Unfiltered Faq Session – The Good, Bad, And Ugly!

Hello everyone. We get an overwhelming number of inquiries, and that’s the reason why we decided to streamline the reply process by putting up a bunch of questions and answers that are asked over and over again. TinyHouseMe is an online directory where you will find established and trusted tiny home builders offering ADUs, tiny homes for backyards, tiny homes on wheels, houses on foundations, and structures of similar kinds under one platform. We help advise and assist in planning and financing your tiny home project. 

If you are planning to buy a tiny home and have many questions, we are here to help. Instead of sugar-coating things, we decided to answer (unfiltered) the most frequently asked questions about tiny home projects. So, here we go!

 

Why should I buy a tiny house?

If you want to stop renting an apartment and own your own house, buy a tiny home. If you need flexibility and want the ability to move around, then a tiny home on wheels is ideal. Many buy a tiny home to lead a debt-free life to circumvent the conventional path to home ownership.

Why not buy a travel trailer or RV?

An RV or a travel trailer is meant for constant travel, but a tiny house is best if you are looking for a place to stay. A fully-insulated, 4-season tiny home with real doors and windows, natural walls, wooden floors, storage, and ceilings is much better than staying in an RV, a metal box with little or no insulation, and loads of cheap plastic. 

Where can I park the tiny home?

The zoning codes vary from place to place, so there is no specific answer to this question. A tiny home on wheels falls under the RV category in many places, meaning certain restrictions will exist. The local municipalities do not update the laws specifically, and many tiny homeowners fall into the grey area relying on the goodwill of their neighbors to create a stable and safe living environment. Most legal action taken against any tiny home dweller is complaint-based, and having the neighbors supporting you needs to be a priority in such a situation. However, due to the rise in the housing crisis, many municipalities are now accepting and embracing tiny homes, and legal parking and living will get easier in the coming days. Here are a few places where you can park the tiny home legally.

How long does it take to build a tiny house?

You can get off-the-shelf and customized tiny homes for your backyard directly from the builder by connecting via TinyHouseMe. Off-the-shelf builds are delivered within days or weeks, depending on your chosen location and builder. Customized tiny homes might take a few months, depending on your needs and choices. TinyHouseMe helps to simplify your search by connecting you with the right builder who will do the hours of research to plan and design your tiny home. 

How much does it cost to build a tiny home?

It depends on the tiny home model you choose. A TinyHouseMe, you can get tiny home kits starting from $12,000, and the valuation goes up when you opt for customization and want to upgrade the model with more features. An appointment with the builder can help you get an exact quote. However, you must sign up at TinyHouseMe to connect with several builders under one platform to receive multiple quotations. We help you compare, discuss and choose the best model at the most competitive price. The cost of a tiny cabin differs from that of a container home. Talk to our experts to learn more!

Will a purchased tiny house adhere to the building codes of my state?

The building codes and zoning rules differ from one state to another. If you are worried about these, let’s first bust the myths related to these building codes and zoning regulations. However, navigating and researching the county’s legal rules and regulations related to tiny housing is important. Read the terms and conditions carefully before buying any blueprint or construction plan. Our listed builders can help you choose and customize a tiny home that meets your expectations and the building codes.

What about the electrical and plumbing facilities of a tiny house?

Here is an article about tiny home plumbing that can help you. And for the electrical system, you can read another blog here. If all these don’t help you, booking an appointment with a certified tiny home builder is best. Sign up now to connect with multiple trusted tiny home builders.

What kind of insulation works well in a container home?

We understand container homes are hot in summer and freezing in winter, so we have a blog post dedicated to this topic. Read it here!

How much are the utility bills in a tiny house?

The utility bills are comparatively low. Even with the AC system constantly on, the electricity bill should be at most $35 per month. If you stay in a campground, the water bill is included in the rent, and the propane gas utilities should be at most $40 monthly. In this blog, you can get a more detailed analysis of the cost of living inside a tiny home.

Where can I find tiny home floor plans and designs?

Tiny home floor plans and designs need to come directly from the builder. TinyHouseMe is an online directory connecting you directly with tiny home builders offering competitively priced tiny homes for backyard models. The builders can provide you with blueprints, designs, and floor plans. Here are a few tips for designing your tiny house in 2023.

 

Is there any tiny housebuilder near me?

Yes, there is a good chance that you will find a tiny house builder near me at TinyHouseMe. We have more than 100 builders active on our platform, and by signing up, we help you connect with tiny home builders nearest to your location. You can also find the best builders in the U.S. who provide tiny homes nationwide.

If we have missed your question, contact our experts to learn more about tiny homes. We are here to help you connect with trusted tiny home builders and kickstart the tiny house project.

 

5 Best Tiny House Design Software Platforms

The HGTV crowd has been quite familiar with the concept of tiny home living for years. Tiny homes are perfect for people looking for a simple life who want to minimize living costs. Tiny houses help overcome the roadblock of entry to home ownership. 

They are also a boon for the ubiquitous housing crisis solution. Several states across the U.S., like Los Angeles, have launched pilot projects focusing on constructing tiny homes, especially for the unhoused community. Thus, we can say that the idea of building your own tiny home is enticing, to say the least. At TinyHouseMe, you will find 100s of builders offering customized and off-the-shelf tiny homes for the backyard, houses on wheels, cabins, log homes, and structures of similar kinds.

Irrespective of your motive for getting into the tiny house game, these pint-sized builds have their own set of requirements and challenges, something that conventional home design software cannot adequately address. Here, we will discuss some of the best tiny house design software that is quite helpful in renderings, generating floor plans, etc. Scroll down to find out the tools that made the cut. 

 

  •    Cedreo

Ideal for: Designers, real estate pros, home builders, architects, remodelers 

Overview:     Cedreo is a 3D home design platform. This software not only finds wide applications for tiny house construction but also for apartments, traditional houses, and landscape designs. You certainly don’t have a firm specializing in building or designing tiny houses. So, if you plan to build a tiny home in the backyard, this software might be the best fit for you as you can use it for all kinds of projects. Cedreo offers a wide array of tools that makes 3D renderings and floor plan generation a cakewalk. There are tailor-made designs that can aid you in getting on the same page with the builders and help you gain more transparency. You also benefit from real-time collaboration tools for gathering feedback and sharing ideas, ensuring the projects are accomplished immediately.                  

This software functions well as a tiny home floor plan maker. Here, you can craft 2D floor plans from scratch or even edit an existing one. On top of that, you can also custom-tailor building materials to furnish the space. 

 

Top Features: 

Craft floor plans both in 2D and 3D

Design proposals and presentations 

A well-equipped 3D library with 3,500 + construction materials and                                          

3000+ furnishings and objects.              

Share design projects with team members and clients

Save the templates and reuse them for upcoming projects

 

  •    SketchUp

Ideal for: Designers who design 2D plans 

Overview: SketchUp is a 3D modeling platform allowing you to build atiny home for the backyard from scratch. You can use the pencil tool to sketch the plan and then pull and push each element to its appropriate specifications. 

The best part about SketchUp is that it is so designed that it can integrate with different third-party tools and apps, thereby allowing you to compile a custom stack. 

 Top Features: 

Gain access to the largest catalog of precise 3D models. 

Reporting tools 

3D designing 

Third-party integrations and “Extension Warehouse” enhance functionality

Mixed reality presentation tools 

 

  •  Planner 5D 

Ideal for: Decorators, Interior designers, DIYers 

Overview: Planner 5D is basically an architecture tool that aids decorators and designers in crafting custom floor plans, designing 3D presentations, and furnishing and embellishing designs. Here, you will find a library of pre-designed, custom-tailored templates, décor, and furniture library, making crafting room designs much easier. 

This software has some mind-boggling features like automated furniture arrangement and AI plan recognition that make it no less than a leader in this segment. 

Top features:

3D room visualization  

Drag-and-drop editor 

Floor plan tool 

VR presentation tool 

Snapshot feature 

 

  • Smart Draw 

Ideal for: Remodelers, designersarchitects, contractors 

Overview: This software is an outlier among all the home design software. It’s a planning and productivity tool with unique features and floor plan design templates. You will find numerous tools for individual rooms, cubicles, and conventional houses here. You can modify and save them as tiny house templates and use them to build your tiny home for your backyard. This is one of the best software for visual planning. 

Top Features: 

Intelligent formatting 

Automatic resizing 

Integration with pre-existing tools like Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Trello, etc. 

Thousands of custom-tailored templates and symbols for more than 70 diagram types

Built-in extensions allow users to craft diagrams from connected data sources

 

  •    Sweet Home 3D 

Ideal for: Remodelers and home builders 

Overview: This home design tool makes it easier for builders to craft tiny houses for their clients. The best part of this app is that you can craft designs with precise dimensions, even if you are a newbie in the design field. 

Top Features: 

Add dimensions and annotations 

Generate videos and images with custom lighting

3D and 2D designing from multiple viewpoints 

A huge catalogue with custom-tailored furniture, textures, materials, and other 3D objects. 

Import textures, 3D models, and blueprints from external sources. 

 

Which tiny house design software might be the best fit for you? 

Ultimately, the idea of building yourtiny home for the backyard is just like crafting normal-sized houses. You have to utilize the same tools for these tiny builds as well. If you plan to design your own tiny home for the backyard, then the software tools above can help you build the perfect house of your dreams.

However, it’s better to take the help of a professional and then set up to design your own customized tiny home build. At TinyHouseMe, we connect you with multiple tiny home builders who would be willing to help you design the perfect backyard tiny home. By signing up with TinyHouseMe, you connect faster and get priority service from the builder and expert advice on planning and financing the tiny house project.

 

22 Inspirational Quotes To Live in a Tiny House and Adopt A Minimalist Lifestyle

You will find abundant tiny house quotes that inspire the minimalist lifestyle. The tiny home movement is thriving as people adopt this particular way of life as it’s simple and economical. The ‘less is more’ philosophy, and the realization that materialistic possessions cannot buy happiness has made people take an interest in tiny houses. 

If you are a sucker for a good quote, it can be your driving force to leap into the tiny home lifestyle. While some genuinely enjoy living in a tiny home, others are skeptical about buying a tiny home for a backyard and using the space as a living unit. Here are some inspirational quotes that will inspire and motivate you toward minimalist living.

“You don’t need more space. You need less stuff.”- Joshua Becker

American Tiny House

 

“The greatest wealth is to live content with little.” – Plato

 

Yurt

 

“When you live in a tiny house, you live in such a small space that you have to get out in the world to make your living in places other than your home.” – Ryan Mitchell

log home

“Own less stuff. Enjoy more freedom. It really is that simple.” – Joshua Becker

 

Arizona Garage Builders

 

“Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”- William Morris

Alternative Living Spaces

“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.”- Hans Hofmann

Fritz Tiny Homes

“Minimalism is a tool to eliminate life’s excess, focus on the essentials, and find happiness, fulfillment, and freedom.” – Joshua Fields Millburn

Hilltop Structures

“Our excessive possessions are not making us happy. Even worse, they are taking us away from the things that we do. Once we let go of the things that don’t matter, we are free to pursue all the things that really do matter.” – Joshua Becker

iBuilders Design and Build

“Minimalism is not a lack of something. It’s simply the perfect amount of something.” – Nicholas Burroughs

Château

“Less house, more home.” – Jay Schaffer

Homestead Log Homes

“Small rooms or dwellings discipline the mind; large ones weaken it.” – Leonardo da Vinci

IdeaBox

“Reduce the complexity of life by eliminating the needless wants of life, and the labors of life reduce themselves.” – Edwin Way Teale

the-k240

“Simplicity boils down to two things: identify the essential and eliminate the rest.” – Leo Babauta

 

Modern Kwik Room 10×12

“In the end, you are going to want to be surrounded by the people you love, doing the things you enjoy, and on a life journey that makes you smile when you think about the places you went and things you did. Tiny houses open up the freedom to do all of these things—not just later on, but now.” – Ryan Mitchell

Forever Tiny Homes

“Happiness is a mysterious thing, to be found somewhere between too little and too much.” – Ruskin Bond

JDM Structures Custom Builders

“My choice of a lighter lifestyle has brought me a greater sense of well-being. In a world that often seems stressful and chaotic, that’s a feeling I cherish.” – Lisa J. Shultz

delight-2

“The question of what you want to own is actually the question of how you want to live your life.” – Marie Kondo

Living Intent Yurts Co

“Instead of thinking I am losing something when I clear clutter, I dwell on what I might gain.” – Lisa J. Shultz

 

Haiku Yurt

“I’ve found that the less stuff I own, the less my stuff owns me.” – Nathan W. Morris

Pacifica Tiny Homes

“Life is as simple as these three questions: What do I want? Why do I want it? And how will I achieve it?” – Shannon L. Alder

Perpetual Homes

“Minimalism is not a lack of something. It’s simply the perfect amount of something.” – Nicholas Burroughs

“I make myself rich by making my wants few.” – Thoreau

Summit Tiny Homes

 

Final Words

When discussing tiny house living, most focus on the tiny house itself. However, you must contact a trusted builder for a customized or good-quality off-the-shelf tiny home for your backyard. People living happily in tiny houses had done abundant research before they met the perfect builder who manufactured their ideal home. The first step towards living in a tiny home is to sign up at TinyHouseMe. We help you connect with several tiny home builders offering ADUs, cabins, casitas, tiny homes on foundation, houses on wheels, tiny home kits, log homes, and structures of similar kinds. Around 1000 tiny home models are showcased on our platform, and more than 100 tiny home builders are waiting to connect with you. Want to connect with a builder at the earliest call? Then, join the platform today to get the builder’s faster response and priority service.

How Are Tiny Homes Revolutionizing Student Housing?

We have seen in the last few decades people have been thinking about a zero-waste lifestyle that’s sustainable and affordable. Even the younger generation is interested in minimization, resulting in the micro-living trend. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but alternative housing is a great choice as housing costs are rising, and the high inflation has just added to the popularity of tiny homes. Students prefer to live in small quarters, so the demand for tiny houses has been booming. It’s also been observed that students are now checking out online directories and making well-informed decisions. TinyHouseMe is a complete online directory as we connect you with 100s of tiny home sellers and builders across the US and Canada. If you are a student and planning to stay in a tiny home on wheels or want a tiny home for backyard or a structure of a similar sort, then we can help by connecting you with a trusted builder and also assist in financing your home. Here are a few things about how tiny houses affect student housing.

 

Tiny house and student housing

The tiny home movement emphasizing downsizing is an architectural revolution. The advocates of this movement talk about living in houses that are less than 400 square feet. For example, a student of Michigan University traded a dorm room for a small 170 square feet tiny house. The home on wheels proved to be a great choice as he saved hundreds of dollars on rent and additional living expenditures. 

Even in Florida, a college goer named Bradley from Jacksonville avoided the dorm life and decided to live in a tiny home. It started as a financial need, but he was quite comfortable with the minimalist life. 

The primary motto behind this trend is to live with affordability, but the biggest boon is that these small homes have everything you need to live comfortably. From electricity to plumbing, a custom-made tiny home can be the perfect abode for student life and beyond.

Why choose the tiny life?

Dorm rates are exceptionally high

Many freshmen have no choice in hand. The dorm rates have soared, and it can be hard to make ends meet if you don’t have academic scholarships for fees and tuition. However, the next logical step would be to look for a rental apartment, but this, too, might not be a great choice. Housing prices are rising, and although rental apartments might be slightly cheaper, the price difference is negligible.

Tiny homes can be financed

Now it’s relatively easier to finance your tiny home project. Whether you are looking for a home on wheels or a tiny home for your backyard, builders can refer you to a lender or help you with resources to finance your tiny home project. At TinyHouseMe; we provide you with useful information to finance the tiny house. You only need a good credit score and a 20% down payment for a loan. Working minimal-wage summer jobs through high school can help you to come up with the down payment. You can also use the scholarship money to buy your tiny home upright. To save costs, you can share your tiny home with friends and have roommates willing to give you rent for staying.

Tiny home movement is spreading like wildfire –Yet learn about building and zoning laws

Although tiny homes are gaining momentum, the concept is relatively new for the government, so you should get one from a trusted builder. In addition, although tiny homes are legal, the building rules and zoning regulations differ from one state to another. For example, while Texas, California, and Florida are tiny home-friendly states, New York still needs to open up to tiny houses. So, again, you can learn about the state laws with the help of a trusted builder, or better, sign up at TinyHouseMe to book an appointment with a local builder for a quick consultation. We connect you with multiple tiny home builders and ensure you get a quick response from professionals.

Here are some notable tiny home builders:

American Tiny House: This established tiny home builder in Texas is well-known for their energy-efficient, durable, and beautiful tiny home structures. The builders have employed some of the industry’s most experienced, skilled, and dedicated professionals to manufacture high-quality tiny home models.

Uncharted Tiny Homes: With over 12 years of experience, the builders are based out of Phoenix, Arizona, and can provide you with sturdy tiny homes that can stand the test of time. The weatherproof tiny homes manufactured by the builders can be moved to any location, and the builder would help. Moreover, the builders do offer financing solutions for your tiny home project. Sign up now to schedule an appointment at the earliest.

Pacifica Tiny Homes: Located in California, the builders have built over 250 customized tiny homes and can provide some of the most beautiful and affordable houses on wheels. They are certified builders and offer financing solutions for your tiny home project. Connecting via TinyHouseMe is smart, as you can get a response from this established builder faster than others. In addition, we ensure you get priority service by placing you on the front line for the builder.

Final Words

These are just a few good builders recommended by us. If you want to connect with more builders and get multiple quotations before starting the tiny home project – sign up now!