Australia is in a housing crisis and many people are turning to tiny home living to solve the problem! It’s a cheaper alternative to the average home and they’re much quicker to build. Eased zoning laws allow custom tiny homes in backyards and these can double as granny flats or rental units for additional income.

Let’s take a look at building your tiny house – the ultimate guide.

Fixed-Dwelling Tiny House vs Tiny House-on-Wheels

If you want the freedom to move, a tiny house on wheels this is the place to be. These tiny homes are fixed on a flatbed to make them mobile and are generally classed as caravans by local councils. A fixed-dwelling tiny house is just that – a fixed dwelling with a concrete foundation.

While there are no set legal requirements to dictate the size of a fixed-dwelling tiny house, a THOW can be no higher than 4.3 metres, no wider than 2.5 metres, and no longer than 9 metres with a maximum weight of 4.5 tonnes.

How much does it cost to build a tiny home?

The cost depends on the tiny house size and features, from wrap-around balconies to hidden storage space or a mezzanine bedroom.

If you opt for a fixed-dwelling tiny house there’s the cost of water, sewage, and power hook-ups to factor in. If you want a THOW you need to factor in the trailer cost.

If you’re looking for a bare-bones tiny home, you could potentially build one for around $20,000. On the other end of the scale, you can spend up to $125,000 on a tiny home.

Benefits of Building a Tiny House

Does tiny house living make sense for you? Let’s take a look at the benefits.

• Customisation
  As with any custom designed home, you get to choose all the materials, bells, and whistles you want. If you want to prioritise cooking space over living space, you can. There are also options when it comes to shapes and tiny house designs. If you can grab a cheap piece of land, opting for a knockdown rebuild for your tiny home is ideal.
• Cost of Living
  Yes, it’s cheaper to build a tiny home than traditional builds. It’s also a cheaper cost of living because you’re paying for a smaller footprint. You might not need a permit, which means you could potentially DIY it and reduce your costs even more. If you take this route, use a professional inspector to ensure it’s safe.
• Less Maintenance
  With a smaller blueprint, you’re facing much less maintenance. You don’t need to worry about rats in the attic or flooding in the basement. It’s easier to maintain and when things do go wrong, repairs are more affordable.
• Freedom of Movement
  If you go the THOW route, you can move whenever you want. You will also avoid fixed-dwelling charges and taxes, which is a big bonus. Ensure your vehicle is capable of towing your tiny house!

Tiny House Regulations in Australia

While regulations vary by state, New South Wales classifies a tiny house on wheels as a caravan, so the same rules apply. Federally, you must ensure the trailer it’s built on is compliant with vehicle standards.

While most states don’t require tiny home builds to adhere to the Building Code of Australia, you can use it as a guideline if you’re a DIY builder. If you enlist a professional builder, they will most certainly build to these standards.

If you’re unsure, it’s best to reach out to the local council and speak with a tiny home builder. The Australian Tiny House Association is an excellent resource for more details.

How to Build a Tiny House

Before you get started on your tiny home, you should know the basics of building.

Step 1: Choose Location Wisely

If you’re building a fixed-dwelling tiny home, location matters. Ensure you secure the necessary permission for building as this varies between councils. If you plan to use it to generate income you will likely need building permission.

Step 2: Choose a Reputable Tiny Home Builder

While you can DIY a tiny home, you choose to enlist the services of a professional who knows how to build tiny. Explore your options, secure quotes, review portfolios, read customer reviews, and choose the right fit.

Step 3: Choose a Shape

The beauty of a tiny home is there’s a lot of flexibility in house design. You can design your home to any shape, size, or specification. If you want to make it round, you can! If you want a pointed roof, a box shape or an A-Frame, it’s all possible. How can you best maximise your space? If you’re building on wheels, you need to think about mobility.

Step 4: Choose Your Building Materials

Since it’s smaller than a traditional home, you have flexibility with the materials you choose. You may want to splash your cash for the best roof or splurge on a fancy kitchen countertop where you couldn’t before. Bear in mind the weight limit for transportation, you can’t weigh yourself down unnecessarily, so marble is probably not the best choice.

Step 5: Building the Frame and Cladding the Walls

The first step in any build is the wall frames and the build process is the same for building a traditional home. You build the supporting walls, floor, and ceiling joists, plus windows and door frames.

Step 6: Insulation

You need to insulate your walls and floors. While the temperature might not drop as low as it does in other parts of the wheels, you want to be prepared for any Australian climate you may roll into.

If you’re building a fixed-dwelling tiny house, you can insulate your floor and walls based on the local climate. When the insulation is done, you can install wall panels and flooring. Many tiny home dwellers leave the ceiling open since they’re on the lower side.

If you’re doing it yourself, you should have a qualified inspector take a look once you finish the structural work. However, if you’re building a THOW you may have to hire a structural engineer as local councils don’t inspect caravans.

Step 7: Connection

Now you can connect your electricity and plumbing lines. You may require a small septic tank, depending on the size of your home. If you’re on wheels, you’ll need an alternative waste disposal solution.

You might be able to DIY-build your tiny home, but you will need an electrician to handle the wiring before you can connect to the grid. Likewise, you will need to enlist the services of a plumber to handle the plumbing work.Tiny homes do benefit from renewable energy sources, it’s much easier to take advantage of hot water heating and solar panels in a smaller space. Again, this will likely require inspection once complete.

Step 8: Furnishings

It’s time for the finishing touches! Decorate your completed tiny house to your taste.

If you’re towing your home, ensure you can easily collapse and secure items for when you’re mobile. You don’t want to face chaos every time you move. Now that your tiny home is fully furnished, it’s time to move in!

Is Building a Tiny Home Right For You?

Do you daydream of home ownership, but you can’t afford it? Does the everyday cost of living frustrate you to no end? The quickest way into the housing market is by building a tiny home of your own. Whether you’re single, a couple, or even a small family, a tiny home is a great solution to the housing crisis.

If you’re still not sure whether a tiny house is right for you or you have more questions about the costs and process, speak to an experienced builder like Provincial Homes for advice.

Final Thoughts

The best part about building a tiny home is you don’t have to compromise style and quality just because you’re downsizing. In fact, taking the tiny route may allow you to choose luxury fittings while keeping more money in your pocket to enjoy life.

At Provincial Homes, we understand the modern problems everyday Australians face. Whether it’s reducing your environmental footprint, lowering your cost of living or the freedom that tiny house living brings, we love the challenge that comes with creating new tiny house designs. Reach out to us today to talk about your design ideas.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Average Size of a Tiny House?

There isn’t a set rule on how to build a tiny house Australia, but the average tiny home is around 37 square metres compared to the Australian average of 232 square metres. Of course, you can size up if you like, many small families do. However, the point of a tiny home is to reduce your footprint and reap the benefits.
As noted above, there aren’t maximum dimensions for a fixed-dwelling tiny home, but there are limits to tiny houses on wheels because they must adhere to caravan standards for towing and the trailer must comply with regulations.