House Material Costs
November 30, 2008 · Print This Article
Estimated material costs for Tiny Houses
| XS-House | Epu | Weebee | Lusby Tarleton | Fencl | |
Trailer  |
2,000 | 3,200 | 3,200 | 3,800 | 3,800 |
| General Materials | 4,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 | 6,000 | 6,500 |
| Insulation | 350 | 450 | 450 | 550 | 550 |
| Roofing | 450 | 550 | 550 | 650 | 700 |
| Exterior Siding | 800 | 1000 | 1000 | 1200 | 1200 |
| Interior Siding | 600 | 800 | 800 | 900 | 1000 |
| Flooring | 400 | 500 | 500 | 600 | 700 |
| Windows | 2,000 | 2,400 | 3,300 | 2,700 | 3,300 |
| Heater | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Appliances | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Shower | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,500 | 500 | 500 |
| Counters | 800 | 1,500 | 1,100 | 800 | 1,100 |
| Sales Tax | 1,200 | 1,450 | 1,550 | 1,550 | 1,650 |
| Total | 16,100 | 19,950 | 21,150 | 21,250 | 23,000 |
Please note that the prices are only estimates.
We’ve included sales tax since it’s often overlooked, but is a large number.
I’m so delighted by posts like these and the one about trailers! I am currently collecting information about building my own Tumbleweed, and this info is solid gold. Thank you for sharing what you’ve learned, and please keep it up!
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mik reply on December 7th, 2008 12:03 pm:
Plumbing, how does the waste from the shower or toilet exit?
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Jay Shafer reply on December 8th, 2008 4:07 am:
We will be posting an excerpt from the book on the blog soon. I’ll paste part of that here. Remember… my utilities are totally primitive compared to the RV systems we generally put in the mobile ones and standardsystems in the stationary ones.
Utilities
Like the rest of the house, utilities and appliances were designed with simplicity and sustainability in mind. They meet my modest needs but would be considered primitive by conventional American standards. These rudimentary utilities will not appeal to everyone interested in living in a small home, and it should be made clear that living small does not require depravity. Hot and cold running water, a microwave oven, and cable TV are all available options.
Water: Tumbleweed is supplied by a simple gravity-fed plumbing system. A two-and-a-half-gallon pot sits on a metal shelf just above a horizontal section of stovepipe in the overhead kitchen cabinet and drains into either the kitchen sink or shower through the Y intersection in a short stretch of rubber hose. The water is kept warm so long as the stove is on and can be made hot by setting the pot directly on the stove. The pot can be filled at a nearby spigot. Gray water drains directly into the garden.
Toilet: The composting toilet amounts to little more than an airtight bucket, a can of sawdust and a couple of compost piles outside. Sordid story short, the bucket is used as an indoor toilet and sawdust is put into the mix to absorb odor and balance out the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. This bucket is emptied onto one compost pile or the other every so often and rinsed. (Please see J.C. Jenkins’ The Humanure Handbook for details on this and other methods of composting human manure.) The sawdust does a good job of controlling any odor.
Toilet: While the idea of carrying one’s own poop (or anybody else’s for that matter) to a compost pile off away from central living quarters may sound both inconvenient and plainly unacceptable to most Westerners, its appeal for more than a few will be its absolute efficiency. Without electricity, running water, or waste and only small inconvenience as its price, a cleaner environment and soil-building compost are made available.
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Kim reply on June 11th, 2009 10:44 am:
I’m processing my desires and needs as I read the information about living in a tiny house on wheels. While I would definitely, like the option of composting and living off grid, I’m wondering about the difficulty in composting in some areas. If one might like to live on the grid at times and off at other times, what are the options for doing this. I can imagine finding a place to compost the material is not always available. Or are there general places in most towns where they would take humanure that we just don’t know about? Where does one take blackwater, for that matter if you have a regular toilet and portable blackwater container? I imagine gray water could just be used for general water for garden/lawn.
What is the best option for those of us who may want regular utilities a good part of the time and to live off grid part of the time….creating an outdoor toilet?
Thank you for any comments.
Jay Shafer reply on June 14th, 2009 4:49 am:
Great questions, Kim, but there are too many varied answers for me to detail here. I spend about an hour on this in the workshop and I touch on it a bit in the book too. I personally have taken my bucket to the processing plant in town before.
So many possibilities… all possible. See standard RVs for some ideas.
Curtis reply on August 12th, 2009 10:02 pm:
have you ever heard about ted talks? if not google them they r wonderful. I saw this one about a guy who made the little cylinder than you heat on any stove or fire pit for 30 min then let it cool for an hour and then you can put it in a 3gallon bucket and it will refriderate it for 24 hours he says it will cost $25
Jay Shafer reply on August 22nd, 2009 11:25 am:
Great idea.
I’m currently living in the lower Baja region of Mexico. I’d like to know if a mobile Tumbleweed house, or a fixed one, is practical for a dry region with winds from the ocean, Want to use solar power. Also, does anyone in Mexico have a Tumbleweed (or similar) tiny home?
When is Jay coming again to Mexico? Appreciate your input.
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Jay Shafer reply on December 4th, 2008 2:24 am:
I almost got thrown into jail in Tiajuana when I was 8 cause my parents wouldn’t give a cop the cash he demanded. I have had an irrational fear of going to Mexico ever since. I’m told it’s lovely once you get past Tiajuana.
My designs would do great down there.
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It doesn’t do any good to advertise a “New” larger house (B-53) in this issue without providing details of how to access a look at more info on the site.
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Dianne ODonnell reply on December 3rd, 2008 7:03 pm:
Gary~you read my mind!! I AGREE!!
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jdh reply on December 3rd, 2008 7:49 pm:
Jay, if you want to sell more plans let people see the floor plans and elevations. B53? What B53?
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Carol reply on December 3rd, 2008 8:49 pm:
I am not quite sure why you can’t see the floor plans. He has them under the houses tab. I was just looking at them.
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on December 3rd, 2008 11:28 pm:
The B-53 is located at http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/houses/b-53/
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Jay Shafer reply on December 4th, 2008 2:14 am:
I think Steve fixed it so that you can see now.
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on December 3rd, 2008 11:28 pm:
Unfortunately too much web traffic at once slowed the website down. It’s working fine now.
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I’d like to see more of the B-53. Inside and out.
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Jay Shafer reply on December 4th, 2008 2:10 am:
So would I. If anyone out there has photos of their finished not so tiny tiny houses by Tumbleweed send them our way.
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Joaquin Trevino reply on June 11th, 2009 9:02 am:
…or ANY house for that matter. Definitely need more interior photos.
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Jay Shafer reply on June 14th, 2009 4:44 am:
We’ll post them as we get them.
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I love these tiny houses and would like to see one, up close and personal. Are there any in Northern California now that I might viist? I know Jay is on the road, but are any in place here, near the Bay Area?
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on December 3rd, 2008 11:27 pm:
Take a look at our open house page http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/openhouse/
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Jay Shafer reply on December 4th, 2008 2:08 am:
I’m showing my house this Sunday in Sebastopol at 2:00 til 4:00. Details for this and other open houses are at http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/openhouse/#faq
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It would be very helpful to see a discussion of how water and electricity issues are addressed at remote sites.
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Jay Shafer reply on December 6th, 2008 6:03 pm:
Great idea. I’ll send Steve some pieces I’ve written on the subjects for our blog.
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Phil Hanson reply on December 10th, 2008 4:46 am:
I would like to read of this as well.
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why is the Weebee trailer listed as a higher price than the Epu if they are the same size (7′ x 14′)?
would you build the Weebee on a 18′ tailer extending the main room 4′?
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Elizabeth Connor reply on December 14th, 2008 3:22 pm:
Great question. I love the Weebee, and wonder why it can’t be 4′ feet longer. I wouldn’t necessarily need to have the extra space in the main room, although that makes sense.
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Jay Shafer reply on December 18th, 2008 4:53 pm:
The Fencl is the Weebee with 4 extra feet. It’s in the portfolio.
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on December 14th, 2008 10:45 pm:
Thanks for pointing that out. I forgot that trailer prices have gone up since we last built the Epu. I have adjusted it. Both Epu and Weebee use the same exact trailer.
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Why is the shower $1000 cheaper on the Lusby and Tarelton?
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Jay Shafer reply on January 2nd, 2009 4:57 pm:
We use a standard shower in those two. The shower in he others is custom.
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I’m hoping to attend the Atlanta workshop next month. Can you address the challenges of cooling (vs. heating) that we face in our climate? I expect you draw on historical precedents, using prevailing winds, etc. and that’s fine — I’m just curious if there’s some cooling tools in the houses which aren’t immediately apparent. Thanks ahead of time!
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Jay Shafer reply on January 4th, 2009 11:06 pm:
I look forward to meeting you, Doug. A window A.C. unit will fit in most of the windows. Central air works too. I like putting mine on the north side of diciduous trees. We can talk more in GA.
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Doug Keith reply on January 9th, 2009 5:19 am:
Thanks Jay, and thanks Steve also for replying to a question I sent in an email.
One question more (at least): will there be a house for viewing in Atlanta?
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Jay Shafer reply on January 10th, 2009 9:20 pm:
No. I will only be pulling a house to workshops in Boulder, Chicago and New York. I’ll also be stopping at some places between along I-80.
Hi, I really would like to have your tumbleweed tiny house and wondering Can you ship it to oversea? I am living in Japan.
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Jay Shafer reply on January 7th, 2009 6:42 pm:
We can, but it might be more practical to buy plans and have someone else build it for you over there.
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HI, is it possible to put a washer and dryer in one of your portable homes.
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Jay Shafer reply on April 27th, 2009 11:10 am:
Yup.
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Jay – What about stoping off in Grand Rapids Michigan and submitting the Fencel in the Art Prize? Just a thought. http://artprize.org/
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Jay Shafer reply on April 27th, 2009 11:18 am:
For a $250,000 first prize, it’s certainly worth considering. I’ll look into the details.
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Jason reply on April 27th, 2009 12:16 pm:
Sounds like the timing isn’t good. Bummer. Best piece of Art I’ve seen in awhile. Keep up the good work and fantastic design. Loving the Fencel.
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Jay Shafer reply on April 27th, 2009 11:25 am:
It looks like I’d have to have the house there in late September. Too bad.
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Joaquin Trevino reply on June 11th, 2009 8:59 am:
You have my votes jay =)
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$800 for a counter top!!! have you ever heard of laminet, or butcher’s block? I have a feeling you would like butcher’s block, and it’s soo much cheaper.
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Jay Shafer reply on June 2nd, 2009 5:06 am:
Thanks. The stainless has dropped dramatically, but it’s still not cheap.
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Joaquin Trevino reply on June 11th, 2009 8:58 am:
It’s worth it. Trust me, I would know. =)
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Curtis reply on August 12th, 2009 10:04 pm:
what about a company called ecotop they take recycled paper and turn it into wonderful countertops as strong as granite
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Jordan reply on January 30th, 2010 5:32 pm:
It would be really cool to use some recycled glass countertops by vetrazzo too
HI JAY I just feel in love with the Fencl as well as other models. Do you live in the Epu avoid a permit fees? Will I have to more in permits fee and such for more square footage. Thanks Jay ps.I hope you will be at the home show in San Jose in October Thanks again Robin
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Jay Shafer reply on June 7th, 2009 5:49 am:
I do, in fact, not have any permit fees on my house. Sorry, I won’t be in San Jose.
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This is really random, but … what on earth do you do if there’s a tornado?? Can these houses fit in your average garage?
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Jay Shafer reply on June 14th, 2009 5:06 am:
I suggest tie-downs for the house and a nearby ditch for you. You could also add a basement.
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Will you be in Mississippi any time? One of the country’s oldest county fairs is in Neshoba County the last week of July. people from all over the country come. They have fair cabins on a larger scale that resemble your small home. Your homes would be a huge hit for those renting RV spaces. I would love to see you there!
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Jay Shafer reply on June 14th, 2009 5:07 am:
Thanks for the invitation, but, after three weeks away from home, I think it may be a while.
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Oh yeah! I forgot to mention that your flooring is to expencive aswell. v-match pine boards turned upside down w/ poly-urithane is about $1 (at least in Maine) it looks just like whats in old New England farm houses.
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“These rudimentary utilities will not appeal to everyone interested in living in a small home, and it should be made clear that living small does not require depravity.”
i think you mean deprivation
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Jay Shafer reply on September 4th, 2009 11:38 am:
You’re absolutely right, Christophe. But it certainly is more interesting in this unintended way.
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I’m not certain how you connect to the trailer (but will learn when I buy plans!) but what are your thoughts on using a gooseneck trailer? The home length could be extended significantly. Just a thought.
I love what ya’ll are doing. From the young professional that is mortgage adverse (like me) to entire communities to government housing…your ideas are revolutionary. I’ll be first in line when you pull into Nashville.
msw
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Jay Shafer reply on September 4th, 2009 11:39 am:
Thanks. That could work.
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Would you consider putting up estimates for the B53? That’s the one I plan to build in the future, and I’m trying to figure out how much it’s going to cost me.
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Jay Shafer reply on September 4th, 2009 11:49 am:
It would be hard considering all of the variables, but I think it should be no more than $85,000 in materials.
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Would you mind posting a detailed expense list like this for the vardo?
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Jay Shafer reply on October 7th, 2009 3:09 pm:
Sorry. I don’t have a current price list for materials.
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[...] and I have done quite a bit of budget research on our tiny house. We’ve found that the Tumbleweed Company cost estimates assume you’re using downright luxurious building materials. For example: Tumbleweed estimates [...]
Do the building plans come with a complete materials list?
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Jay Shafer reply on December 12th, 2009 11:50 am:
All of the houses come with materials lists of all appliances, windows, doors, trailers etc. The tiny ones on wheels also include a list of all lumber.
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