What you need for a cabin building week

A cabin building week needs more than wood and hand tools. You will need construction materials, fixings, measuring equipment, protective gear, first-aid supplies and practical site equipment for several working days. Plan shelter, tables, chairs, water points and waste bins before the group arrives. The list below covers the items to buy, hire or bring so building can start on day one without a last-minute hardware-store trip.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 4
Foldable tablesqty 12
Folding chairsqty 80
Beer tablesqty 8
Waste binsqty 10
Storage cabinetsqty 4

Construction materials

Scaffold planksqty 350
Wooden polesqty 180
Wooden panelsqty 100
Palletsqty 50
Corrugated Sheetsqty 80
Rope rollsqty 24
Nailsqty 25
Screwsqty 20
Wood glueqty 12

Tools

Hammerqty 30
Hand sawqty 20
Screwdriver setqty 12
Cordless drillqty 8
Drill bitsqty 8
Spirit levelsqty 8
Measuring tapesqty 15
Combination pliersqty 15
Work glovesqty 100
Safety gogglesqty 60
Wire cuttersqty 10
Hand wheelbarrowsqty 4

Safety

First aid kitsqty 3
Crowd control barriersqty 20
Warning signsqty 12
Conesqty 30
Flashlightsqty 20
Reflective vestsqty 25

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 120
Reusable platesqty 100
Reusable cutleryqty 120
Storage cratesqty 20

Kitchen

Coolersqty 8
Food warmersqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 8
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 12
Scissorsqty 8
Water jugsqty 12
Thermos flasksqty 8

Equipment

Kettlesqty 4
Refrigeratorsqty 2
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8
Portable music speakersqty 2

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 12
Work lightsqty 8
Batteriesqty 40

Decorations

Buntingqty 12
Bannersqty 6
Paintbrushesqty 40
Paint traysqty 20
Acrylic paintqty 30
Markersqty 40
Colored paperqty 20
Staplersqty 10
Rolls of tapeqty 20
Apronsqty 40

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 6
Tennis ballsqty 20
Hoopsqty 12
Skipping ropesqty 12
Cones for gamesqty 30

Cleaning

Broomqty 6
Dustpanqty 4
Mopsqty 6
Bucketsqty 8
Cleaning clothsqty 30

Catering

Groceries
- Whole wheat bread - 20 loaves
- White rolls - 120 pieces
- Wholegrain rolls - 80 pieces
- Wraps - 100 pieces
- Bread rolls - 80 pieces
- Sliced cheese - 8 kilos
- Back ham - 5 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 5 kilos
- Vegetarian Cold Cuts - 4 kilos
- Peanut butter - 8 jars
- Chocolate spread - 8 jars
- Jam - 8 jars
- Hummus - 20 containers
- Butter - 4 kilos
- Eggs - 180 pieces
- Potatoes - 25 kilos
- Rice - 12 kilo
- Pasta - 15 kilo
- Tomato Sauce - 18 jars
- Ground meat - 15 kilos
- Vegetarian minced meat - 8 kilos
- Chicken breast - 12 kilo
- Vegetarian burgers - 100 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 120 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 120 pieces
- Frankfurters - 120 pieces
- Corn - 12 cans
- Peas - 12 cans
- Carrots - 10 kilos
- Cucumbers - 20 pieces
- Tomatoes - 15 kilos
- Bell peppers - 10 kilos
- Lettuce - 20 heads
- Onions - 8 kilo
- Apples - 120 pieces
- Bananas - 120 pieces
- Grapes - 10 kilos
- Ice pops - 200 pieces
- Yogurt - 20 liters
- Muesli - 8 kilos
- Paprika chips - 20 bags
- Plain chips - 20 bags
- Snacks - 12 bags
- Cookies - 20 packs
- Muesli bars - 200 pieces
- Popcorn kernels - 5 kilos
- Ketchup - 8 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 8 bottles
- Mustard - 6 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 6 bottles
- Salt - 2 kilos
- Pepper - 500 grams
- Paprika powder - 500 grams
- Italian herbs - 500 grams
- Oil - 5 liters
- Vinegar - 2 liters
- Cola - 30 bottles
- Cola Zero - 20 bottles
- Orange soda - 20 bottles
- Apple juice - 20 packs
- Orange juice - 20 cartons
- Spa Blauw - 80 bottles
- Spa Rood - 30 bottles
- Lemonade syrup - 8 bottles
- Coffee - 12 packs
- Tea - 10 boxes
- Milk - 30 liters
- Sugar - 5 kilo
- Oat milk - 10 liters
- Lemon juice - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 30 kilo
- Paper napkins - 2.000 pieces
- Baking paper - 6 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 6 rolls
- Cling film - 6 rolls
- Paper towels - 24 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 12 bottles
- Dish soap - 6 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 6 bottles
- Disinfecting wipes - 12 packs
- Trash bags - 250 pieces
- Freezer bags - 4 boxes
- Wooden stir sticks - 1.000 pieces
- Coffee cups - 500 pieces

Tips

Order the main timber delivery before the week starts and allow time to check every piece for damage or unsafe edges. Keep scaffold planks, wooden poles, panels and pallets stored off the ground and covered if rain is likely.
Buy fixings in separate, clearly labelled containers: nails, screws, rope and wood glue are easy to mix up once several teams start working. Keep a reserve rather than waiting until the final cabin section is assembled.
Plan at least one complete tool set for each active work area, including a hammer, hand saw, screwdriver set, cordless drill, drill bits, spirit level and measuring tape. Add spare drill bits because a missing or broken bit can stop a team.
Provide one pair of work gloves and safety goggles per participant who may handle or cut materials, plus extra pairs for replacements. Keep wire cutters, combination pliers and other sharp tools in a supervised storage cabinet when they are not in use.
Set up tents, folding tables, chairs and water points before construction begins, not during the first work session. Place first-aid kits, warning signs and crowd-control barriers where they can be reached without crossing an active construction zone.

Frequently asked questions

What materials do I need for a cabin building week?: Plan for scaffold planks, wooden poles, wooden panels, pallets and corrugated sheets, along with rope rolls, nails, screws and wood glue. Confirm the quantities against the cabin design and number of teams before ordering the delivery.
How many tools should I bring for cabin building week?: Provide at least one complete basic tool set for each active work area. Each set should include a hammer, hand saw, screwdriver set, cordless drill, drill bits, spirit level and measuring tape, with spare drill bits available.
How much safety equipment is needed for a cabin building week?: Prepare one pair of work gloves and safety goggles for every participant who may handle materials, plus at least 10% extra for replacements. Keep first-aid kits, warning signs and barriers available before the first tools are handed out.
When should I arrange the wood delivery for cabin building week?: Book the delivery at least 7 days before the start date so there is time to confirm access, storage space and unloading. Check and stack the wood before participants arrive, rather than discovering damaged materials during the first build session.

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