Below, Kevin and Elizabeth give us a look inside the 420-square-foot Montana cabin they built for just $7,000 — yes, really. Even though the project came together before the lumber-price madness of 2020, that number is still wild for what they pulled off. This little guest cabin feels cozy, finished, and downright welcoming.
They kept costs low by getting creative: using around 40% reclaimed materials, hunting for second-hand finds, and accepting a few generous hand-me-downs from friends and family. Inside, you get everything you need — a kitchen, bathroom, loft bedroom, and even a comfy spot to eat at the butcher-block bar. It’s the kind of place you could stay for a weekend… or never want to leave.
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A Peaceful Montana Cabin Built on a Budget
Images via Tiny Home Tours
A Welcoming Porch and Shaded Outdoor Space
Images via Tiny Home Tours
A Clever Under-Stair Kitchen Packed With Essentials
Images via Tiny Home Tours
A Cozy Butcher-Block Bar for Meals and Morning Coffee
Images via Tiny Home Tours
Video Tour: How This Retired Couple Built Their $7K Cabin
Highlights:
- Kevin and Elizabeth moved around a lot during Kevin’s military career, purchasing a house here and there, only to sell it later. At last, they found Montana and a lovely remote piece of land to call home. They have a standard house on the property and then built this little cabin using 40% reclaimed materials.
- The cabin was designed as a guest house for family and friends at first, but they now do rent it out to others on occassion (although it’s not on Airbnb).
- Incredibly, they only spent $7k on the entire build (pre-lumber cost boom of 2020)! Many of the items were given to them or found, which helped keep costs reasonable.
- The cabin itself is about 12×20, so just over 400 square feet.
- While there is a loft bedroom, the couch downstairs also folds down to create a first floor sleeping spot.
Learn more
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Alex
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I love this! So pretty and liveable. Great job!
Nice job! Love it! If I could, I’d love to stay in it, but being in a wheelchair, that’s no longer possible. Love your design and thoughtful follow-through in the build. And I love Montana, too.