Tom at Tiny Home Builders explains what to look for in a used tiny house. Tom’s been on the tiny house bandwagon for years and has some good tips in the article. In a nutshell he suggests:
- Get the scoop on who built the home.
- Find out why it’s for sale.
- Weight the price carefully.
- Factor in the features and upgrades.
- Check out Tiny House Marketplace for used tiny homes.
Some other things to think about:
- Inspect the trailer. Look at the springs to see how much they are stressed under the weight. For example if the house is sitting on it’s suspension bump stops, that would indicate an overloaded trailer. Also check the hitch for any stamped weight ratings to make sure it matches the weight of the house.
- Ask how heavy the house is empty and full. This will factor into your tow vehicle needs. Also ask about the tongue weight and if it’s well balanced. Ask if the trailer has breaks and corner jacks – definitely features you’ll want to have.
- Look at the windows, skylights, and doors for signs of water penetration. Every opening in a wall or roof is an opportunity for rain and ice to penetrate and damage the home.
- Ask about how the house is constructed and insulated and consider the climate you intend to use the house. Some types of insulation are better suited for extreme climate conditions with spray foam or SIPs (structural insulated panels). If the house has spray foam insulation the roof doesn’t need to be vented, so if it’s not spray foam look for soffit vents to make sure the roof is properly vented.
Read the full article about What to Look for in a Used Tiny Home. Photos are tiny houses currently available for sale at Tiny House Marketplace.
