Written by
Tamatha Hazen
Edited by
Kristen Cramer
Fact-checked by
Tom Grupa
A-frame house cost by size
The cost to build an A-frame house is $100 to $300 per square foot or $100,000 to $300,000 on average for a 1,000 SF home. A-frame cabin costs depend on the size, materials, features, and whether you purchase a kit or build the house from scratch.
| Home square feet | Average cost to build* |
|---|---|
| 300 | $30,000 – $90,000 |
| 600 | $60,000 – $180,000 |
| 800 | $80,000 – $240,000 |
| 1,000 | $100,000 – $300,000 |
| 1,200 | $120,000 – $360,000 |
| 1,500 | $150,000 – $450,000 |
| 1,800 | $180,000 – $540,000 |
| 2,000 | $200,000 – $600,000 |
*Cost to build does not include purchasing land.
A-frame homes are typically smaller than traditional houses or cabins, but large windows make the space feel bigger.
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A-frame cabin kit cost
A-frame cabin kits cost $36,000 to $334,000, depending on the size. The kit includes all the fasteners, hardware, roofing, windows, and doors for easy assembly on-site.
A-frame kit prices do not include the costs for site prep, a foundation, utility connections, and professional labor. Most kits do not include interior finishes like cabinets, countertops, plumbing fixtures, or drywall.
| Brand & model | Beds/baths & occupancy | Floor area (square feet) | Kit cost* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nolla Zero A-frame | 1 bed/0 ba (sleeps 2) | 97 | $36,000 |
| DEN A-frame Bunk | 1 bed/0 ba (sleeps 2) | 115 | $27,000 |
| Lushna Villa Massive | 1 bed/0 ba (sleeps 2) | 164 | $17,000 |
| Lushna Suite Lux | 1 bed/1 ba/kitchen (sleeps 4) | 205 | $46,000 |
| Avrame USA Solo 100 | 1 bed/1 ba (sleeps 2-4) | 250 | $39,300 |
| Avrame USA Duo 100 | 2 bed/1 ba (sleeps 2-5) | 500 | $66,450 |
| Avrame Trio 100 | 3 bed/2 ba (sleeps 2-6) | 1,200 | $113,500 |
| Ayfraym by Everywhere | 3 bed/2 ba/kitchen (sleeps 6-8) | 1,483 | $334,000 |
*Kit materials only.
An A-frame cabin kit is an affordable way to build a home if you can handle the space limitations and unique shape. For a larger or more traditional space, consider these other log cabins instead.
A log cabin kit costs $50 to $100 per square foot for the kit alone.
A finished log cabin costs $100 to $300 per square foot when starting with a kit or prefab package. A custom stick-built cabin costs $150 to $400 per square foot.
A-frame cabin kits gained popularity in the 1950s and 60s as an affordable way to build a vacation home, and the kits are still popular today.
Cost breakdown to build an A-frame house
Since property costs vary widely based on location, this cost breakdown does not include the cost of buying land.
Site prep
Once you've purchased land, you'll need to prepare the site for construction. Site prep may include:
A property survey costs $200 to $1,200, depending on the size and difficulty of the terrain.
Clearing the land costs $1,200 to $3,700.
Site excavation costs $2.50 to $15.00 per cubic yard.
Land grading and leveling cost $0.40 to $2.00 per square foot.
A private asphalt road costs $3 to $7 per square foot.
Adding a gravel road costs $1 to $3 per square foot.
Pouring a concrete slab foundation costs $5 to $10 per square foot.
Building permits cost $500 to $2,000 for new home construction.
Construction
When the foundation sets, you'll move on to building the cabin, which may include hiring professional designers and contractors:
Drafting blueprints or house plans costs $350 to $5,000 for a 1,000-square-foot home.
Local general contractors charge $50 to $150 per hour or 10% to 20% of construction costs to coordinate and oversee the build. As an alternative, a construction manager costs 5% to 15% of the project cost to manage the entire build from planning through completion.
An architect costs $100 to $250 per hour or 5% to 20% of construction costs for full house design and services.
A structural engineer costs $100 to $220 per hour.
Electrician services cost $50 to $130 per hour.
Plumber services cost $45 to $150 per hour.
A handyman charges $50 to $80 per hour.
Finishing
After the exterior shell is constructed, you'll need to finish the interior and exterior living spaces. Depending on whether you're building the A-frame from a kit or from scratch, your finishing costs may include:
Drywall installation costs $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot.
Spray foam insulation costs $1.00 to $4.50 per square foot.
New plumbing pipes cost $4 to $6 per square foot.
Roof installation costs $3 to $6 per square foot for an asphalt shingle roof, with other materials costing more. Many A-frame kits include roofing materials.
Interior house framing costs $14 to $30 per square foot.
Window installation costs $400 to $1,000 per window, if your A-frame kit does not already include them.
Interior door installation costs $150 to $700 each for bedroom, bathroom, or closet doors.
An HVAC system costs $7,000 to $16,000 with ductwork.
Flooring installation costs $4 to $15 per square foot, depending on the material chosen.
Interior painting costs $1 to $3 per square foot of surface area.
Installing light fixtures costs $70 to $300 per fixture or about $3,000 for the entire home.
Kitchen cabinets cost $4,500 to $15,000.
Countertop installation costs $50 to $150 per square foot or $1,500 to $6,000 total for an average kitchen.
Kitchen appliances cost $2,500 to $6,800 to install a complete set.
Sink installation costs $330 to $1,300 for each kitchen or bathroom sink.
Landscaping costs $50 to $100 per hour or $3,000 to $16,000 for a completely new landscaping installation.
Utilities and services
Getting utilities on vacant land costs $9,000 to $34,500 for electricity, water, gas, and septic services. Adding utilities requires connecting to the local power grid, water, and sewer system or installing solar power, a well, and a septic system if you build on a rural lot with no city services.
Costs may include:
City water – Installing and connecting the water main costs $1,700 to $3,000.
Well water – Drilling a new well costs $25 to $65 per foot.
Sewer – Adding a sewer line costs $1,600 to $7,200 for up to 40 feet, with excavation and backfill.
Septic – Adding a septic system costs $3,500 to $8,500.
Solar – Installing solar panels costs $10,600 to $26,500 for a 6 to 12 kW system.
Are A-frame houses cheaper to build?
A-frame homes are cheaper to build than traditional homes since they are smaller. A traditional house costs $100 to $200 per square foot to build but is typically about twice the size of the average A-frame house. A-frames are popular for vacation homes due to their compact size and easy construction.
Other alternatives to an A-frame house include:
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Barndominiums cost $65 to $160 per square foot for a barn-style residential space.
Pole barn houses cost $50 to $150 per square foot for a simple post-frame construction barn-style home.
Metal building homes cost $50 to $145 per square foot.
Shipping container homes cost $150 to $350 per square foot for a fully finished living space built from new or used shipping containers.
A-frame house pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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What is an A-frame house?
An A-frame house is easily recognized by the triangular shape formed by the slanted roof that extends down the sides to the ground. Popular in ski areas, the steep roofline prevents snow and ice build-up and offers high ceilings with large windows for better views and natural light.
What are the types of A-frame houses?
A-frame houses are typically used for vacation or second homes due to their limited interior living space. They can be rustic off-grid homes with a cabin-like feel or more modern structures made of wood or steel with upgraded interior features.
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How long does it take to build an A-frame house?
Building an A-frame house from a kit takes 4 to 8 months from start to finish. Don't forget to include time for permitting, design changes, and weather delays when planning your building schedule.
Getting estimates from A-frame house builders
Here are some tips to use when getting estimates from A-frame home builders:
Search for licensed, insured, and bonded builders with experience building A-frame homes.
Read their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Ask to visit a recent build to see the quality of their workmanship.
Pick a builder that fits your budget and timeline.
Request a written contract with the timeline, payment schedule, and warranty information.
Negotiate a payment schedule with a modest down payment and final payment due upon completion.
Questions to ask
Asking these questions can help you find the best builder for your project:
Is your business licensed, bonded, and insured?
How many A-frames have you built in the past year?
Do you have any completed homes in the area I can view?
What is included in your estimate?
What site prep is required to build an A-frame home?
How long does an A-frame home take to build?
How much of a deposit do you require? What are your payment terms?
Do you have a list of preferred lenders for financing?
