High School student builds tiny house

All the different ways of solving the shelter problem. To be static or mobile? Roots, legs, or wheels?
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ERECincy
Posts: 8
Joined: Wed Aug 17, 2011 9:04 pm

Post by ERECincy »

Since we are on this topic recently... High schooler builds his own tiny house.
http://www.mnn.com/your-home/remodeling ... tiny-house


Chris L
Posts: 150
Joined: Thu Sep 23, 2010 9:28 pm

Post by Chris L »

I'm going to say it again. When you can get a trailer used for $2,000, and it's much lighter and already built, why would someone put 12k into something like this?
I'm all for the idea, but the practicality of it all doesn't exactly make sense to me. Convince me otherwise.
It's twelve thousand dollars! How much does he plan to save? Probably not much.
I'd like to hear from someone who really lives in one of these things to see how it works. It's a great idea for a cottage in the summer, but not for full time/long term living.


dragoncar
Posts: 1316
Joined: Fri Oct 29, 2010 7:17 pm

Post by dragoncar »

The tumbleweeds have really good insulation -- apparently you can keep them at 69 degrees anywhere in the US. I guess you could insulate a trailer and add a heater...
Anyways, why buy a trailer used for $2k when you can get a sleeping bag for $40?


Chris L
Posts: 150
Joined: Thu Sep 23, 2010 9:28 pm

Post by Chris L »

Well if you're into living in small spaces anyway, is a tumbleweed that much better? Seems to me you could rent a place off your capital gains and be much better off then spending 12k on a tiny place that you still need to find somewhere to park it, then service it and they are super, super heavy - to the point where you need a large truck to move them around.
Why are they trying to look like a house using house materials? I have another problem seeing why they're trying to be something that they aren't.
For a summer cottage, sure. For the right climate, maybe. If you already live in a trailer, I gotcha. Though, I think there's a pretty obvious reason why there are so many "real" houses; with foundations.


JohnnyH
Posts: 2005
Joined: Thu Jul 22, 2010 6:00 pm
Location: Rockies

Post by JohnnyH »

I do not understand the attraction to these tuff sheds... As Chris said, why buy new? This is the land of the consumer, it's hard to justify buying anything new, especially houses, cars, trailers and RVs.
I've bought livable houses with land, hookups and foundations for less than the materials would be to build these things... Then you have the actual building. As an experienced construction worker, it won't be easy. Then the countless nitpicks and uncalculated materials, trips and time.
Secondhand houses can already be gotten cheap, and are likely to get cheaper... Maybe I would consider this if I had much property, time and a plan for utilities/taxes/zoning/building codes. Otherwise, I can't understand why people would do this.
I guess I am immune to it's "cuteness." I suppose I find it's "greenness" hypocritical, since there are already too many existing houses... Many a much better value as well.


Dragline
Posts: 4436
Joined: Wed Aug 24, 2011 1:50 am

Post by Dragline »

I think I have some land to sell you, although it may be in a colder climate than you would want. I will acquire it from family next week in a bad deal for my wallet, but good for my psyche. Five acres, rural Bitterroot Valley, Montana, creek runs through it, mountain views, irrigation ditches for gardening, small house and several out-buildings. Good for chickens, goats and even horses. And anything you want to grow in summer. Also some apple trees.
I'm not sure what to do with it -- I live 2500 miles away. Maybe rent, maybe sell. We'll see.


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