Need some advice for a tiny house project!

Cori Widen
by Cori Widen
Hi everyone - I'm posting this for a friend who built a tiny house. This is what she said. Any input would be incredibly helpful!

"We built a 12X20 "tiny house" on a cement slab. He didn't know when the slab was poured that we should have made accommodations for the plumbing so it is a solid slab. We know the slab will have to be opened in the bathroom area for the pipes. We l have a 3 piece bathroom with a "on demand water heater" for the shower. We need the water line brought from the house to the "shed" and the sewer line and vent for the toilet and drains. Does a plumber do the trench and cut into the cement or do we have to have the cement opened first. We are not sure.

Since we don't know where the cement needs to be open to trench. I am sure the plumber will tell me that when they come for an estimate. We only need the plumbing done for the bathroom since we are not putting in a kitchen sink. I won't be cooking in the "shed". So there is my project so far. The electrical is done. I have the heater and the sink. The pre-fab shower will be delivered this week and I will have the toilet here. My son can do the connections once the pipes and sewer line and vent is in place. Any advice about how to proceed is welcome and appreciated!"

  2 answers
  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jun 06, 2018

    I would call in a builder or two and get them to quote for the job, and at the same time ask them what would need to be done, and how long it will take to complete. Then ask yourself if it would be better alround to employ the builder or do it yourselves..........????

  • Oh dear. Looks like your friend is acting as his / her own GC and this is a rookie mistake, yet this is how one learns. All fixable. Hopefully they are following local building codes and permits have been pulled?


    The plumber can and should do all necessary work to install the plumbing - this is what they do. Be absolutely certain that the plumbing is properly insulated to avoid freezing in winter. The building inspector should catch any errors and must be brought to code before he or she signs off on this portion of the project.


    What concerns me is that they state the electrical is done. Was that installed to code and inspected? From the information provided, this appears to be unclear. Since this is a permanent and stationary structure, any insurer is going to require a certificate of habitability before issuing a policy for the structure or property. Did they take out a construction policy?


    Here are tips on hiring a contractor.


    https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0242-hiring-contractor


    Hope this helps! Not meaning to preach or nag, just want to provide useful info. 🔨