How to Build a Tiny Home

Building a tiny house is no easy feat, and if anything – you may require help from multiple professionals. This is about building an entire house, however small, where you will be spending a great deal of time. However, nothing beats the importance of a blueprint and knowledge of all the steps you will need to follow. Even if you do not do the dirty work yourself, you should be aware of everything that needs to be done. And that is precisely what our guide on how to build a tiny home covers.

Things You’ll Need

While this list covers some of the basic tools for building a tiny house, it is certainly not exhaustive. Only use this as a reference point.

1. Ryobi Drill and Circular Saw Starter Kit

2. Ryobi Lithium-Ion Cordless Brad Nailer

3. BOSTITCH Palm Mini Impact Nailer

4. BOSCH Laser Distance Measurer

5. IRWIN VISE-GRIP Wire Stripper

6. Makita Compact Router Kit

7. Makita Random Orbit Sander

8. HomeRight Finish Max Paint Sprayer

Step 1: Figure out where you will be building the house

Once you know how you want your tiny home to look, you should figure out where you will be building it. We have already discussed how it can be tricky to find a piece of land to build a tiny house legally, so this will take some time. Without a place or piece of land to build your house on, you cannot proceed with this project!

Step 2: Designing and planning comes first

A crucial step to any building project – design and planning. It becomes even more important when building a tiny house because you need efficient utilization of space. Carefully go through some existing small home designs and consult a professional to envision your own tiny house. Proper strategy and planning will save you hours of wasted time (and regrets).

Step 3: Set out the floor

Your piece of land needs to be converted into a foundation your house can stand upon. This means converting the ground to a floor. Secure the foundation of your floor by reinforcing old joints and fixing weak points. Sheathe the lumber with Oriented-Strand-Board or plywood. Both are pretty sturdy.

Step 4: Frame the walls

Building a tiny house requires giving it a structure or walls. Some people choose to work with prefab tiny houses where the basic structure is already in place. If you are building from scratch, you will need to frame the walls. You can use metal braces to hold the walls together. They will eventually be hidden under the interior walls once the house is completed. Don’t forget to sheath the walls with plywood or OSB.

Step 5: Frame the roof and install roof material

With the foundation and walls in place, you need to frame a roof on your tiny house. While you will still need help from a professional here, we recommend a simple roof design. Weather poof the roof with roofing material. Standing-seam metal is ideal for long-lasting roofing. The steeper your roof design, the harder it is to install.

Step 6: Wrap the structure up

Your house will not be completed in a day – so you need to ensure that it is protected from harsh weather such as unexpected rain or snow. Wrap the basic structure of your house with a house wrap. This breathable material will allow for moisture to release while keeping the interior dry.

Step 7: Install doors and windows

Another crucial step in building a tiny house – installing the doors and windows. You do not want to go wrong with this, so seeking professional help is highly recommended. You need to get the dimensions perfectly accurate and even figure out whether you will be going for skylights or a French door etc. because natural light is extremely important for a tiny house.

Step 8: Painting, Caulking, Trimming, and cladding

These finishing touches to the exterior of your tiny house are significant to how it will look. But more importantly, sealing and caulking any gaps after installing the roof, doors, and windows will have long-term benefits. You do not want to leave spaces open for insects to crawl into your small abode.

Step 9: Getting the plumbing work done

Building a tiny house can never be completed without plumbing. You have now moved inside, and plumbing is the first thing to get out of the way. While you will definitely require an expert for the groundwork, you have two main options to work with: plastic or copper plumbing. And while the latter costs less, it will be harder to work with.

Step 10: Rough-in electricity

Second in line is connecting the electric lines – be ready to use the services of an electrician. You will have to work with them to see where you want the electric outlets and how many (you do not have room for mistakes here – quite literally). If you are planning to live off the grid – you will still have to see how you will be using electricity to power up your tiny house.

Step 11: Insulate your house

Another crucial step in building a tiny house is insulating it properly. Just because it is small does not mean it is immune to drafts and similar issues. Foam board insulation is a popular choice – a low-VOC ensures better air quality inside the house. Make sure to spray foam every nook and cranny of your tiny home.

Step 12: Sheath the interior

With the insulation, plumbing, and electricity in place – you now need to wall the interiors. You have a number of options to work with here though most people use wood for sheathing the interior. Drywall is another great option – it is cheap and protects against fire.

Step 13: Painting the interior

Here is an exciting part of building a tiny house. Choosing exciting colors and patterns can completely transform the aesthetics of your tiny home, but the more complicated the final look, the more expert help you will require. If you choose to go for a simple paint job, you can even do it yourself.

Step 14: Get the flooring job completed

Finally, lay down the flooring of your tiny house. Cover the subfloor with any material of your choice. There are a number of options ranging from wood and vinyl or tiles. A popular choice among many tiny house owners is pre-finished wooden floors as they are convenient and easy to complement with other interior ideas.

Our Final Thoughts

Building a tiny house will take a good deal of time, effort, and planning. We will not pretend that it is an easy one-man’s job. Even if you are tackling this as a DIY project, it is best to consult experts in different aspects of building the house, such as plumbing, roofing, and electric work. We hope this guide on how to build a tiny home helps you cover and plan all integral steps of the building process and gives you a good starting point.