Keep the design simple if you are planning on building on a tight budget or have limited experience. Avoid things like dormer windows and complex roof lines. Avoid complex walls, wide window and door openings, porches, and excessive ornamental features. Each tiny complexity in the design can add many hours of work and hundreds of dollars in materials.
You can buy plans or come up with your own design. I offer several free tiny house plans and I’m feverishly working on building out my selection of low-cost tiny house plans. Another great place for tiny house plans is the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company. Jay Shafer’s designs are really incredible and not too difficult to build.
If you choose to design your own tiny house I recommend using Google SketchUp to help turn your ideas into measured drawings you can build from. Once you have your design in hand, it’s time to make a materials list and go shopping for building materials.
2. Acquire and prepare a trailer
The first step is to find a place to build the house. If you choose to build on a trailer, owning land is not a requirement. It does help to have a place to build the house where you have ample space to work and friendly (not likely to complain) neighbors. Tiny houses can be as tall as a semi-trailer, 13.5-feet, so it’s a project that needs a lot of fair weather or a large warehouse-like workspace.
Tiny houses are heavier than normal travel trailers because they are built like houses, so they need to be built on stout trailers. The most common type of trailer used is a simple dual-axle flatbed trailer with trailer breaks. Expect to spend between $2,000 and $4,000 for a new flatbed trailer. The cost increases as the weight capacity and size increase.
Used trailers can be a better bargain but are a bit harder to find, and like anything used, harder to determine if the weight capacity and overall condition of the springs, axles, coupler, etc, are up to the job. I used a free used trailer for the Tiny Free House, which made a lot of sense for a free house project, but I’ll buy a new trailer for the next house I build which I hope to be an ultralight tiny house.
3. Build the floor
The trailer is your foundation when you choose to build a mobile tiny house. The next step is to build your floor with standard lumber, secure the framing to the trailer, insulate, and sheath it with plywood or OSB (oriented-strand-board). Both plywood and OSB are extremely durable, but OSB typically costs a little less.
Attaching the framed floor to the trailer in an important step. Each trailer is a little different so there is no single right way to make this connection. Using metal brackets, nuts & bolts, and u-bolts are common methods. If in doubt add more fasteners.
4. Prepare for utilities
Drains and wiring that must run through the floor should be installed now. If you’re adding RV waste and potable water tanks this is a good time to add those too. Some folks add them later by crawling under the house but by planning ahead you can help you avoid extra work later.
If you choose to use a composting toilet, which many people do, there is no need to have a black water (sewage) tank. You will still need some way to handle the grey water from the sink(s) and shower. The shower location and drain installation is also best at this time.
Few tiny houses are built with laundry facilities, but this may be a good time to think though the waste lines for a clothes washer too if you plan to have one.
5. Frame the walls
This is the step where the house takes shape. Framing the walls will go fast and you’ll feel like you’re making speedy progress. It will also feel like quite an accomplishment to have the walls up and sheathed with plywood or OSB.
Many tiny house builders will also use hurricane strapping and other metal brakets to hold the roof firmly to the walls and the walls firmly to the floor. This metal bracing is not visible when the house is complete but works inside the walls to keep everything together.
6. Frame the roof
Once the walls are up you’ll be ready to put the roof up. Roof framing is tricky because you’re working up high and you’re building something more complex than strait walls. Tiny houses may look small but when you’re up on top of one you’ll realize that working above ground at 10′ to 13′ isn’t as easy as it looks.
You’ll also thank your frugal intuition at this time if you chose to build a simple roof. Dormers and hip roofs are beautiful when complete, and may be worth the extra effort for some folks; but if you’re new to construction or want to get your project done quickly simpler roof designs may be a better choice.
7. Install the roofing material
Once the roof is framed and sheathed you’ll want to put on the roofing material that will keep the rain out. I highly recommend using standing seam metal roofing because it lasts an incredibly long time and is ideal for rain water collection. Metal roofs will also hold up well under the high winds you’ll experience on the highway.
The steeper and more complex your roof the harder it will be to install. You’ll notice that many tiny houses use a 12/12 pitch (45-degree angle), which is actually a very steep pitch. Choosing a shallower pitch will be easier and safer to install.
8. Wrap it up
Now it’s time to wrap it in house wrap, a breathable material that keeps the walls dry and protected from the elements while allowing moisture to escape. You’ll also use a special tape to seal the seams to provide additional weather proofing.
9. Windows & doors
Installing windows and doors should only be done when you are well rested and in a patient mood. It’s also handy to have help because you don’t want to drop one out the side opposite you, and you’ll find it very useful for wiggling it into place.
You see the trick with windows and doors is that you must get them perfectly level and square. Even in a tiny house on wheels this is important because it will increase the longevity and function of the doors and windows.
You’ll also use the house wrap tape to seal around the windows and doors to add an additional seal. Water can work it’s way inside the walls and house, especially at high speed on the road or in a storm. So it’s really important to take great care with all the seals.
Windows and doors can also be a major expense. If you want to keep costs low I suggest shopping the secondary market. You’ll find that McMansion projects produce a lot of waste and put a lot of lightly damaged materials on websites like craigslist. You may even find a building materials store in your area that specializes in this kind of stuff. So before you finalize your design and start framing the walls you should really have your windows and doors purchased.
10. Exterior cladding, trim, paint, caulk.
Some people will actually sheath the exterior of the house with a paintable (or pre-finished) material that doubles as cladding, so adding another layer of cladding/siding is not always needed. For example, exterior grade plywood can be painted and serve as the cladding. You can also use fibrous concrete board, like Hardie Board, as a single layer exterior sheathing and cladding.
You’ll also add your exterior trim at this point and then finish up by painting the exterior of your house. Caulking any gaps will also help to keep water out of your walls.
11. Rough-in plumbing
Your house is now sealed from the elements but the interior is still unfinished open-framed walls. This is also where the real slow work begins.
The first step is to rough-in the plumbing. This simply means that you are putting drain and supply pipes in the walls and floor. You’ll also be adding your water heater at this point. If you’re using waste and potable water tanks like an RV, you’ll be adding them now if you didn’t add them when you built the floor.
There are a lot of plastic pipes products available and they make plumbing a house super easy but I suggest sticking with copper. It costs a little more money and is harder to work with but the house is small you’ll soon be done. I also have a bias against plastics because it seems like every time I turn around we learn about another heath concern connected to plastics.
What doesn’t happen at this stage is the addition of faucets and other fixtures. But you will want to pressure test your water lines before continuing. Can you imagine sealing up the walls and then discovering a leak? If you have a friend that’s a plumber this might be a good moment to ask for help.
12. Rough-in electric
I like to do the rough-in plumbing before the rough-in wiring because wires bend around wall cavities easier than pipes. Rouging-in electric wiring is simply running wire through small holes drilled in the framed walls. You connect the wires inside junction, outlet, and switch boxes in the walls. It’s not rocket science but it’s incredibly important to do this step right because sparks from improperly installed wiring can cause fires. If you have a friend that’s an electrician this an excellent moment to ask for professional help.
13. Insulate
There are many different kinds of insulation and there is no one single way to insulate a tiny house. But most people seem to prefer using foam board. Look for low-VOC (volatile organic compound) board because it will keep the interior air quality of the house healthier. The real trick with insulation is stopping the radiant heat and air leaks. When you insulate you have an opportunity to fill all the tiny cracks and crevices. Expanding spray foam and plastic sheeting can help make this easier.
Some people will also use a couple different layers of different types of insulation. For example, a reflective barrier next to the exterior sheathing will help slow down radient heat allowing the foam board to work on stopping heat flow.
14. Interior sheathing
Once the walls are insulated and all the rough-plumbing and rough-wiring is complete, it’s time to seal up the walls. You’ll notice that many people like to use wood on the inside of tiny houses but there is no reason you can’t use drywall. Some suspect that drywall will eventually crack due to vibrations during transportation but others tell me that they’ve had no problems with drywall. The other advantages of drywall is that it provides a bit of additional fire protection and costs very little.
15. Interior trim & built-ins
Once the walls are covered it’s time to do the finish carpentry inside which includes any cabinets, built-ins, and trim. This is slow careful work and can take a bit of time. If you don’t have a lot of experience with carpentry you may want to find a friend of pro who can help. This is also one area where costs can shoot up especially if you select high cost items like stainless steel counters.
16. Interior paint & stain
Once the final wood work is complete it’s time to apply the final finishes, like paint, stains, and sealers to your walls and wood surfaces. This is also slow careful work but can be completed fairly quickly.
17. Finish electric
Now that the walls are finished it’s time to add your electric outlets, switches, and fixtures. If you have a friend that’s an electrician this might be a good moment to ask for help. If you’ve chosen to have an off-grid solar electric system this may also be the best time to finish installing it.
18. Finish plumbing
Just like the electrical finish work, it’s time to finish up the plumbing by installing faucets and other fixtures. If you have a friend that’s a plumber this might be a good moment to ask for help, but these final steps are not as difficult as putting the pipes in the walls.
19. Finish flooring
The last step is to cover that plywood subfloor with a real flooring material. Wood flooring seems like the most logical material to use except in the bathroom and possibly the kitchen. Pre-finished wood floors install quickly and it’s affordable. Shop around and you might even find leftovers from another project that can completely cover your tiny floor.
20. Move in!
One of the biggest differences between building a tiny house on a trailer and building on a permanent foundation is that you’ll most likely avoid building permits and inspections. But don’t get me wrong, it’s a very good idea to follow building codes because they describe best practices that can help you build a safe house.
The main areas you can save money are:
Trailer – Shop carefully and save $1,000 or more.
Exterior Siding – Consider a single layer material like Hardie Board.
Interior Sheathing – Consider drywall over wood. It’s not as warm and cozy but costs less.
Windows & Doors – Buy seconds at significant discounts.
Interior Decor – Stainless steel looks great and lasts lifetimes, but if you’re short on initial cash consider the frugal route initially. You can always remodel/resurface.
Flooring – There are many bargains to be found in flooring in the new and secondary markets.
Appliances – Those stainless steel marine fireplaces look and function great but cost $1,000. Make frugal choices here and save a lot. You can always upgrade later.
extra help:
Pee and Poop
Flush toilets are really insane when you stop to think about what they do. They begin by taking several gallons of perfectly good drinking water and mix it with a little pee and poop to produce sewage. Sewage is a mess and really hard to turn back into safe drinking water; but it is easy to transport to treatment plants through enormous networks of pipes, an infrastructure that need regular maintenance. To clean it up, chemicals are used to treat the water which in-turn keeps everyone in the chemical business very happy. Isn’t there a better way!?
Compost it! – Poop loves to decompose and if given a little time and the right conditions it breaks down into rich compost, yes even human poop. Remember we’re just critters just like the our furry friends and our poop will actually decompose into a safe compost, under the right conditions.
Humanure Handbook – A fellow by the name of Joseph Jenkins has actually written an book on the topic called the Humanure Handbook. He’s also designed a toilet nicknamed, The Lovable Loo, which is essentially a 5 gallon plastic bucket in a plywood box. You might also hear these toilets referred to as sawdust toilets because sawdust is literally used to cover the deposits between visits.
The other component you need with this system is a dedicated compost pile out in the backyard with enough space to cook your poop for two years. The stink stays buried in the compost pile under a layer of straw. When you need to add a bucket load you simply pull back the straw, add the fresh material, and cover it back up. So there is some stinky work involved but the the chore is a simple one. This may also be the most sustainable, low-tech, and safe way to turn our waste into something useable.
Commercial Composting Toilets – If the virtually free sawdust toilet seems far too gross, consider spending around $1,000 for a commercially produced composting toilet. These units work swiftly to decompose the material making them more palatable by most folks. If you move your tiny house around a lot this kind of system would be much more practical than a Lovable Loo too, because it’s self-contained and required no backyard compost pile.
Greywater
Another somewhat tricky waste material to dispose-of is the runoff from sinks, showers, and laundry. This is referred to as greywater which will still have traces of human waste in it, so it can’t just be left to run down the street. In a normal house this water is mixed with sewage to make more sewage. Seems kind of silly doesn’t it?
The solution is to reuse and/or treat the water right there on-site instead of funneling it down a sewer line to a treatment plant miles away. There are many different high-tech and low-tech ways of dealing with greywater but if you choose to build a tiny house be sure to consider handling the plumbing for your sewage separately from your greywater. The people at Earthship Biotecture have an incredible greywater system that is built right into homes and could serve as a model for any home’s future greywater system.
Fresh Water
Instead of drilling a well or tapping into municipal water sources, consider collecting rainwater and storing it in tanks for year-round use. Rainwater harvesting is becoming more and more popular because it’s so simple and low-cost. It can also be perfectly healthy to drink with a little filtration. I wrote-up a detailed post on some ideas for rainwater harvesting which you might find useful.
Electricity
The power grid is an incredibly complex network that requires constant maintenance and monitoring. The entire system is actually incredibly inefficient. For example, line loss, literally the resistance in the wires, sucks electricity from the system before it reaches its destination in your home. To compensate the utility company has to produce more just to defeat the inefficiencies of the system.
Imagine a world where people made their own clean electricity at their point of use. For such a system to remain low-cost we’d need to learn to use less power and move way from using the energy hogging appliances that grew-up dependent on fossil fuel sourced grid power. We’d also need to invest in our own off-grid systems up-front. The good news is that alternative power options are coming down in cost.
Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Panel – Most folks these days are familiar with this technology, panels that produce electricity when exposed to direct sunlight. For a tiny house and a frugal occupant a few solar panels, batteries, and some simple electronic control equipment may be all that’s needed for an off-grid electric system.
Wind Turbine – If you tend to stay put and live in an area with ample wind, a small wind turbine can be a great addition to an off-grid system because it increases the diversity of you power sources. Many off-grid systems also include a backup generator that is used to charge up the batteries when the sun is not shining. By adding other renewable sources of electricity, like wind and hydro, you can reduce your dependency on fossil fuel burning generators.
Micro-Hydro – If your land has water running crossing it, and you have water rights to it, you may be able to tap a small portion of it and spin a small turbine. This can be one of the most reliable and steady ways to produce electricity because as long as the water flows you have water.
All that is needed is a drop in elevation between the inlet and the turbine, some pipe, and a way to get a small portion of the water out of the stream and delivered to the tiny turbine. The inlet can simply be a submerged bucket with a pipe connected that brings the debris-free water downhill to the turbine.
Heating & Cooking Fuels
In most modern homes natural gas, propane, and heating oil are the common fuels burned. But we’re really beginning to see the true cost of using these limited natural resources. If we moved from being dependent on fossil fuels to using renewable energy sources we’d significantly reduce the risk of rising energy costs and continued environmental impacts.
Wood – Burning wood is actually a carbon neutral way of heating a home. When a tree grows it absorbs carbon. When we burn it it releases that same carbon. If we use a highly efficient wood stove in a small living space we can actually get through the winters with little environmental impact and effort. The problem with burning wood for heating a large home is that it would take acres of trees to make it sustainable. Heating a small home requires less energy input which in turn reduces the cost, impact, and effort needed to stay warm in winter.
Methane – Some inventive folks have actually built systems that produce mathane gas from their waste, both human and vegetable. It’s rare to come across this kind of a setup, and they are reportedly a bit tricky to operate, but they can provide a renewable natural gas for cooking and heating.
Alcohol – I’ve not seen this done a great deal but the idea of having a small still for distilling alcohol for burning in an alcohol stove may be a viable alternative on a small scale. I plan to use an alcohol stove in my extreme tiny house experiment, Nine Tiny Feet.
Wrapping Up
In this modern world it’s hard to imagine life without fossil fuels, flush toilets, and fresh tap water. Actually I think it’s perfectly logical to say that without these things our lives would be very different.
Tiny houses are much easier to maintain in good or tough times. Every time we take-on one more square foot, we increase the effort required to maintain our living space. Living more simply and sustainably lowers risk and can increase our opportunities to prosper.
Changing the way we think about the basics is the first step in changing the way we live. Imagining downsizing to a smaller home and owning fewer possessions is a giant step. But it’s a giant leap for most to learn to live without the reliance of modern conveniences. Most of us are still on the way there too, living with a foot in both worlds, testing the water and exploring. I hope this little introduction to alternative utilities helped move you forward.
