Posted on 12/18/2013 4:23:12 PM PST by Extremely Extreme Extremist
Architect Macy Miller had a big idea: Build a tiny house.
After dealing with a messy foreclosure, the 30-year-old sought a way to have a place of her own while avoiding the mortgage trap. Her solution: Build a micro home.
"I wanted a way to escape dependency on banks without being a 'renter,'" the Idaho resident told Yahoo in an email. "I like having my own space to make my own, which is difficult to do without taking out a large mortgage."
Miller began to build a 196-square-foot house in 2011, right on a flatbed truck. The cost: $11,400. The handy Miller did most of the work herself, with advice from her friends and father as needed.
Miller did need some extra help last August: While working on her roof, she fell and broke her foot and her back in two places. She says she has since recovered from her injuries.
(Excerpt) Read more at homes.yahoo.com ...
tornadobait
Or you could do what this guy in Hong Kong did in his small apartment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WB2-2j9e4co
First that is not built on a flat bed truck, that’s a trailer, and property is not free, you either need someone who will let you sit on their property and tie into the grid or pay a trailer park to allow you to park on their site, I would hardly trumpet this as a grand solution.
If you want to see a kit house that is open to the public, there is one at the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda CA. It was assembled by Richard Nixon’s father.
Sears has asserted that it was not one of theirs.
I bet this lady disparages people who live in mobile homes.
Not a bad job for a broad.
In my 'berg the space rent for a "trailer" can be $1800 a month or more.
I’d like to see what the local Amish could build for 11,400.
There is no flatbed truck in that picture. The thing is built on a fifth wheel trailor frame. Look at axles under the home, then look at the tongue of the trailer.
Architect’s big idea: Tiny, $11,000 house
Why? not a tent with base services for $1100....
you know.... and fold up furniture?.. i.e. Ultra-Tepee..
-OR- a Swiss Sleeping bag with fold out everything.. i.e. needed..
for $500.00
Good eye. Hmmm....serves me right for believing what I read...
I like it. People live in one or two room apartments. Why not in a one or two-room freestanding dwelling? Looks pretty nice, too. An A-frame might be sturdier. And I wonder about the resale.
Always a plus!
Typical architect. They tend to be artistic yahoos with bad cases of the heebie jeebies and lovers of low practibility ideas (present architect company excepted, of course).
I could show you hundreds of trailers in that price range that are safer to tow, better appointed and easier to maintain than this thing.
And that’s not from being in the business.
The basic concept is great for those who like this kind of life.
Good luck with the “ADD TO IT” part..... Get your permits that are almost impossible to obtain in some areas, and have a building party! A “mobile home addition raising party”!!!! I couldn’t get a permit to park a temporary mobile home for my frail Mother... to live on my property, because I could not provide a 30 foot wide easement to the property, without bulldozing part of my home. She could have used my driveway... and the permit required, had to be renewed yearly.... and if the permit was not renewed, I would have to dispose of the mobile home ASAP. Ahhhh Utopia..... We are almost there!!!
Used to be in the RV business in Florida. There was a trailer called a Park Model. Big living room, big bathroom, medium kitchen, small bedroom. Under 500 sq ft and HUD isn’t involved. On wheels and can move, screen rooms can be added. Wonderful seller especially for the retired snowbirds. Cheap and fast set up.
Wife and I have been considering one of these as a second home for me to use instead of commuting when I work night shift.
A strong wind would blow this thing away.
The “house” didn’t cost $11,400. I cost that PLUS the cost of her broken foot & back. Professional, safety conscience, permitted, builders will add a significant extra cost.
Regarding sustainability, that yard is too large for one person & a dog. To be sustainable, she needs 5-10 neighbors crammed onto that lot. Hope she likes living 24/7 only 10 feet from her loud, irritating neighbors. Not me!
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