This 8’ x 12’ bunkie landed on Mayne Island as a fully finished outdoor bathroom and laundry space—solving a key problem for a new property owner with a tiny studio home and no room for indoor plumbing. The client originally thought we’d just deliver a standard shell but was stoked to learn we could finish it for him, install everything inside, and get it to his off-grid island property.
Check out the details & photos showcasing the project below! 📸
Project Details
Location: Mayne Island, BC Product: 8’ x 12’ Modern Bunkie Special Requirements: Fully finished bathroom and laundry unit, ferry transport, no-crane delivery
Product Details
Modern Bunkie (Washroom Unit) Size: 8’ x 12’ Heat: Electric wall fan heater Interior Finish: Pine and cedar tongue-and-groove Exterior Finish: Black metal siding with cedar accent wall
Add-Ons: 3’ x 3’ tiled shower (floor + walls) Composting toilet Vanity + sink Hot water tank Two-in-one washer/dryer Sliding patio door + picture window One-foot roof overhang Tile floor upgrade Bathroom fan, dimmable lights, GFCI outlets
How It Started
The client had just bought his first property on Mayne Island—a small studio-style structure with a kitchenette, but no room for a bathroom. Most people told him to tear it down, but he had a different plan: refinish and rebuild the main unit and find a way to add a separate bathroom structure outside.
He reached out asking if we could deliver a standard bunkie to the island, and we got talking. Once we learned his plan was to use it as a bathroom, we suggested something even better—we could finish it ourselves, complete with shower, toilet, washer/dryer, and everything in place.
He didn’t think that was even possible. And even more, he was struggling to find anyone who was willing to deliver to Mayne Island or help figure out the logistics.
We said yes to both.
The Build
We built the unit fully finished and ready to go, turning the base bunkie into a complete off-grid bathroom space. The layout included:
3x3 tiled shower with fully tiled floor and walls
Compost toilet
Vanity and sink
Washer/dryer combo
Hot water tank
Full electrical setup with lights, fan, and GFCI plugs
Large sliding glass door and a picture window to bring in light
Electric wall fan heater for fast, efficient warmth
Tile flooring throughout for water resistance and easy cleanup
The exterior was finished in black Pro-Lock metal siding with a cedar accent wall at the entry and a one-foot overhang to handle island weather.
The Installation
Getting to Mayne Island meant loading the unit onto a flat deck trailer and taking the ferry. When we arrived at the terminal, we were told the trailer was oversized for the ticket we booked—but luckily, the crew let us on anyway.
Once we made it to the island, things got interesting.
The property was too tight for a crane, and getting a large crane over to Mayne is pricey. So instead, we offloaded the unit directly from the trailer and winched it into place using local help and a small excavator. The crew guided it up onto the foundation pad manually, slowly and steadily—no heavy lift equipment required.
Even with the workaround, the whole thing took under three hours—roughly the same install time we’d expect with a crane. It was a fun job with a solid crew, and a perfect solution for the site.
Another Successful Delivery!
This is a great example of how modular buildings can adapt to fit almost anything. What started as a basic bunkie order turned into a fully finished outdoor bathroom that solved a huge challenge for this property.
It’s not always about building bigger—it’s about building smarter, and getting the right structure into the right spot, no matter the location.
Check out the project photos below! ⬇️ 📸
Planning a Remote or Custom Bunkie?
We’ll help you figure out the best design, and we’ll actually get it there—even if it means hopping a ferry and winching it in by hand.
