Welcome to Tiny Living!
Time to Complete: 30 minutes What You’ll Learn: Essential tiny home concepts, decision framework, next steps Who This Is For: Complete beginners exploring tiny home living
Ready to explore tiny home living? This quickstart guide gives you the foundation to understand the tiny home movement and determine if it’s right for you.
Part 1: Understanding Tiny Homes (5 minutes)
What Defines a Tiny Home?
Size: 100-400 square feet total living space Types: On wheels (mobile) or on foundation (permanent) Philosophy: Intentional living with less stuff, more freedom
The Two Main Categories
Tiny House on Wheels (THOW):
- Built on trailer chassis
- 8.5 ft wide x 13.5 ft tall (road legal)
- 16-28 ft long typical
- Mobile but often parked semi-permanently
- May require RVIA certification
- Zoning: RV parks or ADU classification
Tiny House on Foundation:
- Permanent like traditional house
- Wider design possibilities
- Must meet building codes (IRC)
- Easier to get permits
- Traditional utility connections
- More like “small house” legally
Why Go Tiny?
Financial Benefits:
- Lower cost: $20k-80k vs. $300k+ for traditional home
- Reduced utilities: $30-100/month vs. $200-400
- Less maintenance
- Lower property taxes (if owned land)
- Minimal or no mortgage debt
Lifestyle Benefits:
- More time (less to clean/maintain)
- Location flexibility (if mobile)
- Simplified living
- Environmental impact reduction
- Forced minimalism (clarity)
Challenges:
- Limited space (obviously)
- Zoning/legal complexity
- Financing difficulty
- Resale market uncertainty
- Not suitable for everyone
Part 2: Is Tiny Living Right for You? (5 minutes)
Self-Assessment
Answer These Questions:
Can you downsize possessions by 70-80%?
- Tiny living requires radical downsizing
- Clothing, books, kitchen items, furniture
- If deeply attached to stuff, reconsider
Who will live in the space?
- Solo: 100-200 sq ft very doable
- Couple: 200-300 sq ft works well
- Couple + child: 300-400 sq ft minimum
- Multiple children: Consider small house instead (600-800 sq ft)
Where will you put it?
- Own land? Check zoning first
- Need to buy land? Rural often easier
- Rent space? ADU or tiny home community
- Mobile lifestyle? RV certification needed
What’s your budget?
- DIY build: $20k-45k
- Professional build: $50k-120k
- Turnkey purchase: $60k-150k
- Plus: Land (if needed), hookups, permits
Do you have time/skills to build?
- Full DIY: 6-18 months + carpentry skills
- Partial DIY: 2-6 months + willingness to learn
- Hire out: 3-6 months + larger budget
Green Flags (Good Candidates):
- Minimalist or willing to become one
- Value experiences over possessions
- Financially motivated or environmentally conscious
- Comfortable with small spaces
- DIY-inclined or can hire help
- Flexible about location
Red Flags (Reconsider):
- Need lots of stuff/space
- Multiple children
- Require home office with extensive equipment
- Major physical limitations (loft access difficult)
- Absolutely must live in restrictive urban zoning
- Unwilling to navigate legal complexity
Part 3: Key Decisions (10 minutes)
Decision 1: Mobile or Permanent?
Tiny House on Wheels:
- Choose if: Want flexibility, may move, zoning challenges, prefer RV classification
- Avoid if: Plan to stay put long-term, want larger dimensions, need traditional financing
Foundation-Built Tiny:
- Choose if: Permanent location, want easier permitting, need traditional mortgage, want full size
- Avoid if: May relocate, want to avoid property taxes, face minimum square footage restrictions
Decision 2: DIY or Professional Build?
DIY Build:
- Pros: Save $20k-60k in labor, customization, personal satisfaction, learn skills
- Cons: Time (6-18 months), requires skills/learning, stress, mistakes costly
- Best for: Handy people, tight budget, flexible timeline
Hire a Builder:
- Pros: Faster (3-6 months), professional quality, warranty often included, less stress
- Cons: Expensive, less customization, must trust builder
- Best for: Higher budget, tight timeline, less handy
Hybrid Approach:
- Hire out: Shell, electrical, plumbing
- DIY: Insulation, interior finish, cabinets
- Best for: Moderate budget and skills
Decision 3: New Build or Buy Used?
New Build (DIY or Hired):
- Pros: Exactly what you want, warranty, modern systems, no hidden problems
- Cons: Expensive, time-consuming, stressful
Buy Used/Pre-Owned:
- Pros: Faster, cheaper (often 30-50% off), proven design, move-in ready
- Cons: Limited selection, someone else’s design choices, may need repairs
- Where to Look: Tiny Home Builders (trade-ins), Tiny Home Listings, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace
Decision 4: Off-Grid or Grid-Connected?
Off-Grid Systems:
- Solar power + batteries ($10k-25k)
- Water: Well, rainwater, or haul ($1k-15k)
- Composting toilet ($960-1,050)
- Propane for cooking/heat
- Choose if: Remote location, value independence, higher upfront budget
Grid-Connected:
- Standard utilities (electric, water, sewer)
- Lower upfront cost
- More reliable, less maintenance
- Choose if: Urban/suburban, lower budget, want simplicity
Hybrid:
- Grid-tied solar with battery backup
- City water but rainwater collection
- Standard toilet with low-flow fixtures
- Choose if: Want some independence with reliability
Part 4: Legal Essentials (5 minutes)
Quick Legal Overview
Zoning is the Biggest Challenge
Most zoning codes weren’t written with tiny homes in mind. Challenges:
- Minimum square footage (often 600-1,000 sq ft)
- Primary dwelling requirements (ADU only with main house)
- RV parking restrictions
- Hookup requirements
Tiny-Friendly Options:
Rural/Agricultural Land
- Often fewer restrictions
- Larger lots, more privacy
- Further from urban amenities
ADU on Existing Property
- Your backyard or family’s
- Many cities encouraging ADUs now
- Must meet setback requirements
Tiny Home Communities
- Legal because built as subdivision or RV park
- Community amenities
- HOA fees typical
RVIA-Certified as RV
- Park in RV parks
- Some residential zones allow with permit
- Must meet RVIA standards
Building Codes:
- Appendix Q (IRC): Many jurisdictions adopting this tiny-house-specific code
- RVIA Certification: If building as RV
- Standard IRC: If building as small house on foundation
Action Item: Call your local building department BEFORE buying land or starting build. Ask:
- Minimum square footage?
- ADU allowed?
- RVs/tiny homes on wheels allowed?
- Appendix Q adopted?
Part 5: Cost Breakdown (3 minutes)
Realistic Budgets
DIY Build on Wheels:
- Trailer: $5,000-7,000
- Materials: $15,000-25,000
- Systems: $3,000-6,000
- Tools: $500-2,000
- Total: $23,500-40,000
Professional Build on Wheels:
- Base shell: $30,000-50,000
- Interior finish: $15,000-30,000
- Systems: $5,000-10,000
- Total: $50,000-90,000
Foundation-Built Tiny:
- Foundation: $2,000-5,000
- Materials/labor: $30,000-60,000
- Systems: $4,000-8,000
- Total: $36,000-73,000
Don’t Forget:
- Land (if needed): $10,000-100,000+ (huge variation)
- Permits: $500-2,000
- Utility connections: $2,000-10,000
- Furnishings: $2,000-5,000
- Moving/delivery (if mobile): $1,000-5,000
Part 6: Your Next Steps (2 minutes)
Immediate Actions (This Week)
1. Consume Tiny Home Content
- Browse our Design Principles guide
- Watch tiny home tours (YouTube: Living Big in a Tiny House, Tiny House Expedition)
- Join Facebook groups (Tiny House Community, Tiny House People)
- Visit a tiny home if possible (tours, communities, Airbnb)
2. Financial Planning
- Calculate current housing costs
- Determine tiny home budget
- Research financing options
- Start saving/budgeting
3. Declutter Challenge
- Start downsizing possessions
- If you can’t purge 50% now, tiny living will be hard
- Sell/donate to fund build
4. Research Your Area
- Call building department
- Research local zoning
- Find tiny-friendly nearby areas
- Identify tiny home communities
Short-Term Actions (This Month)
1. Deep Dive Learning
- Read Building Guide if planning DIY
- Study Legal Requirements for your area
- Review Sustainable Systems if going off-grid
- Explore Interior Design for inspiration
2. Land/Location Scouting
- If buying land: Research areas, pricing, zoning
- If ADU: Get landowner permission, check permits
- If community: Visit, interview residents
- If mobile: Plan where you’ll park it
3. Design Phase
- Sketch floor plans
- List must-haves vs. nice-to-haves
- Decide on systems (off-grid vs. grid)
- Choose aesthetics (modern, rustic, etc.)
4. Budget Refinement
- Get trailer quotes
- Price out materials
- Get builder estimates (if hiring)
- Plan financing
Long-Term Actions (3-6 Months)
Planning Phase:
- Finalize floor plans
- Get permits (if required)
- Order/purchase trailer
- Line up help (if DIY)
- Purchase/secure land
Building Phase:
- Order materials
- Begin construction (DIY or hire)
- Schedule inspections
- Progress systematically
Completion Phase:
- Final inspections
- Arrange utilities/hookups
- Move in possessions
- Celebrate!
Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
Starting to Build Before Solving Legal/Land Issues
- Solve zoning FIRST, build second
- Don’t assume you can park anywhere
Underestimating Costs
- Add 20% buffer to budget
- Hidden costs add up fast
Overestimating Skills/Time
- First builds take 2x longer than expected
- Be realistic about abilities
Skipping the Downsizing Test
- Try living in 10% of current space for a month
- If miserable, reconsider tiny living
Designing for Imaginary Life
- Design for your actual lifestyle, not ideal
- Be honest about needs
Neglecting Weight (For THOW)
- Everything adds up
- Trailer has weight limit
- Choose lightweight materials
Inspiration & Resources
Websites:
- Tiny House Alliance USA
- The Tiny Life
- Tiny House Build
- Tiny House Listings (for sale)
YouTube Channels:
- Living Big in a Tiny House
- Tiny House Expedition
- Exploring Alternatives
Books:
- “The Big Tiny” by Dee Williams
- “Tiny House Designing, Building & Living” by Ryan Mitchell
- “Tiny House Floor Plans” by Michael Janzen
Reddit:
- r/TinyHouses
- r/TinyHouseOnWheels
- r/OffGrid
Final Thoughts
Tiny home living isn’t for everyone—and that’s OK! It requires:
- Willingness to downsize radically
- Navigating legal complexity
- Accepting lifestyle tradeoffs
- Embracing intentional living
But for those suited to it, tiny living offers:
- Financial freedom
- Simplified lifestyle
- Environmental benefits
- Flexibility and adventure
Your Next Step: Read the Design Principles guide to understand how to maximize small space function and beauty.
Try Before You Buy: Rent a tiny home on Airbnb for a weekend. Experience the space before committing.
Welcome to the tiny home community. Whether you’re dreaming, planning, building, or already living small, you’re part of a movement choosing intentionality over excess, experiences over things, and freedom over convention.
Start exploring. Your tiny home journey begins now.