by Joe Everson
My name is Joe Everson and I just wanted to touch base with you and tell you a little about myself and my brand new business, Tennessee Tiny Homes. I was in the residential and custom home business for over 15 years until I left to take a job in law enforcement which I did for almost ten years, until starting a security business which I now run. What I wanted to talk with you about today is Tennessee Tiny Homes! I’m very excited that I have finally found something that I love doing!
I researched tiny houses for over a year on the internet and just as I was about to build my first tiny home on a trailer, a family member of mine, who has special needs, needed a place to live. I withdrew my life savings and started a 12 ft x 20 ft tiny home on a foundation on my property so that he could have his own independence, but I could keep an eye on him.
Well, the cost of his tiny house added up quickly and I realized if I finished it I would not be able to start the tiny house on a trailer so I stopped midway thru his home, moved him into my house with my fiance, and started my first home on a trailer.
A little bit about the home…
Its on a 8 ft x 16 ft heavy duty 10,000 lb tandem axle trailer. It was framed using only new premium lumber. It has cedar siding and industrial strength heavy gage aluminum on the roof. Everything was screwed and glued using 3″ screws. There is not a screw in this home that missed target. In a combined 50 years experience between my foreman and I, we have never seen a home built so right!!! I put a lot of love into this tiny little home! We are almost finished with the exterior, lacking the front windows which we are custom building and the front porch which will be a lean-to style to optimize space.
The interior will be all wood with stainless counter tops and appliances, a bathroom with shower and compost toilet, and a loft area above the kitchen bathroom area. The living room will have vaulted ceilings and a flat screen TV mounted to the wall. A portable freestanding ac unit and faux fireplace will heat and cool the 100 or so sq ft home. I hope to have the home finished by the end of this month. I’m going to list the house on the Tiny House Listings, which I learned about through you and your website, for $30,000 once it’s complete.
If I don’t have a buyer by the next month I hope to take the little home on a tour across America and Canada to try and drum up some business for my company.
tennesseetinyhomes@yahoo.com
http://www.facebook.com/
In looking at the trailer, it appears that the house is not balanced over the wheels and too much weight will be on the tongue of the trailer. Have you measured the weight on the hitch and how it meets towing specs? I would hate to see you towing it and the weight was so much on the hitch that it broke loose or caused the vehicle to sway and jackknife.
I noticed the same thing… the weight seems to be a bit forward 🙁 Especially since that would be the kitchen (appliances and such gets heavy. However, we should give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they did the math and it all works out.
Most tandem trailers have a base weight of 5,000 to 7,000 lbs.
Oops. Just re-read the article. A 10,000 lb heavy duty trailer was used to build this.
I have one recommendation is to replace the bathroom door with a sliding storage shelf. Little spice racks, etc. They also sell barn door sliders which may glide the door a little easier. I was surprised to see bead board on the inside. That was a nice surprise.
I agree about the spice rack door and a couple of those slide in holders that would hold mop, broom, iron,dog food etc etc
Very attractive color scheme; is there a closet? Lift up that loft height and I am moving in!!!
Tres adorable!!!!
Carrie
Just back from a 500 mile trip and this tiny home tows like a champ! Towing specs need to be checked by purchaser because all vehicles are different.
Joe, that is just adorable! It looks spacious and cozy all at the same time. Love the touches of red.
Best wishes to you and your new business!
Thanks for the compliment!!!
Hi Joe! So excited to find that someone on our side of the country is getting into the tiny house business. I hope to purchase one in just a few years. I love tiny living, right now I’m in one room and love it but I want to have my own tiny little home. Great job! This looks exactly like what I want. Best wishes for much success! Regards, Donnie in GA
Thanks alot!!
In case you’d like to see the listing on the Tiny House Listings site you can view it here – http://tinyhouselistings.com/tiny-home-built-to-last-a-lifetime-2
Steven, Thanks for everything you do!!
It’s a nice tiny house; you have some very original details like the black painted rafters hangers and hurricane ties on the porch. That looks like black iron gas pipe being used for the pot hanger and rails. How easily do the bathroom door eye-bolts slide along the pipe?
Frank
Thanks for the comment! It has casters on the bottom that roll on the floor making it slide easily.
WooHoo! Finally,right here in the beautiful hills of Tennessee, someone has caught tiny house fever! I’ve been dreamin and schemin for about five years, trying to include one of these beautiful homes in my future. This one is fab. If and when the time comes, its great to know your just right down the road, so to speak. If your tour includes East Tennessee, I would love to see your home. Best of luck to you.
WWWoooHHOOOO back to ya!! Thanks for the comment and i will keep you updated on the tour!!!
Hi Joe,
I think you made an excellent 1st house and it aesthetically pleasing to the eye and yet has room for someone to put their individual touches in it.
There was one thing that made me uncomfortable in addition to most of the weight being towards the tongue, however. When I saw the loft without an opening window, I not normally claustrophobic, felt like it would feel too closed in. Even though there is an air conditioner, there are plenty of days when it would be better to just open the windows and get some fresh air in. Some natural light in the loft in addition to an opening window will help it feel less closed in.
Thanks for the comment! The house tows great and the weight on the tongue is not an issue. A window in the loft would be nice and could easily be added!
I would say forget the window and go for an excellent skylight for optimal viewing at night. Care to share your total cost for building it? I’m thinking of creating a project like this with my two teenage sons this fall–hey anything to keep them occupied & out of trouble.
Love the contemporary look to it. I have some more storage ideas & slim living to create myself. Two thumbs up.
Im interested in learning what you used to line the walls, is it thin sheets of 4×8 bead board? I love the shower corrugated metal and the sliding door idea. Looks nice.
Yes it is and thanks!
This is a very nice tiny house. Very clean, bright, and I love the red and white color combination. Very simplistic and aesthetically pleasing to the eye. It has everything a tiny house would ever need without it being too cluttered looking.
The sliding bathroom door is very nice. I suppose the only problem I have with this tiny house is the loft – it looks really low compared to other tiny house lofts and the fact that is has no window whatsoever makes it look very claustrophobic. I mean, I’m a very short/tiny person, but I like some amount of height in an area such as loft that can get very tight feeling. But perhaps your friend is tall and they may have needed more space downstairs compared to up in the loft.
Thanks!! Im 6’5 255 and me and my fiance slept just fine up there this weekend!!
I think it needs a window in the loft. I also wish it didn’t have that roof pitch and had one that will provide some headroom, maybe with two doormers, one on each side.
Nice. It’s what I would call stylish simplicity.
Best of luck on your sale.
Appreciate that buddy!!!
Adorei. Gosto muito da cor branca no interior da casinha.
Fique bem
Madalena
Obrigado!!!!
I love how bright it is inside. The white really helps with that.
I agree about a window in the loft. Not only would it add light and ventilation, but I wouldn’t be comfortable without an egress from the loft. You never know what could happen….
Otherwise, a great tiny home!
Thanks!
That’s one of the tightest interior jobs I’ve seen yet. Nice and clean and simple but not spartan.
Lots of good takeaways here.
Thanks you rock!!
Imagine putting a mattress up there. Even a thin 2-3 inch would be a problem.
Thanks for the comment but its actually no problem at all, Im a BIG guy and my fiance and i sleep great up there with a 3″ mattress.
microwave/toaster shelf up high is a nice touch for kitchen. wish it didn’t come at the expense of a window back there, which I think is needed for that tight corner space to open it up. I think an opportunity for more storage was lost too, by not extending roof over porch. That little shelf up there can really hold a lot of seasonal items(i.e. camping gear, sweaters, etc) As a first design, I expect hiccups like these though. Look forward to more competition in this market. It can only make things better.
Thanks. It actually has a ton of storage space under the large built in couch and inside the 2 foot deep 7 foot tall cabinets.
Interesting use of the metal roofing in the shower!
Thank you!
Best looking tiny house on wheels I’ve seen. The inside is very well done. Best of luck with new business.
With the economy tanking, people would be wise to trade in their hard-to-dust, overblown, McMansions that have tumbled in value and learn to live anew in smaller more sane houses. Your timing is perfect. Popular in California for a long time, Tiny Houses have come to Tennessee. Three Cheers.
Thanks buddy!!!
Love the interior finish!
🙂
I love that little kitchen! It’s also nice to see a bright interior, rather than the dark wood that is so common.
I agree thank you!!
I love the details and the bright white. I, too, dislike the dark woods so commonly used. While the quality is much higher than that used in the 70’s, it still reminds me too much of my dad’s mancave!
I do agree about the window in the loft. The loft also seems a lot shorter than most tiny homes. I realize this is probably to add height in the kitchen/bathroom area, but it would cause issues at bedtime for many of us. A compromise to both these issues may be the use of windowed dormers in future builds.
Otherwise, great work on your first foray into selling tiny homes. I’m really really looking forward to seeing what’s in store for Tennessee Tiny Homes!
Thank you and wait till you see our next home!!!!
This is an especially nice little home and some thorough thought was put into, too. For example, a two burner hob is fine (I prefer gas) but you really can’t make do without a toaster oven and not only did they include that, they included a microwave as well. The composting toilet is a cool new twist on an old need and the wall mounted TV is nice, too! Good job from my good neighbors in Tennessee! (I’m in GA)
Thanks Randy!!!
As much as I love these tiny houses made by manufacturers, they almost always seem expensive. Maybe I’m just spoiled that you can get a three bedroom for the same price in Oklahoma.
This is an ADORABLE house. The thing I love about it is that inside, it does not look like a cabin, but a home. I love all the tiny homes I see on here, but if I ever have one, I really don’t want it to look like a cabin inside. This one is perfect. I want one! Maybe one day when all the kids are grown 🙂 Well done, Tennessee Tiny Homes!!
Thanks!!
So happy to see you are (relatively} close to home,I’m in Atlanta. You are going on my favorites list, I anticipate being in the market for one within 3 years. Very nice start, and looking forward to future designs. Good luck with the business, you’ll do well!
We have some awesome ideas for our future tiny homes!!! Thanks for the compliments!
Joe: Great job! The thing I find most pleasing is that your whole house could be my bathroom, as it’s white and black and red!!
Super job on the photos, too. Glad you could get it done and still help your family. Win Win I say!!
Great minds think alike!
Joe,
Thanks for posting your pictures — you’ve put in a lot of utility without making it so dark and more primitive looking. Great colors, construction looks solid, and I’m thrilled to know about a relatively local company (I’m in Massachusetts) doing tiny homes. Best of luck to you!
Thank you!!
I live and work in a 400 square foot cottage I bought 18 years ago and love it, so this trend to tiny houses is great. I love your house. It looks really solid. I would like a lower ceiling in the kitchen so I could have a higher ceiling in the bedroom loft — since I sit up a lot in my sleep. And I wonder what kind of vehicle would be best suited to pull the house, but other than that, I thought it was really nice. I use an induction plate in my kitchen which is fantastic. Great use of space!
A full size truck is needed to pull the tiny home. Thanks!
Joe,
It’s good to see some entries from the south. Joe, I like your little house. We have built these for years for people in East Tennessee and North Georgia to use as all kinds of things. I hope your price of thirty thousand dollars can help you turn a nickle. That is a lot of money for this little house though.
Why does the house have to be on a trailer ? This size can easily be winched onto a lowboy trailer. We have bolted wooden skids on the bottom and used a bulldozer to drag into position on some mountain lots. Good luck to you with this.
The price is def negotiable! Thanks for your input!
This looks lovely! I especially like how you have the interior staged. It looks so spacious and calming – but not boring! (Sometimes “calm” looks bland.) Th loft looks awfully low, though. What is it like to get a mattress and a person in it?
Best wishes for your business!
Thanks KIm! Im 6’5 250 lbs and my fiance and i had no problem sleeping up there with a thin mattress.
Very charming love the look , can’t say enough about how charming but clever thoughtful design it is.well done!
Thanks a bunch Karen!
This is really well done. But I too have to chime in about the loft. I wouldn’t be comfortable with the ceiling so close. I’m toying with the idea of an hydraulic bed that would come down to about the top of the counters. During the day it would be up and out of the way. By night it could be lowered for easy access (for people who don’t wish to or can’t climb.)Love the color combination; very fresh and uplifting. I especially appreciate the use of hurricane brackets in your construction plan. Job well done!
Thanks alot Lisa, our future models will include built in wall beds.
Love your tiny house!!
Love your comment!
hi joe : i love your tiny home and your story that goes with it… the black white red color theme thoughout the house is perfect… lotta work and heart but you did it! Congratulations.
🙂
Means alot! Thank you!
I am in love with your tiny house! I am 62 years old and afraid of falling off ladder to sleeping loft. Have you designed a tiny house that has sleeping area on main level. I am sure this is a concern for many people with health problems and disabilities. Your tiny house is perfect solution for seniors who wish to downsize and from time to time relocate.
I’m with you Charlotte. At nearly 58 i’m thinking I have not enough money laid aside for retirement. This is a great solution!
Thank you Ms. Charlotte! Our future homes will offer murphy beds and other options for customers who dont wanna “climb” into bed!
Hi, I am looking for someone to build me a tiny house. like would 10 by 18 be a good size to have the double size bed on main floor? I have back problem so climbing ladder to bed not a good idea. I want’ modern looking this one looks awesome, full shower and possibly tub size 48 inches? regular toleit no bathroom sink use kitchen sink. full size or small full size fridge small stove and granite or nicer counter tops. Room to put a couch pull out in and closet and counter in bedroom area with room for chair for computer work. How much about would it cost to have you build with trailer and everything and get to me in minnesota?
I can build you just what you want and deliver for around $30,000! You will have to stay under 8 1/2 feet wide to keep it legal on the road.
Looks Great. I really got hooked on the beginning of your story regarding special needs. I understand about money. However, this is a niche that really needs attention. It would be very cool if you could revisit this.
I like the bead board and I had never seen corrugated metal used in a shower. Clever.
Thanks alot and the price is def nego!
Isn’t there anyone out there who will just build an 8 x 8 x 10 living space that can be put on a trailer for less than $30,000? The price seems outrageous given today’s housing market. Like the poster from Oklahoma, I could also buy a real house for not much more than that in Alabama.
I think tiny houses become a hot trend and will bring the high dollar amount because of the artistry involved. Of course, artisan-building has value. Not arguing that. I’m saying what about the rest of us? What about the vast majority who really doesn’t care if it’s an artistic statement as long as it is clean, well built and safe. Oughta be able to meet all three criteria for a lot less than $30,000 and still make a good profit.
This price hike is unfortunate because I think the tiny house movement started originally to give those who couldn’t afford a big house or didn’t want to be under a 30 year mortgage, a far less expensive option.
For the person with money who wants a unique artistic dwelling, fine. For the rest of us, make it functional and safe and get that price way down.
If you’re willing to accept a house on skids and do most of the finish work yourself, you can get an Amish built house for a couple of thousand dollars. The finish work is the expensive part, but that can be pay as you go.
The price is Negotiable!!! It was just a starting point for a brand new business. Our future homes will vary in pricing starting at just $15,000.
Love the ideas. I was planning to do something like you did for the storage under the sofa and next to the bed… but you did it with such style! I was also thinking there could be a latch on the sofa that would allow it to slide out another foot or so for some real tv relaxing, maybe even for someone sleeping over… but my layout has the bathroom on the other side which makes us much easier to do this.
Keep up the great work. I hope this demo gets you a lot of business!
Good ideas and thanks for the complements!!
This is a beautiful tiny house. I am in the early stages of building a tiny house. The walls are going up and windows installed this week. I have been going back and forth with different ideas for the inside, but have definitely decided that I like your colors. My ceiling will have the cedar, but the bead board on the walls will allow me to paint the walls white, which will open the space up more.
I applaud you for the story of your special needs family member. I, too, have a family member who has special needs and this tiny house that I’m building will be for him.
Great photos and beautiful work!!!
Good for you and thanks a million! Good luck!
Nice kitchen, just my size. Liking the storage in the loft also (long low boxes along each wall? I think I see hinges. Good use of an awkward space) Port hole window at each end and I could live there quite easily. Well done.
Adding a window would be the only thing i would have changed and still could be done if need be! Thanks!
Love this tiny house! How long does it take to make one? Where is your company located in TN? Do you have more models in the works? May we see this one in person in TN?
This one has been in work since Jan. but our future homes should be constructed in approx. 2 months. We are located in Collierville TN and you are more than welcome to come take a look! We are starting our second as soon as the first sells. Thanks!
Love the well thought out plan and execution.
Thank you Maria!
Love the light interior, and the layout of the kitchen and bathroom. Love the bathroom light; very original
Thanks bud!
Very nice but I don’t care for the windowless mini loft. It looks too cramped and stuffy. A screened window for light and airflow would be more appealing to me. Otherwise I like this design more than many I have seen. Also the colors add much to the feeling of openness. Hat off to the builder!
Thanks Tim and a window could be added no problem!
Price reduced $2500 to $27500 obo!!!
Yo soy de Uruguay, esto no suele ser el tipo de vivienda aquí, pero quiero tener uno, no un remolque, una pequeña casa colocada en el suelo, realmente he amado su casita …
I am from Uruguay, this is usually not the type of housing here, but I want to have one, not a trailer, a small house placed on the ground, I’ve really loved his little house …
I really appreciate the way your tiny home is built. For someone my age (61), this is an easy to care for style. I did notice that the composting toilet next to the shower causes restricted access to the toilet. Do you pull it out of the way? If so, is it mounted on locking wheels or something to provide ease of movement. The simple composting toilet is one of the best, simple and inexpensive ways to go! Even if your a little concerned about using it in your garden, is is a very good fruit tree and bramble fruit fertalizer you can use.
Thanks Brother Curt! The toilet actually is not in the way , the pic just makes it look that way!
ADORABLE! I wish I could buy it, it looks so cozy. Beautiful work Joe!
Holy smokes, that’s cute! Keep up the great work!
Thanks!!!
Price reduced to $25,000!! Free shipping within 500 miles!!
Looks great, man!
I read that a school in Sweden was renting these out for $300 us Dollars for students…imagine if a major university builit about 200 of these on a campus area…I would jump on it, for one…and could roll my little IQ right up to the door. This IS the direction that America needs to take (even if not this drastic) I think that small tiny house communities would benefit the country and that cities would be impressed with the amount and caliber of variety of people who would occupy them.
“They put up a bunch of ugly boxes…and Jesus People bought em…they called it paradise…” The Eagles, Last Resort
Missing vital stats like: how are they heated, cooled,electric hookups, what? any idea on utilitiy bill est for a month. what is your water supply and how is toilet hooked up. do they need to anchored to the ground for safety? need more details like these answered in your material as the homes look great and speak for themselves except the means and cost to operate one.
thanks and good luck, i think you will sell a lot of them.
I have the same questions and accolades as Rudi. Anxiously awaiting your response.
Bout to start work on our 5th tiny home! They hook up with a garden hose and extension cord plugged into an outlet, generator, or solar setup. Utilities run from $0-30! Can heat and cool anyway you can a regular home. Toilet can be compost, rv, or reg! Anchors are nice but not necessary. Thanks!
Wow! The tongue weight has to be overwhelming, with so much weight ahead of the tandem axles. Why not switch the front porch to the tongue or maybe a side entrance?
This is just the cutest little thing! I love it.
What a beaut!!!! You all are so talented!
(If I were 30 years younger…!!!) {:^D
Please send lnfo re pri:e size movibility
I am really interested in a tiny home but have no idea where I can put it. how do I find a rent space or even land to buy that allows a tiny home.
I’m so excited to hear about your new business in Chattanooga, Tennessee! My daughter plans to locate there from Georgia and I’d like to follow her in about two years. I want to build a tiny house that looks like a tiny beach cottage with a bedroom and bunkroom, fireplace downstairs. I want a loft for storage only. I’m close to retirement age and feel this is the affordable way for me to have a really nice home for not much money. Please keep me in the loop about your progress….also a place where I can put a year-round tiny house. I don’t think I’ll be pulling mine, much! Thanks and best of luck with your business.
Tiny houses are the best! K 🙂
I too love the layout. Do you have the room in/near the kitchen for a standard apt. size Refrig. instead of the small built-in under the counter one shown?
I agree the loft needs a window(s).