Please note that “Meadow’s mini Cabins” is a subsidiary company owned by Forest & Meadow Villages Inc. (FMV) and is a separate business endeavour than FMV’s consulting relationship for nonprofit sustainable affordable housing projects (such as Edgewood Ecovillage). Some ecovillage communities may choose to have tiny houses, cabins, or bunkies as well; hence, the birth of Meadow’s mini Cabins (MMC). However, due to unforeseen circumstances, namely Meadow’s spinal surgery in November 2024, she had to close the doors of MMC permanently.
First–and only–Bunkie (mini cabin) finished by Meadow’s mini Cabins on the South Shore of Nova Scotia
This first off-grid bunkie is finished out and is for sale $29,900 +HST
It is with great sadness that I must stop accepting orders for new bunkies. I am having major (back) surgery on Nov 4, 2024 so I will be laid up for a long while. Therefore, Meadow’s mini Cabins is OFFICIALLY CLOSED.
Please see our Facebook page HERE for more details on this or to contact Meadow
Testimonials about our bunkies…
“This is a great deal.”
~ Drew Hickman“I purchased a shed for $10,000, then insulated it myself, etc.
I wish this was offered before I went DIY because this is a really good value.”
~ Jefferson Crabtree, owner of New Harbour Hill
What is a Bunkie?
Bunkies are smaller than tiny houses (tiny homes are under 398 sq ft according to Nova Scotia Codes).
Cabins are larger (600+ sq ft) than tiny homes and are equivalent to a “small house”, so that is why bunkies are considered “mini cabins” (anything under 599 sq ft).
They also tend to be focused on an off-grid experience, so you will find many bunkies used at camps, as a backyard retreat or extra living space, used for special purposes (Man Cave, She Shed, sauna, hot tub, workshop, art or writing studio, guest house, etc.), as BnB accommodations–including glamping experience (glamourous camping)– or even at festivals and events.
Some bunkies offer grid-tied bunkies that can be hooked to the electric grid, have an RV plug, or be solar-ready or generator-ready. These features are also why bunkies are also suited for affordable housing options.
Financing for fully self-contained secondary or backyard suites (attached or detached units on your property) is available as a loan of up to $40,000 for either seniors, family member, or as an affordable housing rental. The loan is through the Nova Scotia government as a forgivable loan (after 5 years) , the rules of which can be found here.
Many tiny house communities and bunkie blocks (sometimes connected together) are continually springing up in both cities and rural areas.
Some homeless shelters and transitional housing providers are utilizing bunkies as a way to help remedy homelessness by making housing first priority.
The most common use for bunkies is for hunting camps, BnBs, and as backyard retreats or extra space.
What Sizes are Bunkies?
Our first ‘standard construction’ bunkies are no longer available in any of these sizes:
- Small-140 sq ft Bunkie (small room)
- Medium-192 sq ft Bunkie (medium room)
- Large-240 sq ft Bunkie (large room with partition)
Off Grid Bunkie Options
Our bunkies at ‘Meadow’s mini Cabins’ had “camp” accessories. These included:
- Rain harvesting (gutter, downspout, pre-filter)
- 1 rain barrel
- solar pendant lights (independent)
- portable composting/chemical toilet (with gel bags)
- portable butane gas camp stove
- More…
Solar & Water
The original “packages” specials ended October 23rd. Some of the items included:
- 1 folding solar PV panel – 100 watt
- 600 watt power station with multiple plugs
- Portable sink (self-contained)
- Portable solar shower tent or built-in shower wall
- Portable sink with water heater kit
- Built-in bucket-style composting toilet (CT) or can use chemicals
- Extra rain barrels
Bunkie Facts
- Bunkies are an affordable housing solution
- Most bunkies are not wired or plumbed (used for off grid purposes, ours come with solar components and rain harvesting systems for no additional cost)
- Some bunkies are not built to code (ours are)
- If bunkies are not built with stamped lumber or to Code then they are considered a “shed”
- A bunkie is a tinier version of a “tiny house” or “cabin”
- Many bunkies are considered <108 sq ft or up to 220 sq ft (ours are typically 140-240sf and may be up to 396sf)
- The smallest bunkies sometimes may not require a building permit
- Bunkies built to code can be lived in full time for 1-4 seasons (check your zoning/building codes)
- Heating options can include tiny house wood stoves (if electric is available then any small heater will work)
- If windows face south and tile floor (or other thermal mass) is placed inside it will have natural “passive solar” heating assist
- Bunkies can serve as home offices, kids playhouses, or a number of unique uses as personalized spaces
- Many bunkies are “kits” that have to be assembled on site by the owner or contractor (ours come finished out and are ready to use/move into!)
- The term “bunkie” originally came from the word “bunkhouses” (used for seasonal workers)
- Some bunkies may be fitted with lofts for sleeping or storage
- Bunkies can be painted or decorated in a wide variety of colour schemes to achieve that special ‘look’ you want
- Foundations for bunkies may include thick blocks (to avoid frost heave) on a solid pad, or if Codes require, concrete pad, pillars, sono tubes, or helix screw piles.
Click here to see our First Bunkie
Need a place to park your off grid bunkie or tiny house?
Check out New Harbour Hill outside of Halifax (between Hubbards and Chester) by Jefferson Crabtree:
https://www.newharbourhill.ca/ (outside link)
