As the proliferation of tiny homes proves, big things come in small packages. Over the years, limited square footage properties have evolved from a trendy alternative housing option to a space-efficient way to live your best life. But while there are plenty of companies selling prefab tiny homes or building custom options from the ground up, many smart homeowners are taking the problem into their own hands by creating a DIY tiny home.
“The creative control over your design, the satisfaction of doing it yourself, and the affordable option of homeownership are reasons enough for anyone to consider building a tiny home,” says Strategic Design and Development Advisor Katherine Linnea Rand. Real Estate Bees “The big advantage is that you can save on labor costs, work on your own schedule, and not have to wait for an available contractor,” she explains, having designed the tiny home as a solution to a zoning issue in her Oregon town.
If building your dream home is this affordable, why not? everyone Building your own tiny room? Well, for a beginner, it's quite difficult. “It's a big accomplishment,” says Kevin Fritz, co-owner of Fritz Tiny Homes in Devon, Canada. “But building a home in a condensed, compact way doesn't make things easier.” Plus, without the right know-how and resources, fixes can be costly. To find out more, we spoke with Rand, Fritz, and a few knowledgeable experts to learn what it takes to build a DIY tiny home. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at building a tiny home, whether you end up doing it yourself or hiring a professional.
How to build your own tiny house
While the details will vary depending on size, scope, and location, you'll need to take these basic steps before you begin building the DIY tiny home of your dreams.
Step 1: Get approval from the town
According to Fritz, a big drawback to DIY tiny home building is that there's no trusted professional to guide you through all the legal matters, like zoning protocols and obtaining required certifications. That's why it's essential to consult with your local city or county planning department about zoning for the land and building site you're planning on. Rand says your local department can advise on everything from permitted uses for tiny homes to specific design code requirements.
“In some states, tiny homes built on a chassis are considered RVs, so they are built to RV regulations and can only be located in RV parks,” she explains. “Real estate tiny homes are built to the building codes adopted by the state. These codes dictate the materials used, and wood species and grades vary by location.”
Step 2: Set your budget
Although DIYing your tiny home cuts down on labor costs, the overall process isn't all that cheap. “The cost per square foot of a tiny home is much higher than a standard home because everything is condensed, which adds extra complexity,” Fritz says. Setting a budget up front will help you avoid running out of money mid-project.
Step 3: Design the floor plan
Now for the fun part! Designing your floor plan is the very personal step that turns your DIY tiny house dream into a real home. What makes a tiny house yours? dream Is it a small house? How many bathrooms do you need? How much indoor and outdoor space do you need? There is only one person who can answer these questions. you.
But while designing your own floor plan can be a lot of fun, it's best to consult with a professional to make sure the structure of your home is sound. “Consulting an engineer is a good way to make sure that what you're doing and what you're planning is going to work,” Fritz says. Another option is to buy an existing floor plan and build your own DIY tiny home based on it.
Step 4: Choose your material
When choosing materials, Fritz recommends going for quality materials that do double duty. Topping his list of favorites is spray insulation, which has the added benefit of being efficient, structurally rigid, and allows for thinner wall assemblies. “Small houses tend to wear out quicker than other houses, so you want to use quality building materials from the outside,” Fritz says. “For example, roof overhangs are small, if there are any, so the walls are always fully exposed.” Fritz typically uses standard wood construction, but says he also prefers those who use steel.
Step 5: Prepare the foundation
Before you channel your inner builder, you'll want to pour concrete into the ground or install a cement block footing to create a solid foundation for your home. That said, requirements often vary based on local laws and soil type, so it's important to check with your city's building department first.
Step 6: Start framing
Think of the frame as the skeleton of your DIY tiny house. Start by laying out your materials and mapping out your home's floor plan. Creating the level parts of the frame is usually easy, but raising the walls can be a bit tricky. To help with that, tiny-house website The Tiny Life recommends using a trailer to support (and ultimately lift) the walls.
Step 7: Install siding, flooring and finishes
Now that the frame is complete, it's time to… all other than that(Siding? Walls? Insulation? All of these and more.) Ultimately, there are many nuances involved in giving your home these important finishes, so it's wise to consult with an experienced contractor. But one thing Fritz says is a non-negotiable: energy recovery ventilators. “If a home is well built and sealed, high humidity and bad air will build up quickly,” he explains. “They're cost-effective and very effective at preventing mold problems.”
What's the most affordable way to build a tiny house?
According to Fritz, there's no trick to saving money with a DIY tiny house. Whether the project is an additional dwelling unit or an actual home, it's important to take the proper steps for safety (which means it's best not to cut corners). That said, Fritz says the smaller the footprint, the easier it is to give old scraps a second life, cutting into your profits. Of course, a smaller space also gives you the opportunity to save money on high-end finishes. “If you want to buy really nice flooring, you buy a lot less,” Fritz points out. “If you want to buy really nice windows, you buy a lot less.”
How much does it cost to build a tiny house?
While the final cost will ultimately depend on your floor plan, location, and materials, you could save a lot by going the DIY route. We reported earlier this year that the average person can buy (or build) a tiny home for between $30,000 and $70,000, but Fritz says you can save up to 50 percent if you take on the labor yourself. For another perspective, Ben Rawson of Zen Tiny Homes in San Diego says a professionally built tiny home can cost up to $150,000, but a DIY project can run you around $50,000.
When should you call a professional?
To be honest, the jury is still out, and some tiny home pros say that beginners shouldn't attempt to build a DIY tiny home from scratch. “It's okay to DIY your own kitchen cabinets, floors, paint and furniture,” Lawson says. “The rest should be built by a professional carpenter.”
But Fritz is quick to point out that “everyone starts as a DIYer and then gets better and becomes a professional.” For that professional, it's important to be realistic about your plans. “I recommend putting a lot of effort into the planning stage and having a really honest conversation with yourself before you start about what you can and can't do,” he says. “If there are safety issues, you'll need to hire a professional.”
Who can help you build a tiny house?
The good news is, a lot There are plenty of professionals out there willing to help you build the tiny home of your dreams. In addition to hiring a contractor, Fritz says it's also a good idea to hire skilled plumbing and electrical workers. “The small space makes almost everything about the build complicated, from cabinets to plumbing to electrical,” he says. “If an electrical short causes the building to burn down, there's no way to repair it,” he adds.
Your own professional No Need to hire a designer? Don't worry, we've got you covered with these outstanding tiny house ideas.
to follow House Beautiful upon Instagram and Tick ​​tock.