In total, Loftis said the project cost $50,000, including two-by-fours, floor joists, windows, roofing, insulation, hardware, wiring, and plumbing.
He estimates they were able to save about $30,000 from using materials stripped from the old farm as well.
Loftis said his worst mistake was when it came time for energy installation.
"Going off the grid is expensive," he told Insider.
Initially, he just used a gas-powered generator for the cabin. When the property hosted its first visitors, Loftis says guests loved the experience because it lent an authentic feeling of being miles away from the everyday.
But, as a short-term rental owner, he discovered the process required multiple visits to the property to show guests how to operate the generator.
He then bought a hydropower system for $8,000, but it ended up being too complicated for his needs. They spent an additional $3,000 on repairs to the system to keep it operating.
Eventually, he gave up on his previous efforts and installed a solar-powered system for another $6,000. By his estimates, a traditional electric installation would've only been $10,000 altogether from the start.