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Jack Hill set out to build a tiny house on wheels on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia with one honest admission: “I have no idea what I’m doing.” That kind of humble, head-first approach is exactly what makes DIY tiny house builds so inspiring — you don’t need years of construction experience to start building your own home.
His tiny house is a great example of what’s possible when you’re willing to learn as you go, problem-solve on the fly, and commit to the process one step at a time.
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Exterior: A Classic THOW Build
Images © Jack Hill
The exterior shows a traditional tiny house on wheels profile — compact, towable, and designed to fit within road-legal dimensions. Building on the Sunshine Coast gives Jack access to one of the most beautiful regions in Canada, where tiny living makes sense both for the lifestyle and the landscape.
Building the Shell and Framing
One of the most valuable things about Jack’s build is the documentation of the construction process. Seeing the framing, shell, and structure come together helps other aspiring builders understand what’s involved in a THOW build. Every tiny house starts as a trailer and a pile of lumber — the transformation happens one decision at a time.
Interior Layout and Living Space
The interior shows the care Jack put into making his tiny house a real home. For a first-time builder, creating a functional interior layout is one of the biggest challenges — every inch counts when you’re working with limited square footage. The key is planning your most-used zones (kitchen, sleeping, sitting) before you start building walls.
Kitchen and Functional Details
A well-planned kitchen can make or break a tiny house. Even in a compact space, having enough counter area for meal prep, accessible storage, and a practical workflow makes daily living comfortable. Jack’s build shows that you can create a functional kitchen without sacrificing the character of the space.
Loft Bedroom and Sleeping Area
The loft bedroom is a staple of tiny house on wheels design, and for good reason — it frees up the entire ground floor for living, cooking, and working. By tucking the bed above, you essentially double your usable floor space. The trade-off is headroom, but most people find they quickly adapt to the cozy sleeping loft.
Finishing Touches and Completed Build
The finished product is a testament to what determination and willingness to learn can accomplish. From framing to finished walls, Jack built himself a real home on the Sunshine Coast — all without prior construction experience.
Highlights of Jack’s DIY Tiny House
- Builder: Jack Hill (DIY, first-time builder)
- Location: Sunshine Coast, British Columbia, Canada
- Type: Tiny house on wheels (THOW)
- Interior: Natural wood finishes throughout
- Bedroom: Loft sleeping area
- Kitchen: Functional layout with counter space and storage
- Design Style: Warm, handmade, wood-forward aesthetic
- Build Approach: Self-taught, learn-as-you-go
Key Takeaways for First-Time Tiny House Builders
- You don’t need experience to start: Jack openly admitted he had “no idea” what he was doing — and still built a beautiful home
- Document your build: Sharing your process (like Jack’s 14-photo progression) helps you track progress and inspires others
- Plan your layout before you build: Knowing where your kitchen, sleeping area, and living space will go before framing saves time and materials
- Use the loft wisely: A sleeping loft frees up your entire ground floor for living space
- Location matters: Building where you plan to live lets you design for the local climate and lifestyle
Related Stories
- Tiny Living: Versatile Tiny House Plans by Tiny Home Builders
- Jack’s $22K DIY Tiny House in Colorado
- The Love Shack: A DIY King-Sized Bed Tiny House on Wheels
- Her Fabulous Shipping Container Home in a Tiny House Village
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Alex
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I beg to differ Jack….. It looks very much like you DO know what you are doing, and are good at it. Lovely, simple, and lots or room to keep it that way, or personalize to your heart’s content! Great job, I especially love that bathroom sliding door, beautiful.
For someone who did not know what to do, you did a beautiful job. Just imagine what you could have screwed up had you known what the world tells you , you must do.
I like it, Very neat well laid out and organized, Two things appear to be lacking. that is Closet space ( didn’t see any) and a comfortable seating place.
Aloha Jack, For not knowing what you were doing, you sure did a wonderful job!!!! I love it!
Finally someone who sees the value of pocket doors in confined spaces. It took me two motor coaches with standard doors prior to my current unit that has them, for me to see their value for small spaces.
Lee
Really lovely home. You seem to know exactly what you are doing, and you did it very well. Nice, clean lines. Thanks for sharing this…
Very nice job on a house for a beautiful part of the world.
Best of luck!
Jack, so well done. I love it. Tell me, where is one allowed to park their tiny home and which insurance company will cover it in case of issues? Thanks so much for sharing this with us, Jack.
This is the parson all shaven and shorn
who wedded the man all tattered and torn
to the maiden all forlorn
who milked the cow with the crumpled horn
that tossed the dog
that worried the cat
that killed the rat
that ate the malt
that lay in the house that Jack built.
Thumbs up for the wood counters… dimension them to fit rather than COTS. We immediately noticed the increase in visible floor, giving a larger space ‘feel’.
Very nicely done for someone who doesn’t know what he is doing! Wish I didn’t know that much. Thanks for sharing.
I really like the layout here. I am curious as to why those 2 large triangles are on either side of the bed in the loft. Do they serve a purpose other than roof style?
How cold does it get in the winter in that area?? I think an outdoor shower and toilet would be “roughing it” a little bit too much for me.
I really like the THOW but I do have one question. Looking at the vanity through the pocket door, I see a roll of TP hanging to the left. So, is the out house just to keep from having to empty a composter as often? And are you planning on putting in an indoor shower?