Tiny House Builder Shares Real Costs & Important Considerations BEFORE Buying or Building

[@ExploringAlternatives]

Thanks for watching! You can check out a couple of Acorn Tiny Homes here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKfUaZSYnc9roJo and here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqGlaaqQrtl5h5Y And you can also get our exclusive NordVPN deal at NordVPN.com/exploringalternatives

[@AngelaAquino-b3x]

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[@evanduffy8130]

Love the transparency here, the detail and specifics behind each part of the process was really enlightening - really appreciate this guy!

[@royal9588]

I think it’s just frustrating that something that was supposed to be a nice cheap alternative to our modern day capitalistic daily lives and now these tiny homes and can conversions are on par with the price sad really 😢

[@scottbitterli6365]

Consider where your expectation that tiny homes were "supposed to be cheap" come from? Was it just a misconception based on the name "tiny home"? The base cost of a new/custom, safe, functional home is much higher than most people think. All the essentials are there, and open square footage is probably the cheapest part of a normal size home. Making something mobile, off sets the cost of the land cost that may not be included.

[@mm6705]

I mean, you can make a shipping container house for pretty damn cheap, or an earth burm house for even cheaper. There are some madlads who make ultra tiny houses for under 10k ALL IN. It can be done.

[@ethanking4954]

The first tiny homes were built by the people who were living in them. If you make it yourself it's way cheaper than paying someone to do all the work for you.

[@questioner1596]

A new tiny house is cheaper than a new regular house with the same features. However, you may be considering the price of a new tiny house vs. and older regular house that may need a new roof and has older appliances. If you can't build it yourself and are on a budget, look at used tiny houses.

[@Zetverse]

More hype more price. Guess it only makes sense to build them yourself if one wants to keep it cheap. Most of what grabbed people's attention was the price and how people helped each other to build one, now its the builders stepping in the game for a few while and raising the price and basically deviating from the philosophy people initially built them with.

[@DavGreg]

It amazes me that so many people think you can get a high quality home for very little money in 2023. Anyone who strolls a Home Depot or Lowes and looks at the prices for stuff should have some understanding of how expensive it is. The other thing is why would any one want to cheap out on the place they call home and will share life with their loved ones. IDK what the 2023 number is, but years ago the cost of building a stick built home in the US was 70% labor - 30% everything else.

[@Acorntinyhomes]

This is the absolute truth. We've seen upwards of $5000 increases in material costs between when we budget a build to when we actually built it this year (between a span of only 4 months)! We don't set the price of materials, we just have to pay it if people want to keep building homes

[@ZeoCyberG]

Custom is especially vulnerable to changing costs and deals with the most potential overhead. People just normally don't understand business costs, let alone how premium custom work actually is in comparison to mass production. Between a mass produced Tract Home to a high end custom home, there can be multiple times difference in costs involved. Like a high end custom 3000 Sq Ft home can easily be well over a million but a similar tract home can be up to 1/5 the cost. All before factoring location, which is another factor because costs are not the same everywhere. So location is another reason as even the exact same house design/build can have up to multiple times difference in costs because of the location. All of which is something a lot of people don't understand, otherwise there wouldn't be so many comments by people comparing the prices to their local homes. Since, most regular houses aren't custom build, not high end, and different locations will have to deal with different costs, different climates, different building codes, etc. Like the 2021 IRC is much more strict on details like insulation requirements by climate zone/region than previous IRC releases and every county and state can have different versions of the IRC. Among other reasons that comparisons are actually more complicated than most people seem to realize... Even DIY isn't actually the cheapest option because that's actually mass production, which is the way to reach costs that can be up to a fraction of what a one off production would cost but there's always trade offs and mass production means giving up on most choices and being able to tailor the home to the owner for a perfect fit...

[@midnull6009]

...and remember in 2022 how logging and other commodities companies kept their inventory in stock to increase demand and drive up prices? This is the result.

[@DanaVastman]

Well done and I appreciate all of your insights. I'm 73 now. Spent my life creating amazing spaces, urban farms and edible gardens. Every point you made was a solid one and people objecting to costs are objecting to reality as it is today. The author encourages anyone who can to do it themselves and just provides some cautionary tales in the process. He's also trying to explain why it DOES cost a lot when being done in a commercial venture...a VALUABLE perspective. I think this is a wonderful! Discussion. As one who has frequently considered downsizing from a nice home to something more concise and mobile... It's fantastic to have someone described to me why things cost what they do. So many comments here are beloveviating bullshit and have nothing to do with the subject matter. Yeah our society sucks... It does not encourage freedom and exploration. Yeah of course.... We're all caught up in a F'd up world controlled by a bunch of evil a-holes with all the money. Has nothing to do with this video. Thanks so much! I appreciate the clarity and insights you provide. I wish you well and respect your endeavors.😮

[@ray_5_1992]

Thank you for your comment. It is really nice to hear a comment from someone who gain lot of experience in life. Thank you

[@carolewarrenrealtor]

Totally appreciate the descriptive detail and calculation of costs involved with building a tiny or custom home. It educates and provides clarity for areas the consumer may overlook like labor, the trailor, flooring and certification - wow 😳. We are better prepared because of your video. Thanks

[@kathylowry4813]

Thanks to D'Arcy for a very honest and informative tutorial. I would hire Acorn Tiny Homes in a minute if I were younger. But at 75 I'm set where I am now, however I love ALL the tiny house videos you make. Keep up the good work you do !

[@magatism]

If you are aiming for tiny. Build it yourself. It's fun, it's satisfying and saves you ton of money.

[@ExploringAlternatives]

Thank you! For sure, if you have the time it will definitely save money to build yourself :)

[@val_nightlily]

Thanks for posting this. It was really good of D'Arcy to go through this and you to video it. One thing he didn't address directly is how tiny home builders seem to aim at the high end of the market. I understand; it's just business. But it's getting old to see ever more luxury finishes, high-end appliances, huge showers, and square metres of counter space. We all have our HGTV fantasies, but more and more people are simply going to need a roof over their heads.

[@cd231]

Thanks for sharing such a candid and informative summary of the process and costs!

[@ericcipp5147]

This is no where close to a summary of processes to cost. This is a absolute rip off

[@cathylynnpietranton]

This was very informative and interesting. I feel we really don't know how much work is involved behind the scenes of building tiny houses. Thank you Danielle and Matt❤

[@ExploringAlternatives]

For sure, spending the day with D'Arcy and his crew was really eye opening!.The tiny houses they work on do seem like a crazy amount of work! Thanks for your comment and have a great day :)

[@mcdgoddess]

I really appreciate this video and the breakdown about costs. Something else not mentioned is how you are also paying for the knowledge and experience that comes with the labor of a professional building your home. I think a lot of people forget that you can still have a cheap tiny home, but you’ll be the one building it or you can find a simple non-custom Tiny. I’ve watched so many videos of people who built their own and discuss the time and energy they put into it and it’s a LOT! I still think it’s an affordable option even with going with a builder depending on where you live. I can’t even find a small condo in my city under $280K, so an entire custom built Tiny of your dreams for $200K, is still a great deal.

[@carolewarrenrealtor]

Though I too noticed "tiny" home prices drastically increased, I also feel that the perception of "tiny" homes being cheaper is a misconception (could be wrong🤔). In my opinion, tiny living is a great alternative to "own" a home out right or at least finance at a much more reasonable price point. The attraction for me is choosing to be purposeful for how I use my space, and to surround myself with the things that really matter. I love the idea and freedom you likely feel when not being bogged down by a 30-yr mortgage or huge monthly payment or too much stuff. I no longer try to focus on how to fit into a house ... but rather, how the house will fit me and my needs. Thanks for letting me share 🙂 #freedomislettinggo #peacewillbringjoy

[@kaleyeahitsaustin6026]

My wife and I looked at tiny houses, but once we saw how much they cost... You're better off buying an actual house lolol We eventually decided on Arched Cabins that are made out of Texas. After it's all done we're thinking around $60k for our finished house and that's 95% of the work we're doing ourselves.

[@DavGreg]

A lot depends upon where you live and what you expect. A tiny home makes a lot of sense if you are wanting it sited in a remote area where costs would otherwise be prohibitive. In many places in the US you can buy an older stick built home for less than what it would cost to build one. But remember, the upkeep is going to cost the same as any other house,

[@lizzieb6311]

That was the best decision for YOU…not everyone. Frankly, I’m OVER IT after owning a home for 22 years. A new roof will cost me 30K on my 2K sq ft home…on a tiny - it would be about 7500.00…. I just replaced my 14 yr old AC for 8500 bucks…new mini split on a tine would be about 2K. It’s all about perspective.

[@lizzieb6311]

@@ElectronicMusicUnderground that’s very nice. We have plenty of Mexican roofing crews here in Florida. I prefer to pay for proper permitting so when I go to sell my home I’m not slapped with a huge fine and forced to have it removed and redone legally.. I think you miss my entire point about my comment. Maintenance on an aging home (they don’t stay new forever) is a nonstop process. It’s expensive and it’s time consuming. After doing this for 22 years I am DONE and can’t wait to sell my home to a two income family who is far younger and more energetic than I am at 58. While home ownership is a blessing - it is also expensive. When buying a new home the owners seem to think they’ll stay new forever…they DON’T. Like a car - eventually big ticket repairs come along and if you aren’t prepared it can crush you.

[@zacreynolds2524]

this clarity is so needed

[@dustman96]

There is no clarity here, only subterfuge.

[@AphroditeLee]

I personally do not think having your house built FOR YOU costing 90K to 200K is expensive at all. I do not have the skill (nor the desire) to build my own so I am grateful you guys exist!

[@DavGreg]

People pay $90k for a pickup truck and then balk at paying twice that for the place they live.

[@Acorntinyhomes]

We're thankful to have amazing people like you that let us get creative and create a beautiful home for you!

[@EliBartEliBart]

Great video, love the transparency! Thank you D'Arcy!

[@SCnative64]

This was very informative and educational! Thank you for this.

[@MDX-r2s]

*❤️Only God knows how much grateful i am. After so much struggles I now own a new house and my family is happy once again everything is finally falling into place!!*

[@KuramaUchiha-id1ow]

Wow that's huge, how do you make that much monthly?

[@KuramaUchiha-id1ow]

I'm 34 and have been looking for ways to be successful, please how??

[@MDX-r2s]

$52K bi-weekly profits Despite all the financial struggles i and my family faced, everything is finally falling into place!

[@amalmberg13]

@@MDX-r2sWow...I know her too she is a licensed broker and a FINRA agent she is popular in US and Canada she is really amazing woman with good skills and experience.

[@amalmberg13]

I remember giving her my first savings $20,000 and she opened a brokerage account for me it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me.

[@palebeachbum]

Excellent video. Very insightful. Even understanding the logistics behind why tiny houses are so expensive, it's still hard to wrap my head around paying $150k-$200k U.S. for a tiny house when the same money in my city buys a renovated 2-bedroom house with around 1,000 sqft in a decent neighborhood. That also includes the land it sits on, of course. So unless you live somewhere where housing is insanely expensive, it's hard to justify spending that kind of money on a tiny house. It doesn't seem to make financial sense to spend that kind of money and still have to pay $500/mo for land rent to park a tiny house. It's cheaper to own the land and pay the property taxes on the 2-bedroom house in my example, which comes out to be about $130/mo, and that's for land you own and will reap the benefit of financial when you sell. Speaking of selling, tiny houses don't seem to accrue in value like a regular house from what I see. The values seem to stay stagnant or even decrease. Something to consider. I may sound like I'm anti-tiny house, but I'm really not. I would LOVE to live in a tiny house and wish more people would. I just can't make sense of it financially. The money saved on utilities isn't enough to offset the other costs to come out far ahead of the traditional 2-bedroom home.

[@Acorntinyhomes]

All prices in the video are in CAD not USD, so its a lot less costly than you think. Also the homes you've mentioned about buying are going to be all starter homes (read fixer uppers). Its not physically possible to build a new home for those prices, and the homes you are buying will require 10's of thousands of $$ to get up to modern standards and code. For the price we've suggested these are all brand new, highly energy efficient, and fully furnished, and move in ready. With regards to appreciation/depreciation, there is a common misconception about this. Traditional homes actually don't appreciate in value, its the land itself that increases in value. Your traditional home will depreciate just like a Tiny Home, but regular maintenance and upgrades ensures that it maintains its value for as long as possible.

[@palebeachbum]

@@Acorntinyhomes I'm aware the prices discussed in the video are Canadian dollars. Im speaking on my experiences in the USA. Tiny homes in the USA are typically priced in the $100k to $200k range for a 26ft to 40ft model with high end finishes. I've seen examples that exceed that price. My example traditional two-bedroom home for $200,000 US is based on a renovated home in my local real estate market. I work in real estate, so I'm aware of where prices are at currently and what you get for the money. The same type of traditional home in fixer-upper condition sells for around $125,000. If it's in very poor, uninhabitable condition, it will sell as low as about $80k. Regarding property values, as long as a property is maintained in it's currently condition at the time of purchase, it will still increase in value over time. Upgrades further boost the value. Even neglected properties in some cases will increase in value given enough time. For example, fixer-uppers that were selling for under $100k 5yrs ago are now selling for $175k in similar condition. I'm not seeing the same thing happen with pre-owned tiny home sales. Not yet anyway. I do hope tiny homes accrue more resale value moving forward so owners can build equity as they continue to be more popular and accepted as real housing. I would love to go tiny someday. In the meantime, it's financially more beneficial for me to own a small traditional house.

[@garyrebholz4139]

Just looking at the design he featured, I'd say 'over-designed' is one factor in over-priced, over-marked-up, tiny homes.

[@johnnyrabenold6133]

Yes. They are selling a lifestyle. In my opinion it's mostly a fantasy.

[@bellaluce7088]

It's certainly true that when people have a laundry list of customizations the cost can skyrocket (I disagree with OVER-priced and OVER-marked-up though). Choosing to pay for that level of design is worth it to some people. Personally, when I realized how much all the extras in my original design would cost, a plain rectangular box started to sound a lot more appealing. ; - ) Not everything has to be a built-in, and there's a lot you can do on your own to customize once the shell and the wiring and plumbing are done.

[@cloverhighfive]

Unfortunate that they didn't show the pre-designed houses in the video. The purple house is a super-custom house for a specific client, and the other one shown is his own tiny. (both were featured on this channel, linked in the description) You are right, those 2 are much more complex than your average tiny.

[@johnnyrabenold6133]

@cloverhighfive my impression from the video is that they only really do the high end custom.

[@cloverhighfive]

@@johnnyrabenold6133 yep the video gave me that impression too... at any rate, 250K is still cheaper than a "normal" house where I live. But damn. Once you've found land, plus all the extras (get connected or have a well dug), it's comparable. I agree with the one who said it's more about a lifestyle now. Having watched tiny videos for ages, I knew this would happen. A trend picks up, and capitalism catches up.

[@mm6705]

Take a welding class at a community college, spend some extra hours practicing with their equipment, get a discount buying your own welder, and then build basically anything you want, made of metal, for the rest of your life, for only the cost of material. Those 10-20k trailers are not much more than 1000 in materials.

[@Acorntinyhomes]

I'm sorry but it would be ideal if you did your research before you mislead others. The axles alone cost more than $1000. The price of steel has also exploded over the last few years, so no you can't pick up the volume of steel used for under $1000

[@andhemills]

I think it would be helpful to consider de-/a-ppreciation of tiny homes. Can they be financed? Are they like a [new] car and lose significant value as soon as they're in the owner's hands? Or will they appreciate as/if material costs continue to increase? What will the market for tiny homes look like in 5, 10, 20 years? Will regulations stifle their existence or will they be socially accepted? What would be the impacts of mass adoption of tiny trailer homes (Will people fight over land)?

[@questioner1596]

I think if you are buying used, live somewhere rural because the best deals will be on uncertified units that the owner can't find somewhere to legally park it. If buying new, the least depreciation will be on certified units.

[@bugstomperkiwi]

It costs that much BECAUSE they turned it into a business

[@bugstomperkiwi]

And that is NOT what a tiny house started out as. That thing is a small mobile home. Its not designed to be moved all across the country as you travel, its built to be put somewhere and stay there.

[@MeetTheForeigner]

Love the honesty mate

[@mrdavisdance]

I live in Indiana and I just had a battle with cancer, as a 28 year old. This has really changed my perspective and given me the desire to get a tiny house in the woods. I just don't know where to even start.

[@nononono3421]

The answer is don’t do a vanity project. There is no reason for it to be that expensive, but the homes shown here are vanity projects. With a tiny home it’s way easier to be your own general contractor too, and do anything yourself when needed. Also a tiny home should essentially not be bigger than 8’ x 30’. The most personality will come from cabinet doors, counter, and deco. None if that is expensive. Make a dining booth like in a restaurant at the end of the home and you aren’t going to waste space with a bar and it will serve as a desk and couch and can be used as a bed too. Do not make room for a couch/sofa, go enjoy life outside, eat outside often. Basically, a tiny home is for living like an RV, it’s just a bit bigger because you don’t expect to move often. The prices mentioned here are for people who don’t know what they are doing or are rich, there are other smarter options.

[@amandaapatow7026]

I'd rather the cost be high and people get paid what their worth! Thanks for being a good small business owner!

[@JulioSamuelB]

Thanks Matt and Daniella, this was a good information video!🙂

[@ExploringAlternatives]

Thanks! Happy you enjoyed the video and found it helpful :)

[@zacreynolds2524]

honeslty shout ou to this team so good being clear

[@ExploringAlternatives]

Thank you so much for your comment! We've been getting that question a lot on tiny house videos so we're happy we got to interview D'Arcy and get more clarity on the building costs.

[@Margaret-r7j]

I agree building it yourself cuts down on cost you choose and design it the way you want it to be.. especially using secondhand materials

[@allegrosotto2126]

Fred’s tiny houses in Vic Australia makes a point also about what to look for in a trailer and why.

[@blazejnycz1]

Great and honest explaination. 👨‍🎓👌👍🙂😎

[@NicolasBeaufils]

Remember the mood at the beggining of the tiny house movement

[@savageslimesforreal1862]

U explained that very well and it's all true...with that being said you all do a beautiful job.❤ hi from USA

[@cynot71]

I would love to build my own tiny house but lack the skills and knowledge. I have the desire, the willingness to learn, and not afraid to get bruised, cut, and dirty. All I need is a consultant to help me out.

[@jester1080]

Amazing and transparent video with lots of excellent info. The amount of people on here that talk out of their ass with hobbiest experience 😂! Talk is cheap! Everthing looks cheaper on paper. Sure, you can probably still buy a fixerupper home in northern ontario for around the same price, but you will live in the middle of nowhere (appealing to some, impossible for most to be displaced from society/work opportunities), and still have to pay to renovate. Ideally, go ahead, build your own, but dont forget to pay yourself for your labor, including all the mistakes and things that will have to be fixed in less than 3 years when you warranty your own workmanship... then come back here and comment with your actual build cost.

[@elvamajors3497]

Thanks for information. I own a condo and am in the process of researching a tiny home.Just big enough for me.😁

[@drissaudia1323]

Thanks for the insight! Oh, I thought the hole purpose of wanton Grose live in a tiny home was to save on these materials and building costs. But, it sounds like it can can cost almost the same as a home built on land. Then I might stick to that. Because where do you stick a tiny home, you need land still to put it on? Can’t just park at a park somewhere, so there’s another cost!

[@lindas5964]

The people questioning why something is so expensive are people that have never done any manual labor themselves. If you want it cheap, build it yourself!

[@simplylifeau]

Thanks for this, appreciate custom work is a specialised craft that creates specialised costs when outsourced….👍

[@ExploringAlternatives]

Very true! Thanks for checking out the video :)

[@lawrencedavidson6195]

You have a lovely setup. Keep up the good work! Greetings from Jamaica.

[@bellaluce7088]

Well-explained and succinct---thank you! : - ) People often seem to forget the important point mentioned here about the cost of customization driving tiny home prices up. I've seen amazing things in tiny houses: the sliding library ladder pictured here, an elevator bed on counterweights that could be raised or lowered with one hand, an under-counter dog kennel with private doggie door, woodwork so intricate and beautiful it rose to the level of art, a watertight roof that could be raised to make the loft more spacious, etc. That kind of design/engineering/sourcing materials/etc. takes TIME, as do other more common customizations like built-ins and gables. Personally, I would be content with an empty box with electric and plumbing I can DIY and fill with my existing furniture and treasures. But I appreciate the creativity and ingenuity of other people's visions, as well as their generosity in sharing them for us to view. ❤ Thanks for another great video! : - )

[@felinefox4039]

Thanks so much for sharing this. It is a big outlay to get someone else to build your tiny home but considering everything that goes into plus certification it clearly isn't the big steal people might be afraid it is

[@gene_takavic57]

ANYTHING starts with a good, strong foundation! It would be interesting to see a video showing a range of tiny homes and the price range. The homes shown in this video seemed a bit high-end. Great video nonetheless.

[@JUDITHPEDARSE]

nice amazing tiny home ❤ watching from zambales Philippines ❤❤❤

[@RumduolAngkor]

This is very interesting video and thank you 🙏

[@ExploringAlternatives]

Happy you found it helpful, thanks for watching :)

[@crab3696]

Agree with costs as it is essentially building an entire house at smaller scale. The work is just as much.

[@brettany_renee_blatchley]

Exploring Alternatives always has top notch content, I believe this video will become one of the All Time Best. ❤ I have long scoffed at prices of professionally-built houses, and now I understand why these prices need to be what they are. *Thank You EA* 😊❤

[@Grace-sl5iq]

Thanks for that educational session🙏🏽🫶🏽

[@denisewhite8373]

Thank you for explaining. I'm new to learning about tiny homes and was hoping to living in one but I'm not sure I can afford the type that I would need for my family. I still think they are awesome though and still a good alternative. I would think the energy efficiency of these homes would still make it worth living in. The person would save a lot on energy bills.

[@wendyrobertson-c6m]

As a senior who wants a home of my own, I could never afford to purchase land which is by far way cheaper than buying/building a tiny, I've looked into a few of the senior friendly one floor foundation tiny homes that are going up in our neighborhood. They are supposed to be senior friendly affordable homes put up pre-covid but even they are priced out of range for most seniors in our area. At 600 Sq. ft priced at 100k it's not affordable especially to this economically depressed area.

[@kevinwells4986]

I have no framework to comment. Except this does not dissuaded me from the idea of owning a tiny home. It just told me its also probably impossible. Still, what a great summery full of valid commentary. I'll probably be in an RV. I've been there before.

[@joewoodchuck3824]

People usually forget that land for any house, not only tiny ones, often costs more than the structure. Then there's septic, a well (I'm not very fond of wells. Figure on very roughly $5k just for the drill service alone.), and possible utility pole expense if not close to where service already exists. Then there's plumbing and interior electricals unless the owner feels them to be unnecessary. I'm realistic about those expenses because I know about such things. But my real issue with tiny houses has to do with the amount of space. Not ordinary living space. We can get by with little there. But what about hobbies, tools, books, and activities? We have an entire room just to store our hobbies, not counting space to do them. Part of that stuff is even in an outbuilding. Clearly everything needs to be thought out by more people than often do.

[@sassienay439]

Great video...more videos from those who can share their personal experience such as how to keep costs down. Is it better to just get basics then upgrade later? The tiny homes are really nice but its getting a bit pricey for those who can not build your own.

[@YOUTUBEPUNISH]

Beautiful homemadeHomes and houses on wheels 💯

[@tynitahaines4012]

The clarity and understanding was so needed for so many people in both the states and Canada. I want a tiny home but the problem I'm having is finding the land in the specific state I want to move too. I'm almost considering moving to Canada to do this.

[@SoCalFreelance]

Buy a model tiny house and then customize it seems like another option.

[@spruceysarah]

thank you so much for sharing this! very useful information that i haven't seen anywhere else.

[@ExploringAlternatives]

You're very welcome and I'm really happy you found the video helpful! Thanks for your comment :)

[@jolenethiessen357]

I'm so confused by this. Why would you spend money on this? In my area of Canada, you might be able to park that in a mobile home park, because that's what it is. Then why mot just buy a mobile home? I thought thr idea was to live simply, which this doesn't seem to adhere to. It has more luxuries than my regular house lol.

[@nomadcarpenter8549]

Love to see so many relevant and informative points of discussion in a video. Cheers

[@ExploringAlternatives]

Thanks for your comment! Glad you enjoyed this video and found it informative :)

[@musician1000]

Tiny homes are expensive because they contain all the elements of a full size house. I would imagine a house twice the size, would cost only 25% more. Labour is a big expense, and working in a small space is very time consuming.

[@thepeepingsprout2944]

That was excellent information, thanks so much 😊

[@bleaaarghh]

What’s the cheapest way to do it?

[@battshytkrazy156]

Start with a TRASHED mobile home-- SCAVENGE the frame+wheelset... ADAPT that to scale ...we cutem @ both endz, & move up

[@SonnyDarvish]

One of the major reasons moving into a tiny house was the cost of regular house. Apparently both have gone up, but we are now getting closer that we younger generations can't even afford a tiny house.

[@communityprepper6153]

serious question...what happen 3 years ago that made costs go up?

[@jenng3934]

That's an outrageous amount of money for a tiny home. Anyone who would pay that much for it is out of their mind. There are much less expensive and quality built tiny homes like Incredible Tiny Homes.

[@abesapien9930]

I looked at a 3 bd 1 bath home, newly renovated in Youngstown, Ohio for $70,000. It's a very, very bad neighborhood, but the street and immediate area looked clean. Still, it looked like a steal compared to most tiny homes. You just gotta look outside your state, search smaller towns, and accept a less desirable area. And don't forget Airbnb. I rented rooms for $500-$700 when I booked 2 months out.

[@valeriewatkins9112]

It’s because they’re popular and a lot of people are doing it and S or cashing in. It’s the American Way in a wet sad but you can still can do it on a budget. I don’t know from experience but I think it would be able to be done.

[@wibie4Life]

Can potential buyers copy previous designs that the builders made for free? Or is there some copyright fee for that?

[@RumduolAngkor]

This is very interesting video

[@ericturner2477]

Hopefully they're deducting the depreciation on all that equipment. I'm surprised that there's much of a market for fully custom tiny homes, but I guess it takes all types.

[@ginocastro5107]

So... Are you saying I could possibly save between 30-70K (depending on the size) on labour alone?

[@Acorntinyhomes]

If you know how to do plumbing, electrical, gas fitting, framing, roofing, insulation, cabinetry, etc, then yeah you could.

[@susieblu4152]

These days with flood and wildfire I’m sure it is a comfort AND a clever consideration to have a “mobile” home. I have no doubt it is money well spent. And, this company is CDN $

[@wbwills2]

Any home…good shoes & Hat!

[@nickwulf]

Can we get a comment on Living Big in a Tiny house's featured new Zealand tiny home trailer platform that you can jack up off the trailer? Are those any good or what?

[@mli3793]

Not to sound all negative but he is clearly a sales person, using wording like “investment” for a house that will absolutely depreciate in value

[@Acorntinyhomes]

Actually I'm definitely not a sales person. I far too often talk customer out of upgrades because I'm so concerned about sticking to their budgets! Tiny Homes are an investment though! They might not be a traditional financial investment, but they are an investment in yourself and the lifestyle you wish to lead. Less monthly costs for a home means less stress about paying bills, which means more time for friends and family and life experiences!

[@bellaluce7088]

It strikes me as really unfair that you're pulling one word out of context to falsely imply some kind of shady intent in this excellent overview. This video was about what goes into the cost of tiny homes, not their pros and cons compared to other forms of housing. There are other resources for people interested in that. It should go without saying that the word investment is used in many contexts. For example, the washing machine I bought is depreciating daily but it's still a good investment because it's cheaper and more convenient than going to the laundromat. Personally I don't *want* a home with a lot of energy-sucking, expensive square footage I'd need to clean and maintain, and I value having the option to take my home with me when I move, especially because most of my family live in a repeated wildfire zone. To each their own!

[@donfatale]

This is not what "tiny homes" was supposed to be about. The hipster attitude is such a turn off.That's why the comments below are brutal.

[@Acorntinyhomes]

Unfortunately no one person "owns" the Tiny House movement. Tiny means different things to different people and people with family want Tiny homes that will grow with their family. They want homes that will be a solution for them for more than 3 years. So we build Tiny Homes large enough to grow with you, and with quality materials that will allow this home to last 50-70 years+!

[@rsj2027]

Or modular homes are a good fit

[@boardwalkbw7130]

Absolutely love that tile backsplash!! With all that said...the cost of these tiny homes are halarious...common sense is dead these days.

[@capricornmagic63]

The wheels of commerce never stop turning. People spend these vast sums of money because they can, not because they can't afford a normal house. It's a look at me statement. Pure and simple.

[@armored-clown]

Too expensive it makes zero sense buying these anymore. Just buy a fifth wheel or manufactured home. Tiny houses are absolutely not worth it anymore

[@Acorntinyhomes]

If you're looking for a low quality product that has a life span of 20-25 years absolutely buy an RV or mobile home. But if you want something built to last (50-70 years), buy a quality built Tiny Home. We exceed code insulation requirements, use triple pane windows, and maintenance free steel roofing/siding. The price you pay is reflective of the quality you get

[@danniedamour4397]

Build small . Under 600sqft do it yourself and use reclaimed things where you can and it will be cheaper.

[@meljill1969]

I'd say because I'm looking for one .is ....inwpuld not pay that and yes over designing is a issue .there are many company's that are less in Canada also. But I see his points .

[@Acorntinyhomes]

I personally only know of 3 other builders in Canada that are building at a lower price point than we are. However it's important to note first and foremost the quality of materials used. Are they using vinyl siding which has a 10-15 year life span, or steel which has a 50 year life span? Do they use OSB or plywood (a lot of off gassing and collapses after exposure to moisture, or strong and stable!). Compare the amount of cabinets they have. Is there the equivalent cabinetry of a weekend Airbnb stay, or is there enough for life and it's 4 seasons? Also compare the appliances. Do they offer tanked or tankless water heaters, what about things like dishwasher or washer/dryers? Because we build fully furnished homes with all these upgraded appliances. Our homes are turnkey and move in ready! Honestly the price comparisons here are apples to oranges. But if your budget can only afford an orange, then please buy the orange! We have no interest in selling you something you can't afford or that isn't.rigjt for you! That's why there is choice in this industry and different builders offer different styles and price points

[@kitkatkrissy]

I disagree at some of the costs quoted here. A single room mini split and a smaller size ventless on demand hot water heater aren't as pricey as you think. But you all have Google and can look that up yourselves. I also know you can get a Tiny House insured without being certified in the US now. You just can't live in flood or wind prone areas. 😊

[@Acorntinyhomes]

While the single room unit may appear to be inexpensive, few people remember to factor in the additional costs like labour, wall brackets, disconnect box, wiring, suction lines, pipe insulation, whip kit, etc etc. Retail cost of a unit is NEVER the actual cost to install something. These are the hidden costs that people forget to factor in for.

[@kitkatkrissy]

@@Acorntinyhomes That would be costlier IF you where installing it new on an already assembled home. BUT it shouldn't be that much if you factor in the cost on a new build. Your quote in this video is highway robbery prices!

[@Acorntinyhomes]

@@kitkatkrissy we do factor the costs in of a new build, and those prices quoted in the video are the cost we incur. You can absolutely be a keyboard warrior if you want, attesting that you know the exact costs of something you've never built yourself, but it doesn't change reality. I'm here to provide the facts, it's up to you to do your own independent research to verify. So please, call a heating and cooling company and ask what they'd charge for a new install.

[@kitkatkrissy]

I am not without experience. I've built a Tiny House. I think some of your charges are very high. I think people need to shop around for Tiny House builders and my advice is to get involved with your build as much as you can! That's all I have to say.

[@morgenmuffel5747]

For the sake of objectivity and balance, it would have been far preferable to have someone other than just a person who build and sells tiny homes explaining the costs. Such a person could have actually critiqued the industry and areas of potentially unreasonable profit margin

[@Acorntinyhomes]

Unfortunately someone not in the industry would have zero knowledge or understanding of the costs. Also, we're not sure too why people think that there is unreasonable profit on Tiny Homes, we personally only have razor thin margins. Just enough to feed my family and keep our lights on. We do this to support and grow the tiny home community, not to profiteer off of it

[@realcoachescorner3503]

If you have a house just keep it...this tiny trend has been ruined by business and wanabes...unless you 100% do it yourself its not worth buying someone elses tiny or van bc they literally want 180k or up....these should be selling for 40k

[@acriticalvegan6164]

My trailer cost me 20000 plus a 100000 in building supplies

[@DanaVastman]

I think the author made this point several times during the course of this video... If you can do it yourself, great. However, do not expect a commercial developer which has huge costs associated with buildings and labor to be able to meet these prices. This is just reality and I appreciate the efforts going into describing such realities in this video. Remember, he's encouraging you to do it yourself.

[@sabby1802]

it sucks, the high cost, but i understand, it is what it is. . i had my 3 for the high costs, labor, parts, and profit.

[@OryanMcLean]

I have only 200k cash and you can barely get a decent tiny home in nz for that price. Basically a cabin tiny home for 200k in nz.

[@pawshands9706]

When there are people profiting from any vast need such as a home, shareholders will insist on their cuts. The poor don't stand a chance.

[@DanaVastman]

Wow! Talk about injecting a whole bunch of social justice issues into an attempt to describe the cost associated with creating small houses for a small builder. Yeah, I agree... We got real problems in our society. However, this has nothing to do with the subject of this video. Get a life

[@pawshands9706]

@@DanaVastman Yeah truth has an annoying habit of showing up when you wish it gone. Hush!

[@rpvitiello]

They fixed costs for kitchens and bathrooms are exactly why it’s not much more expensive to build a bigger house with more bedrooms. You already have to buy the expensive appliances if it’s a studio or a 4 bedroom house. The only real reason to build small, is if land is expensive.

[@rikachiu]

I heard so many good things about Acorn. If I ever build tiny, I am going with them.

[@Acorntinyhomes]

And we'll be ready for you when you're ready!

[@etruretyutyju]

Interesting!

[@GregCurtin45]

Thank you #NordVPN for sponsoring this video. Really fascinating look inside the real world costs of building a tiny house. A further thanks to #AcornTinyHomes for sharing your wealth of knowledge about becoming better informed on the real cost of tiny homes. I am sure there are a LARGE number of tiny home DIYourselfers who suddenly find out their home can't be insured at any price. Would you buy a car that isn't certified then don't consider a home that isn't as well.

[@nicolelafontaine1720]

👍

[@thetimeznow7363]

It’s expensive Now because it’s popular

[@ericvulgate]

For $90,000 I can buy a lot of land and build a house on it myself.

[@DanaVastman]

Then do it... Don't come on here and blowviate on garbage. This was a great show illustrating the cost involved and I appreciate the clarity. As pre-human beings we have total choice in this matter... I respect and appreciate the information that has been provided in this video

[@375Cheytac]

@@DanaVastman He was making a statement at how ridiculous all of this is. This is perfect for people who have a ton of money and want a mobile home, however wildly impractical for 99% of the population. For $250k you can buy a home that’s good to go. $10k/month for the shop? Social media coordinator? Dude is running a VERY inefficient business, but obviously there are people with enough money to fund him so hats off.

[@echsenjackson7182]

@@DanaVastman ok boomer. calm down your heart rate.

[@Acorntinyhomes]

​@@375CheytacI invite you to go and see what commerical real estate actually costs and you won't think we're so crazy

[@dustman96]

​@@375Cheytac What he doesn't say is that having that $10k warehouse actually increases his profit.

[@jenniboo9441]

$200,000?? No. That's absurd. Absolutely absurd. It doesn't matter what quality materials you use, there's no way spending 200 grand on a 400 square foot house will *ever* be a good financial decision. That's sickening. Edit. I'm not saying he is wrong for what hecharges, just that nobody should spend that amount on a tiny home.

[@bellaluce7088]

And yet they do, and are happy in them. To each their own!

[@jenniboo9441]

@@bellaluce7088 that doesn't mean it's a smart thing to do

[@bellaluce7088]

@@jenniboo9441 Smart is a relative. Do you subsist on gruel and whatever vegetable happens to be cheapest or a mix of foods that actually taste good to you? Do you buy only the cheapest most durable clothes or consider what actually looks good on you? Do you work at a job that pays the most you can get or something that matches your values? etc. etc.

[@dustman96]

I'll say it for you, they are wrong to charge that much. As you said, it's absurd. Anyone who has building experience can see that.

[@bellaluce7088]

@@dustman96 It looks legit to me based on the specific breakdowns in the video. Project management and cost estimating are an acquired skill not everyone with building experience has. And even contractors with years of experience budgeting projects have lost money or gone out of business due to the recent spike in construction costs. I try not to let my love for a deal blind me to the importance of quality and my values about paying a fair wage.

[@alindasue]

Building a tiny home is essentially just building a customized RV. Yes, you can live in it like a house, but don't be surprised that it costs at least as much as any new factory built RV to buy.