- How Much Do Tiny Homes/Houses Cost?
- What To Consider When Buying or Building a Tiny House/Home
- What Are the Different Types of Tiny Homes?
- Pros and Cons of Owning a Tiny Home/House
- How Do You Transport a Tiny and What’s the Cost?
- How To Prepare a Tiny Home For Transport
- How Do Tiny Home Transport Companies Prepare For Transport
What is a Tiny Home/House? How big Is It?
At this point, we’ve all seen a tiny little house somewhere, but what are they? Tiny homes or houses are little homes, as the name already suggests, ranging between 100 feet and a maximum of 500 feet. However, the most common sizes are between 100ft and 400ft, and some areas have limitations on how big a tiny house can be, which is often 400ft. Tiny homes have become famous in recent years; by the look of things, they won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. Tiny homes often excuse a sense of minimalism and adventure. Learn more about these cute miniature structures below.
How Much Do Tiny Homes/Houses Cost?
The price of a tiny home or house depends on the materials, size, and features. However, they normally range between $29,000 to $250,000. That price fluctuates depending on what you want your little heaven to look like and the quality of installations. We’ve seen tiny houses pop up everywhere because they’re considered affordable compared to traditional homes.
As of 2024, an average home costs about $400,000, which is no comparison to the cost of a tiny home. Building your own tiny home would save you some money compared to buying one that’s ready-made because you don’t have to cater for the labor and transport costs. The bigger the tiny house, the more it will cost because of the cost of materials and appliances.
Below are the average costs of tiny homes based on their sizes.
| Tiny Home Size in Square Feet | Average Total Cost | Total Cost Range |
| 100 | $29,000 | $19,000 – $45,000 |
| 200 | $58,000 | $35,000 – $85,000 |
| 300 | $87,000 | $50,000 – $130,000 |
| 400 | $112,000 | $70,000 – $170,000 |
| 500 | $172,000 | $100,000 – $250,000 |
What To Consider When Buying or Building a Tiny House/Home
Tiny homes may seem simple, but a lot goes into owning one. We will discuss the most important points to consider before investing your hard-earned money into a tiny home;
1. Size
It goes without saying that size matters when it comes to tiny homes. Your day-to-day life should determine the size of the home you want. If you live alone, you can get away with a small space, but if you have children and pets, investing in a spacious, tiny home is better for everyone’s sanity. If you have yet to learn what you want, contacting a professional is important because they will advise you on what suits your needs best and how to maximize the space available.
2. Tiny Home Building Permits and Taxes
The permit-acquiring process depends on whether you’re building your tiny home or hiring a professional. Regardless of the scenario you’re in, permits are mandatory. If you’re the builder, you must contact your nearest city hall to get the permit before starting. However, if you’re dealing with a builder, they might acquire the permits on your behalf, and you will pay for it in the agreed-upon amount. The cost of getting tiny home permits depends on your location and can range between a few hundred dollars to thousands.
A few factors determining the cost of tiny home building permits and taxes are whether the home will be on wheels or a foundation. Tiny homes on wheels are treated similarly to RVs. They’re excluded from most real estate taxes, but you have to pay for the parking space due to zoning laws. Tiny houses on a foundation are subject to building codes, which vary from state to state. As previously mentioned, your local city hall is where you can find conclusive answers on tiny home building permits and taxes.
3. Land
Building your tiny home on a foundation means you must have land. Depending on where you plan to set up your tiny home, you must consider the land cost. You also have to remember that property taxes come with owning land. You might also need a surveyor who might cost you around $550. Luckily, tiny homes aren’t large, and you can get away with purchasing a small piece of land.
4. Foundation
Building a tiny home on a foundation will cost you between $7000 and $10,000 in addition to the land costs mentioned above. For tiny homes on wheels, you will need a trailer that costs around the same price as the foundation, ranging from $5500 to $9500. To move your tiny home on wheels, you will need to contact a reputable company like ours for power-only services.
5. Amenities
When building a tiny home, you want to make it as convenient as possible. Therefore, investing in good amenities is mandatory to enjoy your living space. While the amount of money you spend on your amenities is entirely up to what you can afford, we encourage all tiny homeowners to invest in quality. Cheap is expensive, and your amenities should serve you for a reasonable amount of time without having to keep fixing them. Some amenities to invest in include countertops, furniture, and appliances.
What Are the Different Types of Tiny Homes?
Tiny homes come in different designs and sizes. The only way to know which is best for you is to consider your lifestyle first. That means whether you want to settle in one place or build it on wheels for easy movement. Budget is also a big determiner on the type of tiny house you want. Below, we will discuss the different types of tiny homes. We hope you get to know what best fits you.
1. Tiny House on Wheels – THOW
Tiny homes on wheels are a good option for people who don’t want to be confined to one location. They’re an excellent option for people seeking a lifestyle with freedom of living where they can easily move to a location they desire without any issues. These homes are ideal for adventurers who like their own space and don’t come with the baggage of property taxes.
2. Tiny House on Foundation – THOF
Tiny homes on the foundation are ideal for people who still like the idea of traditional homes without the need for a lot of space. They can be customized to meet one’s lifestyle but are more demanding than those on wheels. With these tiny homes, you need to consider purchasing land where they will be built, getting permits, and getting utility hookups.
3. Park Model – PMRV
These park models are built according to ANSI code and typically have one bedroom and bathroom. They’re treated similarly to RVs, and some are equipped with a loft space. They’re a great option for adventurous people traveling across the state or country.
Pros and Cons of Owning a Tiny Home/House
To know if a tiny home is the best option, you must compare the advantages to the disadvantages to ensure you make the best decision. Below are the pros and cons of owning a tiny home.
Pros
1. Affordability
Compared to the traditional homes, tiny houses are far more affordable. Despite sacrificing space, you still have everything you need. Tiny homes reduce the cost of living significantly, and you can use your money in other ways.
2. Maintenance
Due to their size, tiny homes are easy to maintain. They take less time to clean than actual homes, and you only keep what’s necessary, making the decluttering process more manageable.
3. Sustainability
Tiny homes are eco-friendly and have a low environmental impact. They use less water and energy and create less waste than traditional homes, resulting in a minimal carbon footprint.
4. Mobility
Many people invest in tiny homes due to the freedom that comes with them. You can hook up your tiny home on wheels and easily drive around the country. In addition, moving gets simpler because you only need to hire a transport company for power-only services or drive to your new hometown without the need to unload your items.
Cons
Anything that has advantages has some disadvantages. Here are some of what you may not like about owning a tiny home.
1. Zoning Laws
Zoning laws require you to build a minimum size of a permanent home; if you can’t afford to meet the required size, it might be difficult to own a tiny home. Therefore, before building a tiny home on a foundation, research the rules and regulations of that particular area to avoid breaking the law, which could lead to a fine and, even worse, demolition.
2. Vulnerability
Tiny homes are delicate and easily damaged by severe weather. If you plan on building one in areas subject to harsh weather, such as storms and hurricanes, you should rethink it. It’s wise to seek professional opinions to ensure where you plan on setting your tiny home is safe.
3. Building Codes
Your tiny home must meet the regulations set by the authorities to ensure it’s safe to live. Building codes change from state to state, and it’s important to do your research to ensure you meet them all. Some common ones include:
- Adhere to the International Building Cide requirements and International Residential Code.
- A minimum height of 6’8 feet in common areas.
- At least a single window that can be used as an emergency exit.
- One bath with a ceiling height of at least 6’4 feet.
- A staircase or ladder for the lofts.
How Do You Transport a Tiny and What’s the Cost?
Tiny homes can be transported using various methods. One involves loading them on a suitable trailer if not built on wheels. The other involves power-only services. That means we come to the site of your tiny homes with a tractor-trailer if it’s on a fifth-wheel hitch or a regular truck if it’s on a ball-mount hitch and hook it up for transport.
The cost of shipping a tiny home varies from one shipment to another because it depends on the distance between the pick-up and drop-off locations, size, and permits, among other factors. The further the distance, the more you will pay due to the fuel costs. In addition, shipments that require permits cost more due to the permit charges and can take longer to complete because we must wait for permit approval. Depending on your tiny home’s size, pilot cars may also be required to help the driver maneuver through highways safely.
Overall, the cost of shipping a tiny home is per mile and depends on whether your tiny home is:
- Oversize or not
- On wheels or chassis
- Type of hitch – 5th wheel, bumper hitch, or hitch ball
To give you an idea of how much it costs to ship a tiny home, here are examples of a few we shipped in 2024: their pick-up and drop-off locations, sizes, and weights, and the cost.
| Pick-Up | Drop-Off | Size (L, W, H) | Weight | Cost |
| Wichita Falls, TX | Azle, TX | 32ft 13ft 15ft | 8,500 Lbs | $1,977.60 |
| Saint Charles, MO | Knoxville, TN | 24ft 8ft 13.50ft | 10,500 Lbs | $3,090.00 |
| Calgary, AB | Salt Lake City, UT | 32ft 8.6ft 13.60ft | 19,000 Lbs | $4,820.00 |
| Conway, AR | Rio Rancho, NM | 21ft 8.6ft 12ft | 10,000 Lbs | $2,369.00 |
NOTE: The trailer types in the about shipments vary, and so does the time of booking. To know how much it will cost to move your tiny home, contact us with its details.
How To Prepare a Tiny Home For Transport
When hiring a reputable tiny home transport company like ours, there are a few things you need to get done to ensure your tiny home is delivered safely.
1. Hire a Professional Move
You should hire an experienced tiny home mover like us, a company specializing in tiny house transport, with the necessary resources to ensure the move is successful. You should also ensure the company is insured to cover any potential damages. We fully insure every tiny home we transport and add your name to a copy of our insurance.
2. Secure Loose Items in the Interior
You should secure or remove all the loose items that could move around during transport and get damaged. That includes your appliances, furniture, decorations, and fragile items. Anything fragile should be wrapped and cushioned, and the loose items should be securely fastened using strong straps.
3. Prepare the Exterior
If your tiny home’s roof is pitched, it should be lowered. In addition, all installations, such as air conditioners and solar panels, should be removed to avoid damage. Secure the windows and doors, and use additional reinforcement so they don’t open during transport.
4. Inspect the Trailer
If your tiny home is on a trailer, inspect it to ensure it has no issues. Check the tires to confirm they’re in good condition and can travel without bursting. Inspect the hitch to ensure it’s in good condition and can be hooked without a problem.
5. Disconnect Utilities
Utilities such as water, gas, and electricity should be disconnected before the transport company arrives. If your tank home has water or waste tanks, drain them to reduce weight and avoid leaking.
How Do Tiny Home Transport Companies Prepare For Transport
1. Check State Regulations
If your tiny home exceeds the size limits in the states it will pass through; we immediately start working on the permits due to the size and weight restrictions. Transporting a tiny house without the right permits subjects the carriers to fines, and sometimes, the driver’s license is revoked.
2. Plan the Route
We plan the route in advance by acquiring clearances to avoid low bridges, narrow roads, and other obstacles that could delay the transport. Depending on the size of your tiny house, pilot cars may be necessary, especially if it’s a wide load.
3. Final Inspection
Before your tiny home is transported, we inspect it and fill out a bill of lading form. The goal of this inspection is to confirm everything is well secured and ready for transport and to document the state of the tiny house before transport. The second inspection is carried out at the delivery location to inspect for damages and ensure everything is delivered in the condition it was picked in.
Conclusion
Tiny homes are common, and learning what you’re about to get yourself into before investing your hard-earned money into one is justified. If you already own a tiny home and want to relocate to a different city or state for more adventures, Nationwide Transport Services is the partner you need for transport. We’re licensed and certified, and above all, we have over 14 years of experience. We have successfully helped many customers relocate their tiny homes across the country safely and continue enjoying their personal spaces. We have dedicated specialists, and one of them will be assigned to your shipment and handle it from start to finish. Contact our team today to get started.
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