Tiny House Q&A: Cost, Builder, and Finding a Community

You've been asking great questions in the comments and emails - about what we paid for our tiny house, who built it, and how to find a community. Today we're answering the big three.

How Much Did We Pay?

This is the question I get most - and honestly, it's the trickiest to answer. Tiny house costs vary so much based on size, finishes, location, delivery distance, and all the extras (carport, shed, furniture, setup).

From our research, tiny houses themselves range from $50k to $175k+. Then you add delivery, lot preparation, structures, and making it livable. We're somewhere in the middle of that range when everything is included.

But here's what really matters: we cut our monthly housing costs from $2,600 to $950. That's $1,650 per month saved, or almost $20,000 per year. Our house is paid for. For us, the upfront cost made sense for the long-term savings.

Who Built Our Tiny House?

We went with Platinum Cottages out of Malakoff, TX. What stood out to us: quality finishes, flexible floorplans, competitive pricing, built in Texas (saving on shipping), and excellent communication throughout the process.

But a good builder for us might not be right for you. Make sure to ask about their experience, see examples of their work, understand what's included in pricing, get clear warranty terms, and pay attention to their communication style during planning.

How to Find a Community

This took us several months of research - Google searches, Facebook groups, YouTube videos, and asking builders for recommendations.

What we learned: communities vary wildly. Some are more like RV parks where everyone keeps to themselves, others have a neighborhood feel. Neither is better or worse - it's about what YOU want.

Critical questions to ask: What's the lot rent and how often does it increase? What's included vs. what you pay separately? Pet and guest policies? Can you modify your lot? Do residents actually interact?

We made spreadsheets to compare total monthly costs - not just lot rent, but all utilities and fees. Some places looked cheaper on paper but had higher hidden costs.

Your Questions?

These are the questions we hear most often, but we're sure you have more! Drop them in the comments below.

We've also started adding helpful resources to our website - things we actually use and recommend. You can find that at livingfullworkingless.com/resources.

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If you're already in a tiny house - what do you wish you'd known before making the move? And if you're planning this transition - what's your biggest concern or question?

Thanks for being here and figuring this out with us.

-Kathy & Bryan