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$50k Prefab Tiny House Ships At 20-Ft. And Unfolds To 375-sq.-ft. In An Hour 


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This is a $50k prefab small house with a kitchen and bath that unfolds in as little as an hour.

It’s the Boxabl prefab housing unit that can be customized in several ways. The units can be stacked to build a two-level home, and they can also be used as a larger home by building them side-by-side. Learn more below!

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$50k Prefab 20-Ft. Tiny House That Unfolds To 375-sq.-ft.

That’s right, this prefab tiny house ships at 20-ft.

And in under an hour, it unfolds and expands to 375-sq.-ft. of living space.

Once its set up, you find a full kitchen and bath inside with all of the appliances in a home.

The units are somewhat customizable in that they can be stacked.

Here’s a look inside the 375-sq.-ft. Casita when it’s unfolded and setup.

Here’s what it looks like when its in transit. A 20-ft. package. 🙂

Once set up, it’s the perfect tiny house/studio.

Apparently, Elon Musk uses a tiny home just like this on the Space X property in Texas. Here it is being moved with a Tesla Model X (not recommended).

The current Boxabl factory where they have been producing prototypes of the Casita.

Here are one of the units being wheeled around the factory using dollies.

A peek at the new 175,000-sq.-ft. Boxabl prefab tiny house factory. Wow!

The more appropriate way to move around a Boxabl casita prefab tiny house unit.

Here they are using a crane to stack this unit.

This one is being setup as a multi-level unit.

Incredible, right? Learn more by watching the video below!

VIDEO: Prefab Home Unfolds in 1-hour

Highlights

  • Boxabl Casita
  • $49k prefab home
  • Easy to transport since it folds into an 8-foot wide box
  • Once on site it unfolds to 375-sq.-ft. of living space
  • Inside there’s a kitchen and bath
  • Huge sliding glass door
  • Father and son team Paolo and Galiano Tiramani have been prototyping it since 2017
  • They have recently acquired a 170,000-square-foot facility to mass produce the unfolding tiny house
  • The units can be stacked or placed side by side to expand and change configurations

Learn more

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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!
{ 43 comments… add one }
  • Bill Burgess
    July 24, 2021, 12:40 pm

    I wondered why there has not been more investment in fold-out houses since I saw the first one in 1967 at Frazer Park above L.A. I thought even then it would be a great home for seniors and singles. t does bring issues in rain or snow country and I am sure the facade would get really boring. But even now, anyone with access to their back yard has potential for profitable downsizing. My plan footprint is 12′ X 36′ for these types of manufacturing with four interior walls that I feel would be a better fit for seniors and after the factory is fully functional I will go for a visit and offer the ideas I have had over the years. The important part is the wall systems for cost cutting. After robo-investing capital is covered, the opportunity to reduce consumer costs is HUGE and there would be access to REAL Low Income and Homeless housing.

  • Kathryn DeBerg
    July 24, 2021, 3:11 pm

    Love it … Might get one when I save some money. Great idea

    • Don Widger
      August 14, 2021, 1:25 pm

      Wonder what the fire and earthquake ratings are for these units. Also wonder if there’s a versoin with sprinkler system.

  • Vickie Thompson
    July 24, 2021, 3:35 pm

    This is fanTAStic! I have long had dreams of living in my own ‘tiny’ home in a like-minded-intentional community. Not having planned for retirement (busy surviving ;D!), I now have a visual for a realistic vision of almost-upon-me elder age. Yay! Blessings to Alex and all involved at Boxabl with the Casita!! And, Big, REAL, hugs to boot! Many thanks, vickie

  • Angela
    July 24, 2021, 5:29 pm

    OMG IN LOVE. WANT ONE. Going to look for a piece of land and look into getting on the list. OMG OMG Can you imagine this over mobile home house etc Got to have it. Even better than he container homes. Planning Now, how amazing and what a couple of geniuses that Father & Son team. My new HEROS

  • Matt Evans-Koch
    July 24, 2021, 5:31 pm

    For those cities needing homeless housing or transitional housing for displaced families, these would be perfect if placed in small villages and the cost is less than what some organizations quote for building homeless housing in large apartment type of facilities.

  • Debra
    July 24, 2021, 8:43 pm

    I am building an ADU for disability access in my backyard now and space for another. But how to do the plans for foundation, water, and electrical (utilities)?

    • Merry
      July 25, 2021, 12:20 pm

      Me too! I have the exact same question. Also do appliances come with the tiny houses in the article?

      • Soozie Laubach
        July 26, 2021, 12:22 am

        Everything except the sofa and bed is included everything else its there.

      • Andrea N Moss
        July 27, 2021, 12:21 pm

        Yes the appliances come with it!

  • Chris Albright
    July 25, 2021, 12:36 am

    If I have a slightly different footprint space, are you able to customize for fit?

    • James D.
      July 25, 2021, 5:22 pm

      They’re Pre-Fabs, so built to specific standard sizes… They just started, so options are limited right now but they’ll eventually add other sizes – quote from their FAQ, “will likely be 20×20, 20×30, 20×40, 20×60” and will announce when they will offer different floor plans…

  • Darlene Petty
    July 25, 2021, 7:21 am

    What is pricing on 20×40 2-story Casita? How do utilities, solar etc. set up? What is best % down payment suggested & is any financing going to be available to 50+ year old individuals? What is the nearest prefab site location & local information telephone numbers for San Leandro, CA 94578 ? Thanks much 🙂

    • James D.
      July 25, 2021, 5:32 pm

      They only state prices start at $49,500 (with discounts) for the Casita. It doesn’t yet look like they’ll do different configurations but they plan to offer other options at a later date but you’d have to contact them and ask for specifics, though, their site does also have a FAQ… boxabl(dot)com/faq

      That’ll give some idea of what’s involved and answer some of your questions. While they also have a page… boxabl(dot)permits(dot)com/

      That indicates they can help with finding out what is required in your area, with $397 charge for the basic service and $897 to have a quote, “turnkey service that coordinates with architects, engineers, surveyors, and contractors to obtain building permits on your behalf.”

  • Miguel Brito
    July 25, 2021, 1:25 pm

    I will like to know if you can finance this type of homes, and how much will it be the delivery to Chickamauga Georgia, also if is finished by you how much extra will it cost,and what type of foundation it’s needed.

    • James D.
      July 25, 2021, 5:33 pm

      They indicate financing is possible but you better contact them for specifics and quotes, just follow the link to their website…

  • LIZZ HAMLETT
    July 25, 2021, 1:29 pm

    WHAT IS REQUIRED AS FAR AS FOUNDATION? I’D LIKE TO SEE A VIDEO OF ONE SIDE BY SIDE TO CREATE A BEDROOM, 2ND BATH, & MAYBE AN OFFICE AREA. I’D ALSO LIKE IT BETTER IF THE WASHER/DRYER UNIT WAS LOCATED IN THE BATHROOM. EVERYTHING ELSE LOOKS AWESOME. NOW I LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE WE HAVE HOT SUMMERS & SNOWY,COLD WINTERS. HOW INSULATED ARE THESE TINY HOMES? WOULD PREFER A SLOPED ROOF SO WATER & SNOW CAN RUN OFF.

    • James D.
      July 25, 2021, 5:45 pm

      Structure is basically SIPs, composed of just steel, concrete and EPS foam, meaning the panels are mostly insulation sandwiched between sheets of steel and concrete and there’s no studs aside from where the panels meet and connect or hinge. There’s also no wood, meaning nothing to rot, get moldy, etc. It’s extremely strong structure once erected, can withstand Hurricane conditions and standard unit is said to be able to handle 90% of the country for snow load, etc. weather and there’s option to configure it for the rest if needed.

      They only sell the room units, but whoever you hire to install it would be a contractor so can also add modification. So you can add on a slopped roof, siding, etc. as it’ll be treated like any other foundation structure and you are only limited by what your local rules allow and your budget of course…

  • Kevin tran
    July 25, 2021, 3:47 pm

    I’m interested Tiny house

  • Janet
    July 26, 2021, 12:51 pm

    AMAZING! I love this idea. We are in desperate need of affordable housing where I live. And they are cute!

  • Andrea N Moss
    July 27, 2021, 12:24 pm

    My daughter is on the list for a Boxabl. She is 24 and not able to live completely on her own. This way she has her own personal space but still close enough that I can make sure she is ok since she will be on my home’s property.

    • Natalie C. McKee
      July 29, 2021, 8:45 am

      I really hope you get one soon! Let us know how it goes.

  • Sharon
    August 6, 2021, 7:50 pm

    Looks fantastic! Do you ship to Canada? Can it handle cold winter weather?

    • Jane Person
      May 7, 2022, 11:09 am

      Live in trailer home 60 ft we are getting booted out with no place to go just wondered if you shipped them to Simcoe ont.

  • Maria Kentala
    August 7, 2021, 7:37 am

    How do you hook up power and water and sewer to these units? Can these units be placed on blocks like homes in the early 20s so you have a crawl space under the house? I would put in my own stove and frig. I wouldn’t want a washer. Also I wouldn’t have the extended counter with chairs,no barn door for the bathroom,I would want a real door,Plus I would change out the front door to a fan light door. Then this would be perfect for me.

    • James D.
      August 7, 2021, 7:06 pm

      Foundation and hookups will depend on local requirements, works like other Pre-Fab houses… They’re still just staring but will eventually offer more options, layouts, sizes, etc.

  • Maria Kentala
    August 7, 2021, 7:40 am

    Also having a flat roof wouldn’t that collect water?

    • James D.
      August 7, 2021, 6:56 pm

      It would have to cup to collect, but flat roofs are not really, there’s a small angle to shed water… Only really a issue for debre and snowfall as those can require a steeper angle to slide off…

      • Fred
        August 15, 2021, 8:36 pm

        I wonder how hard it would be to attach a covered frame that used a 2×12 on one side and a 2×4 on the other (with angle cut 2×12’s on the side), that could be fitted to the roof.
        That may give you a sufficient angle to shed water and debris.

        • James D.
          August 15, 2021, 8:44 pm

          It would be mainly for debris or snowload, but areas that require more pitch to the roof they’ll provide plans for your installer to be able to add a roof… and they’ve partnered with permits(dot)com to provide an easy resource for questions about permitting, which can include any modifications you may want to make to the structure.

  • Richard Fehrman
    August 7, 2021, 10:12 am

    fold out triangle for a one story roof/loft for heavy snow areas. storage or sleeping loft.

  • Fred
    August 7, 2021, 1:59 pm

    Folding houses are such a cool idea and this one is a great execution of such an idea.
    My only question is, why SO small?
    You could base the dimensions of the main unit on a shipping container (which is 8′ wide, 8.5′ tall and either 20′ or 40′ long), and when completely unfolded would yield either a 500 sq. ft. house or a 1000 sq. ft. house.
    Not that 375 sq. ft. is bad, its just…a shipping container is already a pretty compact unit and can yield a larger home.
    Anyway, neat idea…I might buy one! =)

    • James D.
      August 7, 2021, 7:01 pm

      Size is usually determined by cost and ease of transport requirement/target. But Pre-Fabs can be modular and thus scalable…

    • Peter Phan
      August 15, 2021, 8:16 pm

      Just thinking, shipping container 8′ wide and 20′ long. 160 sq. ft. and 40 footers would be 320 sq. so which 500 and 1000 sq. ft. ones are you comparing?

      • Fred
        August 15, 2021, 8:30 pm

        Pete,

        That area quote is based on a design I saw many years ago.
        The shipping container in question is 8.5′ tall. The roof and floor would fold out from the sides, hinged along the top and bottom edges of the container.
        If the basic unit is 8′ wide, that would mean the parts that fold out would total an additional 17′ (and now that I’ve given it more thought, it would probably end up spanning even farther, as additional room would have to be given for each folded section to lay up against each other).
        17+8=25.
        If the unit is 25×20, that’s 500 sq.ft.
        If the unit is 25×40, that’s 1000 sq.ft.

  • REBECCA CANNON
    August 15, 2021, 4:29 pm

    Defiantly liking the 2 story foldable stackable house. It would be great to add patio access on the trop of the house for relaxation. How would I go about getting a diagram of the fist and 2nd floor? I would like to see what is on the first floor and sq footage. and what appliance etc. are the each floor and cost for upgrades such as patio add on or laundry on the 2nd level…

    • Natalie C. McKee
      August 16, 2021, 6:36 am

      Hi Rebecca, you can learn more on their website, although they don’t have a lot of two-story models yet. I think those will be next phase.

  • Jeremy
    August 25, 2021, 9:57 am

    Look forward to buying one when you are fully up and running. Bedroom expansions would be a great idea, for people who plan on making a family.

  • cathy Marie helgerson
    December 20, 2021, 8:51 am

    I live in Cupertino California and there are many homeless and undocumented illegal immigrants trying to get help where there is no help. I have gone to my City of Cupertino and Santa Clara County to ask for help but nothing is being done even thou there is resources available for low and no income housing and there is also land that can be used for this purpose. I hope that somehow they will try and put up maybe these type of homes and I have sent my City and Council members information due to this web site but still nothing is being done. Maybe people like yourself can help get them to move anyway I hope so.

  • Janice Porto
    March 1, 2022, 7:00 pm

    Unfortunately, from what I read, they will not be available to the public to purchase for close to 10 years?

    • James D.
      March 2, 2022, 9:28 am

      No, they’re already being purchased. The problem is actually getting one as there’s already over 100,000 pre-orders and a $10 million military contract that takes precedence. So, unless they ramp up production a lot faster than expected, it may take years for them to catch up and fulfill all the orders they already have now…

      Mind, they only started since 2017 and are still a very small company that has only produced a few units so far but they stand to make over a billion if all the orders are fulfilled. So they will likely grow the company rapidly but it may still take a few years…

  • Jeff
    May 6, 2022, 5:29 pm

    I want one for my mother but I need it soon. Any idea as to when? I live in GA

  • Pastor Francis E COLE
    May 7, 2022, 1:18 am

    The concept is great, but now what is required re plumbing and waist water?
    Is the unit already wired with external fittings for power supply?
    Foundations, what is required to hold house in position in gales etc?
    These are questions I think Councils would be asking.

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