How to Build a Tiny House Guide

Tiny homes are also gaining popularity as a type of house to build cheaply. With rising housing costs and a growing interest in minimalist living, many people are opting for tiny homes as a more budget-friendly alternative. Moreover, the DIY aspect of constructing a tiny house allows for significant cost savings compared to traditional homebuilding methods.

Cheap Ways To Build A Tiny Home

• DIY: DIY tiny homes are often the best choice. You get to buy the materials yourself and also do all the work on your own. This can be difficult to do if you want a tiny home on a foundation, but it’s still doable. 
• Kits: Many companies take the planning difficulties out of your home building process by offering up ready-to-build kits. These also come with instructions detailing how to build a tiny house step by step, making them ideal for people who are in need of a one-stop shop.
• Mobile Home Upgrades: Some people turn old mobile homes and RVs into tiny homes through carefully-planned modifications. 

How To Build A Tiny House 

1. Plan Your Tiny House
2. Finance Your Tiny Home
3. Purchase The Materials
4. Build Your Tiny House

Step 1: Plan Your Tiny House

Building a home of any size requires a lot of planning. The first thing you need to do to build a tiny house is to figure out the logistics of your tiny home. Do you want it to be mobile or stationary? A mobile tiny house offers the freedom to relocate at will, while a stationary house provides a traditional living experience. Then, you will need to work on a floor plan, decide where to put your tiny home, figure out what you want in your tiny house and get construction quotes.

1. Decide What Amenities You Need

Before you can start building your tiny house, you'll need to figure out what amenities you want as well as the size you need to remain comfortable. Living in a tiny home isn’t for everyone. Most people will feel cramped with under 500 square feet of space. To make sure it’s comfortable (or tolerable) for you, check out amenities specifically designed for tiny homes to optimize your living space.

It’s crucial to get a full picture of what living in a tiny home means—the good, the bad, especially before building it. That’s why, it would be great to reach out to fellow tiny house builders and homeowners to get an idea about the hurdles of living in a tiny home.

2. Get a Floor Plan for Your Tiny House

If you plan on buying a prefab tiny house, you can look at existing floor plans, but if you want to have a “stick-built” tiny home, you will need to talk to architects about the structure of your home as well as what it would cost to get a plan. This will give you a ballpark estimate of what you should expect. 

3. Decide Where You Want to Put Your Tiny House

Do you want to buy a plot of land? What are the zoning laws in the area nearby? Do you need to find a tiny home lot? Figuring out the placement can be one of the biggest struggles for new homeowners. It involves exploring options for land ownership, understanding local regulations that govern property use, and potentially seeking out specialized lots designed for tiny homes. This process of figuring out the best placement can be daunting but is crucial for ensuring a smooth and successful transition into tiny house living.

Here is a list of potential places to put your tiny house:

1. Backyards: Adjacent to existing homes, providing an alternative living space while remaining close to family or friends.
2. Rural Properties: On large plots of land in rural areas, offering a secluded and peaceful lifestyle surrounded by nature.
3. Urban Lots: In cities or suburban areas, either as standalone structures or within tiny house communities or co-op spaces.
4. Mobile Home Parks: In designated areas within mobile home communities, providing access to shared amenities and a sense of community.
5. RV Parks: In designated spots within recreational vehicle parks, offering access to utilities and facilities like showers and laundry.
6. Tiny House Resorts: In specialized resorts or retreats catering specifically to tiny house living, often offering amenities and community events.
7. Campgrounds: In designated camping areas, providing a temporary or seasonal living option with access to outdoor recreation. 
8. Private Land: On privately owned parcels of land, either through rental agreements or long-term leases, allowing for more freedom and customization in tiny house living

4. Get Construction Quotes

When we say construction quotes, we mean getting estimates for the materials for your tiny home and learning about construction labor quotes. To do this, you can reach out to different suppliers to get prices for the materials you'll need, like wood, nails, insulation, and more. You can also contact construction workers or companies to ask how much they'll charge for their work in putting together your tiny house.

You might want to hire HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) professionals to install things like heating and cooling systems. Getting these quotes will give you a good idea of how much money you'll need to build your tiny home.

Step 2: Finance Your Tiny Home

Before you start to make concrete plans, it’s a good idea to find out how much money you can afford to spend on this home. If you have the intention of building the home on land, you have some good news. 

Many financial institutions consider tiny homes just like regular houses. This makes it easier to secure funding for your tiny house project. You won't need to deal with extra paperwork or hurdles typically associated with unconventional housing options like foundation-built tiny homes. So, when it comes to financing, you can often follow the same process as you would for a standard home purchase.

1. Purchasing Your Plans

Just like any other house, you'll need detailed construction plans to guide you through the building journey. One popular option is to work with a specialized firm that focuses on designing tiny homes. They have the expertise to craft plans tailored to your needs and preferences.

Alternatively, you can also hire an architect for this task. Architects are skilled professionals who can help you bring your vision to life and ensure that your tiny home is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Whether you choose a specialized firm or an architect, having well-thought-out plans is crucial for a successful tiny house project.

2. Learning Construction Skills

Once you’re dead set on building your own home, you will need to make sure that you have the skills necessary. You may need to take classes to get the necessary skills you need, plus invest in some tools.

This might mean taking some classes to learn essential construction techniques and principles. These classes can teach you everything from basic carpentry to electrical wiring, equipping you with the knowledge needed to tackle your project confidently.

Additionally, investing in the right tools is crucial. While you may already have some tools on hand, you might need to expand your collection to include specialized equipment for building a home. By acquiring the necessary skills and tools, you'll be well-prepared to embark on the exciting journey of building your own home.

Step 3: Purchase the Materials

Once you’ve got a full plan out, you’re going to have to purchase the materials and plans to make your tiny house. Here’s what you will have to take into consideration.

1. Choosing Your Plan

For the most part, it’s not a good idea to try to draw up your own building plans if you are not a professional architect. This means that you will have to get your tiny home plans from a qualified architect that can do a little structural engineering work...or from a reputable tiny home plan seller. 

2. Choosing Your Materials

There are several different ways you can go about choosing your materials. 

• Some groups allow you to buy entire tiny home kits for under $50,000 in most cases. This would give you everything you need without the tools and foundation included.
• You may just choose to go to Home Depot to get the stuff you need. This may be a pricer option, so you might want to shop around from store to store to make sure you get a lower price.
• Some tiny houses come partially prefabricated and can be finished off with the amenities of your choice. It’s best to check a company’s information before you go this route.

Step 4: Build Your Tiny House

We would love to give you a guide on how to build a tiny house step by step, but the truth is that’s not entirely possible. Each tiny home is going to be somewhat different. However, we can give you a brief idea of what will need to be done to get your tiny home built. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. Prepare the foundation: This will be required regardless if you have a home plot. You will need to clear the area, pour a foundation, level the foundation, and build the basic foundation outline. If you have a mobile tiny home, you may also need to get different anchors. 
2. Add flooring: This includes a subfloor, insulation, and getting a vapor barrier in place. You may also need to take this time to install necessary plumbing fixtures like piping, as well as any basement you may choose to have. 
3. Add walls: This will include the wall framing, window frames, as well as sheer rock. Most construction crews will also advise you to do some sheetrock work at this point, along with portions of your bathroom that won’t be able to fit through the door of your tiny house later on—such as the shower stall.
4. Test out and install sheathing: Your tiny home will need to have sheathing throughout its frame to ensure that you stay warm.
5. Create rough openings for all doors and windows: This is also when you apply house wrap to help insulate the interior from moisture.
6. Frame your tiny home’s roof: When you create your framing, make sure that it stays under 13.5 feet if it’s a mobile home. Otherwise, you won’t be able to go very far without serious clearance issues. Take this time to plan and install your roof’s sheathing, too. 
7. Add the doors: This will include adding the doorframe, getting the door test-fitted, installing it, and making sure that it works. If you want to get locks, now would be the time to do it. 
8. Install your siding: When installing your siding, make sure to paint both sides. Hang the siding as well as any outside trim that your home may need for stylistic purposes. 
9. After this, finish the roof: You will need to install the roofing per instructions from the manufacturer. This would also be the time to add a reflection barrier, ice and water shields, and gutters.
10. From there, you’re going to have to install the rough portions of your utilities: This will include accounting for the electrical system in your home, the “P” pipes in your plumbing, planning out your drains and outlets, as well as getting the general gist of your electricity. 
11. Add your insulation: This is what will keep you warm during those cold winter nights in your home. 
12. Add your major appliances: This would include your oven and refrigerator, as well as other essential tiny house appliances you choose to have.
13. Finish your flooring: Tiling and hardwood are both excellent options.
14. Put in your kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom amenities: This would include installing your shower, getting your countertops, and all the lovely lighting fixtures you want to add. This is also the time to connect your toilet and get all the finishing touches on your loft bedroom.
15. Finalize your HVAC: Once everything is connected, your home should be good to go in terms of comfort. 
16. Install any additional lighting and furniture: After this, take a nap in your new bedroom. You earned it.

Are There Any Parts Where Hiring A Professional Is A Must?

Unless your area requires you to hire a licensed pro as part of the building, there isn’t any must in terms of hiring a professional. However, that doesn’t mean you should do it all on your own. 

A good rule of thumb is that you should always leave plumbing, electrical work, and HVAC to the professionals. If you make a mistake with these things, it can easily lead to thousands of dollars in repairs. So, it’s best not to risk it.

Moreover, there’s no law saying you have to be the one to do all the construction work. If you are not comfortable doing any part of your construction, then don’t do it. Just outsource it to a contractor, and you’ll be fine.

Building a Tiny House on Wheels

If you are looking to make your tiny home mobile, you will have a unique challenge on your hands. For the most part, you will still need to follow the steps in this guide to make your tiny home on wheels work—plus a couple of extra steps. 

You will need to find a good trailer for your tiny home and pay extra attention to the bottom of your tiny house. When choosing a mobile tiny home, it’s good to look at your local and state laws regarding towing and trailer sizes.  

Where Should You Stay While You Build?

Prior to setting out to construct a tiny home, you will need to come up with a place to stay while you do your work. You can’t just camp out in front of your plot of land for that period of time; it’s just not feasible!

Before starting on the construction of your tiny home, it's crucial to arrange a place to stay during the building process. Camping out on your plot of land might not be practical for an extended period. Fortunately, there are several options to consider for temporary housing:

1. Renting an Apartment or House: You could rent a temporary living space nearby to your construction site, providing comfort and convenience during the building process.

2. Staying with Family or Friends: If possible, staying with family or friends could offer a supportive environment while you work on your tiny home.

3. Temporary Housing or Extended Stay Hotels: Some cities offer temporary housing options or extended stay hotels, providing furnished accommodations for short-term stays.


Building a Tiny House Bottom Line

Building your own home is a significant undertaking that involves more than just construction skills. It requires careful planning, dealing with a mountain of paperwork, and being patient throughout the process.

Starting your journey to build a tiny home is like embarking on a major adventure. It's not a decision to take lightly because it requires dedication and hard work. While building your own home can save you money in the long run, it's essential to consider the challenges and commitment involved.

Before diving in, take the time to weigh your options and make sure that building a tiny home aligns with your lifestyle and goals. It's a rewarding endeavor, but it's crucial to be fully prepared for the journey ahead.

If building a tiny house no longer interests you and you're seeking alternative options, be sure to explore our dedicated article on the cheapest types of houses to build.