6 Log Cabin Kits You Can Buy for Under $60K
There’s nothing wrong with wanting a change of scenery — especially one that you can revisit time and time again. Whether you’ve saved up for a vacation home, want to plant roots in a lakeside tiny home, or even want a guest house on your property for visitors (or respite from your own family), you might be considering using a log cabin kit to build an extra home.
Log cabin kits work pretty simply: Manufacturers and craftspeople who specialize in log cabin construction and materials provide prefabricated homes to buyers who can select kits based on a variety of options. This saves buyers from having to figure out the engineering behind floor plans and supply lists.
I found six log cabin kits for sale under $60,000 — and, y’all, the variations on these are fantastic! There’s definitely an option for every type of forest sprite. Glampers? Check. Hunters? You got it. Witches just trying to savor some peace and quiet away from meddling children in a structure that’s sturdier than gingerbread? I mean, yes! Why not? Let’s get these logs rollin’!
Coventry Timbertrail
Cost: Starting at $44,600
Size: 392 square feet
If you’re looking for simplicity, this one-bed, one-bath, beautifully crafted log cabin kit is a must-see. I recommend heading to Coventry’s site and taking the 3D tour of the Timbertrail for the full experience. Tiny house movement followers will find that there’s more than enough room in this cabin for all of life’s daily tasks. With a small loft above and a separate bedroom area on the main floor, the Timbertrail offers a great deal of dimension without losing the charm and coziness of cabin life.
Conestoga Log Cabins & Homes’ Bear Creek
Cost: Starting at $51,679
Size: 408 square feet
An option for the minimalist who spends more time outdoors than in, Conestoga Log Cabins’ Bear Creek cabin kit offers a safe, comfortable shelter that maximizes the outdoor experience. I’m especially drawn to the serene six-foot covered porch. In addition to views, this kit offers bonus storage space above the bathroom — perfect for those stowing special gear or packing for a long stay. This place just looks inviting. I’m sold!
Merrimac Ayers Pond
Cost: Starting at $40,480
Size: 1,026 square feet
The Ayers Pond cabin kit by Merrimac Log Homes showcases all the stunning details of more stately (aka expensive) lake houses or cabins, but for a smaller household. This one-bedroom, one-bathroom kit features a bonus loft space on the upper floor which can serve as an additional room, or just a space to unwind after a long day running around outside with your pet Blue Ox. In particular, I love the wraparound porch/deck combo. What’s a log cabin experience without a porch!?
Finger Lakes’ Keuka
Cost: Starting at $58,985
Size: 1,280 square feet
The Keuka model from Finger Lakes Log Homes, Inc. serves as an ideal choice for folks seeking a ranch-style cabin or for those with accessibility needs. A cathedral ceiling upgrade is an option if you’re looking for a little extra wow factor. But with three full bedrooms, a front porch, and generous space in a seamless kitchen/dining/living room area, the Keuka is the perfect log cabin kit for families eager to enjoy quality time together.
American Log Homes’ Georgia
Cost: $49,500
Size: 3,323 square feet
The Georgia cabin kit provides the most ample square footage of our options at an extremely competitive price. With three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living space, and a family room, you’ll hardly be roughing it in this model. Dwellers have the opportunity to indulge in all of the rustic comforts of your typical cabin without sacrificing space for the whole family, nor modern conveniences. Whether residing in the Georgia kit permanently or as a wilderness retreat, the builder can expect all the comforts of home.
Battlecreek Bear View
Cost: Starting at $51,330
Size: 578 square feet
This one-bedroom, one-bathroom cabin kit by Battlecreek Log Homes is the perfect romantic getaway for a couple, or a sustainable daily-use home for the tiny house-minded cabin dweller. The site estimates that labor — on top of the kit — will cost about $25,000. With a lofted bedroom and space on the second floor open to below, this kit offers plenty of natural light through beautiful massive windows. I also love how even this cozier kit has a beautiful porch for enjoying all that the woods have to offer.
Is it cheaper to build a house or a log cabin kit?
According to a 2022 article published on Realtor.com, log cabins often require annual maintenance — especially if they’re older. They also reportedly “cost about 20% more to construct than a comparably sized typical home, due to the increased labor and material costs associated with building a specialty home.”
One estimate, per Realtor.com, finds that a log cabin can be about $500 per square foot to build (for custom designs), while a traditional-construction home is anywhere from $100 to $200 per square foot. Gingrich Log Homes, a log cabin construction company based in Pennsylvania, says that when you buy a kit the materials can be marked up, you have to pay for shipping costs and find your own builder, and that often certain basics aren’t included with the kit (like excavation, foundation, plumbing, etc.).