Buy or build tiny home for STR?

Question

I will (hopefully if it works out) be coming into a bit of land soon. I'd like to put a tiny home on the property as a weekend getaway, and would also use as a STR. This would just be a 400-600 sqft 1-2 bedroom with just enough amenities to be comfortable.

Is it generally more cost effective to build a tiny home? Like, purchase a large shed, wire and plumb it, finish and furnish it? Or is it better to buy prebuilt?

There'd be no time constraint at all, so I don't care if it'd take a long time to build. But if it's not much of a savings I'd just as soon buy one and have everything done.

Matthew Paul · Answer

No , I just see them at all the campgrounds we go to

Karen Chenaille · Answer

Have you considered glamping tents or geodesic domes?  There are several models of these that come with bathrooms and kitchens in them.  The returns are insane due to the low cost of entry.  Biggest thing to look out for is what type of zoning regulations will apply...oh and the septic requirements.  We have a two phase glamping resort going in right now down in the Smokies and so far, the septic design has been the most difficult part, but it's all worth it in the end because the returns are insane.

Bruce Woodruff · Answer

Do you know where to look for those? A website perhaps? :-)

Matthew Paul · Answer

Look at the cabins they have at campgrounds . They bring them in set them on piers they are rather nice . And always full at campgrounds

Chase Hoover · Answer

If you plan to do some or all of the work yourself, building will obviously be cheaper.  If not, buy turn-key prefab.  The cost of mobilizing plumbers, electricians, carpenters, etc to work on a tiny home will far exceed that of the in-house factory labor of the prefab companies.

Collin Hays · Answer

What constitutes a "tiny" house?

Sounds almost like a "world's tallest midget" debate.

Bruce Woodruff · Answer

I'm getting ready to do the same. Of course you'll want to check with your local jurisdiction first to see what they allow/require. Where I'm planning to put mine, you cannot have a manufactured/mobile home, stick built only.

Although it's easy for me to just build something, I'm still leaning towards buying something and having it hauled in. In most cases, you can make monthly payments, which I would do until it got up and running (making money) and then pay it off quickly.

Look up 'Park House', those are nice. Also look on Craigslist, there will most likely be a local shed company with 300 sf sheds that you could finish off yourself.......

Bill B. · Answer

I THINK you’ll find a manufactured home (I still prefer “Mobil home” even if they aren’t Mobil.) or a “real” home will be investment. The manufactured home as far as cost per sf or the real home as far resale value and to an extent the cost per sf as well. The 1/4th to 1/3rd size tiny homes I’ve seen ar usually 40-50% of the price.

Ling Lin · Answer

I love the idea of having a tiny house and turn it into a STR but i have not had the right environment or location to do so. Personally, i would buy instead of build, because i dont know how to build one and lazy. If you buy, it probably will take minimum amount of time to get ready for STR. Depends on however much you would list it for. i think buy can start generating cash flow compare to if you take 6 months to build the tiny house. you could potentially lose a bit of cash flow there. Wish you the best of luck.