djw2112
Well-known member
In two years i would like to start building my own tiny house (not on wheels). The minimum i can go is 750 square feet so i thought about 900 square feet would be a good starting point for planing. That would be approx a 30ft x 30ft home. Which will fit perfectly right were my rv sits now. I estimate that if i do alot of it myself i can do it for about $12,000 and it will take me about two years to finish since i am physically challenged.
Im thinking small kitchen, 2 bedroom, 1 bath, livingroom, and small dining room.
The most important part is getting the exterior done the first year as the HOA only allows 8 months before the permit expires. As long as i have the exterior all done by then, i can focus on the inside later as they dont have rules for interiors and i can take my time.
Looking at the cost of foundations, i originally thought i would just go with a normal 2x6 foundation with a small crawl space under the house and set the house on concrete filled sonotube, that would be the least expensive way. But i would also like to have the house alittle further off the ground than my rv is now, i just feel safer that way.
Then i started thinking about the wasted space that would be under the house and how could i use that space.
That is when i ran into a thing called a Helical Pier or some call them screw piers. They have greatly improved them now days, they dont rust, the bolts dont break, they are much stronger then wood piers, they last pretty much forever, they are very cost effective, and they allow the use of the space under the house for parking or whatever.
Compared to a concrete foundation which would be around $8000 the helical piers would be less than half of that. And the piers can be all set in half a day and there is no waiting like there is with concrete, building can start right away on the floor.
I have a friend that will help me with the electrical and plumbing, i know the heat pump will be about $2000 and i dont plan on having anything fancy for a roof just a simple flat pitched roof for the rain is all we need around here so that should be easy to frame up. So i think $12,000 is a pretty good starting point. Then when i am far enough along with the build that i can live in it, i will sell the rv and use that money to finish the house.
I see plans for homes for sale on the net for $500, to me thats alot for a set of plans, maybe i can do my own using some software online.
Some of this technical language i dont understand but it looks like ill need about 30 piles using this documement.
https://helicalpileworld.com/How%20Many%20Piers.pdf
Also with wood piers there is no way to know if your still in mud or not 30ft down, with these they can tell my pressure if its set in the bedrock or not.
Question: Am i missing any huge expenses here, and has anyone had any experience with a home on piles?
Thanks...
Im thinking small kitchen, 2 bedroom, 1 bath, livingroom, and small dining room.
The most important part is getting the exterior done the first year as the HOA only allows 8 months before the permit expires. As long as i have the exterior all done by then, i can focus on the inside later as they dont have rules for interiors and i can take my time.
Looking at the cost of foundations, i originally thought i would just go with a normal 2x6 foundation with a small crawl space under the house and set the house on concrete filled sonotube, that would be the least expensive way. But i would also like to have the house alittle further off the ground than my rv is now, i just feel safer that way.
Then i started thinking about the wasted space that would be under the house and how could i use that space.
That is when i ran into a thing called a Helical Pier or some call them screw piers. They have greatly improved them now days, they dont rust, the bolts dont break, they are much stronger then wood piers, they last pretty much forever, they are very cost effective, and they allow the use of the space under the house for parking or whatever.
Compared to a concrete foundation which would be around $8000 the helical piers would be less than half of that. And the piers can be all set in half a day and there is no waiting like there is with concrete, building can start right away on the floor.
I have a friend that will help me with the electrical and plumbing, i know the heat pump will be about $2000 and i dont plan on having anything fancy for a roof just a simple flat pitched roof for the rain is all we need around here so that should be easy to frame up. So i think $12,000 is a pretty good starting point. Then when i am far enough along with the build that i can live in it, i will sell the rv and use that money to finish the house.
I see plans for homes for sale on the net for $500, to me thats alot for a set of plans, maybe i can do my own using some software online.
Some of this technical language i dont understand but it looks like ill need about 30 piles using this documement.
https://helicalpileworld.com/How%20Many%20Piers.pdf
Also with wood piers there is no way to know if your still in mud or not 30ft down, with these they can tell my pressure if its set in the bedrock or not.
Question: Am i missing any huge expenses here, and has anyone had any experience with a home on piles?
Thanks...