Re: The Aviary?
The pre fab's in the shops I looked at for mine (butler buildings), the cheapest i was able to find was $14k. And that was just for the shell, no floor, no nothing. As mine stands I have just over $10k in the whole thing. That was only possible with a lot of sweat, bargain hunting, and good friends. Like you said, just thankful to have the ability to do it.
Funny story, i helped my father in law put in a privacy fence at his place. The fence company quoted him $3k installed. We did it for $380. Mark up is insane.