The cost to set up a bee hive can have quite a range based on the specific equipment selected, whether it will be purchased or made, the source of the bees, and other factors. That being said, this post will go through a “case study” which was performed in the 2023 season to determine the cost for hives for a new apiary. Although this study was based on 8 hives, the pricing for most components is based on 8 times the single hive price, so it should be correct, other than any price increases.
The study included a comparison of hive types. If you are unaware of the hive types used for beekeeping, please check out the blog post on this which is on the Republic Honey site. The hive types which are compared are Layens, Langstroth and Horizontal Langstroth. Unfortunately, hive pricing for horizontal langstroth was not readily available, so there are some missing costs there. For each hive, there is a need for the hive body (which may include the bottom board, box, and lid), frames, wax foundation (if used), hive stand, internal feeders, and bees.
| Hive Type | Langstroth (standard, stacked) | Horizontal Langstroth | Layens (Horizontal) – This is what I use | Top Bar Hives (Horizontal) |
| Hives Bodies (7 + 1 spare) | 16 medium, 8 frame boxes with frames @ @ $63 each. $1,008 ** | 8 @ $499 (20 frame) $3,992 We may be able to go with a smaller hive body to save $$ | 8 @ $160 $1,280 Or shipped for 8 @ $370 $2,960 | |
| Hive Stand (7+1) | 8 @ $20 $160 | Not Required | Not Required | |
| Inner Cover (7+1) | 8 @ $20 $160 | Not Required | Not Required | |
| Cover (7+1) | 8 @ 84 $672 *** | Not Required | Not Required | |
| Frames | Included Above (total 16 per hive) | 16 per hive, 128 total @ $2 $256 NOTE, these are unassembled without foundation. | Not Required | Not Required |
| Internal Feeder (7+1) | 8 @ $49 $392 | 8 @ $49 $392 | 8 @ $13 $104 | |
| Stand to support complete hive (could be wood or cinder blocks) | Depends on Type | Depends on Type | Depends on Type | Not Required |
| OPTIONS FOR BEES | ||||
| Package (to be installed into hives above) (7+1) | 8 @ $235 $1,880 | 8 @ $235 $1,880 | 8 @ $235 $1,880 | 8 @ $235 $1,880 |
| Nuc (bees with established comb, 5 frames typically) (7+1) | 8 @ $350 $2,800 | 8 @ $350 $2,800 | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
| Complete, established hive (7+1) This comes with a single 10 frame box, bottom board, frames, and lid. This changes above items, but includes the first box. | 8 @ $600 $4,200 This includes a box, so some of the items above would not be required. | 8 @ $600 $4,200 This box is not compatible with the horizontal hive, so the frames would just be removed and placed in new hive box. | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
** The 16 boxes is what is required to get started. You would need at least 2 – 4 more boxes per hive once they are going, so you are probably expecting 3 x that price for the main box.
– The other styles of hives will be capable of holding a complete colony without adding boxes.
Langstroth parts are from: 8 Frame Equipment – The Bee Supply — Texas Bee Supply
Layens hive parts are from: Swarm Traps For Sale | Horizontal Hives
Top-bar Hive: LOCAL PICKUP – FLEX Horizontal Top-Bar Hives, Amish hand-crafted | Bee Mindful (bee-mindful.com)
BeeWeaver: https://beeweaver.com/