diy birdhouse

If you’ve ever wanted to create a welcoming space for backyard birds, building a DIY birdhouse is a rewarding and budget-friendly project. Whether you’re a seasoned woodworker or a beginner, you can craft a simple yet functional birdhouse with minimal tools and materials. I found this perfect example of doing things yourself cheaper (on youtube) and I didn’t think I could explain it any better so I thought I would share!  In this guide, he’ll walk you through the process of making a cedar birdhouse using just a single fence picket and basic tools, inspired by Travis’ hands-on approach to woodworking. Let’s get started!

How to Build a Simple Cedar DIY Birdhouse for Just $3

Creating a DIY birdhouse doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With just a single 4-foot cedar fence picket, a jigsaw, and a circular saw, you can build a sturdy and attractive home for your feathered friends. Follow along to learn step-by-step how to make a birdhouse using easy-to-find materials and basic woodworking skills.

Materials You’ll Need:

  • 1 cedar fence picket (4 feet long) – Available at most hardware stores
  • Jigsaw & Circular Saw – For cutting the wood pieces
  • Wood Glue (Titebond III recommended) – Waterproof and perfect for outdoor use
  • Brad Nails or Wood Screws – To fasten the birdhouse together
  • Drill with a Forstner Bit (1.5-inch size) – For the entrance hole
  • Sandpaper – To smooth out rough edges
  • Odie’s Oil (Optional) – A natural wood finish to enhance durability

Step 1: Cutting the Wood Pieces

Start by cutting all the pieces according to the cut list in your plans. If you’re using a circular saw, a straight edge as a guide will help you make clean, straight cuts.

👉 Tip: Always label your cut pieces to avoid confusion during assembly.

If you’re new to woodworking, buying an extra picket as a backup is a good idea in case of mistakes. Even experienced builders make errors, so having spare material is helpful!

Step 2: Preparing the Roof and Entrance Hole

  • One of the roof pieces needs to be slightly trimmed to fit perfectly. Instead of measuring, use another board as a guide to match the thickness.
  • To make the entrance hole, use a 1.5-inch Forstner bit. This size is a good general choice, but if you’re targeting a specific bird species, research the right hole size for them.
  • If you don’t have a Forstner bit, you can drill a small hole first and use a jigsaw to cut out the circle.

👉 Pro Tip: Drill halfway through the wood, then flip the board and drill the rest from the other side. This prevents wood tear-out and gives you a clean, smooth hole.

Step 3: Sanding Before Assembly

Before putting everything together, sand all the pieces thoroughly. It’s much easier to sand the boards before assembly rather than afterward.

Step 4: Assembling the Birdhouse

  • Use wood glue on all edges for a strong bond.
  • Secure the pieces together using brad nails, screws, or finishing nails.
  • Be careful to install nails or screws straight and centered to prevent them from poking through the wood.

👉 Fixing Mistakes: If nails come out of the wrong side, simply break them off with pliers and reinsert them properly.

Step 5: Attaching the Roof Panel

For easy cleaning and maintenance, install the top panel using screws only (no glue). This way, you can remove it later to clean out old nests.

  • Drill countersunk holes for the screws to make them flush with the wood.
  • Use stainless steel screws to prevent rusting over time.

Step 6: Finishing Touches

  • Fill any nail holes using a simple trick: apply wood glue to the hole and sand over it. This blends the filler into the wood naturally.
  • While cedar is naturally rot-resistant, applying a natural finish like Odie’s Oil will enhance its durability and bring out the wood’s rich color.

Step 7: Installing Your Birdhouse

You can mount the birdhouse by:
✅ Screwing it to a tree or pole (best for stability)
✅ Adding hooks or eye bolts to hang it from a tree branch

Final Thoughts

With just a few dollars in materials and simple tools, you can build a durable and attractive birdhouse to invite birds into your backyard. Whether you’re doing this as a fun weekend project or to create a bird-friendly environment, this DIY birdhouse is a simple, affordable, and enjoyable build.

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