Frequently Asked Questions
Please reach us at info@houseboatkits.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
As to estimated build time, an organized and efficient person with average shop/metalworking skills can assemble the cabin kit as supplied in an estimated 50 hours. Tools are ordinary hand and metalworking tools, such as drill, air compressor, air rivet squeezer, wrenches, c-clamps, dremel, snips, etc. It's pretty much basic metal work, measuring, drilling bolting, riveting. Our comprehensive step-by-step assembly guide will lead you through the process with a minimum of head-scratching.
The interior and systems is based on factors such as, buying ready-made components (some of which we offer as options) vs scratch build (interior walls/doors, cabinets, furniture, deck railings) and to what level of complexity you approach it. We will also provide guidance as to how we installed our systems (leaning toward simple) with sourcing information as to the parts and materials. Through our experience with this, you can expect interior and systems completion to range from 100 to 300 hours
See the Pontoons/Platform page
You will need basic hand tools to assemble the cabin kit, such as screwdrivers, wenches, sockets, files, and a good electric drill with quality bits. For the interior you will also need woodworking tools as well. A power miter saw is an invaluable asset as it relates to building the interior components and making perfectly square cuts on the wooden framing parts. A table saw was very handy , as well. Again, the more of the interior that you farm out to others (and pay for), the fewer tools you will need.
Assembling the cabin kit requires ordinary skills in measuring, accurate drilling, leveling and the use of wrenches, files, metal snips and a pop rivet puller. The skills required for building the interior are dependent upon how involved your interior design becomes. The interior on the demo boat as you see it, required no more than ordinary woodworking skills. A skilled woodworking craftsman might not accept our level of quality on the upholstery and the cabinet work, however it is fine as far as we're concerned and it didn't take long to finish it.
When we receive your 50% deposit, we will give you an estimated availability date as well as crating and shipping costs. Typically, your kit will be available approximately 30 days from our receipt of your deposit. We require payment in full prior to release of the kit.
The kit can be picked up at our warehouse facility in Ocala Florida.
Dimensionally, the kit part scan fit on a 6'X8' trailer with the long channels being cut in two pieces and spliced during assembly. Avoiding the splices (non-structural), the 12 ft cabin will have 16 ft channel lengths (standard roof overhang). Longer cabins will have correspondingly longer un-cut channels. Total weight (uncrated) approximetely 800 pounds.
Crating and shipping is available through a separate vendor. Their price to produce the crate and package the kit is $1,300. The shipping cost, using 1000 miles as an example is $1,600.
For those who wish to do so, our cabin structure can safely support limited upper deck usage in calm waters at slow speed and at anchor. We strongly recommend a 600 pound limit on the upper deck, with the weight being reasonably disbursed. To avoid potential denting of the top skin of the roof panel by chair legs etc, we add a 3mm aluminum composite material (ACM) sheet, which is the same material as the outer cabin walls. A non-slip application should be added. Welded aluminum 24”railings, an aluminum ladder and hardware are included in the upper deck component package. These components add 220 pounds to the overall weight of the boat.
Through experience with dozons of these builds, we recommend a minimum of four feet of rear deck space and at least six feet of deck space up front. With these dimensions, the 12 ft cabin would need at least 22 feet of open deck space. The 16 ft cabin at least 26 feet with the 18 ft cabin requiring 28 feet. Having said that, the more the better.
The interior height is 81 inches or 6'9". If your pontoon boat deck is 8'6" wide, the interior cabin width will be 8'0". For 8'0" deck widths, the cabin interior width will be 7'6".
The standard roof overhang is 6 inches at the aft end and 18 inches forward. Additional roof length is available as an option with support struts if required.
Added cabin height and width is available
Audio 2500
Our demo boat has a 12 ft cabin and was completed in late 2024 for the following rounded costs.
Interior walls and doors $800
Electrical (12-volt) 600
Plumbing 600
Vinyl plank flooring 250
Galley cabinet 200
Control console 200
Window blinds and shades 250
Furniture 650
Audio 250
12-volt cooler-type refrigerator
300
Miscellaneous 400 Total $4,500
Considering the added interior partitions, furniture and miscellaneous items of the larger cabins, we estimate an added $1,000 for the 16 ft cabin and an added $2,000 for the 18 ft cabin.
We installed a 110-volt system on the demo boat to power a small air conditioner and microwave. Neither of these were installed on our original prototype boat of several years ago. We endured the summer nights in central Florida quite adequately with a small oscillating 12V fan which we typically turned off during the night as the cabin is quite well insulated. However, we felt we should show all options on this new boat. Our costs for these systems are as follows:
110-volt Blue Seas marine breaker panel $450
Wiring, plugs, receptacles, shore-power capable 150
5000 btu wall air conditioner (residential) 150
1600 watt portable generator Home Depot 350
Total $1,100
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