Average Cost of Building a Permanent Tiny Home on a Foundation

One of the largest expenses of building a tiny home that is mobile on wheels is the trailer. The cost of making your tiny home mobile by placing it on a trailer starts from $3000-$6000 just for the trailer alone. A simple slab foundation to create a permanent tiny home starts at a much lower price from just 1000 $2000 including the labor. So the appeal of making your tiny home a permanent fixture on a piece of land is much more intriguing.

The one sticky point of a permanent tiny home however is complying with all applicable zoning ordinances for the particular land that you plan to build a tiny home on. This can lead to additional expenses that some people do not plan for. Building permits for a permanent housing structure can vary greatly based upon the exact location of a home and the type of home. The national average for these type of permits is around $1200. In many cases zoning laws can require permanent tiny home structures to have a water and sewer connection this expense can quickly add up, some areas can charge into the tens of thousands.

Many tiny home dwellers choose to go with off-grid options for their plumbing and electricity, however, in some areas off-grid options are considered illegal, this is why some tiny home dwellers choose to stick with keeping their tiny home mobile and building it on a trailer.

Regardless of the option you choose, making your tiny home permanent and building it upon a foundation within specified building codes and zoning laws is still going to save a considerable amount of money as compared to building a traditional-sized home.

Pros and cons of building a tiny home on a permanent foundation

• The upside of having a permanent foundation for your tiny home
• You can build larger than the safety parameters for placing a tiny home on a trailer
• You have much more freedom to build a different floorplan or structural type; having a trailer limits the measurements of a tiny home for safety purposes
• You have the possibility of under house utilities and access
• Having a tiny home on land gives more insulation
• Allows for future expansion should you need or want it

The downside of a tiny home on a permanent foundation

• The overall additional cost will wind up being more expensive
• You no longer have the freedom to travel and place your tiny home anywhere that you wish
• Property taxes are part of owning a tiny home on land
• There are more laws and red tape
• Requires more oversight of building plans and inspections

The question to whether you should choose to build a tiny home on a permanent foundation or a trailer that is mobile is really a matter of the type of lifestyle you choose to live in your tiny home. For some, a permanent foundation is the better way to go as it allows for the ability to be more creative in architecture and gives a little more space. For others keeping their tiny home mobile is more cost-effective and allows them the freedom to travel and adventure.

For more information on tiny homes in North Snohomish County please contact us anytime or come by and see us in the Smokey Point/ Arlington area.

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More on Tiny Homes in the Pacific Northwest

• What to Know About Building a Tiny Home on a Foundation
• 5 Ways of Maximizing the Space on Your Tiny Home Deck
• Doing Remote Work From a Tiny Home
• 4 Clever Small Space Living Tips for Tiny Homes
• Is a Tiny House a Good Plan for a Retirement Home?
• What Size Can a Tiny House Be Within the Laws?
• Financing a Home Purchase in Retirement