Before you get out your drill and hammer, there are several things to consider before making the commitment of going tiny.  Aside from the square footage, this is no different from building a traditional home. Just because the space is small doesn’t mean the quality should be minimized.

There are ways to save money where it makes sense, complete a well designed build, and end up with a safe and responsibly built tiny house RV that will last for years by consulting a professionally certified tiny house builder, such as Tumbleweed Tiny House Company.

Here are four prominent reasons to consider hiring a contractor instead of attempting to build your tiny dream house on your own.

A Poorly Predicted Timeline

Regardless of a purchased kit, a total DIY, or a builder, timelines can be tricky with large projects like building a house. The benefit of hiring a professional is that they have been doing this for a long time. Their overall timelines may change by a few days or weeks, but they aren’t likely to add months or longer to the total build. Doing so can throw off everything from job changes to travel plans, relocation, and school enrollment.

When professionals run into a snag or a delay in shipping materials, they can adjust the overall build time accordingly. When attempting to DIY your build, you may be more likely to panic and stop progress or end up paying more by hiring out certain parts of your build. This is only after investing time and money that you realize that you didn’t have the appropriate knowledge or skills to complete it safely, so your original build savings ends up costing you more.

This is not to say that people haven’t built their tiny homes or other large projects with nothing more than a few basic tools and instructions from YouTube. However, hiring professionals like Tumbleweed Tiny House Company, who are familiar with the tiny house industry they are more likely to help you troubleshoot logistics that only tiny house dwellers could foresee. These tips can be invaluable at saving you time and money in the end.

Start with the Foundation

There are untold horror stories of people driving their poorly constructed tiny house RVs and ending up with broken windows, foundation damage, trailer damage, or worse. If you attempt a DIY build, you need to do your research before choosing a chassis or hire a professional tiny house builder to ensure that your foundation and your trailer are securely and safely connected and road-worthy.

Purchasing used trailers from previously used flatbeds to unknown chassis from eBay or Craigslist as a method to save money can be downright dangerous. This is a major red flag since this is not just a trailer you are using to haul garbage. This is the foundation on which you will carry your family, your home, and all of your belongings.

Most tiny home contractors are well-versed in quality trailers built to pull the kind of weight that tiny houses carry. Most Tiny House RVs run 10,000-20,000 pounds, depending on their length and the building materials used for the frame and siding. This is not something to take lightly when starting the foundation of your build. Hiring a professional, such as Tumbleweed Tiny House Company, will ensure your build starts off right.

 Plumbing and Electrical Dangers

Although it is possible to build your own tiny, people seem more likely to make an attempt at a DIY build with a tiny house over traditional home because something about the smaller size seems less intimidating. The square footage doesn’t determine the level of danger that can potentially be involved with trying to install your own electrical or plumbing. Without proper training, you can be facing house fire–during installation or later, burst pipes, house flooding, flooring damage or total loss, and more. Having that proper training will

Aside from the obvious hazards, a DIY attempt at electrical could pose dangers for electrocution, code violations, expensive after-build repairs, or improperly wired breaker boxes. Plumbing concerns can include the use of improper materials for piping, connections remaining without proper sealant, and the ruining of furniture and flooring. Emergency repairs for these mistakes are very costly and can even result in a complete rebuild.

Know Where to Save Money

Unlike a traditional home build, there is much to consider in the way of savings from appliances and siding materials, to insulation and window installation when constructing your tiny home. Much like an RV, buyers must consider things like how often their house will be moved, what seasons it will travel through or be parked in, and how severe the temperature changes their home might be exposed to while driving.

While it is more costly to install a double paned, tempered window in your Tiny House RV, if you plan to move your house often, this type of window can save you thousands in replacements, in the long run, should rocks on the highway bounce up and threaten to break your glass. These kinds of logistical upgrades are common for tiny home professionals like Tumbleweed Tiny House Company, whereas a first time DIY builder might not even know to consider these possibilities.

Tiny house insulation is another place to potentially save. These materials can be comprised of everything from denim to spray foam, sheep’s wool to traditional fiberglass infused pink rolls. Something less commonly discussed in a traditional house build is R-value of insulation. However, Tiny House RV builders know and use these terms regularly because their clients depend on the warmth and breathability of their tiny homes, especially for those who plan to travel to colder climates. The cost varies greatly depending on your choice of material, but these changes are benefits of a fully customized build where everything from environmental impact and R-rating can be considered.

 Conclusion

Like with any large purchase, be sure to do your research before you commit. This is building a house, so it should be treated as such. Check out certified and trusted builders who are professionals within the tiny house industry like Tumbleweed Tiny House Company. They are your best bet for happy and safe tiny living for the long-haul. Contact them today, to talk about going tiny.