Build a yurt ourselves or buy a kit?

[Multi-Generational]

Hi. My family is thinking about buying land to share between several family members with between 2-6 individual homes. We aren't going to cut corners on quality and safety but we are trying to find the best budget friendly option. So my question is, which is the cheapest option: building a yurt ourselves (we do have the skills and the tools) or buying a kit? Is there a website where we can compare the costs of each? Thank you.

[Freedom Yurt Cabins]

Have you decided on a fabric or solid wall yurt?

I invite you to consider a Freedom Yurt-Cabin. Based your skills, you and a friend could assemble a Yurt-Cabin in two days. The kit includes the floor structure, eliminating the need to build a separate deck.

Feel free to give me a call if you have any questions about materials, durability, or assembly.

Thank you,

Randall Bowers
Freedom Yurt-Cabins
303-344-0499

[ineffableone]

Originally Posted by Multi-Generational

So my question is, which is the cheapest option: building a yurt ourselves (we do have the skills and the tools) or buying a kit? Is there a website where we can compare the costs of each? Thank you.

The big issue with building a yurt yourself from my understanding is sewing the covering. From what I have heard this is where most DIYers have the biggest trouble. It takes a lot of space and a very hardy sewing machine that can sew thick materials.

You might want to consider how you would sew the covering. If you find you could sew it then DIY yurt building by far is the lowest cost. And it does give you some serious bragging rights of being able to say you built it yourself.

[Bob Rowlands]

I sewed both the wall and roof cover for my 16' yurt. The wall started out as painters tarps. Very easy to modify. The roof cover started as a large tarp. I modified it to fit my yurt.

I didn't find either particularly difficult to sew, but they did test my patience from the sheer amount of time it took. I sewed both of them with a 50s vintage Singer portable, smaller than a typical sewing machine for making clothing. Where there's a will, there's a way.

It would definitely be best to use an industrial machine to make a cover from scratch though. Good luck.

[Marshall Eppley]

I did the roof hole in mine by hand with a palm stitch er. took me almost a hole day.

[Bob Rowlands]

lol Marshall

[Jafo]

For myself, I went with the kit. As much experience as I have with building things, I still think it would have taken me a long, long time to build a proper yurt. With a business, kids and wife, I have no time to offer it.

If you decide to build, just be sure you know what you are getting involved in.

[Marshall Eppley]

I enjoyed every minute of my first build everything went together without a hitch and i was really surprised when it stood up to mother nature and a 30 inch snow the first year with no one there to watch over it. I still have my first yurt tucked away under my cabin waiting for family to come to visit in the summer and put it back up for their use.