal is to make that dream a reality for you. We’ve gone through the process ourselves and want to make it accessible, affordable, and enjoyable. We have our own cabin in upstate NY (and you’re welcome to stay if you’d like!). It’s truly one of the most special places we visit. This cabin has its own stories to tell—those of artists, musicians, writers, and entrepreneurs who have used its walls to create and explore their work while connecting with nature.

If you’re ready to explore your own cabin, this post is for you. We’ll break down how it works, what to expect, how much it might cost, and how long it could take. If you want to make it happen, let’s get our hands dirty and do the damn thing!

Offsite's Cabin 001 in the woods.

1. Define Your Vision

One of the most crucial steps in making this dream a reality is defining your vision. What do you actually want? We’ve all seen the data about homeowner regret, especially among millennials who bought houses outside the city during COVID. Many are now stuck with homes they don’t love and can’t sell. We don’t want you to end up in that situation; it’s not fun.

Take the time to sit down and write about what your days will look like in your new space. Start from a broad perspective and zoom in. Will you drive or take Metro North to get there? How often will you visit? How far is the drive to town for coffee? How many nights will you spend there? Is the cabin accessible, or do you have to hike in? Once you arrive, what amenities will you have? Is there a kitchen? A deck? Where does the morning light come through, and what sounds will you hear at night? Will you spend your workdays inside, writing in a notebook or editing video?

It may feel silly, but this exercise reveals a lot about what you’re truly trying to accomplish. It’s the first thing we do with every client—drilling down on their needs allows us to paint a picture of their hopes and dreams. We like to strip down to the essentials and build from there. Whether you’re buying or building, we want to ensure it works for you. There is freedom in constraints.

2. Find Land

The next step is to find a region that speaks to you and then locate a piece of land that fits your vision. There are many ways to do this, but we recommend finding a good real estate agent in the area who specializes in land. After defining your vision, you should have a clear idea of what your ideal piece of land looks like in terms of location, size, and landscape.

Welcome to the world of zoning, planning boards, and small-town politics! Remember, you’re not in the city anymore. People are proud and protective of their towns, and kindness goes a long way.

When searching for land, you’ll want to consider three main factors: Access, Utilities, and Zoning Restrictions.

• Access: Is there a driveway, or could you reasonably put one in? Occasionally, you’ll find plots surrounded by other parcels, which may require a right-of-way, but that’s rare.

• Utilities: Typically, utilities are run to the edge of the lot, and you’ll need to pay to have them extended to your cabin. Some electrical companies will run 25-100 feet off the road free of charge, which is why many houses are right on the road with large parcels behind them. This can get expensive, so be cautious.

• Zoning Restrictions: You’ll need zoning approval if the land doesn’t already have it. This includes more than just building; you’ll likely need a septic system and a well if it’s raw land. Your budget, timeline, and willingness to navigate challenges will determine if you want raw land or a lot with existing utilities.

  
  

Once you find a few parcels that look promising, check the zoning and permitting for each site. Most listings will provide this information, but if not, every county has a GIS map that shows zoning. You may need to dig through the town code to understand what’s buildable on your lot.

Here are a few scenarios you might encounter:

1. The lot already has a house on it: Great! If you’re renovating, tearing down, or adding another permanent structure, you’ll need to submit your plans to the town, but it’s possible to build on the site.

2. The lot is zoned residential and permitted for a home: Awesome! A specific area is likely designated for building, so figure out where that is. If you want to move it, you’ll need to submit a new site plan.

3. The lot is zoned residential but lacks build permits: This isn’t the end of the world, but you’ll need to do due diligence. Hopefully, your agent knows the backstory. If not, contact the town zoning director for any history on the parcel. If they don’t have information, consider hiring a local contractor to assess the land.

4. The lot is zoned for non-residential use: This probably isn’t for you. If you’re looking to build a campground or commercial site, reach out to us for guidance.

   
   

Timeline Reality Check

If you buy a ready-to-build lot, expect to have building permits in 2-3 months. If you’re dealing with raw land or a complicated build, anticipate a timeline of 9 months or more before you start construction. Putting together a team of contractors takes time, and small-town approvals can be slow. It can go faster with a skilled team, but it’s best to assume it won’t.

3. Know Your Numbers

Now that we’ve covered land and utilities, let’s dive into budgeting! It’s time to look at a realistic budget for your project. We’ll use an average case scenario, considering a piece of land that’s currently available for purchase but needs utilities, along with one of our pre-fab plans. Prices can vary greatly depending on the location and builder, but here’s a sample budget based on Dutchess County, NY:

• Land (3 Acres): $79,900

• Well: $9,000

• Power (300’): $6,000

• Septic: $8,000

• Clearing: $2,500

• Driveway: $7,500

• Cabin Plans: $1,250

• Materials: $42,000

• Labor: $77,000

• Landscaping: $15,000

  
  

Total: $248,150

Realistically, coming in with a budget of around $250,000 can get you an on-grid cabin in upstate NY, including land. Not bad, considering you could generate $5,000 per month in rentals if you choose to! That’s a lot cheaper than a Brooklyn Brownstone.

If you decide to go off-grid, you could save significantly. While cabin systems may be more expensive, the savings on land improvements can outweigh those costs. Generally, if you’re opting for a full solar setup, compost toilet, and water holding tanks, expect an additional estimated cost of $35,000 for a serious solar system (we recommend Goal Zero systems or working with a local integrator). Keep in mind that much of your real estate value comes from land improvements. Also, off-grid living in winter can be challenging. If you have questions, just reach out!

Plans: Buy vs. Custom

When it comes to choosing your designs, there’s a lot to consider. You have two main routes: pre-designed plans or custom designs with minor modifications. The latter is the most common choice we see.

For most uses, only a few layouts work well given the small square footage constraints. With a few exceptions for specific uses (like a ceramics studio or editing bay), our standard packages are likely the best fit. For those who want to push boundaries, we appreciate your adventurous spirit—dream clients like you inspire us!

When purchasing plans or a prefabricated unit, you’re paying for a design that has been tested and reviewed by contractors. The benefits include time savings (full customization can take weeks to months), cost reduction, and reduced complexity. There can also be advantages in permitting; once a unit has been approved by a municipality, it’s less likely to face issues in future approvals.

Find Your Builder

Finding a contractor is arguably the most critical part of your cabin-building journey. A good contractor is worth their weight in gold, while a bad one can be a nightmare. Our top piece of advice: GET REFERENCES FROM AT LEAST THREE PRIOR CLIENTS. Licensing requirements vary by state; some states don’t require General Contractors to carry any license, while others are easier to obtain.

When searching for a contractor, consider these factors:

• Detailed Bids: When receiving bids, ask for a breakdown of costs. This allows you to compare quotes accurately and ask about any discrepancies. If a bid is significantly lower than others, the contractor may misunderstand something or be unaware of the true costs.

• Documentation: Ensure everything is documented on paper. Building any structure is complex, and mistakes will happen. Open communication is your best defense against serious issues. If a contractor is hard to reach or slow to respond before payment, that trend may continue afterward.

  
  

Some Final Words

Building a cabin is a significant commitment in both time and money, but it is absolutely possible to achieve with a reasonable budget. Surrounding yourself with a knowledgeable team in land sales, development, and construction is crucial. You can do this!

If you’re interested in taking the first steps toward your own cabin in the woods, shoot an email to hello@offsite.camp. We’d be happy to discuss your vision for more time outdoors!