How Much Does a Yurt Cost?
Last Updated: January 13, 2022
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What is a Yurt? #
A yurt is an alternative style of home similar to a teepee in design. But, it's much more spacious and luxurious. They can range anywhere from 12' in diameter (114 square feet) to 30' in diameter (707 square feet). Wooden yurts are most popular, but they can also be made from metal. They can be used as hunting cabins or year-round housing fully equipped with indoor plumbing and electricity. Their benefit is in the cost and ease of construction. A traditional, stick-framed building of similar size of a yurt can take twice as long to build and cost twice as much. Even prefab manufactured homes cannot compete with the price of a yurt.
Yurt living can be a welcome change from the ordinary. It's almost like traveling back in time but with all the amenities of the present. Most people are drawn to its open concept lack of walls and simplicity of design. There are yurt plans out there for everyone, and you can even customize the plans to fit your needs.
How Much Can You Expect To Pay For A Yurt? #
A typical modest yurt can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 to construct. This type of yurt is built for mild climates without snowfall, however. Year-round yurts that can handle winds and snow loads cost closer to $15,000. Large sized yurts can range upwards of $30,000. These prices are just to build a yurt, however. You will need to contact other contractors to install plumbing and electrical systems. Expect to add close to $10,000 for this work to the cost of a yurt.
There is a type of yurt available with "tall walls", that allow you to add a second floor loft to your yurt. It doesn't change the cost by a large amount, and the tradeoff to have another floor is usually worth it. One problem of yurts is lack of storage space, and a loft is a good answer to that problem. Expect to pay from $2,000 to $5,000 extra for a loft depending on the diameter of your yurt.
Used yurts are available for those who do not want to spend money for a brand new one. A large sized yurt can be bought for as little as $15,000. Make sure that the yurt you purchased has been used in a mild climate to avoid potential structural issues from high winds and snow.