Why Wait? Make your dream home a REALITY.
918 square ft
16’ Wall of Glass
2 bedrooms
1 bathroom
Sleeps 4
MODERN ALPINE PLUS
Escape the hustle & bustle of everyday life. Think twinkle lights, a barbecue, and lots of cozy nights wrapped in a blanket under stars.
Starter Plans Package
$199
Easy to upgrade! The cost of a Starter Plans Package can be used to upgrade to a Complete Package.
As seen on
Design Highlights
Approx. 21' (top of foundation to roof peak)
Full bathroom with soaking tub
Ample storage space
Lofted bedroom
Full kitchen with 4 burner stove
Wood or gas stove
1st floor bedroom
Large outdoor deck
Mini-split for heat & A/C
why the starter package?
What You Can Do
Interview builders and get higher quality estimates
Talk with your building department about a permit
Share with your Home Owner’s Association to get basic approvals
Figure out how much your project will cost in your area
Review the design in detail to see if you really really like it
See if the closets are big enough
What’s Included
Floorplans
Elevations
Foundation
Kitchen & bathroom details
Window & door schedule
WHY DEN
We make building your dream home as easy as buying one.
Clear pricing
Trustworthy builders
Fast build speeds
24/7 access
How It Works
Whether you’re still dreaming about building or have already raised the capital and land, Den has streamlined and field-tested the process to ensure high-end living for less.
1
Start with a Starter Plan
30+ Instant-download, high-end, builder-ready designs with rough estimates from builders and to ensure feasibility.
2
Lock in the Perfect Builder
Get tips from the DEN experts, website, and community of homebuilders to ensure building your dream home never turns into a nightmare.
3
Upgrade to Complete Plan
The full ready-to-build package includes ready-to-build construction drawings and material takeoffs. Your vetted builder and engineer will optimize plans to fit your budget, goals, and local zoning codes to expedite the process and maximize success.
High-End Designs for Less
30+ industry-leading designs with thoughtful layouts, material specs, and custom finishes without having to pay millions for a custom home.
Network of Vetted Contractors
We build more than just great homes – we build trust. We work with only industry-leading, trust-worthy, and vetted contractors.
OUR CUSTOMERS
STEPHEN PROCTOR
MODERN ALPINE CABIN
It’s a dream. Going the route of a traditional build using plans from DEN has proven to be the simplest & most affordable approach, as well as the easiest to get permitted.
EMILIO MADRID
MODERN ALPINE CABIN
Regardless of whether you're building a DEN as designed or just using their resources as a jumping off point for a custom build, Mike and his team are incredibly responsive and collaborative.
FAQ
Pricing
How much does it cost to build a Den cabin?
We approach designing all our cabins to balance features, square footage, and cost. Nothing is truly custom in our cabins, which keeps the building cost low. All the windows and doors are available as standard catalog items from major manufacturers. The cabinetry is designed to make use of readily available catalog items from big retailers like Ikea. We designed this purposefully to enable you to achieve a beautiful, modern outcome without breaking the bank and without the headaches of ordering custom components.
We encourage our customers to plan for a construction cost of at least $244.50 per square foot (the national average), including labor. So, a 168 square foot cabin will cost roughly $37,548 to build (168*244.50=41,076). This cost assumes the use of labor, and that you’ll be working with a team of carpenters, plumbers, and electricians to build your cabin. While it could be less expensive than this if you put some sweat equity into the project, and do some of the work yourself, $244.50/sqft is a good benchmark to start your planning process with. This cost does not include Land and Land prep (driveway, clearing, well and septic), and FFE (Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment). Keep in mind that if you work with a more premium builder or use more premium materials this number could go up.
Visit our cost calculator page to plan your "All in" budget.
Customizations
Do you offer customizations on DEN building plans?
At this time, our customizations pipeline is currently full, and we aren't taking any new requests until further notice. If you are looking to customize your DEN design, we recommend that you reach out to a local engineer or architect who can revise your plans for you.
If you aren’t in a rush with your DEN build and would like to be put on the waitlist, please fill out this form. We'll reach out to you once the queue opens back up.
Thanks for being a DEN customer!
How can I get a building permit?
Having your plans in hand enables you to start the conversation with your building department to ensure your Den build is compliant with local regulations. Applying for a permit is a multi-step process will involve filling out forms, submitting a set of plans, and indicating who will construct the project, i.e. general contractor, plumber, etc. Getting a building permit can take time, so make sure to engage with your building department early to understand their requirements.
Are Den building plans up to code?
All of our plans are compliant to the International Residential Code (IRC)—The 2018 International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings. IRC is the rulebook that informs all international, state, and local building codes.
Building codes vary by state, and county, we encourage you to consult with your municipality as you approach building your cabin. They'll be able to review the plans, the conditions where you intend to build, and verify that your plans meet local building requirements.
Den structures are designed accommodate specific wind, snow and siesmic loads indicated in both our starter and complete plans.
Builder
Can you recommend a builder to help me build my cabin?
We don't currently connect our customers to specific builders. However, we’re thinking through how to offer a certified builder program. If you’re a builder who is interested in becoming certified with us, please email hello@denoutdoors.com
Our plans can be read by every builder. We also offer additional assets such as materials lists, fixtures, finishes, and furnishings guides in our Complete Packages to make it easy for you, as the homeowner, to make your build look exactly like the photos you see on our site.
How do I find a builder?
Check out our guide on How to Find a Builder!
Materials
What insulation do DEN plans come with?
Since R-Value requirements differ depending on your location, we don’t make a specific insulation recommendation. All of our plans feature floor, wall, and ceiling cavities that will enable you to add insulation to match your local R-value requirements.
Do DEN building plans come with a list of materials needed?
Yes, DEN provides a Materials and Labor Worksheet with our Complete Package.
Also known as a "Quantity Take-off" , the worksheet is an editable spreadsheet that can be used to total your project budget and assist you in the procurement phase of the project. You will use this spreadsheet together with your drawings to get a complete quote from your lumber yard.
The worksheet includes time estimates for major labor tasks so all you need to do is input local labor rates and material pricing and your worksheet will automatically create a total budget.
Fixtures, Furniture, Equipment
How do you heat and cool a DEN cabin?
Den cabins are fairly small which makes heating and cooling them easy and energy efficient. Our plans can accommodate just about any heating system you prefer. We encourage our customers to consider installing a zoned or single zone ductless mini split system. In most cases a mini split offers both heating and cooling, so be on the lookout for models that list a heat pump as a feature. For our plans that feature a wood or pellet stove, installing these units will provide supplemental heat in the winter time to keep you cozy.
Do DEN building plans specify kitchen cabinets and appliances?
Yes, we’ve designed all of our plans to make use of standard cabinetry sizes from major retailers like Ikea. All of our cabins feature combinations of cabinets that are either 24”, 30”, or 36” wide. Additionally, we indicate sinks, stoves, stovetops, and refrigerators in all of our kitchen designs.
Where can I order windows and doors from for my cabin?
All Den cabin plans are designed to make use of standard available catalog items from the major window and door manufacturers like Andersen, Marvin, and Velux. For the triangular or trapezoidal windows featured in our A-Frame plans, these also conform to standard tolerances of most manufacturing processes.
All of our cabin plans contain a precise “Window and Door Schedule,” which is really just a fancy way of saying a list of all the windows and doors you’ll need to support the design.
The DEN Plans
What details or drawings do Den plans include?
We deliver our plans with an incredible amount of detail to make a DIY or professional builder succeed in delivering a structurally sound, high performing, and lasting home. Though Den plans vary between models depending on the detail required, generally they're around 12 pages and contain the following drawings: floor plans, foundation plan, roof framing plan, building elevations, build section(s), construction details (like specific flashing installation), window and door schedules, interior elevations and details (like cabinetry installation), fastener schedules, and a code compliant electrical plan + HVAC.
Do Den building plans include electrical design?
Yes, we include a code-compliant electrical design that includes the descriptions and locations of the breaker box, wiring paths, wall outlets, and overhead lighting. Always consult with a licensed electrician before installing any electrical system.
What file types do the plans come in?
Starter Plans (.pdf)
Complete Plans (.pdf)
Materials Markup / Takeoff (.pdf)
Materials / Buying Guide (.pdf)
Materials List / Project Worksheet (.xls)
3D Model (.bimx)
CAD files (.dwg)
Having file issues? Shoot us an email at support@denoutdoors.com and we'll help you troubleshoot.
Other
Where can I put a Den cabin?
You can build a Den cabin nearly anywhere on Earth! We’ve designed the cabins to withstand gale force winds on the side of the mountain top, and they do equally well in a backyard in New Jersey. As you approach building your cabin, consult with your local building department to ensure that your build is compliant to all local zoning and code requirements.
Can I build a DEN in California?
Yes! Our California customers will need to seek additional engineering for seismic requirements and consultants for Title 24 compliance.
What type of license do the Den building plans grant me?