Anyone who dreams of a Tiny House but has a limited budget, or who finds building an entire house too big a challenge, can consider purchasing a Tiny House shell to complete it themselves. Building your own house is an exciting, but also challenging adventure. In this blog we take you through the most important steps, from renting a mini crane to estimating the costs and purchasing the right tools and materials.
The shell: the basis of your Tiny House
The shell of a Tiny House forms the skeleton of your home. It is the structure that includes the walls, floors and roof, usually constructed from wood or steel. When you buy a shell, you already have the basics in place: the exterior walls and roof are installed, but the inside is still completely empty. This offers you the freedom to customize the layout and design entirely to your own wishes. You can also be sure that the base is solid and expertly built.
You can often buy a Tiny House shell in various stages of finish. You can also choose to have the wiring and pipes installed, and even the insulation. Then you only have to make the interior walls and you can start working on the interior. Tiny House construction companies that build to measure can usually also supply a shell.
From workshop to plot
Casco Tiny Houses are prefabricated in a workshop and transported to your plot in whole or in parts. A low loader is usually used for this purpose with a large crane that places the house on the foundation. When the house comes in parts, there are two options: the large crane is used to immediately assemble the parts, or the parts are stacked next to the foundation.
The floor, walls and roof can then be assembled with a mini crane. These compact cranes are ideal for maneuvering in tight spaces, such as a backyard or an area with limited access. They provide enough lifting power to move the heavy parts of the house into place without causing damage to the surrounding area.
Sarah herself helped build her shell Strobox home, and assembled and finished it with help
Materials and tools: what do you need?
To complete a Tiny House you naturally need building materials and good tools. Below you will find an overview of the basic supplies.
- Insulation material: Good insulation is indispensable for a comfortable and energy-efficient home. Consider biobased materials such as hemp, wood fiber and sheep wool, or synthetic or mineral materials such as glass wool or PIR plates.
- Electrical installations: Installing electricity requires cables, switches, sockets and possibly a distribution box. For an (off-grid) PV installation you need solar panels, an inverter, cabling, batteries and charging voltage regulators.
- Water and sanitary installations: For a bathroom and kitchen you need pipes including couplings, drains, a boiler and sanitary facilities.
- Finishing materials: This includes plaster or wood panels, paint, wallpaper, floor coverings, kitchen and bathroom cabinets.
- Tools: The right tools are essential for a successful construction. Basic tools such as a circular saw, drill, screwdriver, hammer, spirit level and a multi-tool are indispensable. In addition, specific tools are required for the installation of, for example, electricity and plumbing. If you don’t own them, you can often rent them.
Tips for success
- Make a detailed plan: Before you start finishing, it is very important to make a detailed plan and clear construction drawings. Think about the layout, the power and water connections, the installations and the materials you want to use. This helps you stay within budget and prevents unpleasant surprises.
- Get help where necessary: Although finishing a Tiny House yourself is very possible and is a great experience from which you will learn a lot, it can also be overwhelming. Don’t hesitate to hire professionals for complicated jobs, such as connecting electricity or installing plumbing.
- Enjoy the process: Finally, don’t forget to enjoy the process. Building your own house is a unique opportunity to develop your creativity and craftsmanship and makes you a proud Tiny House resident!
With the right preparation, the necessary tools, and a well-developed plan, finishing your Tiny House can be a successful and satisfying endeavor. Good luck!
Images: Strobox, Sarah de Groot, ANoPro
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