by Mike Maydell
Why tiny houses? The reasons are many and most of the ones given on the Tiny House Blog hold true for me. As a kid I liked forts made out of card board boxes and staying in small cottages. This house just compacts and simplifies my life.
I wanted a larger tiny home for two people, with a real bathroom etc. I choose Tortoise Shell Homes because the steel construction allows for a larger home with less weight. Also I wanted to add a Dormer loft, and Bill Kastrinos customizes any model to your specs. My house is 230 square feet. (not including lofts) and weighs 11,500-12,000 pounds with everything in it.
This makes it harder to move than smaller models, but much more livable at the same time. I use propane for: on demand H20, range/oven, and heater. Cost is $15-30/month (summer vs winter) for gas and I take long hot showers. The Fridge and lights are electric, the LG washer/dryer all-in-one combo is also 110v. So far this has been less than $25/month and is included in my rent.
My friend rented me part of her lovely yard and charges me $450/month for rent/power/water. I pay a local septic company $85-100/month to pump my septic tank. Add the cost of propane and my monthly bill for everything is well under $600/month. The house cost close to $35k finished because I used higher end materials (cedar smells good) and chose nice appliances.
The whole process took about 6 months with two friends helping me out. There were many change of plans for the simple reason of: things that look good on paper don’t always transfer over well. After 6 months of real world use and fine tuning, I love this place. It has everything one needs and is movable. See the long slide show for start to finish photos below.
Cheers,
Mike
Nice job! Love the fireman’s pole. Living room under the loft gives new meaning to “man cave” LOL!
I was thinking stripper pole but yeah definitely a man cave. Far from most hippy huts here with that huge couch, flat screen, and laundry machine.
Normally, I am not down with metal homes; they always seem to rust out and end up looking derelict. BUT… that being said, I must confess that the quality of materials and craftsmanship coupled with the fabricator’s willingness to customize to client wishes and needs really got my attention. This is a really nice job and looks like it will last the new owners a long lovely time. Congratulations, guys. Job well done!
Nicely done! I appreciate that you have a full bathroom. You did a great job with the kitchen too. I see it as a “real” kitchen where full meals could be easily turned out…it’s all there!
Good job!! That’s the beauty of these, make it just the way you want it!
You mention pumping your septic, do you have a holding tank built into/under the house, or is it a separate ground unit? Can you give more details on that issue, I feel it’s one area most articles don’t cover well, and sanitation if very important.
I have a 50 gallon grey water tank and a 50 gallon black water tank built into the frame. Then to increase capacity I bought a 250 above ground septic tank that sits under the house (see slide show) that is connected. I leave the valve between closed. When my permanent tank fills up after 20-25 flushes, I dump it into the main. Once per month porta potty co. Comes out and pumps it for $85. There is no odor because I have a real toilet (not rv type) and I use grey/black treatment solutions.
Very practical combination of elements. It looks like it would meet the building requirements of most of the places you might place it. Steel for the loadbearing parts, wood for a welcoming appearance and smell, and glowing eyes on the burglar alarm!
Reminds me of a caboose.
I really like this house in so many ways. =) I like how you have a full bathroom with a washing machine and full functional kitchen. =) The fire pole adds a lot of pizazz. =) Great work!
The argument against lofts is that its hard to climb down a ladder. Easy up, and easy down with the pole. On a funny note, real fire poles cost over $1000. I bought this one from a stripper supply co for $300. LOL
How SMART of you to place an all-in-one washer/dryer next to the bathroom sink – creating counter space. I really need someplace to put makeup, curling iron, hair dryer, etc…
One appliance I DO NOT want to do without is a washer/dryer.
Bravo!
Who wants to spend a lot of time and money at a laundry mat? Not me at $5 a load. The nice thing about the all in one w/d is I put clothes in and hour and a half later they’re clean and dry without a change over.
I love Tortoise Shell Homes and am glad to see another article on them here. Your home is lovely and looks so well-made. Many happy years there!
The only possible improvement I can imagine off-hand, would be if that loft were strong enough to hold a waterbed mattress. I mean, it looks like it should be, but I’d want some reassurances from the builder before trying it, myself.
Okay, that and A/C.
But a very liveable design, by the looks of it, and well constructed.
I don’t think you will find anyone that would warrant a trailer build for a loft water bed.
The structural stress is immense.
It could easily be done during the initial trailer set up and framing to add the additional components and weight if someone insisted on such a set up, but I seriously doubt any primary builder would warrant the unit.
I will not warrant any custom decking work for hot tubs if they are not declared before and the exact dimensions and capacities presented and additional costs for materials included in upfront cost.
love this! here are a few of my favorite tiny homes! http://www.overgrowthesystem.com/11-tiny-homes-that-will-make-you-want-to-live-a-simpler-life/
Love the house. I have been looking all over for an apartment-sized gas range just like that one. Could you share what brand it is?
Would be very grateful.
‘summit’ 20″ slim line, cost about $750 online with tax. These come ready for natural gas, so if u use propane like me make sure u install the “other” accessory nozles.
I have to say, I read and look at the tiny houses, but this has got to be the best by far. I like all the upgrades in the kitchen and bath, it makes it so nice and homey. If I could build one it would be like yours. Happy living small to you!
Mike,
Congratulations! What a marvelous house!
I’m glad to see Bill is still out there building cute houses, we lost track of him when he moved to LA and miss him. My husband and I have been happy living in our little Tortoiseshell for 2 years now and are very happy with our decision. Ours is much smaller than this one though (you can read our story in Nate and Lisa’s Tortoiseshell home on this blog). Of course ours will be easier to move at 6000 lbs or so.
That septic tank idea is interesting. We are in an RV park so have full hook-ups, and have a flush toilet. We figured if we ever moved we’d need to get a composting toilet. I like that there are alternatives.
Quick question: Where is the propain tank? And if you do move it, what all has to be done aside from unhooking the 250 septic tank and tossing it in the back of the truck that’s pulling the house (I assume)?