Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you probably have heard that tiny houses are making a big splash in the world of homeownership. These small homes are at most, 46 metres squared, and can be fitted with all of the amenities of a standard size home. However, with the average cost of a pre-built tiny house around ￡45,000, many tiny house hopefuls are looking to build their own for a fraction of the price.
How can I build my own tiny house?
One major reason why people take the leap into the tiny world is to rid themselves of the financial burden that comes with big houses and high consumption. In a world that is steadily getting more expensive, it makes sense that more people are looking to downsize. Here are some ways that you can bring down the cost of your tiny house build:
- Second-hand materials
Repurposing “old stuff” is not only cheaper, but also more environmentally responsible. Buying brand new can be extremely costly on a tiny budget, and there are great (and often free) finds online if you take the time to search. Keep an eye out for building sites as well; quite often people decide to leave perfectly good furniture and scrap wood near the side of the road. As the saying goes; one man’s trash is another man’s treasure!
Pro Tip #1: While second-hand can be the way to go, just be sure that what you’re using is also safe. For example; take care if purchasing a trailer to ensure it is secure and not too rusty!
Pro Tip #2: Windows, particularly new ones, are extremely expensive. Build your tiny house to fit your (second-hand) windows, as opposed to buying windows to fit your house.
- DIY
Another costly aspect of building a tiny house is the labour. If doing the work with your own two hands is something you feel comfortable with, then using tiny home resources like YouTube how-to videos and other articles will be your best friend.
Pro Tip #3: Don’t do what you’re not comfortable with. Some stuff like plumbing and electricity may require specialists, and that’s okay.
- Downsize
You may be thinking that building a tiny house is enough downsizing for one day. Let’s go back to the drawing board. If you make your tiny house plans even tinier, you have the potential to save money for more important things.
Pro Tip #4: In the spirit of downsizing, you can go through all of the things you own and make a profit at your local car boot sale–there won’t be room to keep it all in your tiny house anyway!
- Design for standard sizes
Some companies that specialise in tiny houses design for custom windows and doors which can be very costly. When designing your own tiny house on a budget, be sure to plan for standard window and door sizes–this will make it far easier to salvage them used!
The Takeaway
When it comes to building a tiny house on a budget, one of the most important things to remember is that you should never sacrifice the quality or integrity of your build. Building on a budget doesn’t mean that your tiny house should be unsafe or fall apart in a years time; it means that with some effort and creativity, you can build tiny and save big.