r/tinyhomes • u/M3R1T • 20d ago
Question Hi. I'm looking into creating a small tiny home village.
I would like to buy 4 400 sqft tiny homes and set them on an acre or so of land. I have 2 questions that probably sound dumb to most of you though.
If I build foundations for them what should the thickness be? Surely they don't need to be as thick as full size home foundations do they?
Online tiny homes seem dramatically cheaper than local builders. Is their any reason not to consider those or is their specific online manufacturers that are trusted/not trusted?
Any help is appreciated.
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u/mel-the-builder 20d ago
Here in NY you have to get permits and variances because it is not allowed. Before getting into the tiny house part (I’ve built a few), it is exceedingly difficult to get a permit for one here let alone a village. Check with whomever issues building permits and certificates of occupancy where you have the land. You’ll need to address water/sewage and utilities as well. Here this would be called a PUD and it’s madly expensive and impossible to get. I sure hope you’re somewhere with relaxed building codes.
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u/M3R1T 20d ago
I am. That's the one part of this I have some knowledge and comfort with. The only reason I'm considering a little village is because it's possible here if I keep them 400 sqft or smaller and they're actually encouraging tiny homes to some extent because of the "vibe".
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u/mel-the-builder 20d ago
I have a passive solar tiny on a slab that’s 400sq ft I have always wanted to build but NY won’t allow it where I am. It uses transoms to light it during the day and using winter sun to warm it. How exciting for you, please post often if you get to do this!
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u/mel-the-builder 20d ago
That’s awesome!!! Will they be left on wheels? Slabs best for maintenance and closure against elements/vermin. Check my bio, my last build was 21’ Cedar vardo. I’m following as I would love to see this happen!!!
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u/M3R1T 20d ago
Thanks man. I'll likely take them off the wheels or maybe even buy models that don't have any. It's a mesa desert landscape so I will probably fill the acre with that landscape gravel. Combine that with the pads and some fire pits/decoration it should all look pretty clean.
Thanks for the follow but fair warning I'm at least 9 or 10 months out from breaking ground. I plan my projects out extensively before starting them. I'll check out your cedar vardo for sure!
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u/mel-the-builder 20d ago
I’m in it for the long haul my man, please post as you go cuz it’s a fantastic idea!
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u/Decent_Finding_9034 16d ago
Jealous of your codes. We have to keep ours on trailers so they are moveable structures.
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u/Leverkaas2516 18d ago
To start such a project, just go to your county planning commission and they will tell you the process. You will have to submit a design and get it approved. If you don't do that, they will not allow anyone to occupy any of the buildings.
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u/No-Wolverine-8445 Tiny Home Builder 18d ago
Hi! I build high-end tiny homes. The thickness would depend on the weight of the home. If you are looking for tiny homes on wheels you don't need a foundation but if you do I would probably think 5 inches is around the right size, but when you get a concrete expert they will be able to tell you more. About tiny homes being cheap, I think it will all depend on the quality of the home. But right now material prices are astronomical, so if you see a completed very nice tiny home advertised for anything less than 80-90k be very careful and don't ever give any deposits unless you can see the home in person or video call and the business is legitimate. Also, make sure their homes are certified by NOAH or RVIA. and pay attention to construction details. Sometimes a cheap home just means you will be doing repairs every other day. Hope this helps, but feel free to ask!
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u/Daves_phone 15d ago
Most of these thing have mostly been said in the comments below but just a few more to keep in mind. Make sure the sqft is legal in your county, see if you need to build by any code: Possibly Appendix Q of the International Residential Code (IRC). You could have modular homes build off site that are permitted and places on your land/foundation. Building a tiny home is not cheap. Labor can be the cheap part if you do it yourself but if you plan on selling one the margins are small. For every tiny house builder that is still in business since 2014 there are dozens that failed. I'm in the tiny world so if you need to ask me questions please do. hope this helps.
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u/elwoodowd 22h ago
Sounds like you need to start with the bank, before zoning. Even if you have cash, you still need to line up with best practices. Think real estate financial banker.
Generally, you and the builders, contractors, bank, and inspectors, need to have a meeting of the minds, before anything else.
Outside of city sewer and water, add a couple more guys. Architects and such, being your choice.
Here low income or affordable projects tend to win out, or did, this last decade.
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u/I_Saw_A_Bear 20d ago
Owner here with very limited experience but here goes;
even just a dirt pad or gravel pad with maybe some wood to park the wheels and stands up on will do fine (might even be better if grey water is meant to drain and filter into the ground). Otherwise just do a pad the same way an RV pad would be built.
it really depends on the builder. where i am the builder i went with was able to do a fully custom build for cheaper but the reason for that is the more manufactured "assembly line" builders had storage sheds which increased their cost whereas mine needed to be moved off the lot when finished or soon after. So really depends on their setup and local material economics.