How Much Does a Yurt Cost? A Complete Budget Guide
"How much does a yurt cost?" is the first question almost everyone asks, and it is a fair one. The honest answer is that the yurt itself is only part of the bill. A complete project also includes a platform, delivery, set-up, heat, and sometimes power, water and permits. This guide walks through every line item so you can build a realistic budget before you order.
The Short Answer
For a sense of scale, our own 2016 price list showed base prices of $7,430 for the 16' Chocorua, $9,206 for the 20' Whiteface, $10,822 for the 24' Liberty and $13,518 for the 30' Washington. Those prices are historical and are shown for planning only; material and freight costs change, so always request a current quote. What matters most is understanding the categories below, because together they often add as much again as the yurt itself, and sometimes more.
1. The Yurt Kit
The kit is the structure: the lattice wall, rafters, center ring, dome, door, windows, roof and wall fabric, and the tension cable. The two biggest price drivers are diameter and materials.
Diameter
Floor area grows with the square of the diameter. A 30' yurt has more than three times the floor space of a 16' yurt, so it needs longer, heavier rafters, more lattice and much more fabric. Price does not rise as fast as floor area, which is why larger yurts usually cost less per square foot. If you are torn between two sizes, read choosing the right yurt size before you decide.
Materials and standard features
Two kits of the same diameter can be very different. Compare the wood species and dimensions of the lattice and rafters, the thickness and warranty of the roof fabric, whether the door is solid wood with insulated glass, and how many windows are included. Our comparison checklist lists the questions to ask any builder, and our features page shows exactly what comes standard on a White Mountain Yurt.
2. Optional Features
Options are where budgets drift, so decide early which ones you really need. The most common are:
- Insulation kits for the roof and walls, plus window insulation panels. These are essential for year-round use in New England.
- Snow and wind kit – ring brackets and perimeter supports for heavy snow or exposed sites.
- Extra or upgraded windows and doors, such as operable "real" glass windows or French doors.
- Ventilation options like a dome lifter or roll-up walls.
- Stove pipe outlet to vent a wood or gas stove safely through the wall.
Our online price calculators let you add and remove options and watch the total change, which is the easiest way to see what each choice adds.
3. The Platform
Every yurt sits on a wooden platform built to its exact diameter, and the platform is not included in the kit. Platform cost depends on size, height above grade, the type of footings, local lumber prices and whether you build it yourself. Raised platforms on piers cost more than low platforms on a level site, and an oversized platform with a deck adds lumber and labor. If you plan to live in the yurt in winter, budget for floor insulation as well.
We publish free platform plans for each model, so you or your builder can price the lumber accurately. Our step-by-step guide on how to build a yurt platform explains what goes into one.
4. Delivery and Set-Up
You can often save money by picking up your yurt at the shop, but many buyers prefer delivery. Delivery cost depends on distance and access to your site. Set-up help is also worth considering for your first yurt: raising a yurt is straightforward with good instructions and a few helpers, but an experienced hand speeds things up and avoids mistakes with the tension cable and rafters.
5. Heating and Cooling
A small wood stove is the most common heat source in a yurt, but you will also need stove pipe, a heat shield or clearances that meet the stove manufacturer's instructions, and a hearth pad. Propane heaters, electric heaters and ductless mini-splits are other options. For summer, the dome lifter and good window placement usually provide enough cooling in northern New England. Read living in a yurt in winter before you choose.
6. Utilities: Power, Water and Waste
This is the most variable category. A weekend cabin may need nothing more than a battery lantern and a water jug. A full-time home needs electrical service or an off-grid solar system, a water supply, a kitchen, a bathroom and a legal way to handle wastewater. Running utilities to a remote site can cost more than the yurt itself, so get estimates early. Our guide to off-grid yurt living explains the choices.
7. Permits, Fees and Site Work
Many towns treat the platform as a structure that needs a permit, and full-time living usually triggers building, septic and safety requirements. Budget for permit fees and any required inspections, plus site work such as clearing, a driveway or path, and drainage. Start with a call to your town office and see our New Hampshire permit and zoning guide.
8. Furnishing and Interior Finishing
Finally, the inside: furniture, rugs, lighting, storage and, for larger yurts, framed interior walls, a loft or a bathroom pod. Round rooms reward simple, movable furniture, so this part of the budget can be as modest or as generous as you like. See yurt interior design ideas for inspiration.
A Simple Budget Worksheet
Use this table to rough out your own numbers. Fill in a low and a high estimate for each line, then add a contingency of ten to fifteen percent for the surprises every building project brings.
| Budget line | What to include | Your estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Yurt kit | Model and diameter | |
| Options | Insulation, snow kit, windows, doors, dome lifter | |
| Platform | Footings, framing, decking, floor insulation, labor | |
| Delivery and set-up | Distance, access, raising help | |
| Heat | Stove, pipe, hearth, fuel | |
| Utilities | Electric or solar, water, wastewater | |
| Permits and site work | Fees, inspections, clearing, access | |
| Interior | Furniture, lighting, walls, loft | |
| Contingency | 10–15% of the total |
Ways to Save Without Cutting Corners
- Choose the right size. A smaller yurt costs less to buy, heat and furnish. Two small yurts connected by a hallway can be phased over time.
- Build the platform yourself if you have carpentry skills, using published plans.
- Pick up your yurt instead of paying for delivery, if the distance makes sense.
- Buy options for how you will really use the yurt. A summer studio does not need a winter package; a full-time home does.
- Plan utilities before you build so pipes and wires go through the floor once, not twice.
Conclusion
A yurt can be one of the most affordable ways to create a beautiful, light-filled living space, as long as you budget for the whole project and not just the kit. List every line, get real quotes for the platform and utilities, and leave room for contingencies. When you are ready, price your yurt with options in our calculators and send us your list for a current quote.
Plan Your Yurt with White Mountain Yurts
Every White Mountain Yurt is hand-built in New Hampshire. Compare our 16' to 30' yurt models, see the standard and optional features, or price your yurt in the online calculators.