How Much Does It Cost to Build a Yurt?

The average cost to build a yurt home is $27,000, but that price estimate depends on size, materials, location, and other factors. You’ll spend as little as $11,500 if you go with a smaller yurt made from budget-friendly materials and up to $44,000 if you pull out all of the stops and opt for the largest size available with premium materials. These prices include around $2,000 to $5,000 in labor, $6,000 to $30,000 for materials, and $3,000 to $7,000 for the base platform.

Find more information below on the cost factors regarding yurt installation, including different types and considerations for hiring a professional.

Average Cost to Build a Yurt

Estimating Yurt Material Prices

Materials make up the lion’s share of costs when building a yurt, as they are sturdy standalone structures made to withstand the elements. Count on spending $9,000 to $37,000 for all necessary building materials, including the base platform. Here’s a breakdown of expected costs for each major material, as well as some useful information for each option. 

Yurt Kits 

Using a yurt kit for your build project saves you some time and money, as they include all necessary materials so that you don't have to buy everything piecemeal. Yurt kits range from $6,000 to $30,000, depending on the size and construction materials included. Compare that to custom builds, where materials alone range between $8,000 to $20,000. 

Yurt kits are available in various sizes, from around ten feet in diameter on the lower end to more than 30 feet in diameter on the higher end. These kits typically fit building zone laws and regulations.

Base Platform 

If you are going with a piece-by-piece construction, your first purchase is the base platform, as this is the component everything else rests upon—a base platform costs between $3,000 to $7,000. You’ll also need to hire a land surveyor before settling on a platform, which costs between $300 to $700. A land surveyor will help find the best and most even spot to lay the platform and build the yurt.  

Base platforms are manufactured from wood or composite decking materials. Wood is cheaper than composite materials but requires more maintenance.

Insulation 

You’ll pay between $1,400 to $3,000 to add insulation for the walls and roof of your yurt structure. This is a necessary step, especially based on your location and if you are planning on staying in the yurt during the cold winter months. There are different levels of insulation and associated protection, all with varying costs: 

• Batt and roll insulation: $0.30–$0.90 per square foot

• Spray form insulation: $0.50–$2.00 per square foot 

• Radiant heat barrier: $0.20–$1.00 per square foot

Structural Reinforcement 

If you live in an area that has extreme weather events, you’ll want to reinforce your yurt with larger rafters, compression ring-to-rafter brackets, or studs around the perimeter. You’ll pay an added material cost of $1,000 to $5,000 for these improvements, but they increase your yurt’s resilience and resistance to the elements. In climates where the walls and roof must sustain frequent high winds or heavy snows, extra security through structural reinforcements is a good addition. 

Roofing 

Every structure needs a roof, and yurts are no exception. A kit includes a basic option that works in a pinch, but a more weather-resistant roof costs between $500 to $1,500. These enhanced roofing options are typically ultra-durable and reinforced with weather-resistant materials. Some roofs feature weather-treated fabric blends, while others are wood, vinyl, and even metal. 

Windows and Doors

Basic plastic windows come standard with most kits, and purchasing them on their own is relatively budget-friendly, at $100 to $500 per window. Upgrading to glass windows costs around $1,500 to $5,000 per window. This exorbitant price is due to installation difficulty, as it is tough to put glass windows into the kinds of flexible walls found with yurts. 

As for doors, adding Dutch or French doors to your yurt costs between $500 and $900 per door. This option adds both functional and aesthetic value to the structure, as traditional yurt kits may not include a door and instead include just an entranceway. 

Additional Features

You don’t have to rough it while living in a yurt, though luxuries will cost extra. You can install a workable stove in your structure, but you’ll pay between $200 to $600 for stove flashing plus the cost of the appliance itself. Flashing increases ventilation and allows smoke to release out into the atmosphere. Adding a rain catchment, or any type of cistern system to catch and store rainwater, costs between $500 to $3,000. Installing some gutters costs between $400 to $1,200, and a large water tank to store this runoff costs between $100 to $1,800. 

Yurt Installation Costs

Professional yurt-building contractors charge anywhere from $40 to $100 per hour, as it requires labor-intensive work, including constructing the roof and siding and operating tools like power saws. 

Labor

Count on paying out $2,000 to $5,000 for labor, which factors in the yurt's size and design complexity. Additional features, such as Dutch doors and glass windows, also impact the overall labor cost because of the extra installation time needed. The location also plays a role here. Generally speaking, the more remote your build site, the higher the labor costs. 

Delivery 

The delivery price for materials ranges between $500 and $2,000 because of their bulky nature. Delivery costs are an important factor for permanent or semi-permanent constructions, as yurts are often purposefully built in remote locations. Delivery to a remote location will cost more than delivering to a city or the suburbs. If you are hiring a local contractor to perform the build, they may bring the materials with them and wrap them into the job's overall cost.

Permits

While municipal building codes may vary, typically, a yurt under 200 square feet does not require a building permit. However, no matter the size, you should always verify with your local building department before starting any home construction project. Building permit costs typically run between $400 and $2,200.

How Much Yurt Can I Get on My Budget?

$6,000 to $8,000

The lowest price tier gets you a decently constructed yurt kit or all materials needed for a traditional build. The square footage is on the lower end here, at around 50 to 150 square feet, and most components are fabric or wood. Don’t count on any fancy upgrade at this price range, such as glass windows, French doors, or an oven. 

$8,000 to $16,000 

This added bit of cash allows for some custom-made components and materials, such as insulation or a weather-treated vinyl roof. You’ll also increase your overall square footage here, with a range between 150 to 250 square feet, thanks to larger diameter options. This increase in budget allows for certain amenities, such as a rain catchment or related water runoff system.   

$16,000 to $28,000

With this next cost bump, you’ll find fewer limitations with size, materials, and additional features. Yurt kits at this price are 18 to 30 feet in diameter with an overall square footage of 250 to 350 square feet. This extra money also allows for custom-made glass windows and even a Dutch door. Of course, there are still sacrifices made if you are dead set on having the best insulation and weather-resistant materials money can buy. 

$28,000 to $36,000

We are now approaching luxury territory. Yurt kits, or yurt-building materials, at this price point, are nearly always 30 feet or larger in diameter, with a layout of 350 to 500 square feet. With all of that extra room, you can add a stove, running water, or a larger bathroom. You’ll also find the materials improved at this price range, with highly insulated exteriors and roofs that handle severe weather events and prolonged bouts of cold. 

$36,000 to $50,000 

This top-end price covers all the bells and whistles imaginable, including fully custom-designed components, various residential-grade appliances, a metal roof, and multiple stories totaling over 1,000 square feet of near-outdoor living. 

Cost to Build a Yurt Yourself 

Building a yurt structure yourself saves some bucks, as you won’t pay for labor costs. You will, however, have to purchase materials, like a complete yurt kit for $6,000 to $30,000 or a base platform for $3,000 to $7,000. The build will require the following tools: 

• Hammer

• Landscaping shovel

• Power drill

• Circular saw

• 8-foot ladder 

• Hacksaw

• Carpenter’s level

DIY vs. Hiring a Yurt Building Pro 

Building your own structure saves on labor costs, but construction can be a tough job that requires expertise in a number of fields. Additionally, you’ll be on your own with sourcing materials, designing your space, and making sure everything is sturdy and well-insulated. Long-term costs could increase if the space is not sturdy enough to withstand the elements or needs reinforcement season to season. 

Professional construction fees are initially more expensive but tend to pay off in the long run. If you are set on a DIY build, consider a yurt kit that ships everything you need to get started. Additionally, you may want to skip the amenities if you are doing it yourself, opting for a basic roof, basic plastic windows, and a standard entrance door.  

FAQs

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

A yurt is a circular structure with defining construction details, such as a rooftop that slopes down evenly from a roof ring at the center to the tops of low-rising outside walls. The walls run in a circle around the base. Some benefits that yurts offer include:

• Less expensive than a traditional home

• Lower heating and cooling costs

• Don’t require a foundation

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

How much are average yurt living expenses? 

You’ll want to budget about $100 to $600 per month for basic living expenses—assuming you don’t have any debt from the initial construction. This price covers electricity, overall maintenance, and water if you don’t have a cistern or another way to store runoff. Depending on the location, you may also have to pay annual property taxes or other fees. 

How long do yurts last?

Yurts last decades when properly cared for and when placed in temperate locations. 

The fabric lasts between eight and 15 years, though copious UV rays shorten this lifespan. The roof lasts between ten and 20 years, and the wood frame could last even longer, as most frames shop with a lifetime warranty. Even in the harshest conditions, most commercial yurts last five years or more before requiring replacement parts.  

Do yurts have a bathroom? 

Many larger yurt kits come with plans and parts for a bathroom, but make sure it’s included in your project planning. Adding a bathroom to a yurt costs around $2,000 to $8,000. If the interior space isn't large enough, you can add an outhouse or outdoor bathroom within walking distance.