Build-It-Yourself Shelter and Building Kits

Shelter-Kit produces kit buildings for "assembly by owners" with no prior building experience. Perfect for folks like myself whose only construction until recently had been assembling IKEA shelves. I think these might actually be easier than assembling a Billy thanks to their manual which includes drawings and step-by-step instructions. Every kit can be customized with options for building size, windows and doors, stairs, dormers, ceiling heights, cathedral ceilings.

They offer barn house kits, post and beam loft house kits - but my fave is their new "green kit".

Their site lists a statement from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Green program that states, "green homes incorporate environmental considerations and resource efficiency into every step of the building and development process to minimize environmental impact.

The design, construction and operation of the home must focus on energy and water efficiency, resource efficient building design and materials, indoor environmental quality, and must take the home's overall impact on the environment into account."

Their kits use green approved, bio-based materials from renewable and indigenous sources when possible. They're designed with exterior materials that do not require on-site finishing, and they use NFRC certified windows.

Kits include all materials to build a complete, weather tight shell, including the frame, siding, sheathing, hardware, roofing and sub floors. Kits are pre-cut and pre-drilled, making them easy to assemble, in 3 to 15 days for most models. These kits would be a much simpler DIY process than framing my own home and handling all the logistics without experts. Have you ever assembled a kit home before? Please comment below!

Photo: Shelter Kit