Kate and Benoît returned to New Zealand after years of international travel and built themselves a tiny house on wheels for under $38,000—coming in under their original budget. Their secret: clever use of reclaimed and thrifted materials, spending money where it mattered most and saving wherever they could.
The home is currently parked on her parents’ land while they search for their own spot to create a small homestead. Their build demonstrates how creative material sourcing can dramatically reduce tiny house costs without sacrificing quality.
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Budget-Friendly THOW Built with Reclaimed Materials
The exterior shows the timber-framed construction they chose after consulting with Kate’s brother, who works in construction. This approach allowed for a more interesting roofline than their original container house concept.
Images via Living Big in a Tiny House
Kitchen with Reclaimed Wood and Hexagon Tile Backsplash
The kitchen features reclaimed wood countertops arranged in a chevron pattern and hexagon tiles as a backsplash. These design choices could have clashed, but the careful material selection makes them work together beautifully.
Images via Living Big in a Tiny House
Flexible Seating with Hidden Ottomans
A small bench area conceals extra ottomans for guests—a clever multi-functional solution that provides seating when needed without taking up permanent floor space.
Images via Living Big in a Tiny House
Private Bedroom Loft
The bedroom loft offers a private retreat, made possible by the interesting roofline they achieved with timber-frame construction. The storage stairs leading up feature woodwork designs chosen by friends and family—adding personal meaning throughout the home.
Images via Living Big in a Tiny House
Video Tour
Watch the full tour from Living Big in a Tiny House to see all the handcrafted details:
Design Details
- Type: Timber-framed tiny house on wheels
- Location: New Zealand
- Build Cost: Under $38,000 (under budget)
- Builders: Kate and Benoît (DIY with family construction advice)
- Original Plan: Container house (changed to timber-frame)
- Kitchen Features: Reclaimed wood chevron countertops, hexagon tile backsplash
- Living Area: Bench with hidden ottomans for guest seating
- Bedroom: Private loft accessed by storage stairs with custom woodwork
- Current Location: Parents’ land while searching for their own property
Lessons from This Budget Build
Kate and Benoît’s under-budget build offers valuable insights for cost-conscious tiny house builders:
- Reclaimed materials save money and add character — The chevron countertops cost less than new materials while providing a unique design element
- Family expertise is invaluable — Kate’s brother’s construction knowledge helped them pivot from container to timber-frame construction
- Bold design choices can work together — The hexagon tiles and chevron wood pattern succeed because of thoughtful material selection
- Timber framing allows creative rooflines — This unlocked the private bedroom loft that a container wouldn’t have provided
- Storage stairs can be personalized — Having friends and family choose woodwork designs adds meaningful connection
- Hidden seating expands entertaining options — Ottomans stored under the bench appear when guests visit
- Coming in under budget is possible — Strategic spending and thrifting can keep costs below projections
- Family land provides a landing spot — Parking on parents’ property gives time to find the right permanent location
Learn More
- Follow Kate and Benoît on Instagram
- Read the Living Big in a Tiny House Article
- Watch the Full Tour on Living Big in a Tiny House
Related Stories
- Sprinter Van Life: From Australia to New Zealand
- Yoga Teacher’s Gorgeous New Zealand Tiny Home
- New Zealand Tiny House with a Tall-Boy Loft
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Alex
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This home is truly unique and absolutely lovely! Great job!