FAQ’s

If you asked most people, they would say a tiny house has a similar size to an RV travel trailer. These homes are often built on flatbed trailers and are sometimes custom built. Their square footage usually does not surpass 400 square feet.  Small cabins, cottages, and other residences can also be considered tiny homes if subjectively under 800 square feet. While the term tiny house is not as much an exclusive definition, it is a broad, inclusive category for extremely small residences.

Here are some questions you should ask yourself before you embark on any tiny house build…

Skills –  Building a safe, durable tiny house takes skills.  Do you currently have construction knowledge and experience?  If not, do you have the patience and commitment needed to acquire these skills?  If you’ve never built anything, consider building something simple, like a set of shelves or a table, to test your skills and gain confidence before beginning your tiny house.

Build space –  Do you have, or can you find, a place to build your tiny house?

Time –  Building a tiny house takes specialized, intensive labor.  Depending on the complexity of your design and your skill level in each construction phase, building a tiny house yourself can take significant time.  Do you have enough free time?  Can you be comfortable extending your build timeline as necessary to fit it into your existing work and family commitments?

Money –  If you have savings and know where you’ll park your tiny house, buying one that’s already complete is probably the best path.  If money is an issue and/or you’re not sure where you’ll live, take it slow and evaluate your options.

Contact Nook Tiny Homes before you start building your own tiny home.  Let us show you how it may be actually less expensive for us to build your tiny home.

The cost of a tiny home varies greatly depending on the size and the custom quality finishes you select.  Many people choose to build tiny homes themselves with their own design or house plans they find online.  While there is often a bit of personal satisfaction in this method, we always recommend having your tiny house built by a professional, experienced builder.  Typically it will end up costing roughly the same amount of money if you are doing it right.

If you are looking at budgeting for a tiny house, here are some general guidelines.  A fully finished tiny home usually ranges in price from $55,000 (for our micro units – 12 feet in length)  to over $275,000 for large (45 feet in length), luxury custom elaborate homes.

While the majority of our customers have funds readily available to invest in their tiny house, some are interested in financing options.  Our website has a section dedicated to tiny home financing.  Check it out here.

Here are a few websites to learn more about tiny houses:

• Tiny House Blog
• Tiny House Magazine
• The Tiny Life
• Tiny House Talk
• Tiny Revolution
• Small House Society

You can also check out our Resources and Project tabs. We’ve got some great information there.

A mobile tiny home can be parked on your own property (if allowed by local ordinances, zoning codes, and/or Home Owners’ Association) or at friend’s or relative’s property.  If you are traveling with your tiny home, you can stay at RV Trailer parks as our Nook Tiny Homes are built to RVIA standards.  This is especially beneficial if you have a kitchen and/or full bathroom as you can hook up to the RV park’s water and septic systems.

As tiny homes become more prevalent in communities, many cities and local governments are evolving zoning ordinances to account for this type of alternative housing.  To find out if your community allows tiny homes check with your local planning department.

If you want to build a tiny house on wheels, you might tell the local planning department you’re considering building a house on a flatbed trailer that you hope to live in – and let them know where.  Then ask if there are any allowances for this in your community.  For instance, would your community permit an RV or an ADU (accessory dwelling unit, a.k.a. “granny unit”) on your property and is it legal to use it as a dwelling?  Every community has different zoning codes and ordinance so it pays to do solid research before embarking on your project.

To learn more about finding land for you tiny house, check out out this page.

Nook Tiny Homes can be customized with cooling and heating systems and a thermostat allowing you to adjust the temperature and mode (i.e. heat or cool) just like in a standard home.

Many people install grey water tanks similar to an RV in their tiny homes so their units can travel frequently.  If your tiny home is going to reside in only one location, then you should consider setting up a grey water system.  With access to a sewer system and the proper plumbing, your waste water will be processed like a conventional home.

Sure, and since we can custom design and build a tiny home to your desires, you can have adequate space for your family.

Check with your insurance agent regarding options to insure your tiny home.  We have more information for acquiring insurance in our Resources section. You can find it here.