By Molli McGee
Interested in downsizing? Tiny houses are sweeping the nation with their purposeful designs and tinier ecological footprint. How tiny is tiny, you ask? A tiny house is typically no more than 500 square feet and can be built on a foundation or on a trailer. Where they lack in square footage they make up for in compact, but functional spaces.
Source: Unsplash
While some tiny house enthusiasts don’t mind spending ages on their build, others may want to get their tiny sorted as quickly as possible. Luckily for us, there are ways to build a tiny house where we can move in as soon as possible. Let’s take a look at some tips for building your own tiny house quickly.
Buy a Tiny House Kit
So it’s known as one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways to build a tiny house. A tiny house kit is an excellent way to get what you want–and fast. One of the perks of purchasing a tiny house kit is that you don’t necessarily need a lot of construction experience. In addition, you also don’t have to spend time sourcing materials. As well, finding the right tiny house builder. Although a tiny house kit typically comes as a set design, you can also request a custom kit for a higher price.
Buy a Tiny House Shell
Most tiny house builders offer the option of only partially finishing a home. If you want to get a head start on your tiny, you can request to buy a tiny house shell. Generally what you’ll get is four walls, a roof, and siding. If the electrics and plumbing make you uneasy, you can ask to get your tiny home more on the finished side.
Forgo the Electricity and Water
While not ideal for every climate, an easy way to expedite the build process is by not adding plumbing or electricity. For anyone interested in off-grid living, this could be the push you need to look into alternative options like a composting toilet and woodstoves.
Build an Extra-Small Tiny House
It goes without saying that a bigger project (even for a tiny house) can take a longer amount of time. It all adds up! More building materials means more time spent hauling and actually piecing together your tiny house materials. If you choose a tiny house plan that’s smaller than the average size, you can significantly cut down on your build time.
Pro Tip:
In terms of building a tiny house on wheels, a shorter trailer costs less than the longer options. When choosing your tiny house on wheels drawing, be sure to consult a professional if you’re unsure about the size to weight ratio.
Is Tiny Living Right for Me?
Tiny living is a life change that shouldn’t be taken lightly–downsizing isn’t easy for everyone. A big part of the reason why people love living in a tiny house is because of the “less is more” mentality. In conclusion, there’s a huge appeal in having everything you need and nothing you don’t. Additionally, tiny living aligns with eco-friendly values. Finally, lower levels of consumption come naturally in a smaller space, and it’s easy to incorporate alternative energy solutions such as solar power. If any of this resonates with you, then living in tiny houses could be your next step toward living in a big way.
Author: Molli McGee
Bio:
Molli is a U.S. citizen currently living in Cape Town, South Africa. Aside from writing about tiny houses, Molli loves to be at the beach and eat food (often at the same time). She js an avid surfer and beach-goer. She does her best to promote a sustainable way of living.
Website:www.tinysociety.co
