Hi! I just built my first condo a last week and it was a huge success! I researched it for months and learned a lot.
Here’s my condo: https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/146075/Default.aspx
My bun is a bachelor and he’s only 3 lbs but I could easily see 2 buns in here. So you could build it my size or maybe one step up. I had the following goals:
– Make sure he had multiple levels that are easy to get to (he’s small, so the jumps couldn’t be too big)
– BUT so that he can’t fall too far if he misses a jump (So I made sure there was at least a 2 inch overlap between the levels)
– AND I wanted to make sure he could stand up a lot (periscope) if he wants.
My overall dimensions are 3 x 2 x 3 squares. Each square is 14″x14″ so in reality its 42x28x42 inches (length x width x height). It is easily scale-able to 4 x 3 x 4 squares (or any other configuration) if you have the space. It will be WAY easier to clean since you then could have 2 doors rather than one.
I recommend putting the whole thing on 1/2 inch to 1 inch ply wood and attaching swivel casters. This thing gets heavy quick and you will thank yourself when you can move it around easily. I got casters that have locks on them so he can’t push it around. I never found exactly what I wanted so I ended up using right angle L brackets to attach the cage portion to the base. Also, I made the base a little larger than the cage itself.
I used masonite peg board for the levels and it worked out great. If you are worried about weight just use more supports or double up with peg board and more NIC squares. I used closet rod as the supports. I think the 1 1/4 inch fit nicely and they only charge you by the foot at home depot. I live in the city and don’t have a saw so I had home depot cut all of my wood for me. I went there with a shopping list and measurements and it was done pretty quickly. I would recommend using a drill to put it all together. I can’t imagine putting this together using a screwdriver.
OH!!! The most important thing (that I screwed up) is either build inside the room the condo is going to be in or make sure you measure the door frame before you put it all together. I made that mistake and it was a huge hassle having to disassemble it and also take the door off its hinge.
There are good ideas in the Bunny info section on here. Look around at a few different options out there and see what works best for your skill level and what your buns will like.
Let me know if you have any questions. I had a lot of fun putting it together. I kind of wish I had another one to build. I have so many ideas now!