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Ranch House/Cabins

2,678 Views | 21 Replies | Last: 3 mo ago by INIGO MONTOYA
213 Grove
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12:18p, 10/7/25
AG
Looking into all options for a new Ranch house/cabin in South TX. Not looking to really do a full ground up build.

What have you used or stayed in that you would recommend? I'm looking into MBRK Cabins now but want to make sure to consider all options.
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O.G.
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12:39p, 10/7/25
I think in this era, most are going to recommend a metal building/Barndo type build.

Maybe a camper trailer to get you over the hump until you get it built.

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Gunny456
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In reply to 213 Grove • 12:54p, 10/7/25
AG
My cousin bought from this company to replace a cabin that was destroyed in the Kerrville flood.
https://lancasterlogcabins.com/camping-pods/
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35chililights
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1:22p, 10/7/25
AG
Post your expectations.

Just a place to sleep?
A place to congregate?
How many people are you looking to accommodate?
Air conditioning? Heating?
You looking to run a fridge and/or freezer?
Shower? Toilet?


Kind of a spectrum of options. You could do a heavy canvas wall tent, to a raw shipping container, to a finished out shipping container, to a garden shed, to a RV, to a mobile home.


If I'm ok with not having a shower or toilet, which I'd be fine with if it was just me, and I wanted it secure when I was gone, I'd grab a shipping container and frame it out with beds and a table. I'd build a false wall behind the end doors creating a small patio area and put a window unit in that so the entire thing could still be locked up and secured.

But if I'm wanting the wife and kids to come and stay, well, we are going to have a bump it up a notch.

I'm currently staying in an unknown time frame built farm house with leaking roof and sketchy electrical when I'm out at our lease. I did spend some money and upgrade the smoke and CO alarms to ones that will wake the entire deer camp when things go south.
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giddings_ag_06
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1:36p, 10/7/25
AG
I'm in the same boat. I want something I can build out though. I've considered metal buildings, containers, etc… harder than you think finding the perfect fit. Size has also been a consideration since I want to go wider than 1 container. Coats quite a bit to cut a wall out and weld 2 together though.
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oh no
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2:15p, 10/7/25
AG
90' x 90' square concrete slab with metal building on it.

approx
4/9 to 1/2 = shop/garage
2/9 to 1/3 = 1 bedroom barndo, kitchen/living area, 1 full bathroom
2/9 = covered car port
1/9 = screened in back porch


-big enough shop to store big freezer/extra fridge, UTV, ATV, dirt bikes/toys, mower, implements/sprayer/spreader/cultivator/etc., tools, workbench, storage shelves / cabinets, grill, etc.. a 50 amp hookup so people can plug in camper/RV

-big enough barndo to put a few bunk beds in the bedroom, pull out couch or futon or two in the living room, full kitchen and bathroom

-big enough car port to store trailer and/or tractor - or your RV, or just park your truck when you're there

-big enough porch to put dinning set, lounge chairs, etc.
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sixbarag
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2:18p, 10/7/25
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AG
We replaced our 5th wheel up on land in Bastrop county with a Ulrich Log Cabin out of Cleburne. It is really well built and they deliver all over TX, ours is 14' x 36', not huge but way bigger than a RV. 2 BD, full bath, full kitchen w/ dishwasher, stackable washer & dryer.
Edit to add: the cabin is 10 yrs old and i took those pictures at 7 yr. Old right before we had it cleaned and resealed, looks brand new again but I can't find my updated photos. The back side was the worst as it faces full west sun.

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EFE
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2:25p, 10/7/25
AG
Insulated Connex will hold 3 XL twin bunk beds comfortably, could probably squeeze in a 4th if you tightened up the spacing or went to regular length twins.
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213 Grove
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In reply to 35chililights • 2:37p, 10/7/25
AG
35chililights said:
Post your expectations.

Just a place to sleep?
A place to congregate?
How many people are you looking to accommodate?
Air conditioning? Heating?
You looking to run a fridge and/or freezer?
Shower? Toilet?


Kind of a spectrum of options. You could do a heavy canvas wall tent, to a raw shipping container, to a finished out shipping container, to a garden shed, to a RV, to a mobile home.


If I'm ok with not having a shower or toilet, which I'd be fine with if it was just me, and I wanted it secure when I was gone, I'd grab a shipping container and frame it out with beds and a table. I'd build a false wall behind the end doors creating a small patio area and put a window unit in that so the entire thing could still be locked up and secured.

But if I'm wanting the wife and kids to come and stay, well, we are going to have a bump it up a notch.

I'm currently staying in an unknown time frame built farm house with leaking roof and sketchy electrical when I'm out at our lease. I did spend some money and upgrade the smoke and CO alarms to ones that will wake the entire deer camp when things go south.


We own the place so looking for something nice that wife and kids and guests will want to come visit often. We have a small cabin on it currently but it needs a full remodel and my long term goal for it is to be a bunkhouse type setup.

This new cabin would ideally have two bedrooms with a nice size living room. Barndo route seems like best option but not sure I want to manage the build and give full ranch access to construction crews for several months while I'm not there. I will consider it if anyone knows of a reputable barndo builder in San Diego/Alice/Freer area.
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John Cocktolstoy
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3:02p, 10/7/25
There has to be a retired texager that would stay out there during the week for you.
Second Hardest Workin Man on Texags
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35chililights
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In reply to 213 Grove • 3:35p, 10/7/25
AG
I can sure understand the wanting to limit access.

You could set up some surveillance cameras along the road and around the perimeter of the area you're wanting them to work on. Make them very visible. Tell them any deviation from the allotted space is subject to termination of them from the build. Have a contract stating as such.

It's an area that's been abused by folks in the past, and as such, there are ways around it and to manage it.
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texags2002
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4:09p, 10/7/25
AG
You could consider a manufactured home.
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bmfvet
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4:57p, 10/7/25
AG
https://www.backyardpod.com

These could be some interesting options.
‘99
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TRIDENT
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5:23p, 10/7/25
AG
My folks had a United Built Home built on their property for a bay house a number of years ago. It was a very sturdy and economical build. Looks like they have an office location near your property. Might be a good idea to talk to them. GL!

Magnolia 2 Bedroom Rustic House Plan | United Built Homes

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Txgunrnnr
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6:41p, 10/7/25
AG
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=modular+home&crid=MC14D4FXHOGP&sprefix=Modular+%2Caps%2C128&ref=nb_sb_ss_p13n-expert-pd-ops-ranker_5_8

Amazon for the win!
“If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.” -Henry Ford

#FJB
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schmellba99
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7:11p, 10/7/25
AG
I bought a prefab metal building and finished the inside how I wanted.

https://instagr.am/p/DPhxC4VkTkp

https://instagr.am/p/DPhxNS4EZIb

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AggieJames09
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7:59p, 10/7/25
AG
I finished out an old construction office trailer and love it.
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AnScAggie
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9:27p, 10/7/25
AG
I would not build a log cabin in STX unless you like bees and woodpeckers a lot! We looked at two ranches that had log cabins on them, one was Quail Run south of Hebbronville owned by an Aggie and the other was on a ranch in Frio or La Salle co. Both had bees in them and this is while they were on the market. South Texas woodpeckers are no joke either, those bastages will knock a hole in anything. Termites are another reason IMO to avoid a wood living structure if at all possible.
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AnScAggie
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In reply to 213 Grove • 9:34p, 10/7/25
AG
213 Grove said:
35chililights said:
Post your expectations.

Just a place to sleep?
A place to congregate?
How many people are you looking to accommodate?
Air conditioning? Heating?
You looking to run a fridge and/or freezer?
Shower? Toilet?


Kind of a spectrum of options. You could do a heavy canvas wall tent, to a raw shipping container, to a finished out shipping container, to a garden shed, to a RV, to a mobile home.


If I'm ok with not having a shower or toilet, which I'd be fine with if it was just me, and I wanted it secure when I was gone, I'd grab a shipping container and frame it out with beds and a table. I'd build a false wall behind the end doors creating a small patio area and put a window unit in that so the entire thing could still be locked up and secured.

But if I'm wanting the wife and kids to come and stay, well, we are going to have a bump it up a notch.

I'm currently staying in an unknown time frame built farm house with leaking roof and sketchy electrical when I'm out at our lease. I did spend some money and upgrade the smoke and CO alarms to ones that will wake the entire deer camp when things go south.


We own the place so looking for something nice that wife and kids and guests will want to come visit often. We have a small cabin on it currently but it needs a full remodel and my long term goal for it is to be a bunkhouse type setup.

This new cabin would ideally have two bedrooms with a nice size living room. Barndo route seems like best option but not sure I want to manage the build and give full ranch access to construction crews for several months while I'm not there. I will consider it if anyone knows of a reputable barndo builder in San Diego/Alice/Freer area.

My ranch is between San DIego and Benavides, we looked into the barndo route right before covid. After that prices soared and we decided to keep what we already had and just remodel. I have no experience with them other than a few phone conversations and one site visit but Rocking H in Alice seemed to be about the only local barndo builder we could find at the time.
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O.G.
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In reply to schmellba99 • 6:23a, 10/8/25
schmellba99 said:
I bought a prefab metal building and finished the inside how I wanted.

https://instagr.am/p/DPhxC4VkTkp

https://instagr.am/p/DPhxNS4EZIb


how do you open the Insta posts?

Edit: NVM figured it out.
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John Cocktolstoy
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In reply to AnScAggie • 7:32a, 10/8/25
AnScAggie said:
I would not build a log cabin in STX unless you like bees and woodpeckers a lot! We looked at two ranches that had log cabins on them, one was Quail Run south of Hebbronville owned by an Aggie and the other was on a ranch in Frio or La Salle co. Both had bees in them and this is while they were on the market. South Texas woodpeckers are no joke either, those bastages will knock a hole in anything. Termites are another reason IMO to avoid a wood living structure if at all possible.

There are a few log structures out Limestone Lake. The wasps were also fond of the wood. I did not know these type of wasps consume the wood...not sure if they do that to make the nest? But it was incredible how big it was and how small they were. Half the size of a yellowjacket.
Second Hardest Workin Man on Texags
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INIGO MONTOYA
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12:56p, 10/8/25
Got 5 cabins from Spring Branch Trading Post about 10 years ago. Great cabins. Cedar. Have held up great other than replacing ACs.

Have a 2 BR single wide that is only 3 years old that am looking to sell (or end up donating). $85k new, $50k.
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