The options, side by side.
| Option | Upfront | Ongoing | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent a 10sqm Cube Cabin | Delivery fee and one week’s rent | $115 a week | High. Hand it back any time after six months. |
| Buy a new 10sqm LBP-built cabin | $28,000 to $45,000 | Maintenance only | Low. Moving it costs $500 to $1,500 each time. |
| Buy a used cabin | $18,000 to $20,000 | Higher maintenance | Low. It may not be LBP-built. |
| Build a permanent sleepout | $25,000 to $50,000 | None | None. Consent is sometimes needed. |
Which one wins.
A
When renting wins
- You need it for a few years, not for good. Against an equivalent new cabin, renting stays cheaper for roughly four and a half years or more.
- You are not sure how long you will need it. A six-month term that rolls on beats a purchase that is hard to sell quickly.
- The work moves. Sites change. Hire a cabin and shift it as needed.
- You need it soon. A hired cabin is delivered finished, without a purchase and consent process first.
- The cash is better used in the business. Hiring means no maintenance and no ownership risk.
B
When buying wins
- You need it for five years or more in one place. Over a long fixed term, ownership eventually costs less.
- You want to customise it. You cannot repaint, add a loft or fit a wet room in a hire cabin.
- It adds value to your property. A consented, permanently placed sleepout can return more than it cost to build.
C
The costs people forget
- Consent. A relocatable structure is treated differently from a permanent build by most councils. Check with yours before assuming either way.
- Insurance. Some policies exclude structures that are not LBP-built or not consented. If you buy a cheap used cabin, call your insurer first.
- Relocation. Moving a cabin you own costs $500 to $1,500 each time.
- Resale. A well-kept LBP-built cabin holds its value. A cheap used one may be hard to resell.