Tiny House Frequently Asked Questions

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Q: How much does a tiny house cost?

Tumbleweed Tiny Houses are really some of the nicest tiny houses available, and in my humble opinion they represent the pinacle of design and quality. They can cost $20,000 in materials for the do-it-yourselfer, and as high as $50,000 if you want one built for you.

But many people choose to build tiny homes themselves with their own design or house plans they find online. When materials are chosen carefully, the price of a home can be brought down significantly. Two of my favorite extreme examples of inexpensive homes are The Field Lab and the covered wagon at Whittled Down.

Q: Where can I buy a tiny house?

There are many builders around the county. Here are a few of my favorite builders:

Q: Where can I buy plans to build a tiny house?

There are a few places to buy plans too:

  • If I missed someone please let me know!

Q: Where can I learn more about tiny houses online?

Q: Where can I park or build a tiny house?

Most people park their mobile tiny homes on their own property or at friend or relative’s place. Some folks travel and move around from place to place. Jonathan built a Tumbleweed Fencl and is moving from campground to campground. Sam built a tiny adobe in New Mexico and kept it tiny to avoid building codes.

The truth is that tiny houses are not well understood by the public because they are a relatively new idea for many people. This seems a bit funny to me because McMansions are the fad, people have been living in tiny houses since we moved out of caves. But in America we’ve gotten so accustomed to more More MORE that we’ve forgotten that less is more sustainable, and simple living can be more rewarding.

But nevertheless, gaining acceptance and understanding are still battles to be won. So in the mean time many people simply look for loopholes in existing rules and regulations.

Q: Are tiny houses legal?

It depends where you are and how you use it. Some communities have few building restrictions, yes even today, and are very friendly to alternative housing solutions. Other places has rules coming out their ears plus oodles of uptight neighbors. A great ebook for finding states with few codes is available called No Building Codes.

The advantage of a tiny house on wheels is that you can move it if you need to, although this doesn’t really provide long term stability if local ordinances don’t allow you to ‘camp’ on your own land in a ‘travel trailer’. But it can help you avoid planning department red tape.

People who are motivated to find solutions to their housing challenges will find the ingenuity in themselves to make it happen. The best advice I have on this is to research and learn as much as you can about the community you want to live in, and look for zoning loopholes and friendly neighbors.

Tiny houses can also be built on foundations with permits if you want to go that route. Often the biggest hurdle is getting an exception to the minimum square footage requirement, assuming your location has limits like this set for single-family zones. One common loophole is to look for land zoned multi-family and then build multiple tiny houses. It’s common for multi-family zoned areas to have no minimum size for dwellings because these zones must allow for small apartments.

Q: Do I need building permits to build a tiny house?

If a tiny house is built on a trailer it typically falls into the category of ‘travel trailer’ and building codes don’t normally apply. But it is best to build to standard building codes and make sure your house is strong enough to withstand highway speeds.

If a tiny house fits the definition of a shed it may not need permits. It’s always best to check with your local planning department before building anything, and look for the loopholes.

Two good examples of this are The Urban Rancher in the mountains outside Los Angeles and Ryo Chijiiwa in the mountains of Lassen County in California. Both have tiny structures that are technically sheds.

Q: Is anyone designing or building accessible tiny houses?

Several of us are working on more accessible tiny home designs right now. We know there is a real need for them and we’ve even experienced it ourselves as our own parents (and ourselves) get older or run into mobility related issues. I’m just not sure when I’ll have plans ready, but we all know there is a growing need and have begun to move in that direction quickly.

Q: What kind of toilets do people install in a tiny houses?

Most people are using composting toilets or RV toilets with waste tanks. The most popular composting toilet seems to be the lovable loo, a sawdust toilet developed by Joseph Jenkins. Once you get over the idea of pooping in a bucket and covering it with sawdust you’ll realize this simple solution is far more sustainable, sensible, and environmentally friendly than other choices. It’s virtually free too, which is always a plus.

The main advantage of commercial composting toilets is that they break down the waste faster by adding air, movement, and heat. All of this extra help composts the material faster requiring less storage. A simple sawdust toilet also requires a compost bin/pile so it can cook for a couple years. After that time the compost is safe for the garden.

If you build a mobile tiny house and plan to move it from place to place a commercial composing toilet is probably a better choice. If you stay on your own land a sawdust toilet may be the way to go.

Q: How do I heat and cool a tiny house?

Most people use small propane heaters or electric space heaters if they have a utility grid connection. There are many marine propane heaters on the market. Some people use wood stoves but they tend to overheat such small spaces.

Q: How do I deal with waste water (grey water)?

Many people setup their homes with grey water tanks like an RV but if you are living in one place setting up a grey water system seems ideal.

Q: Can a family live in a tiny house?

Sure, and there is no one-size-fits-all for housing. A family will need more space than an individual or couple. People that work from home will need more space. The whole idea of living simply in small spaces is that the true value of the home is realized, and the home doesn’t become a burden. In other words it’s about finding balance and the first step is reducing the number of possessions.

Q: Land is so expensive, how can I live mortgage free?

In some places land is expensive, probably due to too many regulations and demand. But there are still many places where land is cheap. The trade-off is usually location or the quality of the land. Lamar at Simple Solar Homesteading has done a great job showing people how to live mortgage free and find cheap places to live.

This is in fact one of the main reasons I blog about tiny houses. I’m really searching for the true value of a home and I don’t think homes should cost any where near what they do. The tiny house I’m building right now is nicknamed the Tiny Free House. It’s a pallet house I’m trying to build without spending money. What money I do spend, I’m recapturing by selling free stuff I find. So in the end the house will cost nothing but my time.

I’m also searching for super cheap land to park the Tiny Free House, and have found a remote subdivision in Northern California where 1-acre lots sell for about $1,500 at tax lien auctions. The place is called California Pines and has a reputation as being one of the most notorious real estate schemes from the 70′s and 80′s. Now it’s virtually deserted with just a Property Owners’ Association standing in the way of prospective do-it-yourselfer owner-builders looking for an inexpensive place to build a tiny alternative homes.

There are places like this all over, and if you do your research and make good connections with neighbors and local authorities finding a inexpensive place to live is not impossible. It will likely come with some trade-offs and lifestyle changes though.

Q: Where can I learn to live more sustainably?

One of my favorite green bloggers is The Good Human. His blog is packed with ideas for moving toward a sustainable life. Another favorite blogger is Tammy at RowdyKittens. She lives a car-free minimalist life and regularly shares her learnings. Her ebook, Simply Car-free is a great value, so if you’re considering moving away from fossil fuels start with this ebook.

If you want to peek into extreme sustainable lifestyles investigate places like the Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage, and the Pickards Mountain Eco-Institute.

Q: Are tiny houses off-the-grid?

Any tiny house can be powered by off-grid electricity, but like any off-grid house choosing to use less power will get you the lowest cost system. Giving up things like microwaves, electric heaters, blow dryers, and electric clothes dryers, will allow you to really scale down your electricity needs.

Q: How do I insure a tiny house?

Check with your insurance agent, and put it in terms they can undertand. Typically calling it a ‘custom travel trailer’, or cabin, will help them undertand what you are talking about.

Q: Can I finance a tiny house?

This is tricky because most lenders don’t undertand tiny houses yet. Some builders are working toward getting licensed as RV manufacturers. When this happens I suspect the flood gates will open up and more people will be able to build and buy tiny houses.

As tiny houses become more popular and lenders become more familiar with them I’m certain we’ll begin to see more mini-mortgage opportunities.

 

30 thoughts on “Tiny House Frequently Asked Questions”

  1. Hey,
    I live in Berea Ky. and I plan to build a tiny home w/i the next few months. I am currently looking for like minded folks to join me in purchasing a larger piece of property which we would divide for our individual homes.

    In this way we could all afford a much nicer property. This could be anything from an eco-village to just individual properties perhaps with a shared park like space and/or a community garden area.

    Berea is called “The Arts and Crafts Capital of Kentucky” with many and varied local artists and artisans plying their trades. We have an active sustainable living community, a health food store,farmers markets, and two solar home builders right here.

    Berea is in a lovely geographic area, the foothills, it is not deep in the mountains but has mountain veiws and the wonderful rolling fields that central Ky. is known for. There are many beautiful places to hike, camp, bike, kayak etc. Wildlife is abundant.

    The town itself has about everything one needs, but Richmond is only 10 min. away and Lexington 30 mins.

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    • Hi Roxanne,

      I live in Lexington! I’m not sure I’m currently in position to go in on a peice of property, but I am very interested in your venture. Any way you could keep me in the loop?

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    • Roxanne,

      I live in Louisville and work in Knoxville, and am looking for someplace halfway between the two to put a tiny house. This would be perfect for me — I stop in Berea often and love the vibe there.

      Not sure I’m in a position to buy land ASAP but I’d definitely like to learn more — please keep me posted.

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    • Roxanne,

      Sounds wonderful! I am from Kentucky originally and my husband and I are looking to escape the outrageous costs of California life. Please write to me and give us a little more info. We love Berea and Pleasant Hill – sites of many vacations over the years.

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  2. I’ve been building a tiny house in Austin, TX that I plan to sell in the next month or so. I’ve documented every major step with pictures for anyone else wanting to build one.

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    • I advertised on Craigslist. Found a retired couple with several acres and dogs who travel a lot (the people travel, not the dogs) :-D . I don’t have to pay rent, mortgage, or utilities and they can travel freely knowing their pets and home are well cared for.

      Baby boomers are retiring in droves these days. There’s a good chance you could find something like this in your area.

      Good luck!

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  4. I was curious about how pets deal with a tiny house. Particularly cats. I am very interested in possibly building one, but I have two cats, and I wouldn’t want to have to give them up!

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  5. Michael – Thanks for the shout out. And I loved this Q & A. Very informative stuff. :)

    @Natalie – Don’t worry you won’t have to give up your kitten. They do fine in small spaces. :)

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  6. I am awake at 1am because I stumbled onto this page and I am in love! I have a husband, a beagle, and a two year old son though. I would love to hear from anyone else who has downsized/simplified/gone true green with young kids.

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  7. Having a tiny house for me is a bit complicated and very challenging because of restrictions in other places and maintaining it is one thing. But I’d love to have one if given the chance. Thanks for the post, I’ve learned a lot from it.

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  9. What are some ways to vet a tiny house builder before going under contract? How can people avoid, for example, craigslist scams?
    What are some tips to establish and maintain a good working relationship with a long distance builder?

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  10. I am considering building one of these in the Los Angeles County area, and have been told that the California Coastal Commission does not allow smaller structures to be built. I have been looking around and have found some cheap land in the Santa Monica Mountains that makes me drool, sometimes even just a few steps away from amazing views, and love living here, despite being bombarded by the lifestyle that I am trying hard to remove myself from. As I am a student, my goal was to save money (car living) the next two years from my job and living expenses, and build and design a small home in the mountains. Any advice would be great. I am ok with taking on as much as $50,000 in land out here, which would be kind of unavoidable, and the best way to “own” your tiny home. I plan on going on the grid for now (baby steps) but have studied it and think that maybe sometime in the future I may decide to go off. Again, thanks, and I love this blog…like a previous poster, I too lost sleep over this when I first found it…so easy, so sensible, and yet, so SCARY to some people! Ha! I’d rather own a tiny house in five places by the time I retire as opposed to one home I can barely keep up…

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  11. Hello, My name is Caleb and I’m in the process of building a Tiny house and have run into a few issues and was hoping you could give me your opinion.

    I started with an old trailer from the 70′s and have completely torn it down, I’m starting the framing but have realized there is no way I can get the blackwater tank under the new placement of the toilet. So I’ve been looking for “trailer codes” online but I can’t find any answers,

    What i was thinking I’d do was try to use to 90 degree turns and a length of 2.5″ ABS piping to connect the toilet to the tank intake

    I’d appreciate any advice you can give me,

    Thanks

    -Caleb

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    • My understanding is that the travel trailer industry regulates itself. I know that sounds odd but seems to be true. You can find the standards here: http://www.rvia.org/?ESID=sande

      I suspect fewer 90 degree turns is always better in plumbing especially in sewer drains. If two 45s could be used in the same small space I might try that instead… but then again it’s such a small run you might be just fine doing it the way you described.

      Being a do-it-yourselfer myself I would also check a plumbing guide just to be sure I’m not doing something I might regret.

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  12. I’m interested to talk to someone who has actually traveled on the road with a tiny house. I am looking to retire this way, but want to forsee stumbling blocks before hand.I need info on a non electric non pluming home.
    How large of a truck is needed?
    Thank you
    Eileen

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  13. Michael, you have a great site with many well thought out Tiny house designs. The plans are straight forward and easy to read. I recently purchased the Pioneer’s Cabin framing plans from you which I will be building, a little gem of a building and excellent vaue for money. But please do a metric version along side your imperial version for all us guys in Europe.

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  15. How long does it take to get the ebook? Paid by Paypal (PAD 298) and can’t figure out where I go to get the two ebooks! Thanks

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    • Hi Paul. I sent you an email a couple days ago but have not heard back. Please email me at email hidden; JavaScript is required. I’ve looked high and low for this transaction and can’t find it.

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  16. You forgot Humble Homes (humble-homes.com) for a website from which to buy plans! They have some of the nicest layouts, innovative designs, and have 3D renderings of their interiors. Plus, their plans are some of the cheapest around! I actually plan on modifying their design that includes a staircase. They don’t seem as well-known as they should be.

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  17. I live in a tiny house. It’s stationary, is made of bricks and mortar, is fully plumbed and powered by national grid electricity and gas. I live alongside hundreds of like minded individuals and families.
    It’s called an apartment and it’s in a block with 40 others just like it. Concentrated urban dwelling is better for the environment than thinly-spread rural or suburban dwelling of the established kind.
    A mobile tiny house is a romantic idea that I would love to try, but I don’t think my wife would agree! I’m also interested in the idea of stealth camper vans: go anywhere homes bult into standard small delivery vehicles.

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  18. This is a great list. Thanks for sharing! Would love to a see an FAQ devoted solely to off-grid questions for tiny homes (maybe I should be the one to make that one.) Again, thanks!

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