Countries other than the United States have recognized the need to downsize their lifestyles for quite some time. It is only recently with the U.S. economy barely chugging along that Americans have started to convert to the tiny house movement. Individuals are becoming concerned with ecological issues as well as the fact that a larger house needs more money to run it, and at the same time are becoming less concerned with showing their wealth in the size of their home.
Tiny homes are typically 500 square foot or less, and some are built on trailer chassis for portability. They cost approximately $10,000 dollars to $50,000 dollars to build (price dependant on the features requested), and if built on wheels do not require a construction permit. Building plans for tiny homes can be found on the internet and many individuals will choose to build the home themselves to save on costs. Unfortunately the lack of permitting has also allowed some houses to be built which are not entirely safe, which has in turn led to the creation of the Tiny House Business Alliance. This group offers professional workshops where those interested can learn how to properly build their own little house.
Along with the much lower cost of owning a tiny home, there is the satisfaction of knowing that the home is eco-friendly; many tiny homes are constructed from recycled materials. Toilets can be composting or electric rather than water based. A tiny home will not use anywhere near the electricity a larger home does, and water consumption is usually less as well since many of these homes do not include a shower. If your tiny home is built on wheels it can be moved whenever the owner sees a need, or just wants a change of scenery.
Money is a large driving force behind the tiny house movement. Most people who own a tiny home do not have a mortgage, the cost of needed repairs is usually much lower than with a traditional sized home, heating and cooling costs are less, and property taxes are much less as well.
Some individuals see the movement as something that will hurt their property values but the opposite is proving to be true. In the space it would take to build one 2500 foot single family home many tiny homes could be built, which adds to housing density and higher property values.
For some, it is not just a matter of money; using fewer materials to build their home means less waste in the landfills. In the state of Louisiana for example, one may build a home or duplex and leave the trash behind on an adjoining empty property. You can find piles of empty paint cans, pieces of countertops, miscellaneous scraps of wood, and trash just lying around. At some point during the end of construction someone will light the trash pile on fire, like they expect the paint cans to melt away. When it rains, the toxic waste runs right into the gutters.
Living small can mean less clutter, less expense, and more personal satisfaction in knowing that the environment is being helped along with your wallet.
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Here’s Why The Tiny House Movement Is Picking Up Steam Credit Picture License: nicolas.boullos via photopin cc
