SweetCabins

QUESTION: There are a lot of questions and answers on this page; do I really need to read all this?!
ANSWER: If you are interested in the possibility of building a SweetCabin, we recommend reading all the information here so you know how it all works. 


QUESTION: Can you build in our area?
ANSWER: We can build in parts of Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. If you are planning to build within one of these states, please call with your zip code to see if we can build in your area. If you are hoping to build outside of OH, WV, or KY, I'm sorry, we cannot build for you. Our crew is all Amish and are unable to travel overnight for work. Thanks, but we cannot stay overnight on your property. We cannot stay with other families nearby, even if they are Amish. We cannot travel out of our area and stay in hotels. And no, I'm sorry, we cannot accept additional payment in order to travel out of our area. We VALUE our crew and respect and appreciate each man as well as their time with their families and choose to honor their lives and wishes by not asking them to go any further than they already do. We do not have affiliates or other folks to recommend outside of our area. We hand build everything on site, so no, we cannot ship something to you. We do not have any blueprints, plans, or kits to mail to you. If you're out of our area, I'm so sorry; best of luck to you!   

QUESTION: Will you insulate, wire, or plumb our cabin?
ANSWER: It is not cost effective for us to offer that service. We simply build the SHELL of the cabin, along with the porches. The porches are all finished and nicely trimmed out (please check out our PORCHES page for more information about our porch options). The customer completes the finish work themselves or finds who they wish to finish out the interior wall divisions, plumbing, electric, insulation and ventilation, etc. When we are finished, it's a big open space inside, ready for you to get busy with interior walls, insulation, etc. You'll have your exterior walls complete with our Eastern White Pine Board and Batten siding, the roof, all porches, along with the first and second subfloors. Have a look at our Gambrel, Gable, and One-Story Cabins, and photo albums for interior pictures. Check out our CABIN SPECIFICATIONS for more information on what is included with the deal.   

QUESTION: Do you offer turn-key homes?

ANSWER: No. We'll get you weathered in, you'll finish the interior how you wish. Most of the folks we build for are excited to be able to get the shell of the cabin up quickly and affordably so they can get their hands dirty on the inside. 

QUESTION: The cabin I like is shown with an end loft. Can I change that to an L-Shape Loft or a Full 2nd Floor?

ANSWER: Yes. The cabins shown are simply what other folks have had us build for them and are posted to give you ideas of what you could do. You can get as much or as little of the second floor as you'd like. If you get a full 2nd floor, the floor will be the same size as the first floor. If you choose to go with a loft, the size will be determined by you, within a few basic parameters. Most common is an L-Shape Loft, closely followed by an End Loft or Full 2nd Floor, and less often a U-Shape Loft. There is no extra charge to change the second floor size, bigger or smaller. All cabins are priced with WHICHEVER you choose.

QUESTION: How much will you take off to only do a half loft instead of a full second floor?

ANSWER: Nothing. We also wont charge more if you go to a full second floor instead of a half loft. It's not priced one way or the other; it's whatever you want, same price. We've been doing it this way for quite a while and have found it works out easier for all involved. The size of the second floor or loft often changes numerous times before it's built. Also, it's harder for us to build the roof without a floor, so the little bit of savings we might have in less floor is negated by the time and labor to build the roof without a floor. Rest easy, we've got it averaged; all you need to do is figure out the dimensions of the second floor before we draw up your foundation print.  


QUESTION: Do you have floor plans?
ANSWER: No. SweetCabins does not provide floor plans and does not build interior walls or dividers. We build the cabin shell and the customer finds who they wish to finish out the interior wall divisions. We build cabins in a variety of sizes, up to 30' wide and as long as you'd like, so your SweetCabin could be turned into a one room open space or a 2, 3, 4, 5 + bedroom. You could draw up or find a floor plan that you'd like to use and just let us know the overall dimensions. Lesson of the day: To find the square footage of your cabin, simply multiply the length by the width; double it for the second floor; voila!  

QUESTION: What does the inside look like?
ANSWER: SweetCabins builds the shell of your cabin. Inside it's an unfinished, big, open space. The interior of the cabin is not finished out, nor do we offer that service. When standing inside on the first floor, you'll see the OSB subfloor, wall studs and the house wrap lining the perimeter of cabin (or the inside of the siding if you choose not to get house wrap), a basic set of steps up to the full second floor or loft, and floor joists overhead holding up the OSB subfloor on 2nd floor/loft. If you have a loft, you'll be able to see all the way up to the rafters from the first floor. There will be a beam holding up the second floor or loft, running down the center of the length, directly below the roofline, with support posts holding up the beam. Exact placement of the supports will be drawn up in your plans once you get on the building list. If you're building a one-story, there will not be any supports on the floor. Have a look at our photos on the Photo Albums page as well as on the Gambrel, Gable, and One-Story pages for interior picture examples.  

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QUESTION: Do you have models?
ANSWER: No. In order to keep our pricing down for our hardworking customers, we do not maintain a lot full of models and personnel. Due to the nature of our business, most of our customers have been referred to us by a friend, neighbor, coworker, or family member and therefore has seen one of our cabins. They are all the same, just different sized rectangles, porch arrangements, and possibly a little different pitch on the roof. If you have not been able to view one of our cabins and you've reviewed the entire website, gotten in touch with us to review things, have current pricing on what you're planning to build, and are moving forward with a cabin, let us know you'd like to go see something and we can try to work that out! We occasionally have customers that will graciously let us show their recently built cabin to potential customers who are ready to take the next step. Perhaps we will be able to arrange for you to take the day, drive to a cabin, and check one out. Everyone always says they are better and roomier than the photos!  

QUESTION: Do you have a list of cabins and prices?
ANSWER: No. Check out some of the cabins on our Gable, Gambrel, and One-Story pages to get some examples on pricing. You may call and ask for a quote for ANY size; you don't have to choose one exactly like you've seen here. We build up to 30 feet wide and as long as you wish. We can build Two-Story Gambrel, Two-Story Gable, or One-Story Gable SweetCabins, with any number of porches, including wraparound porches, closed-in porches, just the porch roof, or just the decking. That said, there are endless combinations and prices so we don't have a "price list" available. (Small business, keeping it simple...so we can have simple prices for YOU!) 

QUESTION: Will you sell me a kit?
ANSWER: No kits. We don't sell them, nor do we use them. We hand build your cabin right on your site. It only takes us a few days, so let us do all the dirty work! You'll have plenty to do when we leave to make it your own unique cabin!

QUESTION: Can I have a blue roof?
ANSWER: Yes, we have LOTS of colors available: all the common shades of red, green, blue, white, brown, black, copper, etc. We'll be sure to get the color samples out to you before we order everything. 

QUESTION: Is the metal roof included?

ANSWER: YES. All of our cabins are priced with the roof included, complete with metal, a ridge vent, drip edge, etc. There are a couple more expensive metal color options if you're looking to spend a little more.  

QUESTION: Why do you have a transportation fee and how much is it?
ANSWER: Since the Amish don’t drive, we pay to have our crew driven to your site each day of the build (think vehicle, maintenance, fuel, and the cost of having someone dependable that will wake up before 3 and actually show up to get the men to your job and back to their homes EVERY day). We base the charge on your exact location and your build specifics. We’ll be happy to get you a quote when you call. It's generally between 2-4 grand. 

QUESTION: What's with the wait list?
ANSWER: Well, we are NO LONGER accepting 10% down deposits to get on the build list because we are unable to commit to projects so far in advance. In the past year we've had to rework how we are able to STAY IN BUSINESS in a way that works for us. This is how we are able to help folks move forward with their building plans. It seems to be working just fine for all of our customers thus far. We understand our processes will not work for everyone. Currently, with just a $500 (nonrefundable but comes off your total in the end) payment you can get on the wait list. This will secure your spot in line. We build for our customers mostly in order they are ready for us, with attention to who got on the wait list first. We say we are typically "a few months out," but if you are determined to get your foundation ready, you may get in much sooner. That said, you my have to wait a little while if everyone ahead of you on the wait list is finally ready at the same time as you. Because of all this, because some jobs take longer than others, because of weather, because we don't take a few days or weeks off to get to a start date, because of unforeseen circumstances, there's no way we can say exactly when we will get to you, BUT most often our customers don't have to wait any too long once their foundations are good to go and windows and doors are on site! ALSO.... about this "list" business: Not only will getting on the wait list SECURE your spot in line, but also will get you in line to get a foundation print generated for your particular build (usually within 2-3 weeks of receiving $500). So, talk to Darcy about getting on the wait list today! NOTE: Being accepted to the wait list does NOT guarantee that SweetCabins has agreed to build for you and does NOT lock in any prices. 

QUESTION: What kind of windows and doors will you put in my cabin?
ANSWER: Well, that depends on what you have at your building site when we show up on the first day of the build. We do not supply windows or doors, that would increase your price and chances are we wouldn't have exactly what you want. You're not restricted to a particular brand, color, size, opening style, or price point that we may gave access to. You go spend as much or as little on your perfect windows and doors and we'll install them all. The first 5 of YOUR standard sized (3x5, 4x4 or smaller), new construction style windows with a manufactured on nailing flange for no charge; extra standard installs cost $95 per window. Windows up to 6' in one direction go to $115. We'll also install 2 of your, pre-hung, exterior doors free of charge; extra standard sized door installs cost $95 per door; patio doors, sliding glass doors, french doors, or standard door with an attached sidelight is $115. Occasionally some windows come with an additional fee. Rounded, arched, or other geometric shaped windows can be installed for a very reasonable fee; priced on last day. Great big windows larger than 6' in one direction or windows installed up high where there is no second floor will come with an additional, yet reasonable fee added to the final invoice. Sorry, no bay windows.  


QUESTION: Can we decide where the windows and doors go?
ANSWER: Yes, you'll tell us on the first day of the build exactly where you want your windows. They'll need to be on site when we show up on the first day so we can get measurements in the morning. Most customers have a basic little drawing of each wall with measurements of window placements. We'll ask for the final quantity and dimensions of the windows and doors you have on site when we review everything about 3-6 weeks before the build.

  

-6' tall man in a 30' wide gambrel 

740-541-9639

Limited call hours M-F 9-5

(Sorry, texting not available)

QUESTION: Can you build to my plans?
ANSWER: Maybe. If it fits within what we do, up to 30' wide, any length, any number of porches, in one of our three rooflines, then absolutely yes! If you have floor plans or other building plans that does not fit into what we do, then no. We don't build to other folks' blueprints. In order to help as many folks get a cabin as possible, we try not to offer a whole lot of changes or options. We try to keep things simple. We also don't need to seeyour floor plans at any point since we don't have any role in this aspect of your build. We will simply need to know the overall dimensions of your cabin, porches, and second floor/loft. 

​QUESTION: Do you offer financing?
ANSWER: I'm sorry, we don’t offer financing at this time. We currently do not work with any banks. If you choose to share our website, info, etc. to the bank to show them our step of your cabin, that is up to you! We've had many customers do so. You will want a construction loan with YOU as the general contractor. If you're having a hard time finding a bank to work with, we could possibly offer suggestions on that in a handful of areas. Just be sure the bank understands our payment schedule: a 50% deposit about 4-6 weeks prior to our arrival and the remaining balance is due on the last day of the build, which is usually only 4-6 days after we arrive! Please note that we can't wait days or weeks until the bank has time to come check out your cabin before they release the money to you to pay us. They will need to determine our quality and value the integrity of our business prior to agreeing to fund your build. Thanks! 

QUESTION: Can we do Rent to Own?
ANSWER: No. We build the shell of your cabin on your foundation on your land. You will finish it the way you want once we are done. That'd be a tricky one with which to do Rent to Own! 

QUESTION: I'm in a hurry, I need to talk to someone about a cabin ASAP. Now what?

ANSWER: I'm sorry, we hate to lose your business, but you'll probably need to find someone else to build for you. We just don't work like that. Typically, the speed of our standard processes more than makes up for the possible few days it may take to get in contact with us. But again, if you need someone to answer the phone every time you call, you'll likely feel more taken care of by a larger company who [charges more in order to] have more personnel on hand. 


QUESTION: You mean, you don’t build the foundation?
ANSWER: Correct, that's the way it works. You provide the foundation (typically blocks or poured walls), small concrete pads for under the porch posts, and the sill plate. We'll come to your property and build on your foundation. We can build on various types of pre-approved foundations: crawl space, basement, LOW post systems, etc. Sorry, we won't build on posts taller than 6'. There is a $1,895 labor fee to build on a basement and an $1295 fee to build on a post system. Please talk to us about the specifics of these foundations, as they differ from a standard crawlspace. The posts under your porch are considered part of your foundation as well. It doesn't matter to us if the porch is hanging out over a hill, up high due to a basement, or just a row of block up from your concrete porch post pads. Any posts under the porch are the customer's responsibility to pay for on the last day of the build. We'll set them ON your concrete pads so we can make sure everything lines up.  


QUESTION: Should I have the foundation done before I buy my cabin?
ANSWER: No, we can help you figure out the details for your foundation after you're on our wait list, before you start digging. Once you're on the wait list and it's your turn to get a print drawn up (again, we're working with limited time), I'll call to review the specifics of your build and then I'll sit down and draw up a foundation print for you. I generally try to get those emailed back within about 1-3 weeks of getting your first $500 payment. 


QUESTION: When can you start building?
SHORT ANSWER: We don't schedule build times or book out build times in advance. It usually takes us between 3 weeks to 3 months for us to show up once you're ready.

LONG ANSWER: Certain times of year will be a shorter wait than others, but ultimately it depends on what others ahead of you on the wait list do. A $500 nonrefundable payment (comes off the total in the end) will get you on the wait list! Once you've reviewed the website, just give Darcy a call at 740-541-9639 to review and start the process! Once you are all ready for us, meaning foundation complete, any ground or access work that you need/want to have complete before we arrive, along with windows and doors on site, then we’ll revisit the projected schedule and the wait list to see how things are looking. Once we’re not too far out (maybe about 3-6 weeks), we'll review the whole job one last time and finalize ALL changes and upgrades, get current pricing to you, do 50% down and then a contract if you’re wanting to move forward with that, get your site visit completed, get material organized and delivered, and get moving on your build as soon as we can. TYPICALLY, once folks that are on the wait list are all ready for us, we’re only 3 weeks to 3 months out; it takes us at least 3-6 weeks to get through the next steps, get material to the site, and get us there, but it’s hard to say what the season will bring and how many other folks will get ready around the same time as you, or how many of them have gotten on the wait list ahead of you. It’s a bit of a juggle and an unknown, but trust that we’ll be FAIR and honest and as CLEAR as we can be when discussing time frames, and hopefully it’ll be a comfort to know that it’s a big way we can keep our prices so low, just moving one cabin to the next as quickly as folks are ready for us! We'll keep you posted as we start to get closer and closer to your build. Again, we don't ever schedule out ahead of time, so all dates and ETA's are just that, ESTIMATES, until we say "Today we finished the last cabin before yours! See you tomorrow!" Oh, the excitement!


QUESTION: Can you do dormers? 
ANSWER: Sure, some kinds. We do not offer gabled dormers. We can do shed style dormers on both of our Two-Story Cabin models. On the Gambrel, the upper pitch would just continue on out so the wall of the dormer would be directly above the first floor. On the Gable, we can start the dormer roof at the peak of the cabin or follow the 12/12 pitch down a little ways before starting the dormer roof. Either dormer style on the Gable cabins would provide an extremely roomy, standard 8' sidewall. Dormers that are an even number of feet long and inset an even number of feet in from the ends would be cheaper than odd numbers. We can discuss options when you call. Once you're in the program for a standard build (meaning on the wait list and moving forward with a particular build), we can figure out some extras like dormers. 

QUESTION: What kind of siding do you use? 
ANSWER: We use high-quality, kiln-dried, Eastern White Pine siding, put up Board & Batten style on all of our cabins. We do not use vinyl siding or other wood options. The board & batten is beautiful! It's too nice to pass up! We can offer some information about a wood preservative for your SweetCabin, so be sure to ask us about that when we get down to building your SweetCabin.

QUESTION: Can I come meet with you?

ANSWER: I'm sorry, no. I miss seeing our customers' happy faces, but in order to keep the business moving along, I'm unable to meet up with you. We're able to take care of everything we need right over the phone, with email, and good ol' snail mail. Think: I can have 15+ half hour phone calls in a day or go drive and meet one person. It's not cost effective for us [...YOU] to arrange in-person meetings. I work out of my home, with young children afoot. We do not have an office with lots of personnel ready to sit and chat. That would raise our prices and undermine all we stand for: to get YOU,  hardworking, GOOD folks a heck of a cabin in the woods. We understand that not everyone will feel comfortable doing business over the phone and through email and snail mail, but it seems to work wonderfully for the hundreds of folks who have already joined the SweetCabins family and is ultimately how we have designed our business.    

QUESTION: What do I need to do to get my SweetCabin?!
ANSWER: First, review all of the pages here on our website. Next, you'll need to pick out the overall cabin dimensions and model (Gambrel, Gable, One-Story) of your new cabin. It does not need to be a size you see pictured. We can build up to 30' wide and any length. You'll also pick what size porches (includes porch roof and decking) your cabin will have. The most common is 10' deep, then probably 8' or 12' deep. The most common length is the full length of the cabin, but you might choose to have only a porch across the width or perhaps wraparound porches on 2, 3, or all 4 sides. Decide if you want any decks (just porch floor) and what size those will be. The last item to choose for your porches is to decide if you want to close-in any portion of a porch. Some folks close-in 8x10 or 10x12 to use for a mudroom while others choose to close-in the full length of a porch in order to add more square footage downstairs. Next, give Darcy a call to review things. I'll get your cabin quoted as current as I can (easily done over the phone).  If it seems like something that you're wanting to move forward with and will work for us both, you'll be invited to snail mail $500 (nonrefundable, but comes off the total in the end if we end up building for you) to get on the wait list. Typically within about 1-3 weeks after receiving your payment, I'll give you a ring to review the necessary information and work out the details on your foundation and then get a print emailed over to you (or snail mailed if you prefer) that denotes measurements, weight load placements, and items to be in place with your foundation. It's a very basic print, but we need to get it drawn up so we're all on the page about what is needed. Next, get busy on the foundation or find someone to build it give them our print. You'll also need to start looking for and ordering your windows and doors early on; special order can sometimes take a while. Be in contact with us occasionally along the way to update us on your foundation progress and keep us posted on the status of your windows/doors. You'll need to have those on site to be considered ready, along with your accessible, complete foundation for us to be able to tentatively schedule your build. Those must be there when we deliver material and show up on the first day of the build. You could wait to plan out the interior until after we're out of your way or have the whole cabin planned out before we show up; it makes no difference to us. Some folks slowly finish their SweetCabin as they have the funds, completing one step at a time, while others try to have it all planned out ahead of time so it gets finished to a turnkey status in a snap. We look forward to lending a hand in creating your dream cabin!

QUESTION: How can I get one!?
ANSWER: Read through the website and then just give me a call at 740-541-9639 and we can go from there! I'm thankful for your interest and looking forward to speaking with you! Please understand that our prices are low because we don't offer a million alterations, extras, or have multiple departments. It's just me here to answer your calls. I love our business. I love knowing we are helping good, honest, hardworking, REAL people get a quality cabin to call home. I adore OUR customers. I also have a family whom I value above all. I will not be available all the time. Nothing happens "ASAP" or in a hurry until the men show up and blow your minds with their speed. I likely will miss your call at some point. More than once. I will always call you back. I will always be courteous. I will not entertain rude people as it's a clear sign right away they will not fit into the SweetCabins family. Give me a call and we can see if it's the right fit for you!   

QUESTION: Who is a typical SweetCabins customer? Is it the right fit for me?

ANSWER: Ultimately, only you can make the final call on that. But, all of the folks we have welcomed into the SweetCabins family understand the quality and craftsmanship they will receive as well as the integrity of SweetCabins and take much pride and comfort in knowing they are getting a SweetCabin. Most have heard of us by word of mouth, which is the most assuring way to know what you are getting. Many of our customers honestly could or have built a home and just don't have the time or man power to do the shell and recognize the huge benefit of getting the cabin shell completed in a matter of days so they can get busy on the inside. We love experienced builders because THEY are the ones that really understand just WHAT we are offering: the quality, the speed, the price tag. Experienced or not, ALL of our customers are blown away by their cabin and the whole SweetCabins experience. The majority of our customers are not wealthy, rather have saved quite a while to be able to build their dream cabin. Our customers understand that we are not a huge company, rather they understand that we are good, honest, hardworking people making a small, family run business thrive. We are really very blessed to have they best type of folks as "our kind" of customers; they are kind, good hearted, patient, hardworking people. Just the nature of our business pulls a certain kind of person that is hard to describe. Most appreciate the small things in life and value a quieter life outside of the city. If you've taken the time to read through all this (woah, right?), I'm guessing you see the value in what we do and appreciate the whole idea of SweetCabins. Give Darcy a call and see how it goes. Before you know it, YOU could be sitting on the porch of your very own SweetCabin. Can you feel the breeze, the book on your lap, the drink in your hand? Chances are, you already know if you've got the SweetCabins soul.        

Happy Cabin Planning! It'll be SWEET! ;)

- 5' 7.5" tall woman in a 24' wide gambrel