How much does a Tiny House Cost?

Some people believe that constructing a tiny house can be more expensive with current prices, but these still can be cheaper to buy than a regular home or RV even if the tiny home is 120k. For example, a customized, tiny house can cost anywhere from $35,000 - $200,000. However, traditional American homes, on average, come at a whopping price of $284,000. So, in essence, tiny houses seem to be less expensive compared to traditional choices. Even with comparing the two based on square footage, 68%+ tiny house owners don’t have a bill they need to pay every month for their tiny home. This is probably due to A. Budgeting right and B. Having a smaller home automatically requires you to buy fewer things and be more conscious of your spending habits. So ultimately the lifestyle change is what helps them pay off their home faster. But what do you exactly need to spend on your dream micro shelter?

When doing your tiny house costings, you would want to make sure it fits in your budget of course. Since these dwellings are so diverse like others, you would have to decide your option or upgrades to better control the price. I believe a nice part about tiny homes is that you can pack a bunch of great luxury items throughout the home for a reasonable price compared to a traditional home, where you normally have to make many compromises due to the size and quantities of items incorporated in it. Your planning would also include the cost of building materials, appliances, fuel, parking, etc. To be precise, make sure to set your expectations right by checking the pricing guidelines and surprise expenses from the start. I would usually factor in an extra ⅓ for surprise expenses. This seemed to be a good rule of thumb for me throughout my life. So here is a quick rundown.

The Tiny Home Budget

How much does it cost to build a little house? Experts would tell you that the average cost for a tiny house can be $45,000, that’s 15% of a traditional home average cost!! If you don’t include amenities, the price can come down to a paltry sum of $8,000.-$10,000. But those who prefer customization could end up paying $70,000 and above. As mentioned, several factors can influence this. One of them can also be about how you build it and the “upgrades” your put in the home. If you wish to save money or stick to a budget of $20,000 to $40,000, you can hone your DIY skills to achieve it. The cost will shoot up if a builder does it since their skills have a great value on the quality of the home.

Tiny House Budget Breakdown

These homes' small size feels to be an advantage when you go about your tiny house cost estimate.  You can count all the features to determine how much money will go into them. Here is a quick view of some of them for a fair idea.  

List of Items for Tiny House Cost Estimator

• Trailer $3,500 - $5,500

• Windows $500 - $6,000- Used items can help with this cost!

• Lumber $1,000 - $5,000

• Fixtures $1,000-$5,000

• Metal roofing $500 - $2,000

• Insulation $500 - $3000

• Siding $1,000 - $2,500

• Interior finishes $500 - $4,000- Used items can help with this cost!

• Electrical $750 - $3,000

• Plumbing $700

• Appliance $400 - $4,000- Used items can help with this cost!

• Fasteners/Adhesives $1,500

• Interior wall $500 - $1000

• Flooring $300 - $1,000

• Shower $400 - $1,000

• Water heater $500 - $1000

• Compost Toilet $900

• Paint $50 - $200

• Kitchen Sink & Faucet  $220- Used items can help with this cost!

Tiny House Material Cost

A variety of materials goes into building a tiny home. Things like trailer, roofing, mechanical, and doors and windows would consume a large part of your budget. You cannot afford to be frugal with these things. According to tiny home residents and designers, one should allocate 70% of spends to this. For example, you can buy a Tumbleweed Trailer for about $5,000, doors and windows for $6,000, HVAC for $750 - $3,000, etc.

Tiny House on Wheels Cost

Tiny house on trailer cost is going to be another crucial consideration. You wouldn't want to be casual about this by trying to save a few extra bucks on the trailer. This would be considered your “foundation” of your home. Even if you do, make sure the company has excellent metal works and reputation. You can go the route on used trailers but something this critical I feel is worth spending the extra money on for new. The expenses of repairs, new paint, new wheels and tires, and others will eat into your savings. However, it can be a pain not just for your bank balance but for mental peace too. You may worry about the quality of your trailer all the time. Usually, a 20 foot to 30-foot trailer comes in the range of $2,800 to $4,500 or higher. Just buy new!

Tiny House Plumbing Cost 

When calculating the cost to build a tiny house, you can consider both wiring and plumbing expenses. These often tend to be affordable. The price will increase if you take help from an expert tradesperson. As per most laws on normal buildings, you have to hire a certified plumber or electrician for a contract. I actually don't disagree that much with this law. I think for the utilities of the home it's a smart idea to make sure these bones of the home are done right. Depending on the areas, the labor cost may vary from $75 to $150 per hour. Hence, it can significantly influence your budget. As far as the goods shopping goes, you cannot expect much difference here. Electrical items can be available for $300-$500, and plumbing fixtures also for $300-$500. The shower, faucet, and a few other things are not included in this category of the tiny house materials cost, those would be considered finishes.

Tiny House Lumber Cost

Finishing can be a determining factor of the price range in the case of the framing. If you opt for standard framing lumber, your tiny house frame cost will not vary a lot. You can imagine it to be affordable, costing about a handful of hundred dollars. Experts say you can get it for about $1,000-$1,500 for the entire house based on beams' size and use. However, you would want to ascertain your choice of grade of lumber, which can again influence your tiny house construction cost. Most framing is a 2x4 construction. In the tiny house on Shellmate Island, I decided on a 2x6 framing for added strength against hurricanes.

Tiny House Flooring Cost

It can be the perfect place to look for some relief with reclaimed flooring to temporary cheaper options. For example, if you buy engineered hardwood, your house build estimator would most likely suggest the cost to be around $330. So, you can experiment with flooring if you wish to save money. Some people choose solid hardwood maple floor, which can be available for $4 a square foot. I also would check out the clearance or “imperfection” sections of stores to find a deal on flooring/tile. They sometimes even mark things off if its “past season”.

Tiny House Roofing Cost

When you try to build a tiny home, you cannot afford to ignore roofing investment. After all, it gives protection to you and your belongings from all the elements. For a tiny house on wheels, a metal roof can be an ideal solution. The structure can vary from corrugated to standing seam. However, this type of roof's main challenge is bending the metal to custom fit all edges, drip edges, skylights, etc. You have to be careful with skylights more as these can cause leakage. Manufacturers provide instruction kits for this part, but it can be costly, and you cannot do anything about it. But metal will also last forever which makes it a one-time cost in the long run.

Some tiny home builders feel asphalt shingles can be an exciting choice for a roof. If you don't want any hassle, it is better to avoid it. The heavyweight of this material can easily tear down when you drive your home on the road. As mentioned already, metal roofing can cost up to $2,000 based on the material's size and quality. 

Tiny House Insulation Cost

The upfront insulation expenses can feel expensive, but it is a one-time burden that would eventually help with the utilities and energy efficiency of the home. Which in turn saves you money. You can expect it to be an excellent investment. Hence, don't tighten your purse. Earlier, people opted for foam boards, sheep wools, and fiberglass bats for this. But these may not be much useful. Some recommend spray foam instead, I did it in both tiny houses. It can increase the thermal capacity of the home and offer unparalleled moisture resistance. Think of it like a Yeti cooler. You can also get rid of condensation issues. Hence, going with closed cell spray foam can be sensible. A few tiny home dwellers also swear by rigid foams for their efficacy. 

So, you can choose between these two options. Your cost can be anywhere from $700(DIY) to $2,000 (expert) for this.

Tiny House Fixture Cost

You can include fittings like sinks, showers, bathtubs, lights, mounted fans, and so on. If you select a 32″x32″ shower stall with no frills, you could pay about $400. There can be more reasonable choices in terms of price. But they cannot ensure protection from water damage. Stainless steel sink is easy to get in $50 to $500. Some under-mount models are available for $225. The ceiling fan and lights can be easy to get by for $90-$300. So, as per a tiny house estimate, you would need to dish out somewhere between $1,000 and $5,000.

I think a great hack is to try and find your finishes or key items used at places such as Goodwill and Habitat for Humanity. These are great places to find treasures for your home at an extremely reasonable price. You will have to consistently go to these places just to look at their inventory since it is always changing. I actually kind of enjoyed the hunt for items I was needing. By doing this you can save a TON of money on your build and help bring some of the prices down overall.

From this, you can figure out what it would take to building a tiny house on a budget. Whether you want to know how to build a house in 600 sq ft or even in a smaller area, you can calculate the price of all the critical parts and portions to get a reasonable idea. But before doing this, you must not forget that there can be a few surprise expenses too, that’s where that extra 1/3 becomes handy.

Nevertheless, moving into a tiny home can be a wise decision from many angles. Maintenance cost would come down. You will have ample free time for yourself. Your utility bills can also go down as you would consume less. The home space itself forces you to buy fewer things. So, there isn't much to bother you when you decide to downsize. It can be an ideal lifestyle decision for both young adults and the aging population. And as for budget, you mostly know what you have to consider and how much it may cost. The hardest part is sticking to the budget but it’s doable with determination.

-Tim