New cabin Must Haves?

[RGrizzzz]

Over the next few years, it's likely that we may build a new house at our hunting camp. We currently have a double wide on a foundation that was put up in the mid 1980s. It's getting to an age where it's going to take some significant money to repair and replace things, so a whole new house is in the conversation. What are some things people consider must haves? Currently it's 3 bedrooms(3 queens, 3 twins, 2 couches), two full bathrooms, oil heat, etc. It gets pretty full during rifle deer season, so another bedroom and/or loft might be ideal. The cabin is used for hunting seasons and vacations, so it would be nice to make it a little more "vacationy" over its currently "utility" state. I'd like to make it as maintenance free as possible so things like composite decking are considerations, and no log cabins, as preferred by an 80-year-old uncle. A big entry/mudroom is likely a must have feature too. Doesn't need a garage, but some kind of covered parking/car port might be ideal. Whole house AC is going to be a must. It will likely get a propane tank vs oil for heat again. Feel free to share any thoughts/experiences you've had.

Also, has anyone found a good place to look at home plans for hunting cabins? I'm not sure if it's cheaper to find existing plans or pay someone to custom plans.

 

[b116757]

Remodel what you have maybe add an addition would be way cheaper that starting over with new construction. Existing structure would have to be in very poor repair for this to make financial sense. I did burn down an old house last year but it had no foundation no roof no running water and the floors where rotted out in several of the rooms so wide open to the crawl space type problems. It really did make more sense to just be done with it and start fresh if we build out there in the future. Now if you have money to burn on a construction project I’d still remodel the existing cabin but build a new place somewhere else on the property that make subdivision of the parcel easy in the future.

 

[Kooch]

I’m building a house now. Well, I’m paying for one to be built. We looked online for plans we liked, Google works.

Once we had an idea, we took those plans to a couple different lumber yards and they can use them as a template. We chose the place we chose because the one guy just seemed way better at it with more insight. He also never seemed drunk when we showed up. No need to purchase the plans in my case. They built them from scratch using their CAD system. We then changed them about 25 times before settling on what we wanted.

The charge for the plans was $2,500 when all was said and done.


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[RGrizzzz]

Remodel what you have maybe add an addition would be way cheaper that starting over with new construction. Existing structure would have to be in very poor repair for this to make financial sense. I did burn down an old house last year but it had no foundation no roof no running water and the floors where rotted out in several of the rooms so wide open to the crawl space type problems. It really did make more sense to just be done with it and start fresh if we build out there in the future. Now if you have money to burn on a construction project I’d still remodel the existing cabin but build a new place somewhere else on the property that make subdivision of the parcel easy in the future.

A remodel doesn't fix a lot of the problems with size, functionality and "vacationy". There's probably enough money to build new, as it will be a 6-8 way cost split. Here are some quick thoughts on why, it's not ideal.

The kitchen is too small and will need all new cabinetry plus some plumbing. There's not enough kitchen seating for more than 8.
Trailers aren't houses. The ceilings in the bedrooms are short and the windows are small. There's nowhere to add staircase to get up or down. I'm not sure what's 80's code that isn't 2024 code.
The basement is a block foundation. I'm not sure it can take any more weight. It's also damp and has no insulation/water proofing you'd get with a new basement.
The bathrooms need new cabinetry, tubs and flooring. Showers would be better than tubs.
When it comes to AC, there's not a good place for the interior mechanical. The basement as is, isn't great due to above reasons. A switch to propane would likely dictate a new heater and hot water tank too. There are no air return ducts.
It will likely need new siding as some point, and better insulation. The exhaust fans will need to be replaced.
The main deck needs to be replaced ASAP. It likely doesn't need to be as big, and going maintenance free would be great.
Winterization - it would be nice to have an efficient home, so we don't have to winterize the place. It's not cheap to heat currently. A new place can address this and/or make the shutdown easier.
The electrical service is only 100 amp, so upgrades there are needed.

 

[PatinPA]

I'm just responding to keep track of this. I'm in the same situation although it's just me. The cabin on my property is pretty run down and in no shape to stay over in at the moment. I'm in the process of cleaning it up to get a better idea of how much it would cost to fix up or if it would be better to tear it down and start fresh. It was built in the 70's, a lot of "homemade" probably nowhere near current spec features. The electric frankly scares me and I rarely turn on more than a light and the fridge I keep waters and celebratory beers.

 

[Catscratch]

Thinking of this more as a vacation home and not a house has me leaning towards making sure there is a pool room, ping-pong, arcade games, hot tub, grill/blackstone with seating, etc. Whenever I've been in a AIRBNB with groups we've enjoyed playing games, and cooking (either indoor or outdoor). Keeps the party together and having fun.

 

[RGrizzzz]

Thinking of this more as a vacation home and not a house has me leaning towards making sure there is a pool room, ping-pong, arcade games, hot tub, grill/blackstone with seating, etc. Whenever I've been in a AIRBNB with groups we've enjoyed playing games, and cooking (either indoor or outdoor). Keeps the party together and having fun.

The basement is a walk out, which would be a good place for some covered seating/patio area. Currently, it's just kind of a catch all for crap that gets used with stuff in the basement.

 

[SwampCat]

At least an under counter ice maker if not commercial. A big screened in porch. At least 200 yard target off back deck with auto corn feeder 100 yards out

 

[Tree Spud]

I would build a metal pole shed (have done it twice) You could split into 2 sections where one area is garage/workshop/equipment storage space. The other section could be living area. Make interior wall height 16' so you can put bunk rooms on 2nd floor with a bathroom. First floor can be kitchen, dining, living room, bathroom, and maybe a small bedroom for those who aren't good with stairs (you may need them someday also).

Metal buildings are very low maintenance. Some things to consider:
- Our 1st building was ~ 60' x 40' and had concrete floor with foundation through entire building. keep floor stable.
- Kitchen, lots of counter space & center island.
- Do in floor heating with a hot water boiler. Boiler will be very small and keep shop and living very warm, you can also eliminate a water heater as it will also supply hot water for whole house. We keep it
at 64 F all winter and it I can work in shop in short sleeves. This approach is equal to cost of of a hot of a hot air heating system, but you keeping floor warm so heat does not just stay in top of building.
You can add AC for living area.
- Do 6' wall studs and line walls & sealing with 1.5" of spray foam insulation and then insulation.
- Go with 200 amp service. You can never have too many outlets. Put in a plug for a welder and Generator hook-up as back-up power for heating system & refrigerators. Wire for internet/cable TV.
- Outside motion sensitive spot lights for security.
- Blink (or other) inside & outside security cameras.
- Do bunk beds in the bedrooms with full size mattress'.
- Enclosed shop with twin utility sink, floor drains, Hanger for hoist for deer butchering. Chest freezer. Maybe a toilet, sink 10' x 12' garage door. Make sure you have the door an insulated version, really
helps keep cold out.
- In the shop, with 16' wall, you can add a mezzanine for more storage or extra sleeping space.
- Wood burning stove with glass viewing window. We have one in the living area and shop.
- Make sure you have about a 2' overhang around roof line. Overhang over garage & entry door keeps snow and ice from building up.

We designed our own both times and the building contractor had an architect review. Search for "metal pole building for hunting cabin floor plans ".

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[Lucky_P]

Foam or blown-in cellulose insulation. No fiberglass batts, and no blown-in fiberglass.
I have no experience with foam, but wet-blown cellulose in walls is vastly superior to fiberglass batts with regard to stopping air infiltration, great soundproofing, and will not burn (yeah, it might smolder for weeks, but your house won't go up in a blazing inferno. Blown in cellulose overhead. Do not put heat/AC ducts in the attic - its 150 degrees up there in the summer! Make sure heating/cooling system is properly sized for the conditioned space.
We have in-floor radiant heat for the added-on big sunroom where we now spend 90% of our time. Runs off the 90-gal Marathon electric water heater that supplies the kitchen/laundry/downstairs bath. I'll never say that it's cost- or energy-efficient, but it's comfortable.
Whole-house generator.

 

[b116757]

Nothing wrong with a block foundation sell the double wide to be moved within 6 months or a year from sale date. Likely you could get $30k maybe $50k depending on your local market then reuse exiting block basement and build whatever cabin you want on top of it shouldn’t be a big deal to add footage with just a crawl space or slab on grade for any additional footage on the main floor you wish to add. This way you recover some money from double wide and don’t have to completely start from scratch on basement.

 

[RGrizzzz]

Nothing wrong with a block foundation sell the double wide to be moved within 6 months or a year from sale date. Likely you could get $30k maybe $50k depending on your local market then reuse exiting block basement and build whatever cabin you want on top of it shouldn’t be a big deal to add footage with just a crawl space or slab on grade for any additional footage on the main floor you wish to add. This way you recover some money from double wide and don’t have to completely start from scratch on basement.

Good thought. There's a crack in the back wall that will likely make reusing it a no go.

 

[bigboreblr]

New modular on old base?

For hunting camp, keep the woods away. Front porch by road instead of back porch. Seclusion from woods. Future is coming, whether we like it or not Electric charging, or atleast have the conduit layed in for it. Perhaps have a conduit run for a new garage too. One of those washroom sinks. Wife always bugging me about dirty stuff in her bathroom. Working on cars, bloody hand from cleaning deer. PErhaps a water spigot run towards the back. Watering trees, auto refill deer drinking bucket, etc. Even electric in a hunting shack.

Property big enough to subdivide and sell old house?

 

[RGrizzzz]

A new house will have to go where the existing house is. No chance for subdivision.

We already have a pole barn for equipment, so don't really need a proper shop.

The grade is sloped, so a basement is likely a must. That may rule out a metal building/barndominium.

 

[TenPoint]

I would not want an unknown neighbor.

 

[bigboreblr]

How much work do you plan to do yourself? Free time? Distance from work to camp? Seen houses soak up 3-5 years of one's time. Simple yet well executed, try to do every job like that.

 

[Westwind]

Highly recommend floor heat, love it in our basement and garage.

Insulate interior walls if no one mentioned that. It’s cheap and makes whole house quieter.

 

[Foggy47]

If you do that bunk bed idea.....dont forget about how to make those beds. We have some queen sized beds that are enclosed on three sides....and they are an SOB to put sheets on.

I like the idea of those barn-domium or Shouse. Really a nice way to get allot of bang for your buck and low maintenance too. A game room and/or a TV room is cool. Extra bathrooms are good.

I'd do some kind of game cleaning / mud room with sinks and SS countertops....and consider a walk in cooler for game if you do lots of hunting or fishing. In floor heat is nice. An outdoor fireplace or fire pit will make lots of memories. We like our covered outdoor fireplace as it keeps the smoke out of eyes and you don't smell like a chimney.....yet the ambiance is great.

 

[Turkey Creek]

Foam or blown-in cellulose insulation. No fiberglass batts, and no blown-in fiberglass.
I have no experience with foam, but wet-blown cellulose in walls is vastly superior to fiberglass batts with regard to stopping air infiltration, great soundproofing, and will not burn (yeah, it might smolder for weeks, but your house won't go up in a blazing inferno. Blown in cellulose overhead. Do not put heat/AC ducts in the attic - its 150 degrees up there in the summer! Make sure heating/cooling system is properly sized for the conditioned space.
We have in-floor radiant heat for the added-on big sunroom where we now spend 90% of our time. Runs off the 90-gal Marathon electric water heater that supplies the kitchen/laundry/downstairs bath. I'll never say that it's cost- or energy-efficient, but it's comfortable.
Whole-house generator.

To each his own. However blown in fiberglass in my opinion is better than blown in cellulose. Cellulose settles much more and also holds and moisture if it gets damp for much longer.

 

[Jerry-B-WI]

Don't know where you're building, but if it's a cold climate and the house is sealed, you should put in a air to air heat exchanger. It'll get fresh air in and save the heating and cooling costs and help control humidity.

I'll second the wet blown cellulose. I've had it in my house for 36 years and love it. When I built my cabin I insulated the walls between the bedrooms, now I can't hear my BIL snore.