This is Josh’s mortgage-free tiny house he started building when he was 18 years old.
It’s now almost complete and you can watch his video tour of his new home. Josh has also started a tiny house company called Red Door Tiny Homes.
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18-year-old Builds Mortgage-Free Tiny House

Screenshots via Exploring Alternatives/Youtube






Screenshots via Exploring Alternatives/YouTube
Video: Teenager Started Building a Mortgage-free Tiny House at Just 18
Highlights:
- Started the build at 18
- 18 ft. long
- Metal roof
- 13 windows
- Exterior storage shed
- Cedar siding
- Working on it for 3 years
- Didn’t go into debt to build it
- Spent $30,000 CAD so far
Resources:
- YouTube
- Exploring Alternatives
- Red Door Tiny Homes
Our big thanks to Josh of Red Door Tiny Homes for sharing!
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Natalie C. McKee
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Good for you Josh…! Show those big builders up with your beautiful home… And it did not cost you a fortune to build it either…
He did a great job! — Tiny House Talk Team
Big kudos to Josh for an impressive job. Canada needs more tiny!
Glad you liked it, Barnie! — Tiny House Talk Team
Josh, did you design this completely by yourself or did you use available plans? I ask because your house looks a lot like a Tumbleweed Elm, at least on the outside.
Good interior, especially the his-and-hers work areas. I’d need computer space and my wife would need space for crochet and cross-stitch stuff–I think the yarn she has now might *fill* a standard THOW! And if she sees this, I’m dead meat…lol.
Hahhaaha Dick, this made me laugh 🙂 I do think it’s a Tumbleweed design, but he doesn’t say. — Tiny House Talk Team
Ha ha ha, Dick! You’ve got us all laughing out here! 😀
Josh has done a stellar job. The outside looks beautiful with the porch done out so nicely, and the master bedloft is spacious and inviting; and, it was all accomplished with a budget-conscious plan! Kudos to both you and your lady for a job very well done!!!
BRAVO!! I so love seeing young people building tiny homes and wanting to be debt free.
Me too! It inspires me 🙂 — Tiny House Talk Team
That’s right, BGDR! Living debt free is the best and sweetest revenge against crummy government! 😉
Hahah, yes! — Tiny House Talk Team
Very refreshing to see a young man so savvy. Great looking tiny home !
It’s pretty amazing! — Tiny House Talk Team
Josh, You and your girlfriend did a wonderful job building your tiny home!! Just love all the woodwork throughout your place! What’s nice you have a place for everything and everything is in it’s place! It looks like it’s going to be a very cozy when you finish adding all your personal touches. I love the fact that your roof and door match it looks really nice! Josh, you should be very proud of yourself, what an accomplishment you created this beautiful home for the two of you, and now you can help and create other homes for upcoming clients and make their dreams come true! Awesome name for your business! What’s best about this your only twenty one and you have your whole life ahead of you and your debt free. Enjoy building your tiny homes you have a lot of good ideas, and your very creative and it looks like you will have lots of success ahead of you!! Enjoy your new business and lots of happiness to both of you!! Carol????
I’m so happy you enjoyed this, Carol. Josh did a great job. — Tiny House Talk Team
30,000 and still not complete… That concerns me… After he finishes and has a total, it will equal the total of so many we have seen that can be built for you… The benefit is he’s not borrowing.
I think it’s amazing he is doing it debt-free! — Tiny House Talk Team
Such a beautiful, professionally built home by a wonderful, intelligent young man. May you both enjoy many delightful years in it.
Happy you enjoyed this one! — Tiny House Talk Team
Nice job,and well done a 18 year old.But where is the place to park and how much lot rent ETC.
Everywhere you go someone wants a peice of your pay check.Oh well, Good-luck.
I think it’s almost impossible to permanently dwell anywhere and not owe something 🙁 Even if you own land outright, you have to pay property taxes. — Tiny House Talk Team
Thows only can have so many interpretations. They are limited by the trailer size–hence the floor plan. I doubt anyone can copyright a thow design. They are bound to be copied.
I’m sure you CAN copyright a design, but I don’t know how many do. — Tiny House Talk Team