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Catio cost calculator
An 8x6 walk-in for two cats: $1,132.11 in materials. Change it below.
Catio cost calculator
- $1,132.11
- $1,850 to $5,900
- 29 of 29
Every line, with its store price
1x2 furring strip, 8 ft
1 in. x 2 in. x 8 ft. Furring Strip Board, model 160954. Home Depot, Hamilton Mill store, Oct 8, 2026.1x6 cedar board (S1S2E), 8 ft
1 in. x 6 in. x 8 ft. S1S2E Cedar Board, model 168CS1S2E. Home Depot, Hamilton Mill store, Oct 13, 2026.1x6 cedar board (S1S2E), 12 ft
1 in. x 6 in. x 12 ft. S1S2E Cedar Board, model 1612CS1S2E. Home Depot, Hamilton Mill store, Oct 13, 2026.2x4 pressure-treated (ground contact), 8 ft
WeatherShield 2 in. x 4 in. x 8 ft. #2 Prime Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Southern Yellow Pine Lumber, model 291224. Home Depot, Hamilton Mill store, Oct 8, 2026.2x4 pressure-treated (ground contact), 12 ft
WeatherShield 2 in. x 4 in. x 12 ft. #2 Prime Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Southern Yellow Pine Lumber, model 253920. Home Depot, Hamilton Mill store, Oct 8, 2026.2x4 framing lumber, 8 ft
2 in. x 4 in. x 96 in. #2 Premium Grade KD-HT Stud, model 058449. Home Depot, Hamilton Mill store, Oct 8, 2026.2x4 framing lumber, 10 ft
2 in. x 4 in. x 10 ft. #2 Grade SPF Dimensional Lumber, model 6091. Home Depot, Hamilton Mill store, Oct 8, 2026.2x4 framing lumber, 12 ft
2 in. x 4 in. x 12 ft. #2 Premium Grade SPF Dimensional Lumber, model 058440. Home Depot, Hamilton Mill store, Oct 8, 2026.2x4 framing lumber, 16 ft
2 in. x 4 in. x 16 ft. #2 Grade SPF Dimensional Lumber, model 6091. Home Depot, Hamilton Mill store, Oct 8, 2026.2x6 framing lumber, 8 ft
2 in. x 6 in. x 8 ft. #2 Premium Grade SPF Dimensional Lumber, model 96032. Home Depot, Hamilton Mill store, Oct 8, 2026.Plywood, 1/2 in exterior (rated sheathing), 4 x 8 ft
Plytanium 15/32 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. 3-Ply RTD Sheathing, model 132411. Home Depot, Hamilton Mill store, Oct 8, 2026.Corrugated polycarbonate roof panels, 26" x 8 ft
Suntuf 2.2 ft. x 8 ft. Corrugated Polycarbonate Roof Panel in Clear, model 101697. Home Depot, Hamilton Mill store, Oct 8, 2026.Roofing screws for polycarbonate, 2 in, EPDM washer
Woodtite 2 in. Hex-Head Wood Screw with EPDM washer (50-Pack), model 92523. 2 packs cover 88 screws. Home Depot, Hamilton Mill store, Oct 8, 2026.Foam closure strips for the panel profile, 36 in
Suntuf 36 in. Horizontal White Foam Roof Closure Strips (5-Pack), model 92520. Ship-to-store card. 2 packs cover 6. Home Depot, Hamilton Mill store, Oct 8, 2026.100% silicone sealant, polycarbonate-safe
GE Supreme Silicone 10.1-oz Window and Door Clear Silicone Caulk, model 2814816. Lowe's, Atlanta-Edgewood store, Oct 8, 2026.1 x 2 in welded wire, 16 gauge, galvanized, 36" x 25 ft roll
YARDGARD 25 ft. x 3 ft. 1 in. x 2 in. Mesh 16-Gauge Galvanized Cage Wire (sale, was $69.99), model 3627241. Stock shown at a nearby store. Tractor Supply, Augusta, Kansas store, Oct 8, 2026.Exterior screws, 3 in, for the framing
Everbilt #9 x 3 in. Tan Star Torx Drive Flat Head Wood Deck Screw (900-Pack), model 21950. 1 pack cover 286 screws. Home Depot, Bronx Terminal store, Sep 30, 2026.Strap hinges, 3 in, exterior
National Hardware 3-in Zinc plated Strap Interior/Exterior Door Hinge 2-Pack, model N127-449. Delivery-only card. 1 pack cover 2. Lowe's, Atlanta-Edgewood store, Oct 8, 2026.Two-step latches (safety gate hook with spring catch)
Everbilt 2 in. Zinc-Plated Safety Gate Hook (spring-loaded catch: press the catch, then lift the hook), model 24435. Home Depot, Hamilton Mill store, Oct 8, 2026.Hurricane ties, Simpson H2.5A (ZMAX), every purlin end
Simpson Strong-Tie H2.5A 18-Gauge ZMAX Galvanized Hurricane Tie, model H2.5AZ. Home Depot, Bronx Terminal store, Sep 30, 2026.Hot-dip galvanized 8d common nails, 0.131 x 2-1/2 in, for the ties
Grip-Rite 2-1/2 in. x 10-1/4-Gauge 8-penny Exterior Galvanized Smooth Shank Common Nails 1 lb. Box, model 8HGC1. 1 pack cover 80 nails. Home Depot, Hamilton Mill store, Oct 8, 2026.Concrete screws, 1/4 x 2-3/4 in, for the bottom plates
Tapcon 1/4 in. x 2-3/4 in. Hex-Washer-Head Concrete Anchors (75-Piece), model 24330. Limited stock at the store. 1 pack cover 22. Home Depot, Hamilton Mill store, Oct 13, 2026.Shelf brackets, Simpson SBV, 9 x 11 in, galvanized
Simpson Strong-Tie SBV 9 in. X 11 in. 16-Gauge Galvanized Shelf Bracket, model SBV. Ship-to-store card. Home Depot, Hamilton Mill store, Oct 13, 2026.Simpson SDS connector screws, 1/4 x 2-1/2 in, brackets to the studs
Simpson Strong-Tie 1/4 in. x 2-1/2 in. Strong-Drive SDS Heavy-Duty Connector Screw (25-Pack), model SDS25212-R25. 2 packs cover 40 screws. Home Depot, Hamilton Mill store, Oct 13, 2026.Stainless steel screws, #8 x 1/2 in, brackets to the shelf boards
#8 x 1/2 in. Flat Head Phillips Self-Tapping Screws, 304 Stainless Steel, 100 Pack, model ASIN B0CHQKBV8L. Ship-to-store card. 1 pack cover 36 screws. Amazon.com, shipped, Oct 10, 2026.Strap hinges, 3 in, for the litter nook lid
National Hardware 3-in Zinc plated Strap Interior/Exterior Door Hinge 2-Pack, model N127-449. Delivery-only card. 1 pack cover 2. Lowe's, Atlanta-Edgewood store, Oct 8, 2026.Stainless steel screws, #10 x 1 in pan head, for the mesh
#10 x 1 in. Pan Head Wood Screws, Phillips Drive, Stainless Steel 304 (18-8), 100 Pack, model ASIN B0DSRZV3Z3. Ship-to-store card. 6 packs cover 591 screws. Amazon.com, shipped, Oct 13, 2026.Stainless steel fender washers, 1/4 x 1-1/4 in
SVLING 1/4 x 1-1/4 in. Fender Washers, 304 Stainless Steel, 50 Pack, model ASIN B0GYNYXPF5. Ship-to-store card. 12 packs cover 591 washers. Amazon.com, shipped, Oct 13, 2026.Exterior deck screws, #8 x 1-5/8 in, door stops
Deck Plus #8 x 1-5/8-in Exterior Deck Screws, 147 per box, model 48438. Store pickup offered, stock count not shown. 1 pack cover 32 screws. Lowe's, Atlanta-Edgewood store, Oct 8, 2026.What each catio plan costs
| Design | Floor | Cats | Materials | Build time | Labor if hired |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Window box catio | 5.3 sq ft | perch | $433.05 | 8 to 13 h | $800 to $2,600 |
| 6' x 4' lean-to catio | 24 sq ft | 1 | $903.75 | 13 to 20.5 h | $1,300 to $4,100 |
| 8' x 5' lean-to catio | 40 sq ft | 1 | $1,053.83 | 15.5 to 25 h | $1,550 to $5,000 |
| 12' x 6' lean-to catio | 72 sq ft | 3 | $1,276.36 | 19 to 30 h | $1,900 to $6,000 |
| Small catio: 6' x 4' freestanding | 24 sq ft | 1 | $943.47 | 15 to 24 h | $1,500 to $4,800 |
| 6' x 6' freestanding catio | 36 sq ft | 1 | $996.45 | 17.5 to 27.5 h | $1,750 to $5,500 |
| 8' x 6' freestanding catio | 48 sq ft | 2 | $1,132.11 | 18.5 to 29.5 h | $1,850 to $5,900 |
| 10' x 8' freestanding catio | 80 sq ft | 3 | $1,564.70 | 24 to 38 h | $2,400 to $7,600 |
| Large catio: 12' x 10' freestanding | 120 sq ft | 5 | $1,850.11 | 28 to 44 h | $2,800 to $8,800 |
Where the money goes
| Group | Cost | Share | Lines priced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardware and fasteners | $390.15 | 34% | 13 of 13 |
| Lumber | $268.75 | 24% | 10 of 10 |
| Mesh | $251.96 | 22% | 1 of 1 |
| Roofing | $193.44 | 17% | 4 of 4 |
| Sheets | $27.81 | 2% | 1 of 1 |
What changes the cost
| Option | Materials | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2 in hardware cloth instead of welded wire | -$9.21 | Finer and stiffer; its rolls cost less at the sizes we read, but the narrower bands need more rails and screws. |
| Half panels, half mesh roof | +$104.10 | More purlins and ties: the mesh half needs its own framing. |
| Mesh roof only | -$14.23 | No panels, but more mesh and purlins; not verified for snow. |
| Double-door airlock | +$253.70 | A 36 x 42 in mesh vestibule and a second door, as the shelter vets recommend. |
| On the lawn, with a mesh apron | +$160.74 | A 12 in apron against digging, pinned or buried. |
| A 6 ft tunnel | +$116.91 | An 18 x 18 in mesh tunnel to a door or window. |
| Snow load of 50 psf | +$88.46 | Bigger or more purlins under the panels. |
Labor if you hire it out
How the prices were read
Questions people ask
Building a catio costs $433 in materials for our window box and $1,132 for an 8x6 walk-in freestanding catio, up to $1,850 for a 12x10, at shelf prices we read in October 2026, before tax. If you hire the build out, add $1,850 to $5,900 for the 8x6.
A large catio, our 12x10 freestanding walk-in at 120 sq ft for up to 5 cats, costs $1,850.11 in materials with a solid panel roof. Labor if you hire it out is $2,800 to $8,800 for a crew of two. The roof and the mesh grow fastest with size.
Built yourself, a catio costs only the materials: $1,132.11 for our 8x6 freestanding design, plus tax, a few tools and a weekend or two for two people. Store kits we saw listed on Oct 14, 2026 ran from $124.99 to $1,699.00, most of them smaller and lighter.
Often not for a small freestanding one: the US model code (IRC 2021 R105.2) exempts one-story detached structures up to 200 sq ft from a building permit. A catio fastened to the house is outside that exemption, towns can differ, and landlords and HOAs have their own rules, so ask before you buy materials.