How to Build a Tiny Home

I’ve met over 1,000 people who are captivated by the idea of building a tiny home, yet equally daunted by the process. You can’t acquire the necessary skills to build a tiny home from a single blog post. That’s why we offer free building plans, over three hours of instructional videos, and stories from people who have successfully built their own tiny homes.

-Steve Weissmann, Owner

In this article, we’ll distill the building process into its most critical components. Divided in two sections, we first discuss the five key pillars that form the foundation for success and then delve into a 10 step construction process. Each pillar and step is crucial for completing your tiny home. My goal is to provide you with the knowledge to decide whether building your own tiny home, buying one, or choosing another path is right for you.

The 5 Pillars of Building a Tiny Home

1. Time
2. Building Plans
3. A Place to Build
4. Knowledge/Skills
5. Money for Materials and Tools

The 10 Step Construction Process

Time

Building a tiny home is a significant time investment. Even if you could dedicate 40 hours a week to it, expect the project to take longer than anticipated. At Tumbleweed, building a tiny home takes us over 1,000 hours. Here’s a breakdown of the time required:

• Creating building plans: 100 hours (you can save this time by downloading our free plans)
• Buying materials: 80-200 hours (expect to spend countless hours sourcing and comparing prices)
• Prepping the trailer: 10-60 hours
• Building the house: 830-1,300 hours, depending on your experience and attention to detail

In total, building a tiny home can take between 1,090 and 1,660 hours. As a full-time job, this translates to 6-10 months. For weekend builders, it can take 18-24 months, with some projects extending up to 2-3 years.

Money

The cost of building a tiny home has increased significantly since 2020. While some websites suggest you can build a tiny home for $20,000, a more realistic estimate for 2024 is around $50,000 for a 120-square-foot home. This includes the cost of materials and tools, which can add up quickly.

Consider your financial plan. Many builders start with a budget and invest monthly as they go. For example, if you have $15,000 to start and invest $1,000 per month, you could complete your tiny home in 36 months with a total investment of $51,000. However, don’t forget to factor in rent or other living expenses during this time.

Should You Build It Yourself? Let’s look at a common scenario: You have $15,000 to start and plan to invest $1,000 per month, finishing in 36 months. Your total investment is $51,000, but don’t forget the cost of living during this time. If you spend $1,000 per month on rent, your real cost is $87,000, including the time and effort you put into the build. For many, buying a tiny home with a payment plan and using the time to work and pay off the mortgage faster might be more affordable.

A Place to Build

Having a suitable place to build is crucial. You’ll need about 2,000 square feet of space, with 1,000 square feet being the minimum. Consider whether you’re renting, using a backyard, or have a long-term build site. Be prepared for potential relocations if issues arise.

Tiny Home Building Plans

Professional contractors never build without plans, and neither should you. Even if you don’t use Tumbleweed plans, study them. Our plans are free, detailed, and feature 90 pages of instructions. Deviations are common, but having a solid plan increases your chances of success.

You’ll learn the key steps involved in building your own tiny home, from the initial planning and design phases to the final touches that make it uniquely yours. We’ll cover essential topics such as choosing the right foundation, framing, insulation, and selecting materials that align with your vision and budget. You’ll also discover tips on navigating building codes, permits, and how to maximize space efficiency without sacrificing comfort. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clear understanding of the entire building process and the confidence to embark on your tiny home journey.

Join Meg and Art from Tumbleweed Tiny House Company as they discuss one of the most essential building components: the trailer. Key considerations include choosing a trailer with a flat surface, appropriately rated axles, and an optimal deck height to maximize living space. Learn the benefits and drawbacks of different trailer styles:

• Utility
• Deck-over
• Custom tiny house trailers.

See diagrams of the different trailer types…

A tiny home trailer is a unique foundation that requires a different approach compared to traditional home building. Unlike conventional homes where the floor joists span a solid foundation, a tiny home trailer demands special attention to ensure stability, insulation, and proper support. This 5-step process covers everything you need to create the perfect subfloor: from preparing the trailer and cutting insulation to laying down the subfloor, adding fur material for extra width, securing everything in place, and ensuring the floor is perfectly square. These steps are designed to help you build a strong, durable base for your tiny home.

Read more about floor framing…