Tiny homes are gaining popularity with homeowners looking for a guest space for their friends and family, and to rent out thru AirBNB or VRBO. If you refer us to a potential buyer, you can earn $500 for a successful sale. Click on our Affiliate link to sign up to be a Smarter Tiny Home Promoter.
Pricing for models is based on the size and options you select, check out our
Model Pages for pricing on different configurations. Built to order (BTO) Projects
may have more customizations. Custom builds vary in price and are based on
material and labor involved. We are always excited to try new and unique
projects! Due to demand, custom design slots are limited with the average fully
custom project ranging between $75-110k. While available models can be
customized with listed options, they can be further personalized with non-
standard premium options.
On average our pre-designed (model) tiny homes take roughly 8-10 weeks to
complete, however we usually have inventory ready for immediate delivery.
Custom projects can range from 8-18 weeks to complete and typically have a
waitlist. Additional time may be required for complex builds. Other factors that
can contribute to build time may include material back-orders and concurrent
projects. We always strive to complete each build in a timely manner, without
sacrificing quality. For clarification, "build time" is the time it takes to build, and should be differentiated from total project timeline, as waitlist queue and order times vary per project.
We have several tiny home finance specialists that can help you find the right
options for you, at the best interest rate.
TIP: If you have equity available from a property, getting an equity line of credit, home equity line of credit, equity loan, or cash option-refinance will generally carry the lowest interest and longest loan term compared to RV or personal loans.
Tiny houses do have restrictions on how large they can be. In California we can build to a maximum height of 14 feet. The maximum height for a tiny home is 13’6” tall nationwide. The legal allowable width is up to 13.5” although we only
currently offer 8.5’ and 10’foot wide homes. The maximum length varies state to state, so check your states transportation regulations. The longest home we build at Smarter Tiny Homes is a 36' trailer foundation, before any additional bumpouts.
Our tiny houses can be placed nearly anywhere depending on the size as style purchased. Our standard units are built to the ANSI 119.5 building code and can be used anywhere recreational vehicles (RVs) or park model Trailers (PTs) can!
These units can be used as an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on properties in
many cities/counties across the USA. California is on the forefront of tiny house
legislation and is moving quickly to legalize tiny house living throughout the state.
California cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, Fresno, San Luis Obispo, Humboldt
Co. Placer Co., Oakland and San Jose have already passed tiny house legislation
and many other cities are expected to follow all over the USA. Our tiny homes
build to the HUD building code standards have even more options for placement.
HUD units can be placed in many of the areas that don’t have legislation for ANSI
Tiny Homes as they are pre approved dwellings that can be used as ADUs and
even stand alone dwellings in most areas. Contact us to help advise you on local
regulations.
If you already own land you can park your tiny home on it but it might not be able
to be legally occupied for full-time living in all areas/locations. There are
exceptions to this under certain circumstances, please call us for more info.
Our HUD tiny homes can be placed as an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) behind a
main house, nearly anywhere in California assuming you can meet the setback
requirements.They can also be placed in many areas as standalone units where
no main house is present.
We cannot help a client find land to purchase, but we can offer guidance on how
to ensure a property will allow for a tiny home, and be used/occupied legally.
Before purchasing a property have the realtor of your choosing contact us.
If you already own land you can park your tiny home on it but it might not be able
to be legally occupied for full-time living in all areas/locations. There are
exceptions to this under certain circumstances, please call us for more info.
Our moveable tiny homes built to the HUD requirements can be placed as an ADU
(accessory dwelling unit) behind a main house, nearly anywhere in California
assuming you can meet the setback requirements. They can also be placed in
many areas as stand alone units where no main house is present.
Tiny Homes come in various different widths. Depending on which one you
choose it may have different moving requirements. Homes that are over 8’6” in
width require a one-day moving pass. This is usually around $25-40 dollars but
depends on state(s) transportation fees. We recommend a 1 ton dually pick-up
truck with a class 4-5 hitch for transportation on most of our homes. (If not
otherwise stated) Some of our smallest models can be hauled with a lighter duty
pick-up or SUV.
We work with several third party delivery services that are fully bonded and
insured to haul your new home to its location safely. Delivery cost varies
depending on the weight/size of the home. Tiny house delivery is priced for
standard drop only. If special circumstances exceed a standard drop-off (
obstacles such as power lines, branches, or difficult terrain) the delivery company
may have an extra charge.) We can deliver just about anywhere in the world, but
may require alternate shipping methods.
Tiny Homes are “tiny”, but sometimes not tiny enough to fit through a fence or
driveway. Simply taking a fence down for a day to get the home in the desired
location may be an option. You can also crane any of our homes into the desired
location. Third party crane service is the preferred method of placement for those
hard to access sites.
We do not come out to properties for measuring or do any site work. We have
partners in various parts of the state that are able to help with utilities and site
work for our clients. Check out the FAQ below ("How do I get
water/sewage/power to site? What type of connections?" for hook-up types and
requirements. Please give us a call if you have more questions or request a
referral* for site work.
*Referrals not available in all areas*
Measuring for fitment will depend on the size home you are looking to fit into a
given area. Please allow for an access opening at least 2 feet wider, a vertical
clearance of at least 14 feet and 4-10 feet longer than the length of the desired
home. If you are placing the unit as a legal ADU please also factor in all setback
requirements needed in your city/county.
Site prep is very similar to adding a spa. You will need water, sewer/ drain and
power, but certain homes have different requirements (partial or fully off-grid, for
example). If you need utilities added, contact a local contractor of your choosing
and we can provide them with the info they need. For power you will want to
install a 50 watt sub panel that is dedicated for the house (similar to what is
required for an Electric Vehicle). There are RV Power posts that work great for
placing power close to the unit. For your water, you will want to run a water line
with a traditional hose spigot as close to the house as possible. For your sewer,
you will want to either tie into a 3 inch clean-out or extend the sewer closer to the
home and stub up a 3 inch clean out.
All connections for our Moveable Tiny Homes are similar to an RV. They require
power (usually 30-100 amps) water (garden hose or white hose) and sewer (a 3
inch sewer connection hose). Power connection varies depending on total
amperage service, but we will indicate which specific cord/plug type is required.
Most of our units come with the option to hook up like and RV and or like a
traditional house. These can be used for a more direct connection on units not
being moved for many years.
Contact us if you need help or have other specific questions about site prep.
While a concrete pad is the best foundation for the tiny home to sit on, in most
cases you do not need one. There are some jurisdictions that do require a
concrete pad for legal placement but in many cases there are several alternatives.
Any hard packed surface, decomposed granite, base rock, even concrete/ wood/
blocks all can be used. It is recommended to check with local ordinances and
codes before preparation.
We provide instructions with every house for simple hook-up, but the overview is:
Level, connect water, power, sewer and enjoy! We have referrals* in major areas
within the state of California that can help with onsite hook ups, permitting and
placement. For information in your area please feel free to give us a call.
*Referrals for hook up services not available in all areas.
In the General/Purchase FAQ category there is a timeline with more detail and
how to start, but generally there are a few categories:
-Models (pre-built packages and semi-custom designs, where you select pre-priced options),
-Customs (fully custom projects ranging from tiny houses, to all types of commercial
applications) and
-Partial Builds/"Shells" (models/customs offered at different stages of build-completion).
Any model can be built as a "shell" which can be further customized after
purchase.
No. We do not build anything on-site. We do have Modular/ HUD models coming
out that will be able to be delivered fully or partially assembled and will be posted
as soon as they are available. Modulars will be able to be placed on site and be
used for a permanent home or ADU, depending on the size. Check back regularly
for more info on modular/ HUD units.
Yes. Most of our models have a downstairs sleeping options. Some of our models
are exclusively single level living with open floorplans. Others offer a combination
of Lofts and Downstairs bedrooms.
Bathtubs are available on some models and can be designed into most homes.
Please contact us to confirm which models may be modified as a BTO to include a
bathtub. A fully custom build can include just about anything, as long as it meets
weight-distribution and codes.
A cooking surface, microwave and refrigerator are included in most models.
Please see our model pages for more info. Optional appliances include mini-splits,
ranges, convection ovens, steam shower generators, washer dryers, etc. For all of
our custom builds, appliances can be included or left out for further
customization. Shell builds do not usually include any appliances, but in some
cases have optional hook-ups in standardized locations.
We use a variety of insulation products. Insulation values can be modified in BTO
projects and are determined by client needs and geographic location. Our
standard insulation includes, mineral wool ceilings with and R-value of 23 and
mineral wool wall insulation with and R-value of 15. All of our insulation is mold
and mildew resistant. Specialty insulation products are available as well as
additional insulation for freezing climates for an additional cost.
As long as the design works, meets code, and is safe, we can probably build it. For
a client designed build, the process is the same as our Custom builds.
We prefer to build our own designs, but can build just about anything. A similar
design might be used a reference when custom designing your home, at your
request. Even with a design we would still need to redraw/design to ensure
quality and safety.
All of our model layouts can be seen by clicking the more info tab on each
respective model. For all custom projects we may share previous designs to give
you a starting point, but will not share any floor plans or designs if you are not
already a client.
We've done custom designs that can sleep 6 to 8 people, with a spacious living
area and kitchen.
For clients wanting to used reclaimed or recycled materials we recommend using
them aesthetically only. We will not use any reclaimed, recycled or repurposed
items for structure, trailer, roofing, windows, exterior doors, toilets, etc.
We offer many different combinations of off-grid choices. Depending on the
house, availability of certain options differ. From solar power to water/waste
management, please contact us directly to discuss your needs.
Smarter Tiny Homes is a certified builder. A certified home indicates compliance
with the ANSI 119.5 standard for PM Rvs. Movable Tiny Houses (MTHs) are built
very close to IRC or residential building code and typically surpass the ANSI
standards. Having a certified MTH means that you can legally park your home,
transport your home, and sell your home when/ if the time comes. A certification
is similar to having a licensed contractor build you a home with all the necessary
permits and inspections. There are different 3rd party companies that provide
certification, but the certifications are not all recognized. Certain cities/counties
allowing full time Tiny Home habitation require a certification from one of their
states’ recognized 3rd party agencies, which exclude several popular agencies.
We carry the same certification but do not use RVIA, which is an association, not a
certification. While a lot of blogs and sites mention RVIA by name, it is often
assumed that it is the actual certification required for Moveable Tiny Homes; this
is not true. In fact, many areas that are passing legal tiny home ordinances will
not accept RVIA plaques. To meet strict city/county qualifications, service a larger
client base, and other reasons, we use a different 3rd party accredited inspection
agency which also specializes in the inspections of Manufactured homes and
Modular Homes.
Absolutely. All of our homes, both custom or a model, come with a limited 1 year
warranty on all construction and a 10 year structural can be added. Every
appliance and certain materials also come with their own manufacturers
warranties.
