Tiny Houses

The Ultimate Beginner ’ s Guide!

By James Clark
 Copyright 2016 by James Clark - All rights reserved.

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 Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1: What is a Tiny House

Chapter 2: Why the Tiny House Movement

Chapter 3: Engineering a Tiny House

Chapter 4: 20 Space Hacks for Living Big in Your

Tiny House

Chapter 5: Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Resources
 Introduction

I want to thank you and congratulate you for downloading the

book, “ Tiny Houses: The Ultimate Beginner ’ s Guide! ” .

This book contains proven steps and strategies on how to get started
with your dream tiny home. Living tiny is an entire movement
designed to make homes affordable and people more mobile,
without losing all the accouterments they desire.
The average size of a new house, built in the United States, is 2,400
square feet. In the last few decades, the size of homes has
increased, taking up large carbon footprints. This has also led to an
increase in maintenance and energy costs. If everyone in the world
lived in such a house, it would be impossible to keep up with oil and
propane production.
A recent U.S. census, done on home sizes and cost, show that the
average cost for a new home is $360,000. Most homeowners have
to take out a 30-year mortgage to cover the cost of their home. It
usually means debt for years.
The tiny house movement brings has the potential to bring people
back to financial stability. It is a way for young college graduates to
buy their first home and not throw money away renting. Tiny houses
are also designed with a smaller carbon footprint, low energy costs,
and innovation to make living comfortable and exciting.
The tiny house movement philosophy is about living a minimalist
lifestyle that is eco-friendly, affordable and that brings people back to
the important things in life. Most tiny house owners are able to gain
more savings than traditional homeowners because of the low-cost
investment.
You can join the tiny house movement, too, by making a decision to
live affordably and with luxury. Tiny house owners choose between
two options when they go tiny: mobile or stationary. What you need
is an architect, or someone experienced building tiny houses, to help
you with the engineering of your tiny house, an idea, and the desire
to see it come to life.
Start your tiny house living and discover what your home could truly
offer you. This potentially includes financial freedom and the ability to
travel, so don ’ t wait. Now is the time to start planning and find out if
you can truly go tiny.
 Chapter 1: What is a Tiny House

A tiny house is a regular home that has been shrunken down to an

affordable living space for anyone who doesn ’ t need big spaces,
or – a mortgage.
Tiny houses are built in one of two ways: mobile or stationary. A
mobile tiny house is built on a trailer specifically designed or
enhanced to carry the load of the house. A static, or stationary, tiny
home is built on a plot of land, to give you permanence.
Mobile Tiny Houses

Mobile tiny houses offer a variety of benefits:

They allow you to travel while offering you a place to live.
You have to build according to the dimensions of the trailer,
which enables better planning.

You ’ re limited in size which helps keep the costs down.

You can be very innovative with your mobile tiny house design.
Stationary Tiny Houses
Stationary tiny houses also provide several benefits:
You don ’ t have to worry about pulling a trailer.

You can choose a plot of land you like, invest in the property,
and the tiny home, providing more equity.
 If you wish to add more space to your tiny house, you have that
option.
Whether you choose a mobile or static tiny home, you know there
are benefits for you to enjoy and you have the luxury of being very
creative in making a small space fit your lifestyle.
The average size, for stationary tiny houses, ranges from 96 square
feet to 1,000 square feet. There are some, in the tiny house
community who firmly believe that only houses under 220 square
feet can be considered a tiny house. Yet, 1,000 square feet is
considered tiny compared to the average home size of 2,400 square
feet.
Mobile tiny houses are going to be smaller than static tiny houses, in
terms of average size ranges. There are only so many square feet
you can put on a trailer when the dimensions have to fit the trailer.
As a result, tiny house builders have become extremely creative, and
mobile tiny houses, in particular, have pushed the limits on tiny
house height.
Many people use flatbed trailers to build tiny houses. Typical trailers
can reach up to 53 feet in length and are 8 feet & 6 inches wide.
There are also different types of trailers, such as those with a neck
that will take away some of the flat building space. The drop deck
style is popular among tiny house owners for the storage it can
provide underneath the neck, plus the upper area for a bedroom.
Mobile tiny homes have a limit on how high they can be built. The
house has to be able to clear under underpasses and bridges, which
means 13 feet is about the maximum height. However, there have
been some very inventive tiny home designers that have figured out
a way to beat the 13-foot limitation. With systems such as pulleys
and winches, there are moveable roofs that lift up when the tiny
house is parked. Other individuals have created more width in the
tiny home by building side extensions (like camper RVs). When
parked, the sides are pushed out and when mobile they are pushed
in.
Your tiny home can be built to your specifications and within
engineering parameters. You can decide on the desired floor plan
and determine how much space you truly need. Your preference of
mobility will also impact the floor plan you choose.
 Chapter 2: Why the Tiny House Movement

There are multiple reasons why people choose to join the tiny house
movement. People want more financial stability, to escape the rat
race, to have a second home, to enjoy the outdoors, or to lower their
carbon footprint. Sometimes it is all of these reasons and for some, it
is a combination of them. Each person is different. One young lady
built her tiny home because she is a traveling nurse, going where
she ’ s most needed around the USA. Another person wanted the
freedom to travel the lower 48 while working freelance jobs, but also
to afford a home one day.

Below are the top reasons why people choose to live or own a tiny
house.
Reason 1: Financial

Financial motivations are extremely high on most people ’ s list when

choosing tiny houses over traditional homes. There are numerous
US residents who know they can ’ t afford a regular home and a
mortgage, but they can afford a tiny house.
Traditional homes can be found for $75,000 and upwards of several
million. The average is $360,000 in recent years. Homes that are low
cost usually require a lot of renovation or are not in the greatest
neighborhoods. Over time, one could spend more than the average
price of a home just by renovating a home they bought for $75,000.
The initial expenses of owning a large traditional home are not only
expensive and require a mortgage, but there are also maintenance
costs to consider. Maintaining a larger home requires more financial
backing and energy. Maintenance, electricity, gas, and cleaning are
all downsides to a regular sized home. The expense of cleaning
one ’ s house is either your time and energy or hiring someone to do
it.
Tiny House Financial Benefits

Less than 400 square feet for most mobile homes equals lower
energy costs.
Fewer square feet means less energy expenditure on cleaning.
There is no need for a cleaning staff.

Maintenance is less costly because there is less square

footage to re-roof, re-sizing, or re-paint.
Most tiny house owners see a significant decrease in their energy
consumption and bills. You can typically expect a 37 percent
reduction in energy costs for a stationary tiny home, without solar
panels. Owners who add solar panels to their tiny homes tend to see
a greater decrease in energy costs. It ’ s been reported that solar
panels, on tiny house roofs, can yield up to a 75 % reduction in
energy costs and in many cases 100% reduction because all the
energy is able to come from the solar panels.
Reason 2: Return on Investment

One of the biggest arguments most standard homeowners have, is

how can you gain a return on your investment with a tiny house? If
your family becomes larger or you have the funds to live in a larger
house, how are you going to get any money back from the tiny
house you built? Is there even any equity in a tiny house?
Well, depending on how you construct your tiny house there can be
value in it. A mobile tiny house is going to be more like an RV. In
fact, you have to have RV insurance on your mobile tiny house
trailer. Since it is not a manufactured home, but a livable house like
an RV, it will be valued more like a vehicle or an RV than a house.
If you build a stationary tiny house, then you have the equity and
property taxes. You can also get a traditional mortgage if you need
to, in order to finance the build. The return on investment is going to
differ between stationary and mobile.

For mobile tiny homes, your choice to rent it out or sell it when you
are ready for something larger is going to depend on the market.
Where you intend to park (station) your mobile tiny house usually
determines how much you can charge to rent. You can also rent your
tiny house to customers who want to take the home on the road. The
renting costs are at the owner ’ s digression and are usually
measured by the amount of time the customer wants to have it.
Owners can thus charge daily, weekly, monthly or for yearly use.
The other option is selling your tiny house. Tiny homeowners sell
their homes if they want a quick return on their investment. The
downside is that you have equipped it for your needs and wants.
Selling it to a new person is not as easy because the potential buyer
needs something that will truly work for their lifestyle and not yours.
People have had success selling their tiny houses for 25 to 100
percent of the costs they put into the home. In other words, like a
car, RV, or another mobile vehicle, you tend to lose money on the
resale.
If you go with one of the more popular versions, such as a
Tumbleweed mobile home with only minor modifications to the
blueprints, then you have a higher chance of breaking even on the
purchase.
Stationary tiny homes offer a better return on your investment. For
one, property values increase. Two, you can rent out your tiny home
to visitors. Tiny House shows reveal you can get anywhere from
$100 to $400 per week for a tiny house rental depending on where
you live. Florida tiny homes, for rent, can be more than $400 a week
if they are near Miami, the Keys, or Orlando.
If you park your mobile home in an RV park, permanently, for the
rental season, such as snowbirds, you can expect to make at least
the same per week.
There are also tiny home rentals per night. You canbe earning
anywhere from $100 to $400 per night, depending on your tiny
home ’ s fame, and where it is located. Most people doing weekly or
monthly rentals are going to discount the amount being charged to
make it a favorable situation for the renters.
As an example, The Cottage at the Winchester Manor in New
Market, Alabama is a 100-year-old cottage that was renovated. It
rents for $100 per night. The Hobbit Cabin in Talkeetna, Alaska rents
for $135 per night. All small homes. There are definitely ways you
can get your return on your investment by renting.
Just remember, if you are going to start renting your tiny house, you
need to look at the market you live in, whether you have a mobile or
stationary house. Sometimes you can charge more than a night in a
hotel because the home has a kitchen with more amenities than a
hotel room. But, above all people want to experience living in a tiny
house.
Reason 3: Taxes and Insurance

Property taxes for a stationary mobile home give you a financial

break. Property taxes are based on the land and home. The larger
the home, the more you pay in taxes. It is always dependent on the
city and state where you live, but in general, smaller homes are
going to have a lower property tax.
Insurance is where things become interesting. For starters, you are
going to save on insurance with a tiny home, whether you are paying
RV insurance or homeowners insurance. Homeowners insurance
premiums are based on the size of your home. The smaller your
home, the less value your home has for a rebuild. In the insurance
world, homeowner ’ s insurance covers the exterior as well as the
goods you have within.

Mobile tiny homes are different. For mobile tiny homes, you are not
going to have property taxes, unless you buy land to park your tiny
home on. However, you can have RV insurance on these homes.
They are considered a trailer in the insurance world, like an RV
trailer. You will need to shop around and determine the best value.
Not all RV insurance companies work the same. There are some
that may not be able to cover the valuable items you are traveling
with. In this regard, you may need homeowners and RV insurance. If
you need both, it is still less than owning 2,400 square feet or more.
But this also needs to be qualified. The savings you have on
insurance are dependent on the company, your credit scores, and if
you are bundling insurance products. If you have bad credit or
choose the wrong company, you could be paying the same amount
in insurance as you paid for your regular sized home or apartment
rental.
Reason 4: Escaping the Rat Race Early
Besides the financial motivations, some people are looking to
escape from the nine to five lifestyle earlier than most people with a
mortgage. You have the option of retiring earlier and traveling more
when you have fewer costs weighing you down.
If you have insurance expenses, groceries, and little electricity costs,
and only parking fees, you could be saving nearly $3,000 per month
towards retirement and travel. The odds of retiring early and in
comfort are looking better right? Of course, they are, which is why
the tiny house movement continues to grow.
Reason 5: Summer/Vacation Mobile Homes
Some people want to be able to travel more, without leaving their
home behind. Having a second home that is tiny and mobile fits their
needs. Traveling with a mobile tiny house geometrically adds to the
excitement of traveling.
A mobile tiny house also gives people the luxury of escaping bad
weather seasons. For instance, you might live in Florida. In the
summer months, it is hot and oppressive. With a mobile tiny house,
you could travel up to New England, see the west, and find cool
places to be, when temperatures in Florida reach 100 degrees
Fahrenheit. If you live along the coast, you could travel inland during
hurricane season. For those who live with snow and blizzards, you
can travel south.
Another great reason for choosing tiny houses is because you get to
live in the outdoors. Most of the tiny house community loves the
outdoors and being one with nature. They want to be in nature and
not in their home. They design their home to bring nature in by
leaving open giant lanai doors in their tiny homes.
Reason 6: Carbon Footprint
Living in a tiny house, you have the option of using all energy
efficient appliances, toilets, and showers. Solar panels, rainwater
collection, and combustible toilets ensure you can live for the
environment. Incinerating toilets are friendly because they do not use
water. Instead, after each use, you burn your waste. Composting
toilets are another option, where your waste is turned into odorless
compost that can be reused for plants and fertilizing the earth.
Depending on the weather, with rainwatercollection systems, you
won ’ t need to fill up with water at every RV stop you make. You can
be collecting it as you park or drive somewhere. It does need to be
filtered, but this may be a better option than using the chemical city
water you are probably using now.
 Chapter 3: Engineering a Tiny House

Tiny house plans can be found all over the internet. However, most
people have specific needs and desires. You want your home to fit
your style and needs, thus, you have some decisions to make.
Engineering a tiny house is going to take into account various areas
of design in order to construct the tiny house of your dreams.
Identify the Constraints for your Tiny House
Your budget is one of the constraints you will face for a tiny house.
You should have an idea of what you have in the bank, what you are
willing to spend, and now you need to decide how you can get what
you want for that budget.
There are two ways to build a tiny house: hiring a professional or
doing the work on your own. If you plan to build your own tiny house,
you need the proper experience. If you have never built a home, let
alone held a construction tool, then you need to hire the work done.
It will take more of your budget to hire the labor, but only when you
look at the black and white numbers. Imagine if you knew nothing
about building a house, made cuts wrong, spent twice or three times
the hours building it as projected, and then you realize, why it
actually costs you less to hire a professional.
Other constraints are going to be whether you design your own tiny
house, or if you hire someone to create the plans and the
architecture of your tiny house. Again, you may need to hire a
professional to ensure you are within the proper building codes for
your state.
Your tiny house foundation will determine other build constraints. A
tiny mobile house will have constraints on the width, length, and
height based on the trailer you purchase.
Trailer Size
The trailer size is going to help you determine the design you draw
or have drawn up. If you already know the size you want your home
to be, then you will need to get a trailer that fits the size.

When it comes to buying a trailer, like most things, you can buy used
or new. There is a caution against buying used unless you know the
dealer or the history of the trailer. Trailers like most anything can
become derelict over time. If someone constantly kept their used
trailer outside in the rain and it rusted then you could be looking at
more expense to repair it. It is often safer to buy a new trailer to
ensure its reliability.
Hiring an engineer or architect is also good if you are going to build a
mobile tiny house because there are weight constraints to consider.
Trailers need to handle the weight of the load. You would need to
figure out the design and determine the weight of that design when
empty and when filled with all your possessions. You may need to
add an extra axle or support for the home, which determines the
amount you are going to spend on the trailer as the home's
foundation.
DIY Considerations
As stated previously, if you are going to do the project yourself, you
need to have some knowledge under your belt. Typically, you ’ re
going to want to know more than just setting up the frame, interior
walls, exterior siding, and roofing. You will also to know about
plumbing, power, and other utilities if you want to completely build
your tiny house by yourself. If you do not have the know-how
knowledge for these utilities, then you may need to hire it out. Most
tiny house builders do 50 percent of the work, meaning the framing,
roofing, siding, interior walls, flooring, and cabinetry, and let the other
50% be completed by other specialists.

You always want to compare and contrast bids, prices, and building
the entire thing on your own. If you have friends with the necessary
skills, consider asking them to help you build your home for beer and
free lunches. Your friend may also need a project completed that you
have the skills for.
One other consideration if you are going to do it yourself, is to
consider approaching a design school. If you are not an architect or
engineer, find a student who would be willing to get a little cash, as
well as extra credit in their course work. The professor can have a
final examination of the project to ensure all is legal.
Identifying Criteria and Tiny Home Features
Part of the design, for your home, is going to depend on the criteria
you have for your home. What features do you want your home to
have? For example, do you want a lot of natural light? Do you want a
deck? You have to consider what you want your tiny home to look
like, as well as the building materials you want your home to be built
with.
Materials Needed for the Construction
Getting recycled materials for the construction of your home is a
great option. Recycled materials such as barn wood and other used
wood are available for a much lower cost than you ’ d find in the
lumber store. Habitat for Humanity Restores is just one place you
can get recycled materials. These restores are filled with items
removed from houses that could be used again, such as siding,
flooring, plywood, trim, and lathe. At a lower cost than the lumber
companies, you can reduce your expenses and still get your required
materials.
Wood pallets are another way to get recycled wood for cheap. If you
know someone with a lumber or hardware store or even your
workplace, you can ask for the pallets without paying anything. Most
pallets are going to be destroyed anyway and are simply taking up
space at someone ’ s store. The wood can be used for exterior or
interior wall coverings versus plywood and drywall.
You can also find doors, cabinets, windows, lights and hardware at
recycled material stores like Restores. You could find nearly
everything you need to build your tiny house at Restores or through
connections. Perhaps, you have a friend that has an old barn that is
in need of being taken down. For the labor of taking the structure
down, you could ask for the wood to build your tiny house.These
types of deals are everywhere – you just have to look for these
opportunities.

Concrete, while not recyclable, is also a way to save on certain

areas in your home, such as the countertops. Concrete countertops
are becoming popular because you can pour the countertops, mix in
some coloring, and have a nice smooth counter that will not chip or
split.
Countertop materials are also recycled at various stores like
Restores, secondhand shops, and antique locations. These counters
are usually in great condition, so they can be used again. Nothing is
accepted at these types of stores unless it can be reused.

Windows
Windows are one of the major considerations you need to make.
Windows, if not energy efficient, can cost you a lot of solar energy or
propane. There are numerous types of windows. Typical frames are
made from the following materials:
Aluminum/Metal

Composite
 Vinyl
Wood

Fiberglass
Vinyl windows are often the most inexpensive windows and have
high energy efficiency. The upkeep of vinyl is also less than wood
and metal. Unfortunately, the color choices for vinyl are fairly limited.

Wood frames need more upkeep, as well as repainting.

Aluminum and metal frames conduct heat which makes the interior
of your home hotter.
Composite and fiberglass windows are a great new option in recent
years. However, their costs are higher than vinyl for about the same
energy efficiency. The nice thing about composite and fiberglass is
that you may be able to find more color options.
You also need to consider the window itself, its glazing or glass. Gas
fills provide an insulated glazing, with an improved thermal
performance, thus a higher resistance to the heat flow than air fills.
There are heat-absorbing tints too, which can reduce the amount of
heat transmitted into your home. Insulated windows are best for
colder or warmer areas, as a way to keep the temperature neutral in
your home. Reflective coatings reduce glare and block more light
than they do heat.
For tiny houses, it ’ s recommended to go with low-cost vinyl and
ensure it has insulation, such as a double pane, to keep the
temperatures neutral. You have a variety of options when it comes to
styles.
There are round, square, rectangular, and triangular windows. The
more design a window has, the more it is going to cost. The design
of your home is also going to determine how many windows you
need.
For example, if you want as much wall space as possible, you are
going to limit the windows in your wall but need to put several
windows where the walls meet your roof. Many people go for a half
roof, with a slant, so they can build up one wall to be higher, with a
row of rectangular windows for light.
You also have the option of using some of your roof space for
skylights, but this can cut down on the solar panels. It is a tradeoff
and one you definitely need to consider.
Another choice is to go with a sliding glass door or lanai style door
for half your living room. This allows a lot of light in, brings the
outside in, and reduces the need for several windows sporadically
placed or in the roof.
If you do not want one side of your home to be the door, you could
build your front door in the back of your tiny house. The entire back
wall could be a sliding glass door, extending 8 feet wide. This could
provide you plenty of light, and give you small windows, such as the
one over your kitchen sink.
It ’ s also recommended to have a window in the bathroom, to allow
heat and moisture to escape post showers.
Brainstorming Utilities for your Tiny House
Utilities include plumbing, heating, air, and electricity. In a tiny house,
you need to be particularly careful with what you choose to do
include because of the limited space.
Plumbing
You are going to need a bathroom and kitchen. In your kitchen, you
are going to need a sink, which has running water. Your bathroom
will at least have a shower and sink. These three areas will require
plumbing and you do not want to lose interior space due to interior
walls. Some people go with traditional plumbing methods, including
PVC and copper piping for their tiny houses. In recent years a better
alternative to PVC pipes has been used for tiny house plumbing.
PEX tubing is the newest plumbing concept and is better than
traditional PVC and copper. PEX is cheaper and much easier to use
in confined spaces. It is half an inch thick and bendable. You can ’ t
have a kink in it, but you don ’ t need junctions to get the tubing
going the way you want it to. You won ’ t need to weld copper pieces
and joints together. PEX is also faster to install. It is like running a
garden hose from your water unit to the gray water system. The
connections you make are a lot quicker than copper since you won ’ t
need to solder them together. PEX is also not corrosive like copper,
ensuring it holds up better against water particles that tend to
corrode copper over time.
PVC and PEX are relatively the same cost. However, PVC requires
glue around the joints and PEX doesn ’ t. You can use PEX in
vertical and horizontal spaces throughout your tiny house. Unlike
PVC plumbing, you don ’ t need a well-ventilated system for PEX.
PVC can also freeze and burst. PEX has no such flaws.
For tiny house plumbing, it ’ s recommended to keep your plumbing
lines in the interior walls versus exterior walls to prevent freezing.
Although PVC has its flaws, it ’ s not eliminated completely and is still
useful for some plumbing of the tiny house. If you are going to have
a regular toilet, versus a composite or incinerating toilet then you still
need some PVC for waste. Your showerwill also need a PVC line
running to the gray water. This just ensures that nothing is backed up
in the pipe like long hair versus clogging the ½ inch tubing of the
PEX. However, PEX can be used for the running water from the
water system to the shower, toilet, and sinks.
Bathrooms
The bathroom design in your tiny house is going to be smaller than
the average home. There are two common options: a wet bath or
using a specialized toilet to avoid waste removal. A wet bath is one
where the toilet, sink, floor, and the entire bathroom can get wet. It
allows you to combine everything into one room, without a shower
curtain. It also makes the shower a lot bigger than closing it off. It
requires tile or specialized metal walls.
A tub is an option that most tiny house users opt out of simply
because it takes up too much space. However, wine barrels, round
tubs, and water troughs have been used, by cutting out the flooring,
sinking the tub to floor level, and covering it with a special lid for
showing.
Kitchen Sink
Most tiny house users go with a small kitchen sink, without a
garbage disposal. However, you can choose a double sink and cover
half of it with a cutting board to make more counter space. This
offers you an easier time for doing dishes. Most tiny houses avoid
having a dishwasher in favor of other appliances and more cabinet
space.
Washer/Dryer

Plumbing may also need to include a washer/dryer. There are combo

units that will wash and dry. If you want laundry machines in your
home, you definitely want the combo unit to save space. This means
a running a line to the washer, so you get your clothing clean.
Heating
As you design your tiny house, you need to determine your heating
source for the colder months of the year. Most mobile tiny houses do
not have spacefor a wood burning stove. Users also feel they can
have a fire outside, versus taking up space with a wood burning
stove, but they do like having a “ fire ” inside the house too. There
are ways to get this, including wall inserts and special TV stands that
have heaters with fake fire.
Most tiny house owners want to save space, so they limit their
heating source to just one. One heating sourceis usually enough, as
long as it ’ s powerful enough to heat the entire structure, even the
separate rooms you may have.
You will need to determine how powerful your heater needs to be
based on BTUs (British Thermal Unit). Determine the BTUs your
heater needs to have by using online calculators. The calculators will
ask you the width, length, and the height of your home. It will also
ask about the insulating condition. If you have few windows and
better than average insulation, then the number of BTUs required to
heat your house will be lower. Recall that a standard tiny house is
roughly 20 feet in length, by 8 feet in width, by 13 feet high. Let ’ s
say hypothetically that a tiny house has normal insulation and the
average temperature was 35 degrees Fahrenheit. For this house,
12,432 BTUs or 3,643 watts per hour are needed for your heater.
This is about half the BTUs needed for a 1,000 square foot home.
Once you know the size of the heater you need, you can start
shopping around. You have options that do not include a large wood
stove or central heating. Both would provide too much heat, as well
as take up too much space. Instead, there are little furnaces that you
can get.
These furnaces are about the size of a hardcover book in height and
4 to 6 inches in width. They do need a pipe, however, which can take
up space. The most popular brand of this heater type is Dickinson
Marine or Napoleon. Both are wall stoves, which require pipe. If you
are going to have a TV, then consider one of the fanpowered fake
fireplace stands. It won ’ t take up too much space for a small TV, but
it will produce the right amount of heat.
Envi heaters are another option. They are wall heaters, but they take
up 1/3 of the space of your normal wall heater and run on electricity.
If you go with an Envi and live in the mountains, you will need a unit
for each room you have, depending on your home design, such as
the bathroom and living/bedroom space.

If you plan on traveling to various places, including warm weather

locations, you may need a heating and air unit made for tiny houses.
Air Conditioning
If you plan on going to places like Florida, Texas, or living in these
areas year round, then you are going to need air conditioning versus
heat. Like heaters, the energy efficiency of a unit is paramount to
ensuring proper cooling in your home. Window air conditioners are
best because they can be placed in the window, without taking up
space on the floor or in a room. However, you do lose window light
with these units.
A lot of tiny house owners prefer a different method. They like to
have more windows, which open. They leave all the windows open
when traveling down the road. They also have large doors that open
to the outside, setting up the windows and door to provide a cross
breeze, and thus ventilation. A ceiling fan can ensure the hot air is
stirred up and sent out the windows as the breezes blow. This
eliminates the need for air conditioning.
Also, if you are going to be mobile and travel, then you can choose
warm locations in winter and cool locations in summer to eliminate
the need for air conditioning, and less heat.
Electricity

Electricity is best from solar panels and is the best bang for your
buck.
Alternatives, such as propane, can run out and be expensive. It also
takes a lot to keep your home regulated. You may not be able to get
the right size tank for your needs. Electricity, from an energy source,
would require an outside hookup like an RV and a place you could
always plug in. It is more trouble than it is worth when traveling since
solar power exists.
If you are in a stationary tiny house, then you could use regular
power, but this tends to leave a larger carbon footprint, which most
tiny house owners prefer to stay away from.
Solar panels run off of batteries, so you will need a battery bank, but
the sun will keep those batteries full. When you use electricity, the
sun will power your batteries back up. During the day, unless it is
gray and cloudy, you can use natural light and very little energy. The
batteries are mostly used up at night. Also, consider, using your
washer/dryer, and other appliances during the day, when the light is
replacing the energy.
Here is what you need to do to determine the amount of electricity
you will use and thus the size of solar panels to install.
Write a list of appliances you want to have in your tiny home:
coffee maker, washer/dryer, dishwasher, stove top, oven, etc.
Do not forget any of the small appliances such as a toaster,
 microwave, and mixer.Also, don ’ t forget to list the
fridge/freezer.
On your list, write out how often you use them and for how
long. You need to do this for a week.
You may need to convert the energy use from amps or watts to
kilowatt hours.
As soon as you know the usage of each appliance you will
have in your tiny house, you can calculate the number of solar
panels and batteries you will need for the system.
You will need to tell the manufacturer about the conditions your
solar panels will go through, such as wind, amount of light,
cloud cover, etc.
Your details can vary greatly based on the area you live in. You
definitely want to speak with a representative over the phone or in
person to get the best results. Online sources can be difficult to get
the best rate because there are so many questions a dealer will
need to ask.
Your other option is to forgo electricity altogether. If you do this, you
will need a wood stove. You will also need camping equipment to
make your meals.
Fresh Water Supply
A little was mentioned about the fresh water supply before, but now
let ’ s consider your options.
You can collect rainwater by installing a rainwater system. However,
if you are in a dry area, then you still need to have a water reservoir.
If you are going mobile, then you will need to stop at places that offer
fresh water supplies. Truck stops like Love, Flying J, and other
brands have fresh water hookups, where you can fill your tank and
empty your gray water. RV sites and some rest stops will have fresh
water fill up stations.
This water is going to be cold when you get it from a fill-up location.
You are going to need some way to heat it, even if it is rainwater. You
do not have to have a huge water heater taking up all your space.
There are tankless water heaters that are great, even for regular
sized homes. You will want to get a tankless water heater to match
your water needs. Most of these do work from propane or electricity,
so shop around to choose the most efficient option based on how
you are setting up your energy system. This may need to be added
into your solar panel calculation.
There are also smaller tank type water heaters designed for RVs.
However, they are going to take up more space than if you used a
tankless system.
Creating a Functional Kitchen

Kitchens need to be functional. If you cook a lot, consider going for a

Nuwave instead of a traditional oven. If not, think about choosing a
half stove with 2 burners and an oven that is half the size of a
traditional oven.
Additionally, consider the types of cabinets you would want for
maximum storage. You could use a corner with rollout storage
options. With rollout shelves, you can store things easily in a corner,
as well as in front of that storage space. Bigger items can go in the
corner. A custom built kitchen for better efficiency is often better than
buying pre-made cabinets. Such creative designs may also have an
effect on the timeline of your tiny house build, so make sure you
have a kitchen concept before you start piecing together your tiny
house.
Your Building Timeline

You have ideas for your tiny house. You have explored whether you
are going to build it or have someone else do it for you. You have a
budget and know what it will take to get materials, electricity,
plumbing, heating/air, and fresh water for your tiny house project.
Now you just need to determine how long you have to wait until you
start living tiny.
If you have a small budget and need to work towards building in
stages to cover the costs, then you may take a half year or a few
years to get your tiny house built. The magnitude of your
commitment for your tiny house project will also contribute to the
building timeline.
It ’ s ideal to have a goal, an end date, to make sure your home is
built. If you do not have a deadline goal, then you may never get
your home built or completed.
If you hire the work done, your contractor will determine much of the
timeline based on your budget. They will also hire subcontractors,
which also effects building time.
Chapter 4: 20 Space Hacks for Living Big in Your
Tiny House

Living tiny requires a few tricks to ensure you are as comfortable as

possible in your tiny house. The items you want to have, as well as
anyone you are bringing with you, are things you must consider.
Pets take up space. They require a place to go to the bathroom, eat,
and play. If you have a dog, then you know your dog will be outside
going to the bathroom, but for cats, you definitely need a place for
the litter box.
What about the washing machine, dishwasher, and other appliances
you want? Do you have a collection of something like 400 books and
4 or more tea sets? What are you going to have to leave behind or
sell because there is not enough space? The tricks in this chapter
are going to help you determine what is possible.
1) Vertical Spacing: This is not a new concept, but it has
certainly become a lot more important in the last few years. The
vertical spacing allows you to use every inch of space you have,
going up the walls. If you want to have a hydroponic system for
growing lettuce and other vegetables, then you can attach one in
your kitchen, using the vertical wall space. Whether you create
shelves, nooks, crannies, or wall space for pictures, you can use
everything that is not a window.
2) Multi-storage/purpose furniture allows you to create
storage space, while also using the furniture for other purposes.
There are three different options for multi-storage furniture:
a. Couches are a great bed, as well as a storage area. The
right couch can be a full mattress, without the
uncomfortable feeling of a futon. You can also store items
underneath the couch, like blankets, games, and clothing.
This can be done with drawers or cubbies.
b. Tables that are built – in can be used as an office, dining
table, and game table. They can also be built to encompass
multiple seats. An example of a tiny house owner being
creative in his design was having a table that folded up into
a wall, where the chairs also folded into the wall. One tiny
house inventor created a foldable table that had the TV
underneath. Another person created stackable chairs that
also worked as storage for everyday items.
c. Pull out baskets built into furniture, stairs, and walls are
also multi-purpose. Footstools that are baskets can be
used as storage areas. There are also chairs that form one
complete unit that has storage inside. They stack together,
but the bottom chair has storage too.

d. Consider vacuum sealed bags for storage in couches or

underneath beds. These bags help you eliminate the need
for more space and store items not in use each day, like
blankets.
3) Hanging storage space like baskets is another way for you
to get your items where they need to go. Hanging baskets with
plants, clothing, dishes, fruit, and much more can be placed on
the high ceiling out of your sightline, but provide you with a way to
store items.

a. The higher the hanging options the better, so you can use
the ceiling space too. For example, bike hangers allow you
to store your bikes overhead. You could have a table that
uses a winch system, where the table is stored overhead
and out of the way.
b. Kitchen utensils can be placed in baskets or buckets that
are hung up.
c. You could even have a clothing line that is run in your
house, to hang your drying clothing.
d. Ikea is a great place to get hanging storage ideas, whether
you are using shoe containers or other items.
4) Wall mounted beds like Murphy beds are great in tiny
houses. These beds fold up and can save you head space when
you are inside. There are twin and larger sizes. If you have young
children, wall mounted twin sized beds on top of each other offers
a place to sleep. When the children are awake, the beds can
make a desk. You can also have a wall mounted bed that turns
into your office.
a. Murphy beds are still the most popular, but there are
other wall mounted beds as well.
b. Consider including a desk or other feature, such as a
TV on the backside of your bed.
c. If wall mounted does not work, think about a slide out
bed that is built underneath the flooring to slide out at night.
d. You also have couch conversion options.
5) Under the staircase storage provides you with numerous
nooks. Staircase storage can be used for clothing, cleaning items,
and the smaller nooks can house cat litter boxes, books, shoes,
wine, or anything else small that you need to store. People have
been pretty inventive with under staircase storage from the roll out
counters and desks to sewing storage.
6) Loft space is often essential when you only have vertical
space to spread work with. A nook or nest on the second floor can
be an office, reading area, or your bedroom. If you use it for a
bedroom, consider sinking the mattress to be flush with the floor,
so you have extra head space. You can also use the floor space
as storage, using built in areas between the floor supports, with lift
up floorboards. Even the walls in your loft space can become
storage. Some innovative individuals have created cat space, by
using the walls for little catwalks.
7) Go Digital and Paperless because nothing is better than
ensuring you have less junk and filing to do in your tiny house.
You are not going to have a lot of space for your bills and other
mail laying around. You want to keep your space free of
unnecessary items, so you have only what you truly want in your
home.
8) Hidden storage is a perfect way to hide things you don’t want
to see, like–trash cans. Why have a trash can in an open space?
A little nook underneath your sink or in a little hide-a-hole is far
better than a trash can where you and others can see it. If you
haven’t thought of various ways to hide things, then you might
wish to seek a little help. For example, if you are using your
counter, you could have a draw with a roll out board. A hole the
size of your soup pot could be made in it. You have cutting space,
but also a place to put the veggies and other items you are cutting
up. A fold out counter is another option.
9) Sliding doors, cabinets, and drawers can give you more
workspace when you need it.
a. You won’t have to contend with a pull out that might get
in your way or have to be closed for someone else to
walk by. However, you may also want some pull outs to
extend for more workspace.
 b. A combination of both certainly helps you gain more
interior space.
c. Barn doors for your bathroom tend to work better than
pocket doors or swinging doors. Barn doors slide in and
out, without the difficult pocket door contraption. As for
swinging doors, they can get in the way.
10) Use mirrors in your tiny house. A mirror is not just a
bathroom accessory so you can primp. Mirrors help make your
space look bigger. The reflection of the mirror ensures you feel
your home is much larger than it appears.
11) Tiny houses also need light tones. Going with dark walls,
furniture, cabinets, and anything else dark, will make your home
feel smaller, even smaller than it is. Lighter tones create a great
illusion of spaciousness.
12) Plenty of natural light and fixtures in your home will also
help brighten the space.
a. A lanai or sliding glass door on one wall helps you see
better, use less electricity during the day, but also makes
your home feel more open and bigger.
b. Using reflective surfaces, not just mirrors, but Plexiglas,
metal countertops, and other items can also help lighten
a room and make it feel larger.

13) Pantry shelves instead of a small room are also better. Yes,
it is nice to have a walk in pantry, but living small typically doesn’t
allow for this. If you do make room for a pantry room, then
chances are you’re sacrificing valuable space. A small room,
without shelves, also adds a mess to deal with. Alternatively,
figure out ways you can eat fresh foods that are healthier that
allow you to limit your pantry storage.
Pantry shelves can help you organize what you do have and save
you tons of space. Consider getting adjustable pantry shelves to
fit the items you are going to buy at any given time.
14) Use your outside space too. Some people have built decks
that latch up and cover their sliding glass door. These decks are
built with pulleys or winches. They go up when the tiny house is in
movement and come down when the mobile tiny house is
stationary.
15) Grills are possible. A deck can provide you with great outdoor
space, which can also be a place to have a built in grill. You can
also have it roll out from the inside to the outside with your grill.
Another grill option is to build it to come up from the frame of the
trailer.

16) If you have a neck on your trailer, where you build your
bedroom, the underneath area can be storage for plenty of things
like bikes, scuba gear, generators, air compressors, propane,
mechanic tools, and much more. This space can literally be
anything you wish it to be.
17) Start watching tiny house shows, there are even tiny house
TV shows now. These shows provide you with innovations you
might not have considered. Some storage options have been
mentioned thus far, but it’s not until you see them visually, that
you start putting pieces together to incorporate in your own tiny
house, for example, a moveable roof or walls.
 a. Did you know it was possible to use a pulley system to
increase your ceiling height? You could also use
winches. While you are restricted to 13 feet when on the
road, you can have a roof that is built over the exterior of
your 8-foot 6-inch width or built to go inside that space. It
takes some innovation, but it can be done.
b. You can also have moveable walls that are on winches,
powered by electricity or require two people to expand.
These walls provide more floor space and seating than
when it is closed. For instance, you could have a section
that moves out 4 feet on one side and 4 feet on the other.
When open you have walking space and seating. When
closed you have a full sized bed.
18) Utilizing the floor is another option. One owner wanted to
have a controlled wine area in his tiny house. There was a wine
cooler built into the floor of the kitchen, which could be opened by
pulling up and extracting the wine. The floor feature was built in
between the trailer and the floor that was raised up to account for
the wheel wells of the trailer. You could turn the floor into a
bookshelf covered in Plexiglas. It could be a storage area for
clothing or other flat items as well.
19) Stationary tiny homes can be built out of wood or shipping
containers. If you want to live small, but save on costs, consider
starting with a shipping container for framing. You would need a
welder to cut in windows, but the doors could be used to open up
your container. You could also have a slider built in for the main
door. Shipping container homes can be pieced together for more
area too. They can also be stacked if you want to have multiple
levels.
20) Roofs can be made into decks, living roofs, or used for your
solar panels. A living roof, means you have plants growing on
there for edible and medicinal uses. In fact, a lot of ways to save
on space is to start growing what you are going to eat and use for
medicinal purposes. The reason for this is because you don’t
need a large pantry, you don’t need a place for medicines, and
you can always eat what you are growing.
 Chapter 5: Frequently Asked Questions

Tiny house enthusiasts looking to start their project have plenty of

questions about what they need to do to get their home built and
become livable.
Is living in a tiny house for everyone?
No, you truly need to know yourself to determine if you can live tiny
and how tiny will be comfortable for you. A question you should ask
yourself is can you share less than 400 square feet with someone
else, without feeling claustrophobic? Second, can you store things
appropriately? If you are disorganized, claustrophobic, or need a lot
of floor space — tiny house living may not be for you. Tiny house
owners are perceived to be hyper-organized to live tiny, generally
because they ’ re forced to be due to the limited space.

Other things to take into account are tiny house habits that you ’ ll
pick up. Your bed may need to be put away every day. You have to
do the dishes each day. Living also requires you to be a minimalist
because you can ’ t buy numerous things and hope to store them in
your tiny home. Your space is too limited.
Should I have a staircase or a ladder to get to the second floor
of my tiny house?
If you have a second floor, then you are going to need to decide the
best way to get to that floor. There are innovative methods you can
implement to get upstairs. Two common ways are having a staircase
or using a ladder.
Ladders are most typical because you can place them against a wall,
when not in use and make them hide or you can go with a straight up
and down option that takes up less space.
Staircases, when built in a normal fashion, take up space, but also
give you storage. A staircase can become a closet for clothing,
washer/dryer, books, or even a dinner table, chairs, or a desk.
Another concept is to use a winch and a swing. You can have the
winch pull you to the ceiling and swing to your second floor.
It all depends on whether you need storage space or more floor
space.
What are common obstacles in the tiny house creation
process?
The top three are:
Height/width/length
Storage
Eliminating items, you don ’ t need
The size hinders you and ensures you to truly think about what you
want in your home and what is most important. Storage requires you
to eliminate a lot of things you have collected.
How can I find tiny house communities near me?
Research is the best way and in the digital age,it ’ s much easier
than ever before. There are currently communities in Boulder,
Colorado; Lyons, Colorado; and Portland, Oregon. Many RV
locations also allow tiny houses, but they are more of an RV
community versus tiny house community. Washington state has a
couple locations around Seattle and on the peninsula. Port
Townsend is definitely a static tiny house community, as well as an
artist colony.
Do the advantages of tiny house living outweigh the
disadvantages?
This is a subjective question and has no true answer. You have to
determine if the advantages of a tiny house are going to outweigh
the things you lose in a larger home. Only you can determine if you
can live tiny.
Is going solar the best option for my utilities in my tiny house?

Yes, because the sun will generate your power. You won ’ t need an
electrical hookup or to spend a lot on filling your small propane tank.
You can start with a propane tank, but solar panels are something to
shoot for down the road.
Can I have a microwave in my tiny house?
Yes; however, you will have a decision to make. Microwaves take up
a lot of counter space or under the cabinet space. If you are not
going to use a real stove to make meals, then you could probably go
with buying frozen dinners and living with a microwave. Stoves and
ovens take up a lot of space and things can quickly become cluttered
with a microwave. A combination could be a NuWave, which can be
stored, but used to heat up food as well as prepare it. You can also
just go with a real stove for heating up food. If a microwave is a must
then shop for the smallest one you can get.
What else can I do to heat up my tiny house during cold
weather?
If you have an oven and washer/dryer combination, use these
appliances when you are home. If necessary, have a small camping
stove that you can use in the room where you are present.
Radiant heated floors are definitely a great option to help increase
the heat in your home. Radiant heat is made in thermal panels or
cord like the PEX plumbing, only thinner. You can attach it under
your flooring and hook it toyour electricity. It ’ s a great design
strategy for adding a secondary heat source in your tiny house.
Should I have a PO Box?
If you are going mobile, then you need to have a place to get your
mail. A PO box will not interfere with friends or relatives mail. It also
ensures your mail is delivered someplace when you make a stop.
For those who go off the grid, a PO box also provides anonymity.
Should my roof be flat?
There are a few reasons to have a flat roof. Weather can cause
leaks in a flat roof; however, certain tiny home designers have gone
flat to create a deck overhead. It takes more work to ensure the roof
is completely sealed. A flat roof can offer you a more abundant
bedroom nook, office, and more lighting.
On the other hand, sloped roofs can make your home appear larger
inside than it truly is.
What ’ s the best roofing material?
Recycled metal is best for roofing material. It is a little more
expensive than 30-year shingles, but it will last a lifetime. Plus, you
can still secure your solar panels to the roof. If you live in cold
weather places, the metal will conduct heat, helping keep your
interior warmer.
Can I recycle my water usage?

There are ways to reuse your water. You would need a more
expensive gray water system with a filtration system. It would need
to have chemicals added and go through a cleaning process before
it could be used again. However, it is possible.
How do I keep my plumbing pipes from freezing in the winter?
The best thing to do is have them inside the floor, with added
insulation, as well as running them through an inside wall. If you
need to put pipes on the outside wall, consider wrapping the pipes
with insulation manufactured for plumbing. Also, leave your cabinet
doors open in the cooler temperatures, so heat reaches the pipes.
Can I put a laundry machine in my tiny house?
Yes, there will be more electricity and space demand. A combo unit
is going to work best to keep usage to a minimum – not to mention
saving space.
What do most tiny house users do about bathroom concerns
and showering?
Most tiny house users go for composite toilets, a small pedestal sink,
and a 3 by 3 shower.
Is it best to hire contractors and professionals for a tiny house
project?
Your experience determines how beneficial it is to hire experts.
Experts are beneficial for most tiny house owners because they
know zoning laws and engineering concepts that make it possible to
build a great and safe home.
Can I park my tiny house anywhere?
There are open road laws. Boondocking is an option like it is with
RVing. Boondocking means you can park on “ free land, ” usually
national park land. Any land that has a do not trespass sign on it,
should not be used, unless you have inquired with the owners. You
can park on your friend ’ s or family ’ s land if they allow it. Most of
the time you will need to park in tiny house communities, RV
locations, or campgrounds. You can also park at truck stops if they
allow you to. However, each truck stop is different, so you will need
to ask when you see one, if you wish to stop at and park overnight.
Typically, you have to pay for parking like an RV at most locations.
Where should I build my tiny house?

There are expert builders in Colorado, Oregon, Washington,

Tennessee, and Arkansas. There are also a few sporadic experts in
places like Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. The best place
to build is where you live or where the experts are located near. If
you are going with a stationary tiny house, then anywhere you want
to live is fine.
Can I have a TV?
Yes, you can have a TV. Unless you are parking somewhere that
offers cable hookups, you are going to need to invest in satellite
service. Compare Dish and DIRECTV to determine the best costs.
Can I still use the internet?
You will need to conduct research; however, you can establish a
mobile hotspot. There are several ways to do this. Your mobile
phone company offers you a mobile hotspot option, where you pay
for a dongle that plugs into your computer. You pay for a certain
amount of gigabytes usage in a month. If you depend on your
internet for TV, as well as work, then you may need to create a
mobile access point, which might have to be a satellite. Satellites
ensure that you have the internet anywhere there is a sightline to the
sky. As you move across the country, you would need to tap into
different satellites, making sure there is always a clear view of the
sky. Keep in mind that rain and inclement weather can greatly
interfere with satellite internet.
Most mobile phone companies are developing more affordable
options, so do research to find the best one for you. You will also
need to know how much internet you actually use in a month ’ s time
to save on options.
 Conclusion

Thank you again for downloading this book!

I hope this book was able to help you with your tiny house needs and
questions.
The next step is to start planning out your tiny house. You will want
to layout square footage maps on your floor with tape or other items.
You should determine if you can live and move into a tiny space.
Consider renting a tiny house that is the same size you are
considering building. This way, you test whether you can truly live in
such a home. It should be for a month, not just a week. Most
anything can be will – powered for a week.
Once you know you can live in a tiny house for a week, it is time to
work on the heating, appliances, and overall design. The design
planning may take a physical layout of your floor space, paper, using
a computer, or a mixture. Be sure to speak with experts about the
limitations you may face in building the tiny house based on your
needs.

Thank you and good luck!

If you enjoyed this book, please take the time to leave me a review
on Amazon. I appreciate your honest feedback, and it really helps
me to continue producing high-quality books.
=>Click here to leave an honest review!
 Resources

Tiny House consulting: www.tinyhousecraftsman.com

Tiny House floor plan designs:
www.thesmallhousecatalog.com
http://www.thetinyhouse.net/skip-the-trailer-13-tiny-houses-
built-on-foundations/
Forums:
http://www.livingbiginatinyhouse.com/tiny-house-forums/
http://tinyhouseforums.com/

Community Living Discovery:

http://tinyhousecommunity.com/forums.htm