Having realized that there is a limited audience out there that is interested in building a tiny house I am going to go straight to the point.
No matter what kind of house one builds. If you aren't building it yourself and it sits on a foundation you have to pay all of the trades to come do the work. You also need a permit from the county. It costs money for permits. There are codes and standards in place for your protection so that contractors don't take shortcuts. Inspectors really do look at what is being built.
The build site
Foundation, framing, plumbing, electric, septic and water source, roofing, sheet wall, flooring, painting, and finish carpentry. Others not mentioned may include porch screeners, land clearers, driveway and concrete, fencing and HVAC.
Inside during the build-windows and doors are important select wisely
Consider what works for you? I am very claustrophobic so we decided to add height to our ceilings. At peak they are about 15 feet tall. Makes all of the difference in the world. Feeling like living in a box would not work for us. Maybe you like a loft or can handle lower 8 foot ceilings. May I suggest lots of windows if you chose that avenue.
High ceiling with custom Cypress beams
Want to go green? How green? Solar panels can take many years to pay off. Maybe longer than we have. Other options we went for include an on demand hot water system and a fully insulated house from top to bottom including walls. Combinations of closed and open cell plus spider insulation. Our electric bills are very low. We also wanted a low flow toilet. Koehler makes a great product.
We researched online for prices before making a decision. Lowes can order almost anything even if they don't have it on display at the store at no extra charge. Other places to look for ideas are Pintrest and Houzz.
We chose a Farmhouse sink and custom kitchen cabinets. We felt like we were getting a higher end product for about as much as big box selections, but to each his own. We did order countertops from the a big box store as well as lighting and deluxe appliances. The installers did a great job!
We tried to buy locally when we could and use Mom and Pop installers, because we believe in small business ventures. Flooring was purchased and installed locally by a family operation. Personal touch there. We appreciated great communication. Same with the cabinets.
Would we do it again? Absolutely! It has a tendency to move slower than expected. We were desperate to get out of our living situation. Desperation is not a recommended way to make important decisions, but we have not regretted what we have accomplished. We had already made a list of must haves and had a budget we had to stay in. It had to work or it was not for us.
Taking shape
Every detail should be noted upfront. If not it will cost more to do over. Be specific about what you want. Ask questions. Not knowing costs more in the end.
Things we did to make life easier for us. Walk in shower. Height adjusted toilet. Raised electrical outlets 6 inches above standard, LED lighting, extra surge protection. Custom made beautiful Cypress Beams with iron work. Mini-split air conditioning and heat system. Floating floor planks that look like wood and are scratch resistant for pets. Windows that crank open to catch the breeze in fall and spring. Hardie plank siding so no wood rot. Metal roof for life. Shelves above windows for personal mementos. The last thing we will have customized is a table with beach seating so we can have additional storage and a place for company to join us for dinner.
Oh right. What did it cost us? Approximately $165.00 a square foot. That is a complete turnkey product, including appliances. Plus an 8 foot wide front porch for a total of 672 square feet.
It was completed and move-in ready last June. From permitting to completion the build took 9 months.
Thanks for looking hope this isn't to long. Thanks for stopping by. 🐓🐓