How much is too much to pay for a tiny home?

Tiny houses have been making a big splash in the world of homeownership. As these pint-sized abodes grow in popularity, so does the demand for the people that build them.

What is a tiny house?

Tiny houses, built on wheels or foundations, are often no more than 500 square feet and focus on simple living without sacrificing quality.

Who buys tiny houses?

• Independent nomads: This digital nomad traveled across the U.S. in her tiny home and documented it in her blog
• College kids: Check out this tiny house Instagram account to see how one college kid cut his living costs
• Families: Kim and her family prove that “family-style minimalism” is a thing.
• Couples: Kendra and Eli enjoy life’s simple pleasures while sharing their small space.

Cost

One of the biggest reasons why people choose tiny houses is because they tend to be a lot cheaper than larger residential homes. Additionally, many tiny house enthusiasts live tiny to promote a more sustainable way of living.

A tiny house means less consumption, as it takes a lot less energy to heat or cool a small space. Before we look at the average prices of tiny houses, it’s a good idea to understand that costs break down into two categories; professional-build and self-build.

Pro-build

The professionally built house, on average, will set you back around $40,000. This is because you have to factor in labour, expertise, and other add-ons that come standard. In a turnkey model, you’re paying for the expertise and peace of mind. Tiny houses that are above average costs often come fitted with features like underfloor heating, multi-functional staircases, and other gizmos.

Self-build

A massive factor when it comes to price, is how much work you’re able to do on your own. Professional labour comes at a high cost, and any building knowledge you might have could save you a decent amount of money. A self-built tiny house can cost you anywhere from $5,000 to $30,000. It’s possible to build for less, but it’s important to remember not to sacrifice the quality of your infrastructure!

Tiny houses in Canada

Tiny houses are rapidly growing in popularity in Canada. In fact, there’s already a wealth of resources available such as Tiny Home Alliance Canada and Tiny House Society. Currently, tiny houses in the Canadian market run between $25,000 to $60,000 CAD for a professional-build.

A key thing to remember is that most Canadian tiny houses need to be built to withstand extreme temperatures. Climate can influence the cost of a tiny house build if special features or fixtures are added.

Pro tips:

1) How you design your tiny house affects how much you spend. A house with heavier materials will require a larger trailer, which can be costly.

2) Plan ahead. Making lists of what you need means you can save by buying in bulk.

3) Use recycled materials. Stuff like pallet wood is better for the environment and sometimes free.

4) Build some of the house yourself. Cut back on expensive labour costs by picking up the hammer.

When buying your own tiny home, what’s considered too expensive can be somewhat subjective. Like the people who buy them, tiny homes are unique and vary greatly from one tiny house to the next. What’s important is that if you plan ahead, you’ll more easily be able to decide on the tiny house that best suits your lifestyle and budget requirements.