How Much is it to Build a Tiny House?

Are you tired of living in the big city? Are you tired of paying rent? Do you feel you could live satisfied in a much smaller space? Many people answered yes to this question because tiny house living seems to still be on the rise.

On average, the structure alone can cost you between $10,000 – $60,000 to build a tiny house on wheels and $75,000 to $100,000 to build a permanent tiny house in the United States. You can live off the grid or be on the move with everything you own. RV living has taken the next step and allows us the opportunity to live like a turtle and carry your house on our back.

It is a tempting opportunity to live an enjoyable and different life, and it might be more affordable than you think. Let us explore some of the multiple options you have if you want to convert to a tiny house lifestyle.

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Tiny House?

Depending on the type of tiny house you are after, the cost can start at ten thousand dollars and go up from there. The price will vary depending on what type of tiny house you are after.

On Wheels

One option for a tiny house is the ability to be mobile. What sounds better than living a modest but comfortable life wherever you want? You can spend every day by the beach alternating them as you please.

If something like this sounds great to you, then you need a house on wheels. If you build it yourself, you can save some money with reclaimed materials or have one built for you. On average, you should have a budget of at least $10,000 and up to $30,000 to $60,000 on the high end.

Unfortunately, a mobile tiny house can end up being the most expensive due to needing a great quality trailer as well as a tiny house built well enough to withstand the forces that come with highway travel. Essentially your tiny house must be ready to withstand eighty miles an hour winds every time you want to relocate.

For a mobile tiny house, you also must consider that the plumbing and toilet must be somewhat self-sufficient. A composting toilet and stored water can alleviate some of that burden. Still, it is something significant that needs to be considered depending on which type of tiny house you choose.

Permanent

Maybe travel is not your thing, no problem; a permanent tiny house is very affordable. You can buy or build a tiny house for as little as five thousand dollars or deck it out with plumbing, electricity, and appliances for $75,000 to $100,000. It is all based on what you think you could live with and what you cannot live without.

Another great thing about permeant tiny houses is that maintenance is more manageable. Customization is easier, and it is much simpler to install solar power to save on battery and utility costs. Some people buy a sizeable watertight shed and add a loft or bedroom. The bottom line is that a permanent tiny house is probably your most versatile option as far as style and cost go.

Container

Not sure which way to go, permeant or on wheels, container homes are the cheapest and most straightforward option. Considering all you need is two thousand dollars to buy a used twenty-foot trailer, it’s easily the simplest option.

If you are a “do it yourselfer,” just cut some holes for windows, add some wall insulation, and fill it with as much furniture as you want. Then boom, you got yourself a tiny house. The best part is that a container tiny house can be shipped around without needing wheels or can be bolted down to a solid foundation because of the solid exterior.

With a container tiny house, you really can have your cake in your tiny kitchen and eat it too. Fully customizable, portable if need be, or permanent. Also, the trailers range in price and size, so you have several manageable options for size and weight.

Cost of Supplies

How much you spend on supplies is up to you. If you are a DIY, you can make a tiny house out of anything you would like. Some examples are:

Using reclaimed materials
Using partially built or partially destroyed existing structures.
You can even buy cabin kits
A-frame kits are also an option and can be found for around $5,000

Building kits are a great option to get started. Keep in mind they will only come with the bare minimum for supplies, so a kit will not necessarily mean a completed move-in-ready tiny house. Think of it as more of a precut structure you put together yourself. There are higher-end kits available that come with flooring and appliances. Those can range anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000.

One last thing to consider for the price of materials is your location. Do a little research and find that wood and metal can be more or less expensive in certain places. The less accessible your location, the more materials will cost. It is essential to consider your location when constructing a budget.

Labor Costs

Labor costs on a tiny house can fluctuate vastly depending on how much work you are willing to do yourself. A 2017 survey showed that a professionally built tiny house move-in ready should cost you around $60,000. Keeping this figure in mind, that is fully built, furnished, painted, etc.

The good news is, if you are a little ambitious, you can buy a perfectly built shell for around fifty thousand. If you are doing the rest yourself, you can spend a lot less than ten thousand to make it functional and livable. If you go full-on DIY, labor will only cost your investment into your new property.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that tiny houses have graduated from a fad to a lifestyle many should consider as they age through life. Some anthropologists agree it could even be the way of the future, with land materials becoming more expensive, having a tiny little sustainable plot with a house you own, and paying no mortgage on for sure sounds enticing.

No one knows the future of tiny houses, but if there is one thing this pandemic has taught us, it is how little we need in our homes to live comfortably. Food, water, a bed, preferably internet. Besides that, living simply and enjoying the privilege of getting out into the world seems to be the new trend. It seems tiny houses were made for that kind of living.