A little Cabin in the Woods

By May 5, 2016 May 14th, 2016 Updates + Best Practices

Grandpa always said, all you really need is a cabin in the woods.

It’s what you’ve always dreamed of, a haven away from the bustle. However, if the location is not easily accessible or near a populated area where materials are readily available, making that happen requires a lot of pre-planning and construction coordination. *To that end, we’ve outlined a few things to keep in mind as you start envisioning your new home.

Utilities are a big consideration. Bringing in specific resources can be costly, so your design may be driven by what’s already there. If natural gas isn’t available, you’ll need to use electric or propane even for appliances such as a refrigerator, which will need to be factored into the cost.

Materials become a bigger issue when building in a remote location. For example, a concrete floor brings a lot of risks; the concrete plant may be hours away, it has a life expectancy from the time it’s loaded to when it’s delivered and it has to be poured under certain conditions. If these factors aren’t met, the end product may suffer, and it’s not easy to reverse that kind of decision.

Scheduling becomes a finely orchestrated production—you can’t just run to the building supply store if something is forgotten. Ordering and delivering materials need to be sequenced accordingly and lead times are going to be longer. You’ll also want to consolidate the amount of deliveries to keep the cost down.

Manpower is a big one. Are you able to board the employees closer to the location or is there going to be travel time and expenses to account for? These are important factors for both budget and timelines.

Seasonality drives the schedule. Whereas some homes can be framed in and work can continue through the winter, that may not be the case with a remote location. Weather could limit access and keeping a heating source going through the winter could be challenging. The good news is that it’s in everyone’s best interest to expedite the job.

*Disclaimer. This is not a deterrent, it’s a road map. The tight planning will be well deserved when you settle in for the first cup of coffee in your new refuge.


The only way into this cabin is by small plane or two days on horseback. The logistics of building a cabin in the woods can be an exciting experience.