I just finished building another new box for my star tortoises, and I built a box for some friends who lost everything in the fires a few months ago. Many people have asked me to build them a box and what it would cost. I thought it might be helpful to list everything out to help people decide what they want to do.
To make a 4'x8'x24" I use:
7 sheets of plywood at about $20 each: $140
4 sheets of insulation at about $25 each: $100
20 2x4s at about $3 each: $60
Asst. other lumber: $25
6-7 tubes of silicone I caulking at $6 each: $42
Loads of "Deck Screws": $30-40
Door flaps: $10-20
Paint and primer for outside only, plush rollers, paint pan liners, brushes: $20 + $40-50 = $75
Coating for inside, if needed is about: $100 for Pond Shield
Hinges for top and doors, plus door latches: $44
Weather stripping: $25
Total for building materials = Approximately $655, but by the time I'm done adding stuff, lets just call it $700.
Then the electrics:
Heavy gauge extension cord: $50
Plastic box with clips on the lid to contain cords and thermostat: $10
Oil-filled mini radiant heater: $50 with tax and shipping.
Computer fan with speed controller: $20
Thermostat: $30
Cup holders, zip ties, and screws to manage cords and keep them secure: $10
Incandescent fixtures, bulbs and timers, if needed: $20 + $20 + $15 = $55
Total for heating stuff= Approx $215
It takes me approximately 30 hours to get one done, including painting.
So… $650-700 + $215 + labor...
Cost of lumber and building materials would be about half for a 4'x4'x24" box, but labor and the cost of the heating and electrics would be about the same.
Some people might want to factor in time and gas to drive to the hardware store several times to get all the needed stuff (Because you never get everything right the first time…), and any unforeseen problems that might pop up. Several hundred or thousand in tools will also be needed.
People have asked me to build boxes for them, and I really enjoy building them, but I'd have to sell a finished box for $2000-2500 just to make any money and be able to pay a few bills. I wish it were cheaper, but it just isn't. I can remember my first boxes costing a lot less than this, but the cost of materials keeps going up and up. Plywood used to run $13 a sheet. Now its closer to $20. 2x4s were $1.20 each, and now they are over $3 each.
This is also the reason why I won't be building any indoor boxes anymore. Animal Plastics charges only $500-750 for their larger cages. That is a bargain because I spend zero time building, it looks very professional, and it will outlast anything I make myself from wood. I wish they made insulated outdoor boxes because I would never build another box again!
I hope someone finds this info useful in some way or other.
To make a 4'x8'x24" I use:
7 sheets of plywood at about $20 each: $140
4 sheets of insulation at about $25 each: $100
20 2x4s at about $3 each: $60
Asst. other lumber: $25
6-7 tubes of silicone I caulking at $6 each: $42
Loads of "Deck Screws": $30-40
Door flaps: $10-20
Paint and primer for outside only, plush rollers, paint pan liners, brushes: $20 + $40-50 = $75
Coating for inside, if needed is about: $100 for Pond Shield
Hinges for top and doors, plus door latches: $44
Weather stripping: $25
Total for building materials = Approximately $655, but by the time I'm done adding stuff, lets just call it $700.
Then the electrics:
Heavy gauge extension cord: $50
Plastic box with clips on the lid to contain cords and thermostat: $10
Oil-filled mini radiant heater: $50 with tax and shipping.
Computer fan with speed controller: $20
Thermostat: $30
Cup holders, zip ties, and screws to manage cords and keep them secure: $10
Incandescent fixtures, bulbs and timers, if needed: $20 + $20 + $15 = $55
Total for heating stuff= Approx $215
It takes me approximately 30 hours to get one done, including painting.
So… $650-700 + $215 + labor...
Cost of lumber and building materials would be about half for a 4'x4'x24" box, but labor and the cost of the heating and electrics would be about the same.
Some people might want to factor in time and gas to drive to the hardware store several times to get all the needed stuff (Because you never get everything right the first time…), and any unforeseen problems that might pop up. Several hundred or thousand in tools will also be needed.
People have asked me to build boxes for them, and I really enjoy building them, but I'd have to sell a finished box for $2000-2500 just to make any money and be able to pay a few bills. I wish it were cheaper, but it just isn't. I can remember my first boxes costing a lot less than this, but the cost of materials keeps going up and up. Plywood used to run $13 a sheet. Now its closer to $20. 2x4s were $1.20 each, and now they are over $3 each.
This is also the reason why I won't be building any indoor boxes anymore. Animal Plastics charges only $500-750 for their larger cages. That is a bargain because I spend zero time building, it looks very professional, and it will outlast anything I make myself from wood. I wish they made insulated outdoor boxes because I would never build another box again!
I hope someone finds this info useful in some way or other.