How Much Does It Cost to Build a Yurt?

Yurt Cost Breakdown

Materials make up most of the overall cost of building a yurt, or about $7,500 to $64,000. Most yurts are built as a kit in a factory by specialty builders and shipped to you when done. We’ll go into kit costs below, but you can also construct it from scratch or buy it in pieces. The yurt platform base, deck, plumbing, and electrical and interior walls and amenities are built on-site, whether you buy a kit or not.

Base Platform

Every yurt needs a base platform. You’ll spend $3,000 to $7,000 on a standard base platform or $14,000 to $20,000 on a SIPS (structural insulated panels) base, which comes completely insulated for colder climates.

The base is the platform you’ll put the yurt on. The latticework attaches to it and the walls attach beneath it for a weather and bug seal. You’ll need to choose wood or composite. Trex costs a bit more, but doesn’t deteriorate like wood, nor does it have pest problems. You’ll also need concrete footings. 

Insulation

Insulation costs anywhere from $500 to $5,000 for a yurt, depending on the style and how much you use. Most manufacturers recommend insulating the floor with rigid foam, blocking off any openings under the structure, and putting radiant heat barrier insulation in the walls. They usually sell custom wall and roof insulation and liners.

• Batt and roll insulation costs: $0.30–$1 per sq. ft.

• Spray foam insulation costs: $0.50–$6.00 per sq. ft.

• Radiant heat barrier costs: $0.10–$1.00 per sq. ft.

• Rigid foam insulation costs: $0.25–$0.50 per sq. ft.

Structural Reinforcement

Structural reinforcements, beyond the standard latticework walls, costs $1,500 to $7,000 extra, depending on whether you install it yourself or have a pro do it. If you live in an area with extreme weather, you’ll want to reinforce your yurt with larger rafters, compression ring-to-rafter brackets, or studs around the perimeter. 

Roofing

All yurt kits include a basic roof, but if you’re replacing one, building your own, or upgrading to a more durable model, you’ll spend up to 20 times as much. Roofs range from $1,700 to $20,000 not including shipping. These ultra-durable options are reinforced for harsh climates and longer lifespans. 

• Top Cover: $1,700–$7,000

• Roof Liner: $400–$2,000

• Metal Roof: $5,000–$24,000

Windows and Doors

Most yurt kits come with basic plastic windows and a standard door, but you may want to upgrade for additional light or premium materials, like wood and glass. 

• Extra basic plastic windows: $100–$500 each

• Upgraded glass windows: $1,300–$5,000 each

• Dutch or French doors: $1,500–$2,500 each

• Custom wood doors: $700–$2,000 each

Additional Features

Minimalist comfort features run $50 to $2,000, while installing a full bathroom, kitchen, deck, and outdoor living space can add $50,000 or more to the build. Essentially, you can make living in a yurt as austere or luxurious as you’d like by including additions both inside and outside. Total costs depend on how much you want to invest.

• Kitchen installation cost: $10,000–$20,000

• Bathroom installation cost: $5,000–$15,000

• Deck building cost: $4,000–$11,000

• Wood stoves cost: $900–$4,000

• Dome cost: $550–$1,000

• Stove flashing cost: $50–$100

• Dome screen cost: $50–$100

• Fan mount cost: $50–$75

• Snow and wind kit cost: $550–$1,600

• Gutters cost: $400–$1,200

• Water tank cost: $100–$1,800

Labor

You’ll pay $2,00 to $5,000 for labor. Additions like a deck, glass windows, doors, a kitchen or bathroom, can push labor costs towards $20,000 or more. Building from scratch drastically increases labor prices while kits go up in a day. The installs are DIY friendly, once the base platform installation wraps up. Location factors in: the more remote, the more you’ll pay. 

Delivery

Delivery costs $500 to $5,000 or more. If you have a large truck delivering a kit to a remote location, expect to pay a little more. Distance factors in: the farther your materials travel, the more you’ll pay. If you hire a local contractor to perform the build, they may bring the materials with them and wrap them into the job's overall cost.

Permits

Building permits cost $400 to $2,300. Small yurts, typically under 200 square feet, don’t require a building permit. In rural and remote locations, you’ll have varied regulations. Check with your local municipal code enforcement agency for requirements where you live. A contractor will know all about any required permits.

Yurt Costs by Size

Yurts cost more the larger they are, ranging from $8,000 to $31,500 for the base kit. These prices don’t include any upgrades, which can quickly double the price; wood costs about $8,000 to $12,000 more than a fabric dwelling of the same size. The following table includes both fabric and wood yurts.

* Base package pricing, not including upgrades. 

Yurt Kits vs. Custom-Built

Yurt kits come complete with engineered solutions to save you time and money with no waste. They run $8,000 to $65,000 depending on the materials you choose and if you purchase a base platform kit. 

• They go up in a day

• Incur almost no labor costs

• Easier to ship to a remote site

• Saves you money overall

• Come in various sizes

• Customizable at the factory

• Range from 12’ to 30’ 

How Much Yurt Can I Get on My Budget?

Your budget determines the size, material choice, and upgrades in your home. On the low end, you’ll get a small diameter with no upgrades, just standard options. On the high end, near $60,000 or above, you’ll enjoy the largest dwellings with upgraded kitchens, bathrooms, decks, and air conditioning.

• $6,000–$8,000: Base package with no upgrades. Fabric only up to 12’ in diameter.

• $8,000–$16,000: Fabric yurt up to 16’ in diameter or up to a 12’ basic wood yurt. No upgrades.

• $16,000–$28,000: Base package fabric yurt up to 27’ in diameter or wood yurt up to 20’ in diameter. Upgraded packages with amenities up to 16’ in diameter. 

• $28,000–$36,000: Luxury fabric yurts up to 40’ in diameter or a wood style with metal roof up to 24’ in diameter. Wood luxury models up to 20’ in diameter.

• $36,000–$50,000: Fully upgraded fabric yurts up to 33’ in diameter with kitchen and bath. Fully upgraded wood units up to 20’ in diameter. All base models from 27’ to 35’ in diameter. 

• $51,000–$75,000: Extreme luxury full sized wood or fabric yurts from 30’ to 40’ in diameter that include upgraded kitchens, baths, and an exterior deck. 

DIY vs. Hiring a Yurt Building Pro

You’ll tend to pay less hiring a professional yurt building company who creates the kits and installs them. But even then, they make extremely good DIY projects, with little help needed from contractors for the setup portion. 

Most companies that supply kits also supply:

• Plans for permits or DIY projects

• Base platforms and plans

• Delivery services

• Installation services

More commonly, owners buy kits and install them as a DIY project then hire out a contractor to customize the inside once installed. Hire a local yurt builder for the kitchen, deck, installing plumbing, air conditioning, sewer, and leave electrical components to a contractor. 

Cost to Build a Yurt Yourself

Building a yurt structure yourself saves some bucks, as you won’t pay for labor costs. You’ll likely want to go with a kit home. They’ll often come with plans for the base or you can purchase a base platform kit as well. You’ll need basic carpentry skills and some basic tools, such as:

• Hammer

• Landscaping shovel

• Power drill

• Circular saw

• 8-foot ladder 

• Hacksaw

• Carpenter’s level

FAQs

What is a yurt, and what are some of its main benefits?

A yurt is a circular structure with a conical roof and a dome skylight for light and ventilation at the pinnacle. Traditionally made from fabric, it’s also available in more permanent materials like wood and metal. Some benefits that yurts offer include:

• Less expensive than a traditional home

• Natural heating and cooling in temperate climates

• Only require a semi-permanent platform base

• Offers various functions like a primary home, office, storage, or extra living space

How much are average yurt living expenses?

Average yurt living costs $100 to $600 per month, less if you are completely off grid. Depending on the location, you may also have to pay annual property taxes or other fees. 

How long do yurts last?

A yurt can last 10 to 20 years with little more than maintenance before you’ll need to start replacing sections or doing any major repairs. Full wood and metal yurts can last 50 to 70 years with regular maintenance. 

Do yurts have a bathroom?

You can install a bathroom in a yurt or opt for an outbuilding instead. They’re not usually part of the base package, but an add-on.