How Much Does a Bee Box Cost?

Last Updated on August 6, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Bee boxes, also known as beehives or hives, represent essential equipment for apiculture and backyard beekeeping, providing sturdy housing for honey bee colonies to thrive. But what exactly can beekeepers expect to budget when investing in these precision-engineered wooden hive structures?

This guide explores various designs like Langstroth and Top-Bar hives, construction materials, special features, brand reputation, additional equipment expenses, purchasing considerations, cost-saving strategies, and much more so beekeepers can find their perfect hive solution affordably.

How Much Does a Bee Box Cost?

Depending on the specific design, size, features, materials, and purchasing options, costs for a new bee box range from $50 for basic DIY hive kits up to $800 or more for premium ready-to-install hives with all the bells and whistles.

Langstroth Hives

• Stackable and expandable multi-box design making adding space simple as colonies grow. By far the most ubiquitous and widely used standard.
• Pre-assembled or kit pricing for complete 10-frame hive unit: $150-$300 on average
• Example: Mann Lake Classic pine 10-frame complete hive kit – $180

Top-Bar Hives

• Uniquely horizontal long hive design providing easy inspection access through ends vs tops. Ideal for warmer climates.
• Starter kit package pricing: $100-$250 average
• Example: Basic Bee Supply cypress top-bar starter kit – $150

Warre Hives

• Vertical hive design with slots, inspired by natural honeybee comb construction. Increased pest resistance.
• Fully assembled complete Warre hive cost range: $250-$400
• Example: Horizontal Hive medium 8-frame Warre pine hive with frames – $299

Flow Hives

• Patented proprietary hive box system with partially split frames allowing easier honey extraction.
• Complete Flow hive pricing range: $550-$850
• Example: Flow Hive 2 – $799 MSRP direct from manufacturer

Warré Hives

• Vertical hive inspired by natural bee comb shapes.
• Assembled complete hive cost: $250-$400
• Example: Horizontal Hive Warre kit – $300

On Amazon, prices for bee hive boxes generally range from about $29.99 for basic components to over $135.99 for more complete kits. For example, a Honey Lake Metal Bee Hive Stand is priced at $29.99, while a CREWORKS Bee Hive Box, which includes 10 frames and foundations, costs approximately $135.99. This range reflects the diversity of products available for beekeeping enthusiasts.

Mann Lake, a well-known supplier of beekeeping equipment, offers unassembled bee boxes starting at around $49.99 for a basic brood box. Their kits include essential components needed to establish a healthy bee colony, and they also provide options for purchasing additional frames and supers, which can increase the overall cost depending on the configuration chosen.

The Busy Bees ‘N’ More website lists their 10-frame deep brood box for $37.00. This price is for the box only, without frames or additional components, making it an economical choice for those looking to expand their beekeeping setup. The affordability of this option makes it appealing for both new and experienced beekeepers.

On Beefriends Farm, a 5-frame nucleus hive is available for $170. This option is particularly useful for beekeepers looking to start a new colony or expand their existing setup. The nucleus hive comes equipped with frames and a mated queen, making it a convenient choice for beginners.

Bee Boxes and Their Role in Apiaries

Bee boxes, also referred to as beehives or hives, are precisely constructed enclosures specifically engineered to provide domesticated colonies of honey bees with ideal protected spaces to produce honeycomb, safely store honey and pollen, raise brood, and ultimately thrive as a productive colony.

From large-scale commercial apiaries focused on maximizing honey production to small backyard beekeeping operations aimed at pollination or hobbyist rewards, well-designed bee boxes with adequate internal space and external protections enable bees to fully harness their natural productivity while also facilitating easier routine hive management and health inspections by the apiarist.

As one of the single most important initial investments required when establishing any apiary operation, gaining exhaustive insight into the pricing spectrum and value considerations across available bee box options proves critical for beekeepers seeking the ideal solutions matching their particular budgets.

Factors Impacting the Costs of Bee Boxes

• Construction Materials – Cedar, pine, cypress, oak, and plastic materials each provide different durability, weather resistance, weight, insulation values, and price points. Cedar ranks highest quality but also more expensive. Pine offers cost-effective strength.
• Design and Integrated Features – Added elements like screened bottom boards, ventilation gaps, embedded pest controls, plexiglass viewing windows, electric bear fencing, queen excluders, and pre-installed feeding frames add engineering complexity that often increases costs.
• Brand Reputation and Overall Build Quality – Top manufacturers like Mann Lake or Kelley Beekeeping typically command slight premiums given proven reputations for quality, while budget import hives frequently cut corners on materials and precision to save costs.
• Painted vs Unpainted – Opting for an unpainted unfinished hive saves significantly over pre-painted and denotes cost-cutting opportunities for DIYers. But external wood protection proves important long-term.
• Assembly Included or DIY Kit – Fully assembled hives eliminate labor but cost much more than unassembled kits of the same materials. Kits offer major savings for handy beekeepers able to build their own.

Additional Beekeeping Equipment Expenses

Basic Hive Inspection and Management Tools – Hive tool, smoker, brushes critical for safe manipulations typically range $15-$50 each.

Protective Gear – Well-ventilated hooded suit, gloves, and veil to prevent stings while working hives cost $150-$300 for a full set.

Supplemental Feeding – Pollen patties, sugar syrup, essential oils to sustain colonies in lean seasons or during establishment runs $50-$100 per year typically.

Health Medications and Pest Control – Integrated pest management supplies including disease and mite treatments help maintain healthy hive lifecycles for $30-$80 per year on average.

While not incorporated in the base hive pricing, these additional equipment elements require separate budgeting as well.

You might also like our articles about the cost of honey, maple syrup, or saffron.

Purchasing Options

Local Beekeeping Supply Retail Stores – Support small businesses while potentially reducing shipping costs. Competitive pricing on complete kits generally $150-$400 range. Limited selection.

Online Mail-Order Direct Through Manufacturer – Unmatched selection and ability to compare options across top brands. Added customer service direct from company. Complete hive price spans $200-$600 shipped.

Used Bee Boxes Through Classifieds or Auctions – Chance for major cost savings on quality hives, but limited supply and unknown history. Used pricing typically $50-$150 based on condition.

DIY Construction Using Free Plans – For the handy and frugal, building own hives saves 50%+ over buying pre-made. But know your local regulations.

Expert Answers Common Questions

On biggest rookie mistakes to avoid when starting beekeeping on a budget:

“The main pitfalls are trying to cut corners with the cheapest equipment that ends up failing quickly while also greatly overspending on fancy gadgets and add-ons before gaining experience on what’s truly needed. Find the middle ground with sturdy basic gear then customize once you know your goals.”

On whether DIY hive construction is recommended for new beekeepers without woodworking expertise:

“Building your very first hives without carpentry experience is quite difficult and rarely recommended. Far better to buy an inexpensive kit or pre-built box first. Once you understand hive mechanics better through hands-on experience, then attempt building enhanced DIY hives later as skills improve.”

On shopping tips for maximizing value when investing in those first bee boxes:

“Don’t overbuy too much equipment upfront before gaining some experience first. Start with two beginner hive setups rather than 10. Seek beekeeper community guidance on reputable brands worth spending on vs. name hype. And use any construction skills you possess to customize, modify, and expand starter hives over time rather than replace.”

The above insights were provided by:

Michael Campbell, lifelong beekeeper and owner of Campbell’s Apiary in rural Vermont. With over 35 years of hobbyist apiculture experience and a background in woodworking, Michael advises new beekeepers on cost-effective approaches to establishing productive hives.

Final Words

The long-term investment in quality bee boxes that safely house and empower honey bee colonies to thrive creates lasting value for apiarists and backyard beekeepers alike. With basic starter Langstroth hive kits beginning around $150 and premium pre-built hives with all the bells and whistles reaching $800+, consumers must carefully weigh cost vs. convenience when selecting equipment based on needs and budget constraints.

But adequate education into the pricing spectrum and cost reduction tactics coupled with community guidance on reputable options paves the way for choosing hives with the ideal durability, functionality, and price point to meet each beekeeper’s unique requirements.