Are you considering buying a yurt to create a unique living space for vacations, as an auxiliary dwelling unit, income-producing rental, or office space? Yurts have become increasingly popular due to their efficient construction, portability, and feeling of more natural living. But you need to consider a few things before buying a yurt and investing in this different way of living.

How Will You Use Your Yurt?

Why do you want a yurt? Is it for a vacation property you already own? Or do you want to own a yurt to generate income as a vacation rental? Maybe you have adult children who want to live closer to you but can’t afford a house of their own. Yurts can function as auxiliary dwelling units in some places. Some people use yurts as home offices or even retail shops.

A yurt’s versatility makes it a viable option for many purposes. No matter what you have in mind, a yurt is a unique way to meet your housing or workspace needs. But before you purchase a yurt, you should know exactly how you’ll use it: having this information will help you determine the size and type of yurt you need, and the features you’ll need to include inside it.

Where Will You Construct Your Yurt?

Location is a crucial factor in your decision about whether to buy a yurt. While it is tempting to pick a spot that has a stunning view, it is important to consider other factors such as accessibility, safety, the availability of cellphone and internet service, and climate.

Yurts require level ground for their foundations. Construction crews typically build them on concrete pads, wooden platforms, or joists attached to earth anchors or concrete piers. You will need to factor in wind, temperature, precipitation, and drainage before settling on the perfect location. Although a yurt is a portable home (although those that require a permanent foundation are less portable), you should still choose a spot that can provide a stable foundation for many years to come and one that does not pose risks to you or the surrounding environment.

What Size and Type of Yurt Do You Need?

Yurts come in different sizes and materials. Some have canvas, tent-like soft sides, while hard-sided yurt cabins have walls made of wood frames and solid panels.

Canvas yurts are lighter and more portable, making them ideal for those who plan to move frequently, while hard-sided wooden yurts are sturdier for those who want to create a more permanent living space. Whatever your choice may be, with the proper amenities, a yurt can provide you with a cozy and inviting living space that you’ll love coming home to.

What Kind of Weather Will Your Yurt Experience?

The temperatures inside a yurt can fluctuate depending on the time of day and the season, but it’s important to note that yurts retain heat relatively well. However, during the winter months, insulation becomes crucial to keep the heat in, and a reliable heating source is a must. Most yurts use a wood stove, which you must properly vent for safety.

Fabric yurts are susceptible to wind, whereas models available with the wooden yurt kits from Freedom Yurt Cabins have a wind rating of up to 115 mph, and upgradable roof rafters to handle heavier snow loads. Ensuring your yurt can withstand the weather conditions in your area and taking the necessary steps to keep your yurt safe and comfortable year-round is essential.

What Zoning and Building Regulations Apply?

Local zoning and building regulations may determine whether you can have a yurt at all, and if you can, what building codes will affect your yurt’s features. Check with the local government in the area you want to build to determine which regulations you must follow.

What Utilities Do You Need?

Power and water are obviously essential, but one utility that many often overlook is sewage. Depending on where you’re setting up your yurt, you might need to install a septic system, a composting toilet, or a connection to a municipal sewer line. It’s crucial to ensure your yurt stays sanitary and doesn’t become a health hazard. With proper planning and the right resources, you can set up your yurt to have all the utilities you need to make it a comfortable and functional home.

What Safety Features Will Your Yurt Need?

Prioritizing safety measures like fire prevention and security systems is important when living in a yurt. Even the type of doors and windows you use can affect your safety, especially in wilderness areas where you will encounter wildlife.

Taking steps to minimize risk is a crucial part of being a responsible property owner, whether it’s installing smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, or security cameras. Also, think about how first responders could get to you in an emergency.

What Will It Cost and How Will You Build It?

Yurts are far less expensive to build than traditional homes or four-season cabins, but more expensive than camping or even traditional glamping tents that are made of canvas and don’t have roof rafters or wall structures. Complete yurt kits will cost well into the five figures.

How will you transport your yurt to your site and set it up if you decide you can afford one? Yurts are easy to construct, but it will still take at least several days and several people who are very skilled at DIY projects to erect a yurt. Will you have enough friends and family on board to help you construct your yurt? Do you or they have the expertise to connect and run plumbing lines and electrical conduits into the structure and connect them to municipal water and power sources?

As you consider what you should know before you buy a yurt, think about whether you are truly ready for yurt living. Think about privacy, access to resources like grocery stores, vehicle repair, and health care, and how you’d feel about strangers occupying your yurt rental or your mother-in-law living in your yurt in the backyard.

After you think it through, you may conclude that a yurt is the perfect dwelling solution. Be sure to carefully evaluate each aspect of buying and owning a yurt so that owning one won’t bring risks of danger or financial stress. Freedom Yurt Cabins is here for you with yurt kits that can include signed plans in many states when you’re ready to buy a yurt. Our kits make it easy to start construction at your chosen site without delay.