Building A Custom 'tiny' Home

Question

Well..so the financing fell thru for my house......so I stepped back and regrouped...and I sarted thinking about building a 'small' home on the back of my mothers property..I think I like this idea . But where to start??
I like the custom part, and the building part. But I have never built a house. Any ideas?

Molly Evans · Answer

Start with a concept of what you like . . . look at lots and lots of pictures and plans and then think long and hard about what you want. Here are a few links I found: http://www.houzz.com/tiny-house http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/pages/houses http://www.houseplans.com/collection/micro-cottages

Nancy Spencer Carlson · Answer

Beat me to it, @Molly Evans

Jeanette S · Answer

Keep in mind that no matter how small the home, you want everything a big house has to offer. And one thing to keep in mind with everything you plan think storage. A bed that is built instead of bought can be a platform with storage underneath. Or roll-out storage bins can be made for under an existing bed. Trunks for coffee table can store bedding, out of season clothes. Careful placement of windows will allow you room to use bookcases for shelving units that can hold baskets with sweaters, scarves, seldom used items and not just trinkets. A small house means few people so less 'stuff' is needed. Good luck and this can be lots of fun to design!

Nancy Spencer Carlson · Answer

@Julie Farmer I just found this in my email. There is a Tumbleweeds workshop happening in Orlando Feb 7-8. Check out the link. http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/pages/workshops?utm_source=Tumbleweed+Houses&utm_campaign=ed21984859-Cyber_Monday12_2_2013&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_7539d648c2-ed21984859-16893693&mc_cid=ed21984859&mc_eid=9ed4b03af1

Bonnie Kirschner · Answer

I live in a small house (864 square feet). I second what Jeanette said ... think storage. I never liked captain's beds until I moved into my house. Then one day a hotel was giving away credenzas & I cut off the legs & put a sheet of plywood on top & my mattress is on top of that. Lots of valuable drawer storage on the sides & long storage in between.

Debbie Harris · Answer

BEFORE YOU BUILD.... Are there other siblings? What happens if... Protect your investment and get everything in writing!!! Then check the local codes. Can you build? Once you've gotten the proper permissions THEN figure out what you want. Talk to a professional architect or home designer. You'll be better off.

Shirley · Answer

Be willing to part with things that you would not have room for. Instead of building, maybe you could convert A small storage barn or shed, heck they would even deliver it, such as from Lowe`s etc. , and there is A wide variety to choose from.

Stephanie Carlan · Answer

Exactly what I'm doing. I bought a storage building to start, Like a 14x20.Big enough for living/sleeping area. Kitchenette of sorts, tiny bathroom. But I went ahead and built a nice screened porch on it. Now I have the basics for around 3,ooo.oo and can sit back and really look at what I need as well as what I want. And can do most of it myself. You do have to have a place to store your stuff until you can decide what you need and most important what you have room for. I am really enjoying it though, it is like a hobby project almost for me.

Margaret Barclay · Answer

My local building code is 800sq ft for a home that you live in - most sheds don't meet that requirement. I also built an 864 sq ft home - it took 7 years - did most of it ourselves on weekends and vacations from work. There is a book called 'Creating the not so big house' and it was our bible. Wishing you the best of luck and happiness both in the project and finished abode.

James Bryan C · Answer

'Storage' shed is the way to go... Most places have no 'Codes' or requirement for permits... but check.. DO NOT TELL THEM YOU ARE PLANNING ON CONVERTING IT TO A LIVING SPACE... The Best Advice for anyone having to deal with the unelected power hungry government loving red-tape idiots is the less you tell them the better. After all why should you have to ask permission to live within your means... Permits are a form of permission and I say go for it however you can afford and never tell any one from the government who claims they are there to help you what you are doing...

Patti · Answer

after checking codes those 700 sq ft houses on wheels or bigger is appealing. cozy, moveable , but remember codes do not allow campers in many areas... DIY and Hgtv have had shows on them check their sites out. You can do it... even convert a basement or garage

Lorraine · Answer

I did a quick search on Care2.com (one of my favorite websites), and came up with quite an interesting list of articles on Tiny Homes <http://www.care2.com/find/site#q=tiny+houses>; , including: The Art of Tiny House Living; Benefits of Living in a Tiny Home: Time, Money, Peace of Mind; 7 Tiny House Websites; and 5 Potential Barriers to the Tiny House Movement. Very intriguing!

Margaret Barclay · Answer

@Bonnie Kirschner - around here we call those 'yard-a-facts' instead of artifacts. By the way, my father was born in Niagara WI and always spoke fondly of going to the big city of Escanaba! He lived in a three bedroom house with his 9 siblings. Maybe that is where I get my love of small spaces

Letty · Answer

I am a part-time RVer. I love looking at the smallest ones out there and seeing how creative they got with design, storage, and multi-purposing. You might be able to get ideas from them as well. Some show pictures online. I like going through the dealers websites and on Craigslist. Also check out Rv parts websites for small appliances and furniture ideas.

Candy Yllt · Answer

Here's a link to a post that shows creative ideas for small kitchens! https://lotplans.com/blog/30-creative-small-kitchen-ideas/

Catherine Ballard · Answer

There are a lot of great tutorials out there! I would say give yourself twice as much time as you think you'll need, and double the budget. If you have a place to stay while you're building it, I'd say go for it!

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