Coop costs total- areas for cutting/saving?

[gottadance]

Roofing the whole 8x20 run properly is going to be ka-ching. A good cost saving measure might be to have the run fencing structured such that it is all ready to recieve rafters and a roof LATER, when more time/materials/funds are available.

Hmmmm....another good suggestion. Summer is coming and I won't need/want a roof until fall - before the first snowfall hits. Alright, going to get creative on this...thanks chicken lovers! You guys are great!

 

[dkvart1]

another place to look for inexpensive building materials is at habitat for humanity stores, they sell donated building materials for 50-75% off retail prices.

 

[Hoosierchickens]

Another great source for siding is to find someone whose tearing down an old barn. If you know a local farmer you could hit gold. They just don't make barn siding like they used to.

 

[gottadance]

Quote:
yeah, I'm currently having flooring put in my three bedrooms - reclaimed barn wood and it is just beautiful. I'd have to find some that was cheap - I'm paying $4 square foot for 12-14 inch wide planks. Not willing to pay that for coop wood!

But I'll keep my eyes out.

 

[gottadance]

Quote:
That's my next move - there are two ReStores near us (Hab for Humanity stores) - need to check them out. I feel my costs falling already....

 

[Hoosierchickens]

Quote:
yeah, I'm currently having flooring put in my three bedrooms - reclaimed barn wood and it is just beautiful. I'd have to find some that was cheap - I'm paying $4 square foot for 12-14 inch wide planks. Not willing to pay that for coop wood!

But I'll keep my eyes out.

I got mine for free. They were just going to burn it.

 

[perchie.girl]

Another source of building materials.

Roofing supply companies. They sell exterior grade plywood at bulk prices. Tongue and groove stuff.
They also have screws and staples. Caulk and of course roofing.

By the way what you can do with regard to doing the 10 percent discount at Home Depot is order at the Wholesale desk and tell them that your Contractor (shed builder) will be picking it up. Or if hes building on site just get him to quote you his fee for doing the job You supply the materials. Home depot will give home owners Contractors Credit card and when I got mine to buy a post hole auger Got one hundred dollars off a three hundred dollar purchase. And they gave me 600 dollars credit with 90 days same as cash.

BTW if you have someone building this shed for you get a quote from him in writing how much he will charge you to do it. This way if he takes a little longer (side jobs often do) you and he will be good. Since he wont be buying materials you will he wont need much in advance. I am used to dealing with people who disappear for a week at a time once they get money in their pocket. (Isolated farm in the middle of the deasert local people.... yata yata)

 

[gottadance]

Quote:
yeah, I'm currently having flooring put in my three bedrooms - reclaimed barn wood and it is just beautiful. I'd have to find some that was cheap - I'm paying $4 square foot for 12-14 inch wide planks. Not willing to pay that for coop wood!

But I'll keep my eyes out.

I got mine for free. They were just going to burn it.

Wow - burn it? Crazy!!!!! You got very lucky! I'm still going to keep my eyes out...

 

[gottadance]

perchie.girl :

Another source of building materials.

Roofing supply companies. They sell exterior grade plywood at bulk prices. Tongue and groove stuff.
They also have screws and staples. Caulk and of course roofing.

By the way what you can do with regard to doing the 10 percent discount at Home Depot is order at the Wholesale desk and tell them that your Contractor (shed builder) will be picking it up. Or if hes building on site just get him to quote you his fee for doing the job You supply the materials. Home depot will give home owners Contractors Credit card and when I got mine to buy a post hole auger Got one hundred dollars off a three hundred dollar purchase. And they gave me 600 dollars credit with 90 days same as cash.

BTW if you have someone building this shed for you get a quote from him in writing how much he will charge you to do it. This way if he takes a little longer (side jobs often do) you and he will be good. Since he wont be buying materials you will he wont need much in advance. I am used to dealing with people who disappear for a week at a time once they get money in their pocket. (Isolated farm in the middle of the deasert local people.... yata yata)

Oh - more good ideas. Yes, I've dealt with SO many contractors and yes, always get it in writing and always have a time limit. Most recently the guy who's doing my floors (the wood barn) signed a deal in which I wrote that for every day he was past his deadline, I'd deduct $100 from the remaining costs. I'm sure he'll come in on time.

 

[PapaChaz]

glad to see you're going to use exterior grade, LOL i just wanted to make sure you weren't using just plain old plywood. I worked for GA Pacific back in the 90's, and the first time i walked out through the warehouse, i had no idea there were so many different kinds of plywood! Are you planning on painting or staining? if you are, its more work and money to treat it first, after all it's already treated wood. but, even though it's treated wood already, you'll still need to paint or stain it. I'm going to assume that's what you're doing with the kilz...

I've read a lot of Lew's posts here, very knowledgeable! as well as pat's, they have lots of experience and would gladly help with good advice. I don't think anyone here would intentionally tell you something wrong

good luck with your coop, take lots of pics and keep us posted as it's going along!