All You Need to Know About Building a Tiny House
It’s said that all the best things in life are small- a small bed, a small car, and now a tiny house. And these tiny houses are all the rage these days. People are building them in all shapes and sizes, and I’m sure you’ve seen them in your neighborhood.
Building a tiny house is a fulfilling experience, and they are just big enough for the homeowner to fit their bed and have some extra storage space for the stuff they need.
But what exactly is a tiny house? How do you build one? And why would you want to live in such a small space? In this article, we’ll explore all of those questions and more.
What is a Tiny House?
As the name suggests, tiny houses are small, usually portable, and measure between 100 and 400 square feet. However, there is no set standard per se, but these houses rarely exceed 500 square feet.
Their origin is from a social movement advocating for essential living which means downsizing and simplifying living spaces. Typically, tiny houses run on the wheels of living with less and are seen as an eco-friendly option in the construction industry and the solution to homelessness.
A tiny house may or may not be movable. Its size and mobility are the main things that differentiate it from other homes, such as mansions and apartments.
So, if you are looking for a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to live, you may be interested in tiny houses. This is because they are customizable to fit your needs, preferences, and budget. But these are not the only pros of going the tiny house route.
Advantages of a Tiny House in Kansas, Texas, and California, United State.
A tiny house offers the following benefits.
- Low cost of ownership.
Tiny homes have a lower cost of ownership to maintain than traditional houses. The materials and labor required to build a tiny home are less expensive than those needed to build a large house. Additionally, tiny houses also use less energy, which can translate into lower utility bills.
- Less maintenance
Tiny houses typically require less maintenance because of their smaller footprint and are built with sturdy materials than traditional homes. However, you will still need to occasionally replace items such as appliances and carpeting and perform general repairs when necessary.
Nevertheless, the maintenance level is lower.
- Less clutter
Tiny homes usually have very little storage space for everything people tend to accumulate over time, such as clothes, furniture, and knick-knacks. This makes keeping your place clean much easier because there isn’t much stuff taking up valuable space in your living space.
- Minimalist lifestyle and low environmental impact
Tiny houses have less space than traditional homes. This translates into keeping your carbon footprint down. It also means that your life will be simpler than if you had more stuff around all the time.
- Flexible living space.
Tiny homes can offer you flexible living spaces. A tiny house offers you flexibility and a cost-savings. No matter your schedule or travels, these houses allow you enough room for you to accomplish your career and other life goals.
Disadvantages of a Tiny House
While there are many advantages to living in a tiny house, there are also some downsides. However, the pros outweigh the cons and are thus negligible.
- You may have to move it often. If you live in an area where the weather changes rapidly, you might find your tiny house unsuitable for that climate, and you need to move it from time to time. This can be a hassle if you don’t have access to friends with trucks or if they are busy during the moving period.
- Because of its size, you may have trouble getting insurance or financing for your tiny home. Insurance companies may not want to insure something so small and expensive. Similarly, banks may be hesitant when lending money to such small structures.
Factors to Consider When Building a Tiny House
Whether you live in a tiny house full-time or use it as a second home, building it is an exciting project that can be immensely rewarding. However, such a project requires planning and consideration of other diverse factors.
For a hassle-free building process, consider these factors.
- Location of your house
Deciding on a tiny home location is one of the most crucial considerations. Many tiny home communities provide access to social amenities and also when accessibility when you need to shift.
Further, there are several places where you can put up your tiny house depending on its size and features. Most people prefer building their homes near water bodies as they provide fresh air, clean water, and beautiful views.
However, if you want to build near water bodies, ensure the area is not prone to flooding or other natural disasters.
- Design
The design of your tiny house should accommodate your needs and lifestyle. You must consider what you will use the space for and how much storage space is needed. This is why working with professionals at Prairieland Tiny Homes can help you identify how to design your living spaces to suite your unique situation. If you want additional rooms, such as an office or guest room, add them to the design, but ultimately, go for a design that satisfies your needs.
According to research from TheTinyLife.com, found that 68% of those who own a tiny home don’t have a mortgage, compared with 29% of all homeowners
in the United States.
- Budget
The budget you have set aside for building your house determines its size and material type. Depending on your interior or exterior finishes, or upgraded and full-sized applicances, your costs will vary. However, the cost per square foot will be less then a traditional home with higher grade or luxe materials.
Therefore, having a budget plan and sticking to it is a must-do so that there will be no surprises along the way and there will be no delays in finishing everything up.
- Building regulations
Every state has a stipulated code, rules, and regulations. As such, understanding and following them is crucial to avoid falling into the wrong hands of the law.
Further, insurance comes into play as you must insure your house against fires or destruction by natural disasters.
Conclusion
Indeed, tiny homes are the next big thing. They are easy to maintain, save costs, mobile, eco-friendly, and easily customizable.
If you need a professional and experienced company to help you design and build a tiny house on wheels, Prairieland Tiny Homes is the ideal company to contact. For more information on building your tiny home or setting up a tiny house design consultation, email dave@prairielandtinyhomes.com.
