Just wanted to give a heads up to anyone who was potentially looking at Cumberland. What was once a long time low population rural mecca in Tennessee for those wishing to own their own small piece of country property, and build a small home themselves has recently adopted the 2018 International Residential Code. A lot of people were caught off guard by this and weren't able to get grandfathered in time. This likely means that those who bought property that didn't perk for septic with the intent to use a tiny home with it's own black water storage, will no longer be able to get utilities like power or water because of the requirement of a septic permit before any building permit can be issued so that utilities can be installed on a lot that doesn't need septic in the first place. All new construction going forward will now have to be permitted and inspected, including HVAC, electrical and plumbing. This will dramatically complicate the situations of those looking to use land in this area for small alternative housing.

Best of luck to everyone out here. If you've found a good place it's probably best not to hesitate because this seems to be a trend most rural southern counties are leaning into.

Hello, I’m planning electrical for my tiny house and my knowledge is limited, so I’m seeking some guidance.

I’d like to be able to run a 15a cord to run some LED lights (50w total) and a few outlets, into which would be plugged a mini fridge (50w), a convection heater (1000w), a toaster oven (1000w), an induction burner (1000w), and some electronics (100w total max). My limited understanding of load suggests that this should work fine so long as I only run one of the 1000w appliances at a time, is this correct?

I’d also like to be able to run a 50a cord to run all of the above plus a 6500w hot water heater.

Ideally, I’d have power inlets for both the 15a cord and 50a cord. If I have access to a 50a plug, I can use the 50a cord and run it all, if I only have access to a 15a plug, I can use the 15a cord and have no hot water.

What I don’t know is how this will work with breakers and circuits. Is it possible to have my 15a circuit on a 15a breaker, powered by my 15a inlet, and to have a separate circuit for the hot water heater on a 50a breaker, with both circuits powered by the 50a inlet? (I hope that makes sense - ideally would like to just run one cord if 50a is available, but still able to meet most of my power needs if only 15a is available.)

I’m assuming I’ll use some sort of RV power inlet to a panel inside - has anyone seen a dual 15a and 50a inlet?

Thank you very much in advance for any insight!

Edit for clarification: yes, it’s a tiny house on wheels, so may be moved seasonally, but will only be used on private properties. I would like flexibility in accessing power; my current spot has a 50a outlet. Thanks for all the thoughtful responses!

Hi there!

I’m looking for recommendations on a good budget compact washer/dryer or portable ones!

I’m moving into a 450 sq ft apartment that comes with a washer and dryer hook up, but because this move is already very unexpected and coming up really soon I don’t really have the funds to purchase full size, nice appliances. I’m really just looking for some that will last me probably around 6 months until I can save for full size units (or honestly if they’re good enough I’ll keep using them indefinitely!)

It’s just me living all by my lonesome, so I don’t need anything insane, just a decent appliance to get my clothes cleaned 😊

i just started looking into buying a tiny house, i don't really see the best website, there's a lot to sift through. i'm in long island, new york if that matters, but looking around tri-state area.

Wondering what people are seeing or using currently (lol) for full service self-contained AC power setup. I have a 48V 1.8kw system that came installed in a unit from 2016, and is maybe a bit overbuilt, the interior hardware covers most of the back (end) wall. I would really like to condense this by about half if possible at some point. The inverter (outback radian) and battery are the largest items by volume. House is wired for conventional 120V through a breaker panel. I imagine with lots of innovation in portable power towards density, efficiency, and simplicity, there are or will be good solutions cropping up. Thoughts?

I just came across an article about resident owned communities for mobile home parks that appears to have parallels for tiny house communities. The difference is legislators are getting behind them.

Article original https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/may/03/mobile-homes-trailer-parks-landlords

Article without paywall prompts https://archive.ph/RTn4T

ROC USA https://rocusa.org/whats-a-roc/what-is-a-roc-how-is-it-different/

Hi,

I'm building a 34'x12' tiny house. I want to maximize interior headroom without having a ridiculous high roof because it will be hard to work on with ladder.

I have a plan to go with 4:12 roof with 8' wall on the low side and 12' wall on the high side. However, with my raised foundation and 2' overhang, the high side will be reaching 15' which makes it difficult to construct by myself.

I read that shingle is not recommended lower than 4:12, is there any other easy DIY roofing option for 2:12 roof?

https://preview.redd.it/4kk0uecqtbyc1.png?width=1102&format=png&auto=webp&s=fb01e5645355641c3770a86349cd4cd36c4cdc2f

I am a 22 year old, who recently started thinking about getting one. I found a really nice one someone is selling for $95k. I will be going to take a look a it in two days, and was wondering what are some things I should be looking out for? My dad will be coming with me to try and help, but any advice would help.

Has anyone bought a house of that website? Same profile for THOWs in Georgia, Massachusetts, etc…it seems like a horrible scam—is it??

I think this photo turned out great.

I live in the south where humidity is terrible. Is it possible to build a 20x20 with a loft 5ft clearance above master bedroom on pier colums. This is my design so far.

I was curious if there is any reputable dedicated tiny house realty services that people recommend.

I am considering selling my tiny home in Rural NW Montana and dont know if the local real estate agents are experienced in tiny houses.

so I guess my question is are people using an online service or just using traditional real estate agents?

(1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 700 sq. Ft) Wife and I are expecting a baby girl in October and we are going to remove our desk for her crib and whatnot. However, I'm trying to figure out ways to have a desk somewhere else in the house now. I don't have space for a permanent desk anywhere else so I was thinking about a wall mounted folding desk/table space. Anyone ever built something like this and have suggestions for hardware or other tips and tricks? Thanks in advance!

I've been interested in tiny home design and I really have this urge to do everything by the book, according to codes for traditional homes. It leaves me with my tiny home designs that come off too rigid and square when I see some amazing projects and my biggest question usually is how do you skirt traditional building codes or just that urge in general?

I see showers so close to toilets and stoves right on sinks. It trips me out having based most of my thoughts in design on how to build with code, I almost cant escape it.

I have a 200 sq foot but not seeing the hype they once had

Looking to skip the design process and purchase a blueprint that comes with a build guide. I’ve already found one site for it but I’m sure there’s better ones out there

I bought my dream piece of land and I'm planning on moving onto it later this year. I was originally going to build a traditional tiny house but I do research on non-traditional tiny homes in my free time for fun, and I remembered coming across Boxabl houses last year (you know, this thing). I broke down the cost of the actual units, delivery, utilities, permits and all that stuff out of curiosity (I wrote all that down here if you're also curious). For my particular situation, it seems like it'd be a pretty cost effective option or at least comparable to a regular tiny house. Seems like an overall cool concept and I like the stackable option. But the company has been around for several years now and they say they're producing 4 units a day, yet I can't find much evidence online of people actually living in them? Has anyone actually received one of these? I obviously don't want to invest and make a reservation and then have to wait 5 years to actually receive the unit. There are lots of cool YouTube videos about them but they all seem to be at or around the actual factory, not on ordinary people's land.

TLDR: I love the idea of a Boxabl house but I'm worried if I invest and reserve one, it might take way too long to get it. Can't find much evidence of people actually receiving the units.

Curious if anyone else has done this, and what internet strangers think ;)

I believe this is considered a tiny home in Maine? Or maybe it’s an RV?

I have a 6-acre property divided by wetlands/stream in Southern Maine.
The lot is pretty private, can't see any houses but, neighbors are around. It's a 10 minute drive to a major highway, 10 minutes to shopping, 20 minutes to beaches, 15 minutes to a popular walkable downtown, 60 minutes to 2 major cities.

I'd then like to put a park model rv on the lot to use as a guest house for family to visit but, also for short-term rentals (we live in a summer tourism area).
The back of my lot is accessible via a private road and I'm considering making that lot a single campsite working with a contractor to prep the site:

• Lot clearing
• Gravel drive
• Electric
• Well/Water
• Septic

These are the numbers I budgeted:
Driveway Culvert 5,000
Well 9,000
Electric 2,000
Line Drop and Meter 500
Septic 9,000
Land Clearing 10,000

Outside Steps 3,000
Skirting 2,000
Excise Tax 4,000
Furniture 3,000
Landscaping 1,000
SUM of Above = 49k
Park Model RV = 84k
All in = 133k

If the spot made $40k a year it would be profitable on year 3.
Is this a terrible idea?

Ugh! HELP! What tiny bed options are out there??? I’m sleeping in the living room on my cheap bumpy couch but I’m at a loss what to do rn for an actual bed because the space that I call a bedroom is SO small. If I put a twin bed in there I can’t open the closet (which is my only storage space)

LOOKING FOR OTHER COMFORTABLE IDEAS that is either “fold up” or petite

some data about me

• current rent + utility = 800 *i have 2 room mates*
• car is paid off, insurance about 130 a month *corolla*
• my current jobs is a over night house manager at a emergency shelter
• im in college, completely online though
• my 2 favorite activities is cooking / gardening * i could severely downgrade it for a year or 2 for this.*
• i own a pretty nice expensive electric skateboard that goes 40mph and i think 20 or 30 mile range i cant remember.
• i live near the water in maryland

So i have been trying to think of a way to get my own place, i also want my money to actually be somewhat invested in ME instead of some other landlord, i pretty much currently make minimum wage at my current job. i have been looking at rvs / vans and boats on market place and i have to say that a lot of these boats are surprising under 10k and some nicer ones under 20 or 30k. i have been on a boat some as a child with my dad but no real experience, however i am pretty much self taught on everything i know and i feel like i am capable to learn as i go i am just worried about no knowing these things when im actually buying the boat so i dont get a lemon. i have watched numerous videos and a lot of people make it seem appealing, some go over their monthly expenses and it is probably close to what i pay now except the money would be invested in something i own instead of another person. i also worry about expenses i haven't considered. i read forums a lot and its 50 / 50, some people are saying how expensive it is and others are saying probably about the same as on land. i ideally would like to keep my job. but would be open to maybe doing customer service over the phone / computer in the future for the reason, my family lives in florida and my dad actually has a dock at his house. i could go there, i don't know where else i would go, but i think it would be and experience to just go. that brings me to the worry, are these cheap house boats from the 70 / 80 /90s reliable enough for traveling like this? i get the feeling not. . . i really want to believe in this with all the bs going on with the economy and stuff and just take a couple years and forget about falling under in rent or other stuff. i want personal freedom and i want to own where i live. i would love a dog too. i could actually enjoy fishing as i dont have to sit there and wait i could just chill on the couch while i fish, tv or whatever. Anyway back to the subject, is this a good idea? is it foolish or irresponsible for me to put everything i have into this *not much* i could look for a loan, *will be tough* my family might even be willing to loan me the money if i pay them instead of the bank. but if that thing sinks or i get stuck. . . i need guidance.

I'm a mechanic by trade so I'm familiar with tools but I've been apartment living for years so I don't know much as far as how to build a home. I'd like to a purchase one of those sheds and work on it for the next year then move into it. Is there any advice you guys can give me?

I'm not very experienced with electrical work but I would love to be 100% solar and also 100% rainwater if possible. IS this achieveable in Ohio?

Not sure where else to ask this. We removed our climbing wall and now have this nice space. I love sleeping outside so I’m wondering what I could do affordably to make a second bedroom of sorts. It doesn’t need plumbing or insulation. I was thinking a Bell tent but left outside all year I think it would get gross and become not waterproof. Greenhouse type structure comes to mind. Could I build something? Turning it over to you

Aloha! Does anyone have suggestions for financing lenders who will work with me in HI? I own a parcel of land on the big island. I mistakenly bought it outright, thinking it would be easier to finance a tiny home than land. Silly me.

Already checked with local banks and credit unions, no one offers this kind of lending. Most mainland banks have also said no because of location. They are wary of lending because they cannot easily repo if payments defaulted. Even tried a land equity loan, which had also been a dead end. Any suggestions would be wonderful. TIA!

hello! i am 21 years old and my 23 year old boyfriend and i are in the process of buying our first home and it just so happens to be our first time living in a tiny home as well. ever since I've learned about people living tiny, its always been a goal in my mind to eventually live like that myself. and I'm grateful to have met someone who is just as interested in it as i am. i was just hoping to see if anyone could share some things you may have wished you knew before moving into your tiny home, maybe some space conservation tips, tips for couples sharing a tiny space, general advice and pointers... anything will be great to read about and take into account when adjusting to our new lifestyle! we are excited to join the tiny house community!

Hullo!

My wife and I have land under contract and are thinking about future building plans. I would love to start with a tiny house and add on/build more if necessary but... as our natures would have it... we have 4 birds and 2 dogs. So we do need SOME flex room, or at least enough for the 100-lb German Shepherd to move around, and for some decent space for small parrots to stretch their wings.

So for obvious reasons the 9-foot widths are probably out, haha. Any stories / suggestions / floor plan ideas for tiny or small house life with creatures around? We would not need it on wheels - would prefer no wheels actually. We are in the PNW.