Tag: tiny home builder

Tiny homes are becoming more popular than ever, and it’s the right call to downsize and simplify your life. Tiny homes are less than 500 square feet, but that doesn’t mean you must compromise on quality. A trusted and established tiny home builder can help you find the right space that suits your needs, looks aesthetically appealing, has all the functional features, and does not exceed your budget. At TinyHouseMe, we help you connect with several tiny home builders across US and Canada. Instead of searching online for hours, you can instantly connect with 100s of trusted builders by signing up with us.

Choosing a tiny home builder – The Big Decision

When you have decided on selecting a builder for building the tiny house, here are a few things that you need to make a note of:

Make sure to get a contract

Many times, people don’t get things documented. Many buyers jump right to building a tiny home without putting everything down on paper. When planning to build a tiny house, a written contract is your biggest friend. Before you hire a tiny home builder, make sure the contract has the following:

• Build and payment timeline
• Blueprints and floor plans laid out in detail
• Process for any modifications
• Plan for things if they go wrong

Have a payment schedule that’s tied to the progress

When you plan to build a tiny home, you shouldn’t just pay upfront immediately. Instead, spread out the payments over time and tie the payments to specific milestones. For example, if you have four payments along the way, you need to check on it and then incentivize and keep moving with the project. Being clear with the home builder when they will get paid and what the builder has to do to get the payment on time will safeguard you from fraudsters planning to run away with all your money.

Spending time and money to draw out the design plans

You need to be very clear with the design of the tiny house and put things on paper. Having a real plan for the tiny home drawn by an architect is an essential addendum of the contract allowing you to call out every detail of the house. If you don’t get the designs on paper, then chances are that the builder will build a house very different from what you might be expecting.

Have a detailed material list

This is one area where scammy builders get away with things. For example, get the detailing done if you want a window at a certain place, flooring of a certain color, and a light in the loft. The scammy builders can buy a cheap window and make do. Getting into the details and documenting everything will help you get what you are paying for. You should ask for a full material schedule for everything written on paper, and if you don’t take time to get this document, then the builder can charge a higher price claiming it’s ‘high-quality.’ However, a high quality might not be what you were expecting. So, define every material and quantify the quality as much as possible. Again, a detailed material list can help you stick to a budget. 

Hire a building inspector

You need to hire someone who will come in and assess the structure. Doing this at the end of the framing and right before the delivery is ideal. A third-party evaluation is good for you, and it lets the builder know that you have specific quality expectations. A bad builder will turn tail and run when you get a building inspector, but a good one will welcome the review.

Should you get an RVIA-certified tiny home?

Recreation Vehicle Industry Association or RVIA is an association of tiny home builders that manufacture RVs, and the structures come with certification, which means that they come with certain standards. Many tiny home buyers ask for these as they think it’s mandatory to have RVIA certification, but it’s not required. However, builders prefer it as they sound impressive, charge a higher fee, and allow a few buyers to get financing. In fact, with the RVIA certificate, it’s easier to find a parking spot for a tiny home. 

However, there is a catch. Even if you get an RVIA-certified tiny house, there might still be restrictions you have to face in certain states. Many places consider it illegal to park an RV in any residential area, and in some places, you will be fined if you try to live in an RV. In some states of the US, parking the RV in campgrounds is allowed but only for a limited period of time. Once you have the tiny home designated as an RV, it cannot be changed and imposes many limitations on your stay; not to forget, finding a place to park becomes challenging.

What can a tiny home builder help you with?

A good tiny home builder can help you with everything starting from the planning of the tiny house to the design and the actual building of the structure. You can ask for custom-made tiny homes or get the off-the-shelf build with a warranty certificate. At TinyHouseMe, we ensure that you won’t meet novices or fraudsters but experienced, certified, and trusted professionals who will respond faster and serve you on a priority basis while at the same time offering competitive pricing on the models. Join TinyHouseMe today to book an appointment with your local builder instantly.

If you are acquainted with internet research and have knowledge about planning and preparing everything you do, creating your own tiny house plan is not a big deal. However, many people lack the time and patience and prefer to connect with a tiny home builder to buy the perfect tiny house plan. A good plan can save a lot of your time and money and help you keep your sanity during the building phase of the tiny home. Tiny home designers and builders conduct a lot of research and invest hundreds of hours in customizing a tiny house plan considering every aspect before finalizing. Planning and designing require architectural and engineering knowledge and dedicated research to ensure that the tiny home meets the safety standards and aligns with the building codes. TinyHouseMe can not only help you plan your tiny house, but we can also connect you with multiple builders who can offer you high-quality tiny home plans. You can compare the prices and start the project as soon as possible. 

However, there are certain important considerations you need to make before starting the tiny house project:

Your budget

A quick way to determine the budget of your tiny home is to look at the price of the houses built by professional tiny home builders like American Tiny House, BOSS Tiny House, Irontown Homes, Forever Tiny Homes, and the like. For example, if they offer a basic unit at $60,000, you can safely assume that the build price will be around 2/3 of the retail cost or around $40,000 (you can find models displayed by these established builders at TinyHouseMe). However, this is unrealistic and just a rough estimate to get started. A better way would be to connect with the builders directly via TinyHouseMe to get the detailed cost analysis of the tiny home plan. The good news is that you no longer have to wait in queue to connect with your favorite builder. Instead, we make things simpler and faster for you by placing you directly at the front line for the tiny home builder.

Permanent foundation or trailer mounted?

If you want a moveable tiny house, then a trailer-mounted design plan works best, but the size and plan get limited to the trailer one can afford. A permanent foundation gives you more flexibility as you can choose a large plan, add decking, cover the decks, and make additions to the plan more easily. However, the tiny home on the foundation will need inspections and permits, and the cost will be more to complete. The upside of this hassle is that if the house has the permits and passes through inspection, it can be easily insured and resold at a higher bid.

Features in a tiny home to include in the plan

There are a few things that you need to have in your tiny house. A piece of small workspace furniture, cooktop, washer, and dryer units are a few. It’s important to consider the viewing plans if you need to have these appliances featured in your tiny house. Check if the design and layout can accommodate these items without any changes. If you have any specific wants, verify with the builder if these appliances fit the design or floor plan of the tiny home you are considering.

Plan out the trailer size you can afford to pull

Tiny houses are heavier than RV vehicles, and you need to plan out a smaller house to reduce the weight. Using regular construction materials for heavy-duty trailers can add up to 8,000 – 14,000 lbs of dry weight, and this largely depends on the materials used for building the tiny home. When you plan a tiny home on wheels, consider the vehicle’s towing capacity. However, you need to talk to a tiny home builder for more detailed planning of the trailer and the tiny home. TinyHouseMe can set up an appointment at the earliest with your matched builder. All you need to do is become a member, and TinyHouseMe will provide you with expert assistance to plan your tiny house.

Plan the height of the tiny home

If you are planning a tiny home on wheels, the height of the home on the trailer should not exceed 13′ 4″, as per the California Department of Transportation website. This is important as ignorance can result in you saying goodbye to the tiny home and needing to pay the local municipality for structural testing and repair work. It is, therefore, vital to know the total height of the tiny home on wheels, travel restrictions in different states on heights, and other building codes and zoning regulations – as this will save you from extra detour travel and headaches in the future. 

Tiny home plan purchasing can get your home insured more easily

When you get a tiny home on a foundation with a proper plan, obtaining permits is almost effortless, and you can easily get the home insured just like your traditional house. In addition, the cost of the insurance is cheaper as you already have a good tiny home plan to help you with the process. However, the insurance is trickier and costlier when you have a mobile home. To get the mobile home insured, you need to get creative and do a lot of legwork. For this, connecting with TinyHouseMe is ideal for getting the home on wheels insured for protection against disasters on the road or when parked.

Choose a tiny home plan as per your age and fitness levels

You need a tiny home plan that suits your physical condition and health. If you are old with physical limitations, then a loft bedroom is not right for you. Climbing the ladder and moving around in a small space is quite troublesome for the elderly. You need to plan stairs for the loft area to make climbing easier. Additionally, the loft sleeping areas have a low ceiling space; and if you are unfit, it gets quite uncomfortable. In such cases, you need a plan with a sleeping area on the main floor, as this is a great choice for utmost comfort.

If you want a customized or off-the-shelf tiny home built with blueprints and floor plans, connect with TinyHouseMe. We connect you with multiple builders across US and Canada and offer helpful resources to finance and plan your tiny home project.

As the prices of traditional homes are rising yearly, the need for an affordable dwelling has made tiny homes a popular choice in the U.S. Not only are tiny homes an affordable investment but there are several other perks associated with tiny living that has given them such a huge fanbase. Tiny homes may continue to thrive as the builders focus on architectural space-saving, off-grid sustainable living, and contemporary minimalism. Even the T.V. production houses have a series on tiny homes, making this lifestyle a fascinating idea motivating Americans to take a step toward minimalism. “Minimalism” is not a recent idea, but many now consider tiny homes “living without limitations.” Although tiny homes might be more cost-effective than traditional homes, many financial challenges must be considered.

Buying a tiny home from any random manufacturer is detrimental as tiny homes do not qualify for a traditional mortgage. Instead, trust a certified and established tiny home builder who can offer you in-house financing or connect you with a lender. You will find many tiny home builders at TinyHouseMe. We showcase different tiny home models and connect you with hundreds of tiny home builders under one platform. 

Fact Alert – Tiny Homes are mortgage free 

Buying a home with cash is a dream for most people, which is why a mortgage loan is a common choice. However, committing to a mortgage loan can leave you with a huge monthly payment, which has made many homeowners choose a tiny home to lead a mortgage-free lifestyle. As per Comfy Living, 68% of people living in a tiny home lead a mortgage-free life. Tiny homes are small structures of less than 400 square feet; and when the size gets smaller, it costs less to buy or build. Moreover, the housing expenses are as low as $600 per month when you live in a tiny home, as per Comfy Living reports. This is a good reason why 55% of tiny homeowners have more savings than traditional home dwellers. By scaling down the size of the tiny home, the homeowners enjoy an affordable lifestyle without compromising on comfort. However, if you need a loan for a tiny home, connect with TinyHouseMe to get helpful resources in planning and financing the tiny home. 

Tiny homes are great for 1st time home buyers

The tiny home is an affordable housing solution for starters. The pandemic caused many renters to get evicted from their homes. These people needed an affordable housing solution, and the demand for tiny homes increased from then. Even millennial buyers prefer buying a tiny home as their 1st house because of their affordability. Similarly, the baby boomers seek out tiny homes as they want to retire with less and without the hassles of paying monthly mortgages.

Additionally, natural disasters have lowered the number of homes available in the U.S., making tiny homes a sought-after option for many. Beyond the benefits of living in a tiny home, the spaces make for a good rental income. However, tiny homes are not permitted in all areas of the U.S. Some cities are tiny home friendly, while others are yet to legalize tiny home dwelling. 

Tiny homes are a great investment for property owners 

The customized and highly functional ADU kits revive the multigenerational family staying on one property. You don’t have to pay for assisted living and can have your old parents and in-laws stay in the backyard. Additionally, an ADU kit installed in the backyard can help homeowners reduce mortgages as one can now generate a rental income through its source. However, the return on investment depends on the sale price and other factors. The tiny home is a good investment for any property owner, and they are doing well as Airbnb rentals. Get the perfect tiny home customized by a trusted tiny home builder. Searching online for tiny home builders is a huge challenge. Many customers prefer to look at different home models, choose depending on aesthetics and functionality and then connect with the builder. At TinyHouseMe, we showcase divergent tiny home models and help you connect faster with the builders. Our online directory makes the purchase easier by providing multiple quotations from different builders and fixing an appointment with your local builder at the earliest. 

Millennials are the biggest tiny home buyers 

Amid the pandemic, the demand for tiny homes and ADU kits has seen an upsurge, and millennials are the biggest buyers in the market. It’s because the millennials are investment-savvy and are aware that tiny homes are mortgage-free investments and can also become a potential source of rental income. Tiny homes cost a fraction of an average single-family house, but before purchasing one, you must do the legwork to ensure the house is legit. 

Final Words 

If you are looking for a tiny home built as per the local jurisdiction rules and regulations, then connecting with a professional tiny home builder is imperative. TinyHouseMe channelizes different home builders under one platform and helps you connect with them. Join today to be in the front line for your matched builder.