Would you like to live in a super small house?

[Captain Morgan]

I could possibly see doing something like this if I was single and never wanted to have a girl over to my place, let alone, get married. :lol: But don't know that I could go quite that small.

http://vitality.yahoo.com/video-second-act-jay-shafer-20910192

[Tsunami]

I watched that vid yesterday. Not sure if I can go that small either but I do like the idea of it. I don't think I can do it until I have owned my own house and get sick of maintaining it first.

I move around alot as it is and right now I am down to living with the bare minimum. Its quite liberating and though I don't ever want to have more than I need again, I would eventually like to set roots down some where, at least for a while.

[Gas Man]

Says the vid isn't avail...

[Cruzergirl]

I thought my place was small at 620 sqft. NOT! :lol: I wonder if I could get my two dogs and two cats in that house...for about 5 minutes. :lol:

[Kaneman]

I lived in a camper even smaller than that for around a year. It was definitely one of the funnest times of my life. I lived about 2 miles from my favorite stream/lake inlet, 1 mile from work, I had a jon boat, a motorcycle, my jeep, my dog and that was all I needed! It was a lot of fun as it forced me to go outdoors and DO something if I wanted to have fun.

I woke up one morning in February, rolled onto my back and opened my eyes to find my ceiling 2 inches from my face. I slithered out of bed and found that a huge (for North Texas) snowstorm had rolled through and it was weighing the canvas down. The insulation and the heat was horrible, and was run off propane tanks that I would have to change at 3am in 20 degree weather on occasion, sharing body heat with my Pit was a necessity :lol: Tornadoes/thunderstorms were pretty scary too.


Surprisingly, women (especially cougars), didn't seem to have any problem with it and rather enjoyed hanging out. I remember after an early morning date walking outside afterward and my neighbors giggling at me, lol. The way the "rooms" extended out from the wheelbase made for plenty of rocking.

Even as a very happily married family dude, there are times when I feel a longing for that type of lifestyle, it was a blast.

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g8/PsychoMedic/house034.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g8/PsychoMedic/house035.jpg

[t-homo]

That's pretty awesome. Not something I want to do for a while though.

[Rangerscott]

I've never lived in a "big" house. Hell my dad built a metal building and lives in it. It looks like a metal barn on the outside and a house on the inside. Two bedrooms, a big living room/kitchen, and 1 bathroom. His "attic" storage is above the rooms and bathroom and blocked them off.

I really got a good laugh in that one thread where I mentioned what the price range houses I was looking at and someone commented on it, "people that give up their dreams move to texas." It's amazing how much stuff people "think" they need or how big or how much of it they to live life.

[Gas Man]

I can see the appeal... but damn...

I even told Uma that I could see the appeal to selling everything and going to a RV when I retired... like "F this place, peace out".

[Rangerscott]

RV's are cool but you got to maintain them. Worked with an elder guy and he lived by the coast with his. He said it turned into a rust bucket.

[Gas Man]

But what is big? To me average is 1200 sq ft

[Rangerscott]

But what is big? To me average is 1200 sq ft

I guess more than 3 bedrooms. I couldn't guess the sq ft of the houses I've lived in but I remember them.

[LeeNetworX]

I've lived in some pretty small places when I was single but not that small. With a family, I like having room and there is no such thing as enough storage space. I like my big house.

[KSGregman]

It's fun to dream about giving up the "rat race"....building or buying something like that...and living "off the grid" as much as possible.

Unfortunately (or fortunately?!), I'm spoiled to my toys and big house...and with a wife and child something like that is just not realistic.

[Flexin]

I want a bigger house. I want my space. I don't even want to have more then one bathroom that is that small. I want a home theater room in my next house and I'm not even sure if the screen I want would fit on the outside wall of that place. I have a wife and two kids so I couldn't go that small. Not even close.

I'm not sure if I could live in something that size by myself.

James

[tallywacker]

After the army I don't want to live in tiny amounts of space again.

[Dave]

After the army I don't want to live in tiny amounts of space again.

For sure, I've had enough of living "nutt to butt"

[racedoll]

I watched that vid yesterday. Not sure if I can go that small either but I do like the idea of it. I don't think I can do it until I have owned my own house and get sick of maintaining it first.

I move around alot as it is and right now I am down to living with the bare minimum. Its quite liberating and though I don't ever want to have more than I need again, I would eventually like to set roots down some where, at least for a while.

This kind of house would be perfect for you Gina. Didn't you notice they have wheels so it can be easily moved whenever you get tired of being in one place. And you said that you are down to the bare minimum with stuff. So... this would be a way to own your own home and not have to deal with creepy neighbors.

[njchopper87]

Sign me up. This shit seems perfect for college and possibly a little after to save some cash up as a buffer.

[Flexin]

The thing is, you need a place to "park" it.

James

[t-homo]

Parks with RV space.

[Flexin]

Parks with RV space.

True.

James

[Captain Morgan]

The thing is, you need a place to "park" it.

James

Yep, otherwise you have no hookup to utilities.

Parks with RV space.

yeah, it does look like you could easily put it into any RV campground, but there are obviously fees involved with that. A quick search shows it's close to $30 per night. If I'm going to pay $900 a month rent, I'll just buy a house. Hell, my mortgage, property taxes, and insurance combined is only $460. My house is 1000 sq. ft. living space, with an 800 sq. ft unfinished basement, a one car garage, and plenty of storage space. I hope to hell he's found a very cheap place to park that "home."

[Flexin]

Yep, otherwise you have no hookup to utilities.



yeah, it does look like you could easily put it into any RV campground, but there are obviously fees involved with that. A quick search shows it's close to $30 per night. If I'm going to pay $900 a month rent, I'll just buy a house. Hell, my mortgage, property taxes, and insurance combined is only $460. My house is 1000 sq. ft. living space, with an 800 sq. ft unfinished basement, a one car garage, and plenty of storage space. I hope to hell he's found a very cheap place to park that "home."

Good point about the fees. I knew there would be fees but I didn't think they would be that high. A mini home park would only charge about $150-300.

Maybe they would have discounted rates for long term stays. The first thing that came to my mind is what about northern areas? Are there a lot of rv parks that are open year round in the northern states or Canada?

James

[Tsunami]

Yep, otherwise you have no hookup to utilities.





Looks like he just had a outside tank of water. Did he even have electricity? Maybe he just uses oil lamps?

[wildchild]

fees depend on where and for how long you stay. I had my camper up north on a site. I left it there because it was cheaper then paying for storage down here. If I wanted to travel with it I just went up and got it.
My camp fees up there came out to $100 per month. not bad especially considering that included my elec usage.
I am currently trying to get myself back to living in a camper. tired of the house and all it's crap. it will still be a few years before I can completely "get out"
my last camper was totalled by a lightning strike.

I have lived in a 15 foot camper when I was a kid and as an adult I've lived in a pop up for a year, and a 16 footer for a year both times it was very fun. you always have friends around and there just never seems to be a bad day. light up a campfire and the day automatically gets better. LOL

[wildchild]

The first thing that came to my mind is what about northern areas? Are there a lot of rv parks that are open year round in the northern states or Canada?

James

there are very few places up north that will allow year round camping. Up north being NC and above.
you can find some "trailer parks" that will allow an RV in if they have vacant spots. campgrounds all close up for the winter though.
where mine was I could stay in the unit all year but water was turned off Oct 15 for obvious reasons. we usually used it for deer hunting and then once or twice in winter just to "rough it". that camper was 26 foot with all the modern nec. we brought water up in 5 gal cans and it went well.

[caveman]

After the army I don't want to live in tiny amounts of space again.

For sure, I've had enough of living "nutt to butt"

I would have to agree here with my military brethren. I lived in small spaces with other peeps and thats just not cool. Especially now that I have two kids and a wife.

Perhaps I could do with a garage with a loft over it once the kids are gone, but it would have to have the ammenities; kitchen, bathroom, and cable internet and the such. As long as I have space to store the cars and the cycle I don't really need the space after the kids are gone. But that little thing would be way to small for the long term.

[z06boy]

If I was single and $$ was tight maybe so but being married and able to afford a little more....I like having the garage and the extra room. :idk:

I was also in the military so I know about living in limited space plus when my parents separated/divorce when I was a teenager my father being in the hotel/motel business and I lived in adjoining rooms for over a year at a Ramada Inn. Wasn't too bad to be honest with the pool plus me being able to eat free in the restaurant and all...pretty cool actually. :lol:

[Trip]

I like it, seems simple and you could move around easy. My wife would never go for it.

[CrazyKell]

I do live in a super small apartment!

[Flexin]

In one way it wouldn't be bad if there was areas set up for a bunch of them. Almost like a mini sub division. On a lake and so on with one real size building to store kayaks and so on.

On problem I see is price. On the site some are $40000 to have built. That's nuts imo. They say you can so it yourself for about $16000. To me that doesn't add up because excavation is a good piece of the cost of the house (land clearing, evcavating, water/sewer, foundation) but that isn't needed for this place. You could wire and plumb this place with scrap from a real house so I'm not seeing where all the extra cost comes from.

It might be nice if you want to live cheap and retire real early.

James

[goof2]

In one way it wouldn't be bad if there was areas set up for a bunch of them. Almost like a mini sub division. On a lake and so on with one real size building to store kayaks and so on.

On problem I see is price. On the site some are $40000 to have built. That's nuts imo. They say you can so it yourself for about $16000. To me that doesn't add up because excavation is a good piece of the cost of the house (land clearing, evcavating, water/sewer, foundation) but that isn't needed for this place. You could wire and plumb this place with scrap from a real house so I'm not seeing where all the extra cost comes from.

It might be nice if you want to live cheap and retire real early.

James

General building materials have gone up significantly in price over the last 7-8 years so I would imagine that helps make the price what it is. Add in those things you cannot make yourself from raw materials like windows (couple hundred each, $500 or more for specialty), appliances (figure at least a grand, but could be much more), raw and grey water tanks, toilet, sinks, counters, and shower and the $16k number makes sense to me.

[z06boy]

Couldn't see the video earlier and just watched it. It's cooler looking than I first thought BUT at $40k...negative.

[Flexin]

General building materials have gone up significantly in price over the last 7-8 years so I would imagine that helps make the price what it is. Add in those things you cannot make yourself from raw materials like windows (couple hundred each, $500 or more for specialty), appliances (figure at least a grand, but could be much more), raw and grey water tanks, toilet, sinks, counters, and shower and the $16k number makes sense to me.

The $16000 I can understand. Its the 24 grand to have someone build a doll house on a trailer that I can't figure out.

James

[Tmall]

I do live in a super small apartment!

How small?

[MILK]

That a family used to live in my cabin baffles me sometimes. I am constantly tripping over dogs! :lol: Not to mention I am taking up all the closet space by myself!

[defector]

I think the wife and I could do it. The kids, not so much.

[goof2]

The $16000 I can understand. Its the 24 grand to have someone build a doll house on a trailer that I can't figure out.

James

That part of it has nothing to do with costs and everything to do with what people are willing to pay. Considering this requires building everything from scratch I have to believe this project requires as much, if not more, time as building a complex kit car (GT-40 and some Cobras) or a homebuilt airplane. Those take people upward of a year to build. Hell, I've seen relatively simple chopper projects take people a year or more to complete.

It comes down to what someone will pay to 1) not have to build it themselves, 2) not need the space a half-built house/trailer project will require, and 3) not have to deal with repercussions of any mistakes they make in the build. My guess is for many, especially those with no building skill or those who want one as a vacation cabin, $24k will be well worth it.

[Flexin]

That part of it has nothing to do with costs and everything to do with what people are willing to pay. Considering this requires building everything from scratch I have to believe this project requires as much, if not more, time as building a complex kit car (GT-40 and some Cobras) or a homebuilt airplane. Those take people upward of a year to build. Hell, I've seen relatively simple chopper projects take people a year or more to complete.

It comes down to what someone will pay to 1) not have to build it themselves, 2) not need the space a half-built house/trailer project will require, and 3) not have to deal with repercussions of any mistakes they make in the build. My guess is for many, especially those with no building skill or those who want one as a vacation cabin, $24k will be well worth it.

A kit can be built in three days. The guys that take years are dragging their ass or doing it as money comes in. I'm not saying that this can be built in a afternoon but a few skilled guys should be able to have that built in two weeks if all the supplies are there. Where it is a trailer I don't think it would have to go through all of the building inspections so that saves a ton of time.

If people are getting $24000 for labor on these I will build one for anyone that wants one.

James

[Amber Lamps]

I lived in a camper even smaller than that for around a year. It was definitely one of the funnest times of my life. I lived about 2 miles from my favorite stream/lake inlet, 1 mile from work, I had a jon boat, a motorcycle, my jeep, my dog and that was all I needed! It was a lot of fun as it forced me to go outdoors and DO something if I wanted to have fun.

I woke up one morning in February, rolled onto my back and opened my eyes to find my ceiling 2 inches from my face. I slithered out of bed and found that a huge (for North Texas) snowstorm had rolled through and it was weighing the canvas down. The insulation and the heat was horrible, and was run off propane tanks that I would have to change at 3am in 20 degree weather on occasion, sharing body heat with my Pit was a necessity :lol: Tornadoes/thunderstorms were pretty scary too.


Surprisingly, women (especially cougars), didn't seem to have any problem with it and rather enjoyed hanging out. I remember after an early morning date walking outside afterward and my neighbors giggling at me, lol. The way the "rooms" extended out from the wheelbase made for plenty of rocking.

Even as a very happily married family dude, there are times when I feel a longing for that type of lifestyle, it was a blast.

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g8/PsychoMedic/house034.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g8/PsychoMedic/house035.jpg

Ha I lived in a camper for about 6 months when I first came home. It was Spring/Summer and I had a blast!!! Of course I was in my 20s...:lol:

[KSGregman]

If people are getting $24000 for labor on these I will build one for anyone that wants one.

James

Agreed.

[goof2]

If people are getting $24000 for labor on these I will build one for anyone that wants one.

James

As I said there is much more to it than labor. Ultimately they charge $40k because they can. If you think you can make money off it go on tiny house forums (I'm sure they have them, what doesn't anymore:lol:) and offer to build them for $30k or whatever.:shrug:

[Flexin]

As I said there is much more to it than labor. Ultimately they charge $40k because they can. If you think you can make money off it go on tiny house forums (I'm sure they have them, what doesn't anymore:lol:) and offer to build them for $30k or whatever.:shrug:

I have been around construction since I was 11. I know there is a lot to go into it but this is wood camper.

I'm not doing something for $30000 that someone else is doing for $40000. I will do it for $39999 and for a limited time I will throw in spinners and curb feelers free. But wait thats not it. Order in the next half hour and I will throw in a door bell that sounds like a V12 engine. :rockwoot:

They say it can be built for $16000. That means with your free labor.

Lets say have 4 guys on it (if you can have four guys working on one shed at a time without stepping on each other.) and they are charging $25/hour. At 8 hour days and 5 day weeks they would have 6 weeks to build it. I know a guy that has a small crew build 20X20 garages in a weekend.

I know a guy that is a great carpenter. I believe he could do this thing in just over a week with one helper. Thats will all the supplies on site so there is no running around.

I'm not joking. If I had a buyer to put the money down right now I would build it. And I believe I would make nice profit off of that.

Any takers? This could put my ass on a bike real quick I think.

James

[Flexin]

By the way. I think this is the one in the video.

http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/houses/epu/

89 square feet How do you measure square feet?
Ready made: $45,997 Build it yourself: $19,950

James

[goof2]

I have been around construction since I was 11. I know there is a lot to go into it but this is wood camper.

I'm not doing something for $30000 that someone else is doing for $40000. I will do it for $39999 and for a limited time I will throw in spinners and curb feelers free. But wait thats not it. Order in the next half hour and I will throw in a door bell that sounds like a V12 engine. :rockwoot:

They say it can be built for $16000. That means with your free labor.

Lets say have 4 guys on it (if you can have four guys working on one shed at a time without stepping on each other.) and they are charging $25/hour. At 8 hour days and 5 day weeks they would have 6 weeks to build it. I know a guy that has a small crew build 20X20 garages in a weekend.

I know a guy that is a great carpenter. I believe he could do this thing in just over a week with one helper. Thats will all the supplies on site so there is no running around.

I'm not joking. If I had a buyer to put the money down right now I would build it. And I believe I would make nice profit off of that.

Any takers? This could put my ass on a bike real quick I think.

James

You understand what I am saying, you just aren't making the connection. They are building them for $40K for the same reason you would build it for $39,999, because you and they can. It has nothing to do with the cost or difficulty to build. It isn't altruism, its business.

[Rangerscott]

Dead hookers live in 5x5 storage units.

[Flexin]

You understand what I am saying, you just aren't making the connection. They are building them for $40K for the same reason you would build it for $39,999, because you and they can. It has nothing to do with the cost or difficulty to build. It isn't altruism, its business.

OK thats what you were getting at. OK. I agree with that. Profit isn't a dirty word but it also has to be worth the price. I don't think these are that the built price. The do it your self price isn't bad. But at what they are sold for I think they are over priced for what you are getting which is a heavy travel trailer. You will need a larger truck rather then a large car to haul the them.

So because of the weight you need a large truck that the hippys will complain about to haul the little eco house.

None of it really fits together in my mind.

James

[goof2]

OK thats what you were getting at. OK. I agree with that. Profit isn't a dirty word but it also has to be worth the price. I don't think these are that the built price. The do it your self price isn't bad. But at what they are sold for I think they are over priced for what you are getting which is a heavy travel trailer. You will need a larger truck rather then a large car to haul the them.

So because of the weight you need a large truck that the hippys will complain about to haul the little eco house.

None of it really fits together in my mind.

James

I don't think these are worth much of anything. If I wanted to live in a shed on wheels I'd buy a shed and slap some wheels on it.:lol: I also don't want to live in anything that costs over $500 per square foot, especially when that doesn't even buy me any land underneath the damn thing. I applaud the guy and, though I think they are stupid, his customers can spend their money on whatever they want.:shrug:

[Flexin]

I don't think these are worth much of anything. If I wanted to live in a shed on wheels I'd buy a shed and slap some wheels on it.:lol: I also don't want to live in anything that costs over $500 per square foot, especially when that doesn't even buy me any land underneath the damn thing. I applaud the guy and, though I think they are stupid, his customers can spend their money on whatever they want.:shrug:

True enough. I feel the same way. It seems like a slightly cool idea till you think about it more. I didn't like the idea from the start but later thought some things seemed interesting but then when I thought about it more if just seemed like a bad idea. But if he is making a living at it then good for him.

It possible he has a line up for them. Hell somebody put a rock in a little box and called it a pet and it sold like crazy.

James

[Amber Lamps]

I saw this and immediately thought about the guys that sell sheds on the side of the road. They sell them "rent to own" style and make a killing! Quite frankly, I could easily live in a 10x10 shed.

[Rangerscott]

I saw this and immediately thought about the guys that sell sheds on the side of the road. They sell them "rent to own" style and make a killing! Quite frankly, I could easily live in a 10x10 shed.


I call bullshit money spender. Those and storage units are pure money making whores.

[Amber Lamps]

I call bullshit money spender. Those and storage units are pure money making whores.

Well, I could live in one and get another one for my stuff...

[Rangerscott]

There ya go.

[Particle Man]

I've lived in small spaces when I was in college - no thanks. I'll take a house with a couple floors and a 2+ stall garage any day.

[z06boy]

If I wanted to live in a shed on wheels I'd buy a shed and slap some wheels on it.:lol:

:rofl: Good point !!

[sherri_chickie]

Hell no, I can't even handle a 32 foot motorhome for more than a week. I have 1100 square feet plus another 500 square feet basement and I feel crowded. Mind you baby gear does that to a person.

I personally liked my 3300 square foot house back in Texas, but I know I don't need that much space. Might be ableto afford 2200 or 2400 here in Alberta if we get out of this damned expensive city.

[OneSickPsycho]

I could totally do it... I'd love like a 500sq ft house, with a 2500 sq ft garage.

[Flexin]

I could totally do it... I'd love like a 500sq ft house, with a 2500 sq ft garage.

But can you do 89 sq ft?

Before we bought this house I found a 3 car garage with an apartment on top for sale. My wife wouldn't go look at it. LOL. That was all I really needed at the time. Now I would have to build a house beside it because of the kids but it would have worked for a while.

James

[OneSickPsycho]

But can you do 89 sq ft?

Before we bought this house I found a 3 car garage with an apartment on top for sale. My wife wouldn't go look at it. LOL. That was all I really needed at the time. Now I would have to build a house beside it because of the kids but it would have worked for a while.

James

I think it would be physically impossible for me... I'm probably about 50sqft myself!

[Flexin]

I think it would be physically impossible for me... I'm probably about 50sqft myself!

Thats what I was thinking. It would be like a back pack for you.

James

[Mr Lefty]

He does houses from 65 to 837 sq ft... http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/

I could do it no problem... I don't need much... and especially if I plan on riding around the world... I'd love to buy some property... put a small house like this... say 500sq ft. let my 'rents use it while I'm over seas... but have a place to come home to...

[Gas Man]

You are kidding Ebbs. I could see you with that. You don't have much room on that drz but you were campin n shit.

[Mr Lefty]

Yeah... even my apartment I moved out of was bigger than I needed 900sqft... I"m in a 1100sqft one only because I got a two bedroom and was planning on my ex moving down.

I'll be going back to a small apt as soon as my lease is up

[Amber Lamps]

Yeah... even my apartment I moved out of was bigger than I needed 900sqft... I"m in a 1100sqft one only because I got a two bedroom and was planning on my ex moving down.

I'll be going back to a small apt as soon as my lease is up

Oh no! You didn't let her get on the forum did you? j/k sorry to hear about the break up!

[OneSickPsycho]

Anyone look at the prices for those houses? Fucking $46k for a 89sqft place? Gimme a couple thousand bucks at Home Depot and I could do it for a profit!

[wildchild]

Anyone look at the prices for those houses? Fucking $46k for a 89sqft place? Gimme a couple thousand bucks at Home Depot and I could do it for a profit!

i'd just go buy a camper.

[OneSickPsycho]

i'd just go buy a camper.

Seriously... and you can buy a HELL of a camper for $46k.

[Mr Lefty]

Oh no! You didn't let her get on the forum did you? j/k sorry to hear about the break up!
:lol: naw... and shits been over since before the rally... oh and defininetly don't be sorry... I'm sure as hell not!


Anyone look at the prices for those houses? Fucking $46k for a 89sqft place? Gimme a couple thousand bucks at Home Depot and I could do it for a profit!

yeah but I think that's for him to build it... one of the bigger places was like 66 or 88k but would cost you like 16k to build...

if it was something that small I'd just get the plans an build it my damn self.