Tiny House Blog

I receive many emails regarding tiny houses and building codes. This is a very difficult subject because every location is different. However, up to this point there has not been a good resource to send people to show them how to go about the process of getting answers in their local area.

Ryan Mitchell of The Tiny Life blog has recently published a book to help you find these answers. I have had a chance to look at the book and would highly recommend it if you are doing this kind of research.

Here is Ryan’s description of his his book and what it will help you accomplish:

This guide is designed to help you navigate all the red tape when it comes to tiny housing. I have designed this manual to help you quickly familiarize yourself with some of the key bureaucratic road blocks, suggest possible pathways to building your home from the legal perspective, and several strategies to make it a success. If you are hoping to build a tiny house, this is information that you will need. For those who purchase this they will also get and additional 180 pages of reference materials and free updates on future versions!

Thanks Ryan for this great resource. To learn more and to purchase the book click here.

Click here to purchase the book.

We were just featured on our ABC news affiliate here in Portland, Oregon for our vision and involvement in tiny houses. We thought that it might be a nice link for you to share on a slow news day.

We have launched a new 2013 initiative offering three eclectic new and we are offering them in three affordable ways:

1. We manufacture and ship a complete kit , ready to assemble $7,500-$9,000.
2. We manufacture and assemble the kit at our warehouse or at buyers location. Exterior 100% finished, interior 60% finished. $12,500 – $14,500
3. We assemble the kit and then have an affiliate contractor finish the interior to the buyers specification. $15,900 – $18,900

We like these approaches because it allows every person interested in a tiny house or cottage to participate in their own project to whatever extent they are comfortable and it brings the final cost of a cottage down to 50-60% of what people are paying. Continue Reading »

By Alyse Nelson

The tiny house movement has grown dramatically as the housing crisis and economic recession has hit the US. There are many reasons tiny housers have selected less square footage: some hope to save money on housing; others are trying to “live green” in a smaller space; some are trading living space for a neighborhood they love; and others want to live closer to family or friends.

The view of Ruth’s Cottages from the street. Photo credit Mike O’Brien, used with permission.

Jay Shafer, a co-owner of the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company, told the BBC: “People are thinking more about what really is a luxury now. Is it a 30-year mortgage, or is it just living simply and having the time to do more of what you want? And I think a lot of people are starting to really change their idea of the American Dream.”

But the question remains. Does living in less space mean giving up on a larger life? A small home can save you cash, but if you don’t have room for your hobbies – playing a musical instrument, baking cookies for your child’s classmates, creating furniture with your tools – the monetary savings might not seem worth it. This may limit the appeal of tiny houses. Continue Reading »

Hi, I’m Elaine Walker of the Tiny House Community website.

I’m organizing the Tiny House Fair hosted by the Yestermorrow Design/Build School (nonprofit) this June 14 through 16. We have a terrific line up of presenters from across the country who will share their expertise in specialized carpentry, creative design, legal issues, systems (solar, water, toilets for a tiny house), sharecropping, and community formation. They will also talk about their personal experiences in downsizing and what it’s like to live in a tiny house.

Tiny houses encourage intentional living and thoughtful ownership. We would like to open the workshop to people who are unable to afford the registration fee. This campaign seeks funding for 2 scholarships.

To learn more and make a donation please click here: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/tiny-house-fair-scholarships

(Fall 2011 – Summer 2012)

My name is Ben Norton. This is my tiny house story. A neighbor of mine was all excited about your blog and showed me lots of really cool tiny houses that people have built. I was hooked. I just said, “That’s what I’m going to do,” and I just started; buying materials as I had money. I don’t think anyone really thought I was serious because I was eleven years old at the time.

Growing up, my parents gave my brother and me skills that many kids don’t have. We worked on lots of different projects with real hammers, nails and wood. From an early age I was like a sponge and absorbed all I could about power tools, building, tree cutting, engine repair, and even asking the right people for advice and help. Continue Reading »

Over the Christmas Holidays my wife and two adult children took our family vacation. We headed south to the warmth of Costa Rica. This was our first visit there and we learned a lot about the weather and local customs during our two week stay in the country.

Of course anywhere I travel I look for tiny and small homes. Unfortunately, as with most of our travels we are dependent on public transportation and you have to grit your teeth as you drive by many great photos of scenery and homes. I was only able to get a few pictures of the local houses and a couple of the cabanas or cabins that we actually stayed in.

In rural Costa Rica I discovered that the average house ranges in size from 400-600 square feet. Usually a simple rectangular home with a small entry porch. The interior is divided into two or three small rooms. Continue Reading »