DIY Builds
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What is the cheapest way to build a tiny home?

Hands-down, the cheapest tiny house is one you build yourself. By not hiring out for labor, a self-built tiny house can save 30-50% of the overall cost. Keep in mind; the final price varies considerably based on size and materials used. On the low-end, a DIY tiny house can range between $10,000-$30,000.

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*This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please read our disclosure policy for more info. How do you build a tiny house with a bare-bones budget? It’s not easy, but it can be done. Tiny house kits under $5,000 do exist! Cheap tiny house kits not only help you save thousands of dollars, but tiny house kits under $5,000 also make the building more accessible for the newbie do-it-yourselfer. Because more than a hefty financial investment, tiny home building is a significant time investment. When building a tiny house from scratch, it can take one to two years to complete! The beauty of tiny house kits for sale under $5,000 is that it comes with the materials needed to easily construct the shell of your tiny home, from walls, to roofing to all required fasteners. But be aware, cheap tiny house kits do not include everything you need to complete the interior, like electrical and plumbing supplies. Let’s take a look at five top tiny house kits under $5,000. As you’ll see, each offers darling minimalist design appeal.

Glen Echo Cabin tiny house kit under $5,000

Size: approx. 80 square feet, 10’x8’

Cost: $4,826

The Glen Echo Cabin kit exudes classic tiny house design charm with its red cedar siding, gable roofline, and loft. What makes it stand out is its spacious 3’ overhang. It creates extra interior storage space, as well as an inviting covered porch. For ideas on how to make the Glen Echo tiny log Cabin a home, Summerwood provides sample floor plans for its tiny home kits for sale. Want to create a custom interior design for this cheap tiny house kit? Use their DIY planning tools, graph paper download, or the free Floor Planner online drawing tool. For max savings, order the Glen Echo Cabin on Summerwood’s website as a pre-cut kit. That means no painstaking cutting required for framing or siding. Though if you can afford an extra $3,000, you can save even more build time and effort with the pre-assembled kit option. While some assembly is still required, all major structural components such as walls, trusses, and floors are built and framed for you.

Check out tiny house on wheels floor plans for another DIY option!

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What is the best brand of resin shed?

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These are! They guide you every step of the way to complete your dream shed.

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Arched Cabin tiny house kit under $5,000

Size: 120 square feet, 12’x10’’

Cost: $2,650

Are you a fan of curved roofs? There’s just something so soothing about the feeling of organic-shaped homes. Arched Cabins offer a unique take on A-frame design. Arched Cabin kits are available in a wide array of sizes. This company even offers $2,000 tiny homes for sale. Though, the most economical option that retains a comfortable tiny home living space is the 120-square-foot cheap tiny house kit. It’s ideal as an airy one-bedroom. For only an extra $1,000, you can get an upgrade package that includes more roofing color options (choose from 23 colors including Energy Star rated colors), a fireplace thimble, and a significant insulation upgrade from R13 to R25 for the arched walls. A huge selling point of the high-quality Arched Cabin kits is meeting the 2015 International Building Code minimum standards of 150 mph wind speeds and 30 PSF (pounds per square foot) snow loads. Further, Arched Cabins have been successfully permitted in all 50 states, a huge plus.

Need land for your tiny house? Here’s how to find it!

Allwood Annika tiny house kit under $5,000

Size: 73 square feet

Cost: $4,995

Remember Lincoln Logs from your childhood? Building adorable mini-log cabins by quickly stacking indented pieces that fit together perfectly. The Allwood Annika cheap tiny house kit is very much like that. In fact, kit assembly can be completed in two days with two adults. Just follow the straightforward DIY step-by-step instructions. Only minimal tools are required, specifically a level, tape measure, hammer, rubber mallet, screwdriver, pliers, and a ladder. Annika is the answer with its Pentagon shaped floor plan and cathedral type roof design typically seen in pavillions. The wood species is Nordic Pine unlike our other cabins which are all Nordic Spruce. This cabin can be assembled to the back corner of your site and you will still enjoy a full view of your whole back yard because of the side wall windows. Versatile Annika can be your home office, yoga or music studio, wine tasting room, pool/lake house or a guest cottage. Loving these awesome tiny house kits? Check out these tiny houses for sale on Amazon!

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Can I build my own shed?
Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

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Sonoma Cabin tiny house kit under $5,000

Size: approx. 112 square feet, 8’x14’

Cost: $4,826

Looking for a tiny home with subtle flair? The Sonoma Cabin’s angular, low profile roofline adds much visual appeal without being overly complicated. Summerwood has made yet another well-reviewed kit. Not only do they provide detailed assembly instructions, they also provide how-to videos, as well as multiple customer support options. If you have any questions during the building process, their Customer Care Representatives offer guidance, online, or by phone. Let us inspire you for tiny living with this story of a man who built his house for $1,500!

Gable tiny house kit under $5,000

Size: approx. 64 square feet, 8’x8’

A popular way to save money on a tiny house build is a shed conversion. Jamaica Cottage Shop makes it especially easy. The Gable tiny shed house is available as a shed or a four-season pre-cut kit, providing all the components to make it suitable for full-time tiny house living. It includes the basic structural kit, plus vapor barrier, insulation, solid pine roof sheathing, shiplap pine interior wall, and ceiling sheathing, an insulated steel door, and double-pane, energy-efficient windows. The Gable is durable and exudes a classic barn aesthetic built using rugged New England style post and beam techniques. It has the feel of an old school one-bedroom cabin—a blank slate for you to customize to your style and needs.

Learn more about The Gable tiny house kit.

What are your favorite tiny house kits under $5,000? Let us know in the comments below! If building a tiny house just isn’t for you, check out rent to own tiny houses!

Affordable Tiny Houses FAQ:

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