Top 5 Tiny House YouTube Channels To Binge in 2023

Tiny homes are immensely popular in the USA and are garnering interest all over the world. Instagram and Pinterest are flooded with beautiful tiny home designs, and tiny home dwellers are coming up with innovative ideas about living comfortably in a tiny home. At this time, binge-watching YouTube channels to build your own tiny house can give you a good idea of what it’s about. We have listed 5 YouTube channels that are worth your time and interesting to watch. TinyHouseMe is the one-stop destination, if you are looking for trusted builders to build your own tiny house. We connect you with 100s of tiny home builders across the US and Canada and provide you with valuable information about tiny houses. In addition, you can find helpful resources for planning and financing your tiny home project. However, now, let’s check out how people live tiny, debt-free, and comfortably. These 5 YouTube channels will bring out the real picture and the truth about tiny homes and sustainable living.

 

The Top 5 Tiny House YouTube Channels 

  • Tiny Home Tours: 

This is one of the most entertaining YouTube channels that is a must-watch. Standing true to its name, the channel is completely dedicated to showing some of the most wonderful tiny home models. The channel has more than a million subscribers, and the videos are of professional quality, coming out every week, which keeps you hooked with great content. 

You will find numerous bus and van tours in this channel, as well as static tiny homes. If you are unsure whether you want to build your own tiny house on wheels or get one on a foundation, this channel can help. The channel has around 1k videos and over 1.27M subscribers. The creators chose to stay behind the scenes and allow tiny houses and builders to take center stage, which we love. 

  • Tiny House YouTube Channel – Wild Wonderful Off-Grid:

Next up on this list is Wild Wonderful Off-Grid. The channel shows us how a family of 5 builds a tiny home. The tiny house is in the form of an A-frame cabin and they place it in the heart of their woodland property. The channel has over 1.05M subscribers and 369 videos.

If you are looking to take the leap into off-grid living, this channel will motivate you. You can check out how they build their tiny house and also take notes on how to raise the livestock, take care of the farm and live off the land with three kids in tow. The family teaches that nothing is impossible through their videos, provided you are prepared for hard work. 

  • Living Off Grid W/ Jake and Nicole

This channel is worth a watch as the couple, Jake and Nicole feature vlog-style videos on their channel. You get to see how the couple builds a yurt and starts living off the grid in the forest. Their journey is entertaining and adventurous, and one will love their lifestyle. The couple shows all things you need to build a yurt and also how they follow a vegan, homegrown diet while living off the grid. If you are looking for an honest account of tiny living and want to get inspired by tiny home living, then this channel deserves your time. The channel has 1.92 million subscribers and around 315 videos worth watching.

  •    Exploring Alternative: 

On this channel, people tell amazing stories about their alternative lifestyles. Each video brings a distinctive perspective on residing differently, from long-term travelers to tiny house dwellers. 

The one thing about Exploring Alternative that will make you fall in love with this channel is that this channel is not just about exquisite homes and dreamy lifestyles, but it also focuses on the hard work and dedication that is paramount for leading an alternative lifestyle. In all their videos, you will find the talented Canadian couple, Danielle and Mat, advocating that it’s possible to lead a meaningful and sustainable life in a tiny home. The channel has 2.26M subscribers and around 325 videos, covering all topics related to living tiny.

  •    Cabinland: 

Next up on our list is another popular YouTube channel, Cabinland. Jacob Witzling and Sara Underwood are constructing mind-boggling cabins in the middle of the USA’s rainforests. If you want to build your own tiny home in the shape of a cabin, then Cabinland is a must-watch for you. Jacob will walk through a step-by-step process in his cabin tutorials.

There are “How to” series, where you will find videos on how to moss a roof and how to design a patterned floor. Not just that, you will also find “Cabinland: The Series” on Sara and Jacob’s YouTube channel. This six-episode mini-series mainly follows Sara and Jacob as they hunt for different ideas on Cabinland and design their first marvelous cabin on their property. The cabin is unlike any other one, making Cabinland worth watching. This channel is a must-watch if you plan to design your cabin in the woods. The channel has around 445K subscribers and around 44 videos.

 

Final Take: 

So, here is a list of the top 5 tiny house YouTube channels that are a must-watch for anyone who wants to build their own tiny home. If you are inspired by watching these YouTube channels and want to build your own tiny house, you should connect with established tiny house builders near you. Now, you can do so via TinyHouseMe.We are an online directory consisting of a list of all trusted tiny home builders all across the USA and Canada. Contact with them via us and receive a quick response and faster service from the builders. 

 

Hurricanes, Storms, and Tiny Homes – How Safe It’s To Live in a Tiny House!

Living in a tiny home has several advantages, but you must feel safe inside the tiny space, even during hurricanes and heavy storms. While ordinary builders focus on insulation and siding materials to protect your home from heat, rain, and snow, what about wind, storms, and hurricanes? Build your own tiny house with the help of a builder who is trusted and skilled enough to develop structures that meet International Building Codes. With so many builders in the market, choosing a certified, established, and trusted one is confusing. At TinyHouseMe, we help you connect with 100s of trusted tiny home builders across the US and Canada. You can now build your own tiny home by storm-proofing the structure and installing home security systems to prevent dangers while offering you peace of mind.

 

Are tiny houses safe during stormy weather conditions?

If your tiny home has proper weatherproofing, the structure is safe from lightning storms and thunder. Taking precautions during storms is important, as heavy rainfall can cause wood and electrical damage. You can protect electrical connections by keeping the tree branches away from the power lines or running them underground to protect them from external weather conditions. In addition, ask the builder to use siding and roofing materials that are not susceptible to moisture damage.

How do tiny houses survive extreme weather?

Extreme weather conditions can affect the safety of your conventional house, and a tiny home is no different. Heavy rainfall, high winds, floods, fires, and earthquakes are prevalent in certain places, so you should ask the builder for hurricane-proof tiny home designs. Investing in a tiny home on wheels is a great way to help you avoid weather extremities. With wheels, you can flee and relocate to a space that’s not vulnerable to hurricanes and natural disasters.

Here are a few ways you can weatherproof the tiny home:

Consider parking the tiny home on wheels at a better location

During a storm, park the tiny home in a direction where the winds won’t cause much damage to the structure. Park the house next to a stronger and bigger structure so the wind doesn’t hit your house directly. Use tarpaulin around the parking location to create windbreaks and reduce the pressure your tiny home receives.

Use better materials

If you live in a hurricane-prone zone, consider the environment and then build your own tiny house. The designing of your tiny home should be done by a professional architect or take the help of a trusted home builder willing to customize it as per your requirements. For example, source projectile-level windows and glass surfaces, as they are stronger than ordinary fixtures. Rather than choosing shingles for the roof and siding, install sheets of corrugated steel to stop individual parts from flying off. The materials you choose to incorporate inside your tiny house determine whether or not, the structure can withstand strong winds and hurricanes – therefore hire a trusted builder to build your own tiny home.

Seal all holes

Protecting the tiny home against strong winds is the only thing you should be thinking about during hurricanes and storms. Rain can easily penetrate and create unwanted moisture inside the house. Check the tiny home thoroughly and ensure all holes are sealed. You can also caulk holes with a sealant to keep water outside the house and prevent any seepage through its structure.

Install hurricane shutters

Did you know hurricane shutters can be installed as add-ons to protect doors, windows, and other glass surfaces from flying dirt and debris during storms and hurricanes? The shutters are available in many shapes and sizes and can be attached via a DIY installation. While some shutters are easy to install, others might need professional assistance.

Polycarbonate guards also protect tiny homes against wind damage which are affordable too. This kind of shutter is made from plastic and guards the entryways against flying debris.

Accordion shutters can be moved before a storm and can protect entire sections of the house as they are made with sturdier materials. The best part is that these shutters can be easily installed and removed as and when necessary.

Install hurricane ties

You should install hurricane ties to secure all frames and joints tightly. Hurricane ties work by joining rafters and trusses on the top wall of the tiny home and helps reinforce the structure against storms, strong winds, and even earthquakes. 

Consider anchoring the tiny house

Anchoring your tiny house is a great way to protect the structure from hurricanes and storms. By anchoring, you secure the tiny home to solid ground and prevent the structure from toppling. Different anchors are available depending on soil conditions, including concrete. For example, an auger anchor works best for hard soil, whereas if you live in a rocky area, rock anchors are better as they drive beneath and can prevent the tiny house from toppling over. However, for anchoring the tiny house, you need stable, level ground and then you should go and find the most appropriate anchor based on the soil type.

 

Can shipping containers withstand hurricanes?

Many tiny house models are available in the market, but only a few are hurricane-proof. Container homes are a great choice if you are looking for a structure resistant to stormy weather and hurricanes. Custom Container Living is one of the most trusted builders of container homes in the US. Their container houses are engineered to withstand weather elements and are a good bet to beat a hurricane.

However, connecting with established builders like Custom Container Living takes a lot of work. Waiting in the queue and getting a response after days is a pain. That’s why TinyHouseMe has made things simpler for you. We instantly connect you with multiple tiny home builders to make the search easier for you. We have 100s of tiny home builders in our platform and help you get matched with the right builder of your choice. So, sign up now and connect faster with your chosen builder.

 

Tiny House Building Codes – Busting all the Myths!

It’s very challenging to get code approval for tiny homes in the US. Coding questions usually come up when you plan to build your own tiny home. If your tiny home doesn’t follow building codes and other permit laws, then as a homeowner, you can be subjected to fines and get an order for teardown, meaning you might need to defend yourself in the court of law. Tiny homes have many regulations, and knowing all the laws and codes can confuse the general homeowner. There are so many complicated and contradictory laws about tiny homes that finding an accurate answer is a real challenge. However, at TinyHouseMe, you connect with different tiny home builders under one platform to build a home that meets the building codes and can easily obtain permits from the governing bodies.

Tiny Home Advocates 

The ATHA (American Tiny House Association) is at the forefront of the battle for establishing tiny houses and embracing tiny home committees. This organization works tirelessly to persuade local and state governing bodies to establish regulations and codes to support small-scale houses so that more people can access low-budget home ownership. 

 

Busting the myths

If you have been following the tiny home movement closely all these years, then blindly conducting online research won’t do. Either you contact a certified builder to build your own tiny home without breaking the laws or talk to several established home builders under one platform. TinyHouseMe connects you with hundreds of tiny home builders who will help you build the perfect tiny abode of your dreams. First, however, here we get you the most common misconceptions related to zoning laws, building codes, and small cabin conversions that spell doom for any tiny home project.

Myth #1

Tiny homes on wheels do not require any building codes or zoning regulations

This is the biggest myth perpetuated by builders who want to make quick bucks by selling their tiny homes. A house on wheels does not make the structure completely free from zoning laws and building codes. A house on wheels will help you slip through certain regulations, but the moment you move your belongings and start living in the home on wheels, it legally becomes your home and is subject to the local home ordinances. Dealing with the local authorities can be confusing, so you need to talk with a certified tiny home builder to examine the county’s local codes and zoning ordinances and leverage them to your advantage. Check out the minimum requirements that make the tiny home complaint and use them to build your own tiny home.

Myth #2

It’s my property, so no one can stop me from building a shed or a tiny home

Many believe they can build a tiny home on personal property without care, but when building inspectors decide to visit your property, things can go wrong. Building inspectors uphold laws related to building codes and can work with you to achieve your tiny home dream. However, sometimes they are not flexible, and not complying with the building codes can get you in serious trouble. If the building inspector finds out that the shed violates the area’s building codes, then you can be forced to get compliance or start with the condemnation proceedings. 

Myth #3

Tiny houses below 300 square feet do not need a building permit

Once you have personal property in the form of a tiny home and begin to reside there, the structure is a livable unit. There might be exceptions, but livable dwellings are subject to permit laws regardless of size. Building codes are implemented for safety, and must comply with them to ensure the houses are structurally sound and not prone to electrical fires and other mishaps. For example, realistically, a small living space needs better safety precautions than a larger house. A fire in a 300 sq. feet tiny home is more dangerous than that of a 3000 sq. feet house that has more windows and doors to help the occupants escape. Therefore, safety standards must be followed even if the area has relaxed building codes and does not require a permit.

Note: This myth might be true, but there lies a catch! Any structure in the form of a permanent dwelling will require a permit. A liveable space does need a permit.

Myth #4

Living in a mobile home/camper/RV means tiny home codes and regulations are not applicable

This myth is divided into 2 parts. One pertains to the structure of the tiny home, be it an RV, camper, or mobile home. The other pertains to how the location is zoned for the particular structure. 

For legalized occupancy, the camper, RV, or mobile home needs to be built by a certified manufacturer with a displayed relevant ‘seal of approval.’ Only a certified builder can offer the seal of approval to affirm that the structure meets with the building and safety codes.

Any RV, camper, or mobile home that is not built as per certification standards is considered unlawful and out of compliance to occupy right from the onset. Therefore, it’s certainly a myth that codes don’t apply to such dwellings. Even if the structure gets certified, you might run into zoning problems. Many communities have restricted on-site parking of campers and RVs to 60-90 days to stop anyone from converting the campground into a perpetual home. If you plan to live in these structures long-term, it’s important to check the local and state laws or RV park and campground rules before you build your own tiny house.

 

Myth #5

If anyone complains or gets caught in a tiny home on wheels, say, “‘i am camping” to get saved

As discussed above, the zoning restrictions restrict the duration and location of camping activities, and these apply to tiny homes on wheels. While zoning regulations dictate that RVs are not permanent residencies, municipalities may apply the same restrictions since tiny homes on wheels resemble RVs. Although, again, you can get away with the camping excuse for a while, it’s better to seek proper approvals and variances, in the long run, to allow your tiny house to be ‘your home.’

Myth Busting 

Instead of going for a DIY tiny home, build your own tiny house with the help of a trusted builder acquainted with the local, state, and federal laws. Building a tiny home without breaking the law ensures that the tiny house dream doesn’t turn into a real nightmare. At TinyHouseMe, we connect you with multiple tiny home builders. We also help in planning and financing your tiny home. To book an appointment with your matched builder, join TinyHouseMe now!

Moving Into a Tiny House – Breaking Down the Real Estate Concepts For Tiny Home Buyers

For many, buying a traditional single-family home is a distant dream. The traditional building is unobtainable due to the rising costs, which has made people turn towards tiny living to keep the prices palatable. The tiny home market is likely to see a growth of USD 3.57 billion from 2021 to 2026, with a CAGR of 4.45%, as per the market report by Technavio. While the cost of a traditional building is nothing less than $358,800, the tiny home model is much more affordable and a sustainable choice. You can build your own tiny home from $6,000 to $8,000 with all the necessary amenities for a comfortable life. 

If you have decided to test the waters to minimalize your life, then the tiny house is a perfect affordable solution. Although the cost of the home might come under your budget, the lesser-known factors like permits, land and other amenities also need to get considered. 

 

Building permits 

While looking for tiny house builders near me, opt for customized ones and ensure all the permits are in place. If unsure, the local city hall might help you customize the tiny house for a professional build, ensuring the permits are easily attained. Most companies build tiny homes adhering to American Building Standards and keeping local permits in mind. However, permits might incur costs depending on the locale and the exact rules of the place. 

Land costs 

The land cost varies drastically depending on where you stay in the US. Consider this fact before asking about the exact cost of a tiny house. For example, the cost of an acre of land in New York and New Jersey is around $13,000 (as per Forbes), while rural land in Texas costs around $3,249/acre(as per DiscountLots). This is important because if you have a tiny house built on a foundation, you must purchase the land and pay property taxes for the same.

Amenities 

Although tiny homes are conceptualized as micro-dwellings, in reality, they are large, spacious, and come with all amenities and comforts. In addition, the homes are fully upgraded to provide excellent insulation and maximum security. Of course, you need to pay more for a comfortable space, but it’s acceptable as the trade-off costs you far less than an expensive traditional space. Our advice is to discuss in detail with the builders to get a tiny custom-made home with all the desired amenities and security systems you are willing to pay for.

Invest in a tiny house on wheels or a foundation

Building a tiny home on a foundation can cost between $5 and $7 per square foot. In addition, there might be additional expenses related to project pricing and land costs. However, looking at the brighter side, you won’t have to pay a hefty amount for a traditional house while enjoying similar benefits inside an affordable and sustainable tiny home. 

Are you disinterested in putting down roots? Then, get a tiny home on wheels. Such tiny spaces mostly have a concrete foundation and must adhere to the zoning guidelines. However, Texas has ‘unrestricted zoning ordinances’ and has almost no or very loose zoning guidelines. Again, New York city regards tiny homes as RV (recreational vehicles) and has relaxed zoning restrictions, adopting more lax in allowing tiny house construction. 

Where will you get the financing? 

Leading a low-cost sustainable lifestyle draws people towards a tiny house. However, you need money to get started with the project. Unfortunately, tiny homes cannot offer mortgages, unlike traditional buildings. Mortgage companies require you to have minimal home loan amounts, or the house needs to be built on a permanent foundation. Due to these reasons, looking for alternative financing options is essential. 

RV Loans – The tiny home on wheels qualifies for the RV loans. This loan terms up to 15 years and offers extremely low-interest rates. The only catch is that you need to build the house and customize the structure following the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association rules and regulations. 

Personal Loans – These loans are an attractive financial solution as they don’t require any collateral but come with a shorter term. The loan term is usually between 2-7 years, and the interest rates are much higher than other financing solutions. 

Get financed by the manufacturer or ask for a financial source – Some tiny home manufacturers offer in-house financing or direct you to other sources that customers can use. You need to talk to the manufacturers before concluding any financial decision. 

 

Final Thoughts 

Housing costs will not go down anytime soon. If you want a more affordable alternative to conventional housing and have no intention to rent, then a tiny house can be a great choice.