Jenna shares what it costs to build a tiny house. This is one of the most common questions I hear… and apparently Jenna too. It’s not a question that’s easy to answer. But after interviewing so many tiny home owners, she’s found the average cost of a tiny house is $25,000. Jenna has also put together a great cost breakdown at Tiny House Giant Journey.
A lot of people buy my tiny house plans, so hear this question a lot too. I typically tell folks that the biggest areas you can save money on are:
- Windows range widely in cost, features and quality.
- Utility choices range from large off-grid solar systems, to reliance on grid power, to ultra frugal lighting only systems.
- Interior finishes range from plywood countertops to granite, and pine board interior sheathing to thin paneling.
- Appliances might range the most from choices like $1000 composting toilets to virtually free sawdust bucket toilets.
- Siding & roofing choices also have a wide range in options from lightweight off the shelf corrugated roofing and natural wood siding.
While the trailer will probably be the single most expensive item in your house, and the shell (framing & sheathing) also a big ticket item… these item categories don’t range much in total cost. In other words, you won’t find a big price difference between different brands of tiny house trailers, or in the cost of lumber.
Sure there are regional differences and the like. But you will find that your choices in other areas do offer some frugal alternatives.
So if you’re on a tight budget, think of the trailer and house shell as more or less a fixed cost and how you finish the house off being the place you can find some real savings or some costs that can be postponed.
Now go check out Tiny House Giant Journey for tons of interviews with tiny home owners.