Wheel house cost.

[herefish101]

My question is after all said and done how much do you save buying a frame and building your own, vs just buying one outright. I do understand the difference in craftsmanship, as I know I could do a better job than anyone mass producing them, but is the savings worth the extra time and effort. I have found a few good used houses for around 8 grand. After you spend 2-3 grand on the frame that means to make it cost affective you would have to get the rest for around 4 grand, sounds pretty close to me. Could some of you who have built their own chime in on this, and please tell me where my thoughts are right or wrong, maybe the ballpark figure of your project, heck if ya feel like shootin some pics in there it will all help me pull the trigger on the build vs buy debate. Thanks, Kris.

[KidWalleye]

I drew up some blue prints and did a cost sheet for all materials. It is a 6.5X14 with a 3 ft V-front. I came up with arouns $4,500 and mine will be a lot nicer than the ones you can buy complete. Now I'm not saying those aren't good I'm just saying as a carpenter I'm going to make sure the inside is done top notch (no laminate, or plastic wood). The one thing I plan on not skimping is the frame though. Otherwise I am building the cabinets, coat racks, shelves and everything else I want inside. I am using the corrugated aluminum siding from Menards. I know most people don't like the screws showing but I don't really care and I like the look. I used it on my last houe and the stuff is awesome..

[herefish101]

I drew up some blue prints and did a cost sheet for all materials. It is a 6.5X14 with a 3 ft V-front. I came up with arouns $4,500 and mine will be a lot nicer than the ones you can buy complete. Now I'm not saying those aren't good I'm just saying as a carpenter I'm going to make sure the inside is done top notch (no laminate, or plastic wood). The one thing I plan on not skimping is the frame though. Otherwise I am building the cabinets, coat racks, shelves and everything else I want inside. I am using the corrugated aluminum siding from Menards. I know most people don't like the screws showing but I don't really care and I like the look. I used it on my last houe and the stuff is awesome..

I too am a carpenter, i'm also no slouch with a welder, i'm just starting my cost sheets, i'm just shootin for a comparison.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

2010 Fish House Build

With everything 100% said and done, loaded up and ready to hit the ice, I'll be at close to $11k. That is with buying about $3k worth of stuff off various websites saving anywhere from 25-75% off retail prices vs the more well-known suppliers, and saving on sales tax. I found a great deal on aluminum siding in Minneapolis, and saved about 50% there.

If you were to build your own, using the exact same materials as the commercially built houses (paneling, low end cabinets, cheap lights, etc), you could save quite a bit of money vs buying one at retail this time of year. That said, if you were to attend the Ice Castle auctions in the spring, you'd have a tough time beating the prices they sell for. There are a lot of little things that a person may not think about in creating that initial budget that add up quick.

My dad is a welder and has built quite a few trailers through the years, but the one area I found that would be tough to save money is on the frame. The manufactures get some really good volume discounts from their suppliers, and know how to build them to last. Sure I could have saved $500 or so, but knowing that there are 20+ years building frames behind mine is worth a lot to me. Plus, it would have taken me an entire year to get all the geometry right :-D

[svonasek]

I built my frame. It's 8x16 plus a 3 foot V. I have about $1200 into the frame. The steel was about $400. The other $800 went towards the wheels, tires, spindles, brakes, leaf spring and fenders.

I could have cut the $800 down a little bit, but I chose to spend the extra to get 5000lb spindles.

I've spent about another $1000 on framing, floors and roof. I probably could have cut that in half if I hadn't used treated lumber.

I think I'm going to end up at about $6000 when it's all done.

here's where I'm at with about $2200 invested...

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I like the bay window in there. My next house will be getting one.

[svonasek]

I like the bay window in there. My next house will be getting one.

Thanks. It turned out better then I thought it would. I'll have to update my build thread...

[mnbuckhunter]

I'm at about $4500 for mine. It's 6 1/2 x 10 with a 3' V front. Rubber roof - siding from menards. Knotty pine all around inside. Built cabinets myself. Custom cushions ... catch covers... Forced furnace.... atwood stovetop. Looks pretty sharp. I think I saved a bit by not buying pre-made but not really sure on that.

BUT ........ while I did build one myself to save a few bucks, more so I built one to build one. You get the satifaction of building something yourself AND you get to build it how you want it.

That's the biggest bonus to building one yourself to me.

Good Luck!

[pike doctor]

I built an 8*16 with a 3 ft. V.

I have it:

-Sprayfoamed(an absolute must)

-Herculiner-coated frame w/drop hitch

-20,000 BTU forced air

-Rubber roof

-aluminum camper siding(just like an ice castle)

-8 holes and catch covers with glow in the dark hole sleeves.

-rattle reels (some audio, some glow in the dark, some bells-It really helps to identify them at three in the morning after 15-20 tall ones)

-3 bunks

-1700 watt onan generator

-LED lights for trailer, and the entire inside. (includes a light over each hole-really sweet.)

-stove/oven for cooking roast, etc.

-little 19 inch tv and dvd player

-weighs under 3,300 lbs.

I paid about $8,300 when I was all done.

I just enjoyed building the thing. You will never get your money back for your labor if you decided to sell it, but it is just a fun hobby. I think most that have built multiple houses just want to get the money out of the ones they are selling so they can build another and change what they didnt like. Mine is a year old and I would love to do another one this year.

[crappiekid]

pike dr is spot on making several good points. 2 years ago i built a 6.5x12 square front. A good frame is the key. The next important thing to me was spray foam insulation. Aluminum siding, Empire vented heater, LED interior lights and Thin lites, LP light for back up when battery dies on long trip, wire 110 and 12 V use GOOD vinyl slide windows, indoor outdoor carpet with 3/4 inch green treated floor, 1 pc galv. roof, drop down dinette with bunk, Catch cover holes, 3 burner stove w/ oven, 4 exterior 12V lights. That being said i bought several items over a 12 month period which helped the affordability issue. I purchased a frame off HSO-Classifieds from private party that weled for a living. I had 4k in all materials. I kept track of my time and it was 100 hours when all was said and done. My time was not important. I know what i have. I built the house to my likings and to last!! There is also a sence of accomplishment when you are sitting in your house fishing that is priceless. Good luck I would build my own. Matter of fact i am looking to sell mine and build a new 8.5x 12 as my girls want to start fishing with me as well.