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15 Year Old Building a Tiny House, Can You?


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Do you think you can build a tiny house? This 15 year old kid is doing it right now.

His name is Austin Hay and he’s actually 16 now and a sophomore in high school (but still!).

He started building a Tumbleweed Fencl tiny house because he wanted to downsize, be good to the environment, and to make a financially smart decision.

On his web site he says, “I have started to build a tumbleweed house to show adults and peers that one person can help the big picture. I think its important that we keep this one world we have healthy.”

If Austin is doing it, you can do it too. With a little motivation (think about living pretty much mortgage free) and some leg work: building plans, construction site, and a place to park it when finished.

You could be well on your way too. What’s stopping you? Tell us about it in the comments below. You don’t have to register, just click here to go to the comments.

15 Year Old Building a Tiny House

Photo Credit Austin Hay, Visit his web site by clicking here.

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Alex

Alex is a contributor and editor for TinyHouseTalk.com and the always free Tiny House Newsletter. He has a passion for exploring and sharing tiny homes (from yurts and RVs to tiny cabins and cottages) and inspiring simple living stories. We invite you to send in your story and tiny home photos too so we can re-share and inspire others towards a simple life too. Thank you!
{ 9 comments… add one }
  • November 28, 2010, 11:06 pm

    To answer my own question first:

    Right now I’m living in a 500 square foot apartment so it’s already small but I’d still love to live in a tiny house in the future.

    I haven’t started because the expense of the trailer and my current small apartment. Thankfully I am going to one of Jay Shafer’s workshops in Orlando January 2011 and I know that will motivate me to start and give me more confidence in my building abilities.

    I’m happy in my apartment though. Not to say it wouldn’t be fun to go smaller. Especially if I end up saving money meanwhile. The experience of letting go of more of my stuff will be interesting (liberating?) too.

  • November 29, 2010, 5:36 am

    “What’s stopping you?”

    Uh, hello? Have you been paying any attention at all to this issue?

    If you had actually tried to build a tinyhouse yourself, you would know the answer to this question. For anyone that has the money or access to it, the answer is simple:
    Zoning. (“building codes” and “can’t get a permit” are this, essentially)

    If you don’t “have the money” the answer is most likely still:
    The government’s assholeitude and unreasonable fees/permits/other excuses to impose absolutely outrageous taxes on the poor. Because these things usually increase the necessary money needed a lot, especially in remote locations.

    Otherwise, lack of financing would be blamed on fat cat banksters that are not interested in lifting a finger to make money by giving you small loan, because they have tons of it rolling in for free already.

  • November 29, 2010, 10:34 am

    Did you know that if it’s built on a trailer you don’t need building codes because it’s considered an RV? Then you can park it anywhere an RV is allowed and you have yourself a tiny house.

    I know the government is out of control but if you stop blaming everything on the things you can’t directly control you might be able to move forward and find another way.

    I haven’t built one because I’m happy in my apartment and don’t yet have $20,000 for materials. I haven’t tried getting a loan for it though…

    Some people have built them with their credit cards.

  • kevins microhomesteadblog
    November 29, 2010, 11:37 am

    I think this is awesome on so many levels! for a young person to start a project like this. Austin will learn so much from this experience.

    From the fact finding and planning to earning the money to buy materials and building experience.not to mention the environmental impact.

    I think all kids should tackle a project like this what a life experience!!

  • November 29, 2010, 1:10 pm

    @ Kevin

    I agree – for just about anybody to start a project like that is an incredible learning experience on all levels.

    I can’t wait to keep following Austin’s progress and to do it myself some day.

  • December 15, 2010, 5:08 pm

    ❤ I love the Tiny houses
    and plan to have my own.
    Much love friend.
    See you around.
    ~Love & Light
    ~Debbie:)

  • December 15, 2010, 6:45 pm

    Hi Debbie thank you for stopping by. 🙂

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