How To Build A Tiny House
So you want to know how to build a tiny house. You’ve heard how easy it is, and that just about anyone can do it, but you just don’t believe it.
Size Says it All
Because most small homes are around 100 to 500 square feet, there just isn’t much to them, so you obviously don’t need a lot of materials or tools to build one. The basic design of most small homes makes them fairly easy of build one your own.
To build a small house you can either use your own plans and materials, or you can purchase a home kit that includes everything you need to build your house.
Step by Step
Regardless of which route you decide, there are some main steps that need to be done:
First you need to find a location where the home will be built. In doing so you want to picture how your house will sit on the space. Most people prefer the front door to be facing south if at all possible. Whether you plan to have your home stationary or on wheels, you’ll need to pick a place and preferably build it there.
Once you find your location, you need to clear the building site if necessary, and you’ll need to make it as smooth as possible. You’ll also want to give yourself enough room around the building site to allow adequate space to work.
Next you will build a foundation. The foundation can be made from cement blocks, wood, or even on wheels depending on the location and design.
Next comes the walls. Will you be building from scratch or you will be raising walls that are included in a kit?
The structure is really starting to come together at this point. You may need a couple extra hands for this part of the process as you will not be able to hold the wall steady and secure it at the same time.
Next you will put together the roof. You’ll build the rafters from scratch or putting up pre-assembled rafters. The next step will be attaching the roof panels.
The wall panels will then need to be installed on the outside. And holes need to be cut out for the windows and doors.
Then you will install all of the windows and the door.
Finally, you can now sit back and admire your handiwork.
Don’t Forget the Inside
That takes care of the outside and the framework of the structure. Now it is time to put together the inside. There are many places to find and buy what you need for you tiny new home - you can find them in regular stores, at a place that makes boats, or at RV shops. Boat and RV furniture such as kitchen cabinets, are designed to fit in a tiny area so it may be a little faster and easier to find what you need at one of these shops. Or you can choose to build some or all of the inside pieces yourself.
Once you decide how the rooms will be laid out, the separator walls need to be put up on the inside, as well as the installation of cabinets and counters.
Tiny Tool List
Most people will be surprised at the small amount of tools you need to build tiny homes. Many people already have the majority of these in their tool box. The main tools include:
Keep it Legal
If concerned about any of the legalities surrounding building your own home, Uniform Building Code says that any structure under 125 square feet without a permanent structure does not require a permit. So in most cases a permit and inspection is not required for tiny homes, however before starting your plans or building, I would check with your municipality to be sure.
Now that you have an idea of what goes into how to build a tiny house, you may be ready to go for it. With all the options available to get you there, it is time to decide if this is for you after all.
So you want to know how to build a tiny house. You’ve heard how easy it is, and that just about anyone can do it, but you just don’t believe it.
Size Says it All
Because most small homes are around 100 to 500 square feet, there just isn’t much to them, so you obviously don’t need a lot of materials or tools to build one. The basic design of most small homes makes them fairly easy of build one your own.
To build a small house you can either use your own plans and materials, or you can purchase a home kit that includes everything you need to build your house.
Step by Step
Regardless of which route you decide, there are some main steps that need to be done:
First you need to find a location where the home will be built. In doing so you want to picture how your house will sit on the space. Most people prefer the front door to be facing south if at all possible. Whether you plan to have your home stationary or on wheels, you’ll need to pick a place and preferably build it there.
Once you find your location, you need to clear the building site if necessary, and you’ll need to make it as smooth as possible. You’ll also want to give yourself enough room around the building site to allow adequate space to work.
Next you will build a foundation. The foundation can be made from cement blocks, wood, or even on wheels depending on the location and design.
Next comes the walls. Will you be building from scratch or you will be raising walls that are included in a kit?
The structure is really starting to come together at this point. You may need a couple extra hands for this part of the process as you will not be able to hold the wall steady and secure it at the same time.
Next you will put together the roof. You’ll build the rafters from scratch or putting up pre-assembled rafters. The next step will be attaching the roof panels.
The wall panels will then need to be installed on the outside. And holes need to be cut out for the windows and doors.
Then you will install all of the windows and the door.
Finally, you can now sit back and admire your handiwork.
Don’t Forget the Inside
That takes care of the outside and the framework of the structure. Now it is time to put together the inside. There are many places to find and buy what you need for you tiny new home - you can find them in regular stores, at a place that makes boats, or at RV shops. Boat and RV furniture such as kitchen cabinets, are designed to fit in a tiny area so it may be a little faster and easier to find what you need at one of these shops. Or you can choose to build some or all of the inside pieces yourself.
Once you decide how the rooms will be laid out, the separator walls need to be put up on the inside, as well as the installation of cabinets and counters.
Tiny Tool List
Most people will be surprised at the small amount of tools you need to build tiny homes. Many people already have the majority of these in their tool box. The main tools include:
- Cross-cut handsaw
- Ripsaw
- Key-holesaw
- Claw hammer
- Level
- Plumb line
- Measuring tape
- One-quarter inch chisel
- One-inch chisel
- Square
- Shovel
Keep it Legal
If concerned about any of the legalities surrounding building your own home, Uniform Building Code says that any structure under 125 square feet without a permanent structure does not require a permit. So in most cases a permit and inspection is not required for tiny homes, however before starting your plans or building, I would check with your municipality to be sure.
Now that you have an idea of what goes into how to build a tiny house, you may be ready to go for it. With all the options available to get you there, it is time to decide if this is for you after all.