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Built His First Tiny House At 16, Now He’s A Builder


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This is the story of Spencer, the tiny house builder who founded Rough Cut Tiny Homes out of Conway, South Carolina. It all started when he was 15 and saw a picture of a tiny house on wheels. That was the moment where he knew it was something he wanted to do.

So he started building his first tiny house at age 16. He was fascinated by it and loved the construction process. So he took the money he earned as a part-time bus boy to build a beautiful 28ft tiny home. Today, more than 8 years after it all started, he is 23-years-old and runs a business building tiny homes for others. So far, he has built 9 tiny houses with 2 more that are in construction. Below you’ll find a recent THOW he built that was shipped out to California.

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Rough Cut Tiny Homes Tiny House Builder in Conway, South Carolina – Delivers Nationwide

Our Interview/Transcript with Spencer

I am originally from California but have lived in South Carolina for 16 years. I am 23 years old. I became interested in tiny homes when I was 15 years old and I started building my first one when I was 16 years old in high school. I saw a picture of a tinyhome on wheels and just knew that it was something that I wanted to do. I just found it fascinating and I loved construction. My intent was to build one for myself and live in it. So, I took my money working as a bus boy part time and built a 28ft tinyhome.

I lived down a busy road at the time and people became interested in it and wanting to purchase it. I now build tiny homes on wheels for other people now. It’s very satisfying being able to build a custom tinyhome for a client. I love it! It is now a full time job. My business is called Roughcut Tiny Homes. I have built 9 tiny homes on wheels and am starting 2 more tiny homes this week. One is a 36ft gooseneck and the other is a 32ft tag along. Both homes are going to Acony Bell Tiny Home Community in Brevard, NC. I have sent my builds to clients all over the country- Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, North Carolina, and even California.

My past few tiny homes have taken about 8 weeks to complete working everyday. It’s about 700 hours start to finish. However my first tiny home took me over a year to complete by myself working on it on weekends.

Learn more

Rough Cut Tiny Homes (Instagram) | Rough Cut Tiny Homes | Contact

Our big thanks to Spencer @roughcuttinyhomes for sharing!🙏

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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!
{ 18 comments… add one }
  • Fred
    October 2, 2019, 3:56 pm

    Good for Spencer!
    That’s the kind of “can do” attitude that built this country.
    Nice to see a young person actually doing something good for their community.

  • Melissa Robinson
    October 2, 2019, 5:44 pm

    Thanks for sharing Spencer’s story with us Alex! He’s not too far from where I live so I have added Rough Cut TH’s to my list of builders to research and eventually select one to build my THOW’s.

    Congratulations Spencer! As a HS teacher, I can say with confidence that you are the kind of student that makes us proud!

  • PennyinSC
    October 2, 2019, 9:12 pm

    I live in SC and this is an awesome build. I am in the market for a tiny home. I would love it if these homes are available with customization.

  • DeAnna Haney
    October 3, 2019, 7:01 am

    WOOOW !!! That is totally gorgeous. Every picture I scrolled onto I just kept saying, ” Oh my God…” You are a wonderful carpenter.

  • Katherine Thompson Whirley
    October 3, 2019, 8:31 am

    Wow…what a talented young man, this tiny home is gorgeous!!!

  • Theresa Perdue
    October 3, 2019, 8:48 am

    I would have liked to see the bathroom also, but if it is as nice as the rest of the house it’s got to be stunning

    • James D.
      October 4, 2019, 12:46 am

      Check out his Instagram page, he’s got more photos posted there…

  • Marsha Cowan
    October 3, 2019, 11:36 am

    Wow! That’s beautiful! You do really great work.

  • Terry Henley
    November 3, 2019, 1:13 pm

    This is one of the cutest tiny homes I’ve ever seen. I love everything about it. How much do you charge to make
    one?

  • Elizabeth Henderson
    November 5, 2019, 11:18 pm

    I wish i could afford to buy a tiny home because i am a retired widowed lady having to live with my adult son, his wife and my grandson. I have 40 acres of woods in the Ozarks of Arkansas. This would be perfect for one person!

    • Liz
      January 30, 2023, 11:14 pm

      You can afford to build a tiny home and you don’t have to live with anyone. You have 40 acres. Sell some of it.

  • Stephan of Arkansas
    April 6, 2020, 6:31 pm

    Beautiful design! Beautifully implemented! Very well done. If I had a son (I am childless), I would thank God to have a son like Spencer — hard working, intelligent, progressive, with a big smile. These comments are respectfully submitted.

  • Pete Wilson
    April 7, 2020, 12:38 am

    Being from Montana; I love his choice of decor for the inside. Would make a nice cabin/tiny house on a remote piece of property.

    • Natalie C. McKee
      April 7, 2020, 1:30 pm

      Agreed! Love a cozy cabin.

  • Mel Waters
    April 8, 2020, 4:15 am

    Hi, I plan to build a tiny home as a retirement project here in England, when I secure the right plot of land. Was going to base it on a shipping container or a double decker bus (very available over here for a few grand) but having seen Spencer’s ideas I may have to change my mind! This is the best thing I have seen on this website and he should be proud of his achievements, beautiful, well done old son! GGMU!

    • Natalie C. McKee
      April 8, 2020, 1:35 pm

      So glad you were inspired by his great work!

  • Bre
    April 17, 2020, 8:27 pm

    Spencer u did an amazing job!!!!! I love tiny homes but will probably never get to own one.. I wish I had 1/4 of ur talent and skills… Awesome job!!!

  • Shirley M Potts
    October 6, 2020, 2:13 pm

    I love your tiny homes. I am a widow (3 years now) and I would love to own one for myself! Shirley

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