Different Types of Tiny Houses
When most folks think of a tiny house, a cute house-like structure on a trailer is generally the first image that comes to mind. However, any
living space smaller than 500 sq. ft. is considered a tiny dwelling.¹ These can include RVs, buses, park models, manufactured homes, converted garages, yurts, tree houses, and a host of other options you’ll find at the end of this page. Vacationing in one of these novel abodes sure sounds like fun! But before we get crazy let’s look at the realities of what might work for full-time tiny living.
There are distinctions and advantages to each, depending on how they will be used. Only some will have a ghost of a chance of being certified for occupancy.
An RV or travel trailer is a good choice for traveling, and (with special permitting) can also be used as a temporary abode while building a house. Retirees have been doing the RV lifestyle for decades. RVs, however, are only approved as a part-time dwellings, and they come with their own set of challenges. Would a tiny home of wheels (THOW) work better for you? Or something even more stationary?
How many times will you move your home?
Surveys show that the average tiny home is moved less than three times in its lifetime. Consider your situation. Will you be moving around a lot? If not, a manufactured home might be a good choice for you. Delivered, dropped into place, connected to utilities, and you’re done. Manufactured homes do require a professional moving company, but are not limited to eight feet wide. Sellers usually offer a good package deal that includes delivery. These cost as low as $23,000.00*.
A tiny home on a trailer (under 10,000 lbs.) is traditionally limited to eight feet wide, with the hope of not needing special permits for moving. But states are now catching up to this ploy and do require permits no matter the size. In fact, there’s quite a lot to know about moving a tiny home. The good news is, it’s doable.
Every type of tiny home comes with its challenges, and THOWs can be a great option, if you do your homework. What began as a do-it-yourselfer creating a really nice abode from scrap, on the cheap, has morphed into professional companies with creations costing over 100K*. This could negate the financial advantages some folks hope for. Good thing there are lots of other ideas out there.
How about an airplane tiny home?
Here’s a fun option. This Boeing 737 was purchased for just $2,000.00. Moving it into position cost another $4k. Now it’s a beautiful tiny home that hangs out over a lake and has a hot tub in the cockpit bathroom. Click on image to see the YouTube® video.
See our page on Salvaged Aircraft Tiny Homes for more information on building this type of tiny house.
Other tiny house types
Here are links to other types of tiny houses we discuss on this website:
- Tiny cabins
- Log Cabins
- Auxiliary Dwelling Units (ADU)
- Shipping Containers
- Geodesic Domes
- Box Trucks
- Semi Trailer Converted Into Tiny House
- Manufactured Homes and Park Models
- RVs and Travel Trailers
- Van Conversions
- Ambulance Conversion
- Schoolies
- Motor Coach Conversions
- Grain Bin and Silos
- Shed Conversions
- Earthbag, Earth Ships, Underground Tiny Homes
- Railroad Cars
- Salvaged Houseboats
- Panel Trucks
- Tree Houses
Even with all of these options and more, this website will mostly concentrate on building your own tiny house on wheels.
40 Innovative Tiny Houses
“Best-selling author and tiny house enthusiast Derek “Deek” Diedricksen profiles 40 tiny — but practical — houses that are equipped for full-time living, all in 400 square feet or less. Detailed photography and a floor plan for each structure highlight inventive space-saving design features along with the nuts-and-bolts details of heating, cooling, electric, and plumbing systems. The real-life stories of residents impart the pleasures, as well as the challenges, of day-to-day living. With tips on what to consider before you build, along with framing plans for a prototype small cabin, Micro Living is the perfect starter handbook for both dreamers and doers.”
Click here to visit Humble Homes for eighteen inexpensive, yet detailed, tiny house construction plans.
Unexpected Expenses and Obstacles to Building a Tiny Home on Your Own Land
Visit this page, Building Tiny House On Your Land, to reveal some unexpected obstacles and major expenses to building a tiny house on your own land. Rather than highlighting any deal-breaking blows, this page exposes some potential pitfalls in the process. Forewarned is forearmed!
¹ The square foot dimension definitions of tiny houses vary greatly. If you are planning a build or buying a home where the official classification tiny house will affect any or all of your zoning, insurance, mortgage or other considerations, be sure to check with the relevant authorities before proceeding.