How much does a Tiny House Cost?

Some people believe that constructing a tiny house can be more expensive with current prices, but these still can be cheaper to buy than a regular home or RV even if the tiny home is 120k. For example, a customized, tiny house can cost anywhere from $35,000 – $200,000. However, traditional American homes, on average, come at a whopping price of $284,000. So, in essence, tiny houses seem to be less expensive compared to traditional choices. Even with comparing the two based on square footage, 68%+ tiny house owners don’t have a bill they need to pay every month for their tiny home. This is probably due to A. Budgeting right and B. Having a smaller home automatically requires you to buy fewer things and be more conscious of your spending habits.

I believe a nice part about tiny homes is that you can pack a bunch of great luxury items throughout the home for a reasonable price compared to a traditional home, where you normally have to make many compromises due to the size and quantities of items incorporated in it. Your planning would also include the cost of building materials, appliances, fuel, parking, etc. To be precise, make sure to set your expectations right by checking the pricing guidelines and surprise expenses from the start. I would usually factor in an extra ⅓ for surprise expenses.

The Tiny Home Budget

How much does it cost to build a little house? Experts would tell you that the average cost for a tiny house can be $45,000, that’s 15% of a traditional home average cost!! If you don’t include amenities, the price can come down to a paltry sum of $8,000.-$10,000. But those who prefer customization could end up paying $70,000 and above. As mentioned, several factors can influence this. One of them can also be about how you build it and the “upgrades” your put in the home. If you wish to save money or stick to a budget of $20,000 to $40,000, you can hone your DIY skills to achieve it. The cost will shoot up if a builder does it since their skills have a great value on the quality of the home.

Tiny House Budget Breakdown

These homes’ small size feels to be an advantage when you go about your tiny house cost estimate.  You can count all the features to determine how much money will go into them. Here is a quick view of some of them for a fair idea.  

List of Items for Tiny House Cost Estimator

• Trailer $3,500 – $5,500
• Windows $500 – $6,000- Used items can help with this cost!
• Lumber $1,000 – $5,000
• Fixtures $1,000-$5,000
• Metal roofing $500 – $2,000
• Insulation $500 – $3000
• Siding $1,000 – $2,500
• Interior finishes $500 – $4,000- Used items can help with this cost!
• Electrical $750 – $3,000
• Plumbing $700
• Appliance $400 – $4,000- Used items can help with this cost!
• Fasteners/Adhesives $1,500
• Interior wall $500 – $1000
• Flooring $300 – $1,000
• Shower $400 – $1,000
• Water heater $500 – $1000
• Compost Toilet $900
• Paint $50 – $200
• Kitchen Sink & Faucet  $220- Used items can help with this cost!

Tiny House Material Cost

A variety of materials goes into building a tiny home. Things like trailer, roofing, mechanical, and doors and windows would consume a large part of your budget. You cannot afford to be frugal with these things. According to tiny home residents and designers, one should allocate 70% of spends to this. For example, you can buy a Tumbleweed Trailer for about $5,000, doors and windows for $6,000, HVAC for $750 – $3,000, etc.