Discouraging DIY Tiny House Building
I never thought I would be discouraging someone from building their own tiny house, but here we are.
I was excited to see a tiny home purchased by the local homeless ministry and jumped at the chance to tour it. My excitement turned to dismay as we approached the build (shown on the right).
In my mind I was expecting a cute tiny home like the photo below, which I photographed it at the Tiny House Convention in Arlington, Texas.
Obviously there is a disconnect between my imagination and reality concerning the outcome of the average DIY tiny house building.
The house on the left was built by professional builders. They had the tools, know-how, and funding to do a superb job. It is a tiny house you would feel good about coming home to.
Even from a distance, the DIY tiny house building in my home town was clearly a case of “go home and do it again.”
It turns out this DIY tiny house building had been started by a sixty-year old, financially-strapped woman hoping to retire in security, even if very tiny. Building with only the help of her nephew, she had spent twelve thousand dollars but fell ill and could not continue. The homeless shelter bailed her out, thinking they were getting viable living quarters that could be used as a temporary abode for one of their clients. They were hoping the high school shop
class could finish it as a “learning project.”
I could tell the trailer wasn’t made for the load placed upon it and they hadn’t yet finished the interior.
We Are Being Conditioned by Social Websites and DIY TV Shows
Pictures and stories on social websites like Facebook®, Pinterest®, and Instagram® have programmed our imaginations to think that those of us without building skills or professional help can create a stunning tiny home, admired by all who see it. I’ve seen the stories. Headlines read, “Teen builds stunning tiny home for five thousand dollars,” or “The incredible eight thousand dollar tiny home,” or even, “Seventy-five year old grandmother builds a fabulous tiny home.”
How many times have you heard, “I found the windows by the side of the road,” and, “It was built with all recycled materials in just twelve weeks!” Do not count on this happening to you.
I have watched Zack Giffin, on Tiny House Nation, build a small project with a homeowner that had never handled tools in her life. The project had nothing to do with the structural component of the house, but it gave the impression that this unskilled homeowner had a hand in the actual construction of the home. They are not trying to be misleading, but our imaginations will see what we want to see.
Our brains are desperate to ease our biggest fears. We want to believe the solution to our housing crisis and financial issues lies in the fun project of building our own tiny house. The possibility exists, and you may even have some fun doing it. But believe me when I tell you it will be a huge amount of work and will absolutely require extensive research, planning, money, and perseverance, as well as lots of good old-fashioned blood, sweat, and tears.
That being said:
A Tiny House Might Still Be a Solution to Your Housing Needs
Have you ever been to a construction site? What was the last DIY project you completed? Are you comfortable 
operating power tools?
Shop Power Tools at The Home Depot!
I assembled the shop seen in the photo on the right. The cabinets were pre-made, purchased from Home Depot®. I have many power tools and have been around construction sites for decades. Still, when thinking clearly, I do not believe I have the skills or the strength to complete an actual tiny house build all by myself.
Alternatives to Building your Own Tiny Home
There are several economical ways to realize your tiny home dreams.
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- Buy a used tiny home. Many people have outgrown their tiny homes or realized tiny living isn’t for them. Many of these are in great shape. Make sure to have it inspected. You might need to buy new tires before moving it.
- Have one built for you. There are dozens of plans to choose from.
- Buy a shell or a kit.
Financing
Tiny home financing is available. You may have a goal of being mortgage-free by the end of this process, and it is possible. If you have equity in your current home, you can borrow against that. Once you move into your tiny house and sell your big home you can pay off the loan.
What ever you do, buying or building, a tiny home is going to cost you some money.
Renting? A tiny home mortgage will be smaller than a big-home mortgage. It might be that a tiny home mortgage payment will be less than you are currently paying in rent. Look into it.
DIY Tiny House Building
Still insist on building your own? It can be fun and rewarding.
Firsts steps first:
Start Planning. Think realistically about your building skills and abilities. Find out how much professional builders cost.
- Visit a tiny house convention.
- Attend a building workshop.
- Attend an “E” workshop online.
- At the very least, buy a book about building your own tiny house.
- Lear about building codes.
- Read my blog post covering safe building methods.
More pages of the Tiny Life Consulting website you’ll be interested in
Ten Tools You Need To Build A Tiny House
Tiny Home Building Mistakes You Don’t Have To Make
I am 68 years old. I happen to be a construction project estimator but have never swung a hammer for a paycheck. My father was never in the trades and could barely operate a screwdriver. Some how in my checkered employment history I picked bit and snatches here and there to become proficient in limited plumbing and electric projects. It can be done and done ascetically pleasing for a budget if you are serious. It will not be fast or easy but it makes a great long term hobby.