Do Tiny Houses Have to be so Expensive?

Reset A− A+ I am researching tiny houses in all forms. For me, tiny is tiny. I could care less if it is made of Straw bales, Cobb, wood framed, canvas tarps, a container, a bus, or a combination of any items. It could be on wheels (since I do like to travel), or it can be permanent on rented or owned land (because I like to farm).

When it comes to tiny homes, I am very open minded and flexible in anything but cost. Cost to me is a big concern. I don’t see the point in doing the minimalist lifestyle yet go high end for fancy items that are not recycled or green. That doesn’t mean that I am opposed to some people living happily in their McMansions nor the tiny house McQuality! To each their own! For me, living light is living cheaper too. In all forms.

Do Tiny Houses Have to be so Pricey?

It seems there is a consistent pattern of homes that are not so simple. Expensive homes with high quality amenities.  My question is always the same: Do the prices need to be that high or are companies going overboard with fanciness to have higher sales per unit? And I follow that with, would more of us be in the market if the market offered cheaper pricing with lower quality amenities?

Tiny House Trailer Costs

A tandem axle trailer new runs between $3,000 to $5,000. See below, I just randomly grabbed a listing off the internet.

Source: http://www.kaufmantrailers.com/heavy-equipment-trailer-store/Kaufman-Trailers-Catalog/Tandem-Landscape-Utility-Trailers-c61/

Tiny House Shell/Shed Costs

If we as non builders are intimidated by building our own shell wouldn’t it be nice to purchase a reasonably priced shell on a trailer? A storage shed at the local building supply store would run anywhere from $1,800 to $5,000 finished in lower cost materials. As a quick reference, the Home Depot shed below would require 2 units put together on a 20 foot trailer.

Source: http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=203080313&R=203080313#.UOckUm_AeXc

In the assumption of high end shed and high end trailers we are looking at $10,000. This tiny house set up would be built on a trailer and have windows, doors, and roof. Ready to roll for around $10,000.

My next question would be about electrical access in a tiny house. Is it necessary to run receptacles and light switches all around the building? Are we of the thought that codes in our standard homes set the mark for tiny home layouts?

Wouldn’t it be simpler to run all power off one side of the home? Again, I am not implying it is wrong to run all the electrical supply you wish to have in your home, but some people would prefer to cut down on electrical usage all together.. And the occasional extension cord under a carpet wouldn’t seem that much of an inconvenience when the max width of the house is 8′ wide.. To wire and supply a tiny house this way would cut down on electrical supplies and save the home owner money.

What are your thoughts on the pricing of tiny homes? Is it justified? Do you think builders should use lower quality materials to lower prices?

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Stacie Byrne

I became interested in living small after spending a year in Afghanistan. My rooms there were very tiny, but what really changed my thinking was when I met the local people and saw their (mud) dwellings. Those people had nothing. They were happy! War was surrounding them and they lived in small places with little possessions and they were happy. Here I was with tons of material possessions back home and yet I found my self drawn to their nothingness and peace.... That's when I did a 360.

Latest posts by Stacie Byrne (see all)

• Do Tiny Houses Have to be so Expensive? - January 5, 2013