Gazebo - is this possible?

[Katesfunnyfarm]

So...I already have 14 chickens. Spent all last summer long making their coop a home, building the run. I thought I was done and satisfied. Until chicken math kicked in and I decided I wanted another coop to be able to have more chickens. Started building a 4x7 pallet coop, decided I wasn’t satisfied and I’d use the pallet would for another project. Just started building a 4x8, only got the base done so far....and holy cow is lumber expensive right now. And it will be for the foreseeable future. Sheets of plywood right now are ranging from 50 for the cheap stuff to 70 for the somewhat good stuff. I priced the coop I’m building out and it would cost anywhere from 700-1000 at the very least to complete if I want to do it the right way, not including the run. SO. Got to scrounging through FB marketplace for already made coops the other day. And found this beauty. A frickin gazebo. It’s gorgeous for its age, still in really nice condition, the floor is beautiful. roof could use replacing but it’s not an immediate concern. If I wasn’t chicken crazy, I’d want it in my backyard to keep for humans lol. I saw it and started getting all these ideas on concerting it to a coop - replacing the screen with hardware cloth, in the winter making modifications to keep it warm. Wouldn’t take much at all to convert it to a coop. The issue is transport...this thing is somewhat of a monster. At the widest it’s 11’....approx. 11-12 feet high with the peak. I figured if we had to, we could cut the highest peak off and re attach it. While I know it will take some money to transport...I don’t want to break the bank. There’s a local shed moving company but according to their price list it would cost about 700 to move the thing, not including site preparation. Any ideas?

 

[cavemanrich]

I'm surprised you found someone to be able to move it for that cheap??? It is oversize. Unless its such short distance, 1/4 mile,, the company would not get oversize permits?
Second question would be,,, what condition will structure be when they deliver to your backyard?
Now you need site preparation,,
All these things are ringing the ca$h register big time.

I am a frugal person, but that does not translate to cheap. If I could get that gazebo for next to nothing, I would disassemble it and still keep large portions together. (so I could transport them ether on pickup bed, or small trailer.)

Depending on the construction ability you have, you may have to give all options some serious thought.

I know lumber is expensive currently. It will not be like that always forever.
Here is something you may take into consideration. This plastic shed will last many years and is pretty. Yes it is a chunk of change, but would make a beautiful coop. Just some ventilation added, and pop door, as well as interior decor. (roosts, nesting boxes)

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Do you have a truck, a trailer, men and can you get a police escort (assuming you aren't too far away) and move it your self?

 

[3KillerBs]

That's a perfectly reasonable price for shed-moving and it's not over-sized -- we had a 12x24 handi-house moved for about that much. But do get competitive bids because prices vary.

Find out what "site preparation" means. In the photo it appears to be sitting directly on the ground.

This plastic shed will last many years and is pretty. Yes it is a chunk of change, but would make a beautiful coop. Just some ventilation added, and pop door, as well as interior decor. (roosts, nesting boxes)

I'd be dubious about a plastic shed conversion because you have to buy so much lumber to create attachment points for everything since the plastic isn't strong enough.

That $1000 would buy the lumber to let the OP built the original coop intended.

 

[CluckerFamily]

A chicken coop in that structure would be gorgeous!
Having it moved for that price isn’t bad at all!
With the cost of lumber, will you need a lot to rebuild the structure in any area?
I personally would price out the cost of the gazebo and moving plus the site preparation and the cost of predator proofing the gazebo. I would compare this to what it would cost to make my own.

 

[Katesfunnyfarm]

I'm surprised you found someone to be able to move it for that cheap??? It is oversize. Unless its such short distance, 1/4 mile,, the company would not get oversize permits?
Second question would be,,, what condition will structure be when they deliver to your backyard?
Now you need site preparation,,
All these things are ringing the ca$h register big time.

I am a frugal person, but that does not translate to cheap. If I could get that gazebo for next to nothing, I would disassemble it and still keep large portions together. (so I could transport them ether on pickup bed, or small trailer.)

Depending on the construction ability you have, you may have to give all options some serious thought.

I know lumber is expensive currently. It will not be like that always forever.
Here is something you may take into consideration. This plastic shed will last many years and is pretty. Yes it is a chunk of change, but would make a beautiful coop. Just some ventilation added, and pop door, as well as interior decor. (roosts, nesting boxes)
View attachment 2624402
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

thanks so much for your reply!! I have considered those resin sheds. They do look nice for sure. I would have to put in work/materials to make it do able though. I will definitely keep that in mind. I’m only paying $400 for the gazebo, so if I can get it transported for a smallish amount I could do it

 

[Krugerrand]

The gazebo sure would make a nice looking coop!

 

[Katesfunnyfarm]

Do you have a truck, a trailer, men and can you get a police escort (assuming you aren't too far away) and move it your snelf?

Do you have a truck, a trailer, men and can you get a police escort (assuming you aren't too far away) and move it your self?

I do have a truck...I’m thinking we’d need a large gooseneck flatbed. A lot of men, and a lot of alcoholic beverages and fresh eggs for enticement

 

[Katesfunnyfarm]

That's a perfectly reasonable price for shed-moving and it's not over-sized -- we had a 12x24 handi-house moved for about that much. But do get competitive bids because prices vary.

Find out what "site preparation" means. In the photo it appears to be sitting directly on the ground.



I'd be dubious about a plastic shed conversion because you have to buy so much lumber to create attachment points for everything since the plastic isn't strong enough.

That $1000 would buy the lumber to let the OP built the original coop intended.

I’ve been searching all day for shed moving companies, someone also suggested tow truck companies. The current owner of the gazebo just has it sitting flat on the ground. We could do this as well, although I was thinking of at least putting a layer of pavers down. Otherwise we’d put gravel down to help with drainage and leveling. It’s not overly huge, just awkward enough that I don’t believe we’d be able to move it without the help of professionals or someone of the sort lol

 

[Katesfunnyfarm]

A chicken coop in that structure would be gorgeous!
Having it moved for that price isn’t bad at all!
With the cost of lumber, will you need a lot to rebuild the structure in any area?
I personally would price out the cost of the gazebo and moving plus the site preparation and the cost of predator proofing the gazebo. I would compare this to what it would cost to make my own.

The gazebo sure would make a nice looking coop!

Wouldn’t it be? I saw it on the marketplace and my wheels got to turning. A fresh coat of paint, some predator proofing, nest boxes and some roosting bars and she’d be a pretty gorgeous chicken chateau. I have so much leftover lumber and hardware cloth from previous projects that converting it to a coop would cost next to nothing. It’s the transporting that would cost a penny or two