Cabin in a Box

My friend's hunting cabin from Home Depot

After exploring unconventional living arrangements like tiny houses (Tiny Texas Houses, Tumbleweed Houses) and communal living, I thought I’d take a look at another low-cost alternative. Did you know that you can buy a house at Home Depot? One of my friends bought one to use as a hunting cabin. After touring it, I know I could easily live in one fulltime.

In 2002 Tuff Shed partnered with Home Depot to develop a line of products available exclusively through Home Depot stores in select markets throughout the United States. Currently, Tuff Shed products are available in more than 1,500 Home Depot Stores across 36 states, with the products pre-fabricated and delivered out of a network of 55 Tuff Shed owned and operated factory locations.

You have to own your land free and clear, which can then be used as collateral for the cabin. The Tuff Shed Company even does the financing.

My friend chose a 30’ x 30’ Ranch Basic model, which sells for $30,500. She made various upgrades which brought her total to just under $35,000. A crew of three men showed up in a travel trailer to construct the house, which arrived from Home Depot and included all the necessary parts. Once the cabin was complete, they noticed a mistake in the roof rafters. New rafters were sent out and the team replaced them at no additional cost. They even left the original set of rafters, which she’ll be able to re-purpose at some future time.

Back of the cabin

The first floor is 900 square feet, with an upstairs loft of approximately 300 additional square feet. My friend’s cabin is outfitted for hunters and the rustic décor reflects its use. Clearly it could be finished out in any number of ways to suit any number of tastes.

Open loft sleeping area

The lower level is an open plan with kitchen, dining and living areas and a full bath. In my friend’s case, the loft has an enclosed bedroom at one end and several other beds in the open area. The cost of running electricity to her cabin was prohibitive so she used all propane. I was surprised at how far propane appliances have come!

Kitchen with all-propane appliances

Open living/dining area

These neat wall lamps emit light from the bottom and heat out of the top. The propane tubing runs between the interior plywood paneling and the exterior cedar lap.

Propane light/heater

It’s a really neat, very affordable house and a great alternative to today’s high-priced dwellings.

Looking up at the loft, which is located above the kitchen

Are you looking for a less-expensive alternative to the current high-priced homes? Maybe this could work for you. Find that perfect piece of land, stop by Home Depot and place your order and very quickly you could have your own little dream house.

What do you think? Could you live here for $35,000? I could!