The tiny house movement is huge in Australia, but it can be difficult to figure out how to build the tiny dwelling of your dreams.
Due to its smaller size, many think building a tiny home is easy and exempt from a variety of regulations that apply to building regular homes. If only it were this simple.
Fortunately, we have some top tips for understanding regulations, restrictions and how to get your tiny house project done.
Whether you are choosing to build the tiny house yourself or hiring a professional, ensure you follow our step-by-step guide.
According to the Australian Tiny House Association (ATHA) a tiny house is “a moveable dwelling suitable for permanent residential use, with self-contained amenities and services and the option to be grid connected.”
If by definition the tiny house is “moveable”, you can technically park it anywhere, right? Well, not exactly.
Firstly, any house on wheels should be registered as a caravan. Secondly, you technically can’t list a caravan as your primary dwelling, there are various stipulations around the permanency of the structure and the number of days you can reside in such a home.
However, depending on your council regulations you can apply for exemptions and potentially list the property as a primary dwelling.
Furthermore, Australian Tiny House Association founder, Darren Hughes, says the organisation is lobbying councils for more specific tiny house regulations but, in the meantime, he says it’s best to talk to your neighbours. “Get your neighbours to approve your tiny house,” Darren encourages. “As long as the neighbours don’t complain, there’s very little councils can do about it.”
Alternatively, your tiny house can live on a property where your primary residence already exists.
With all that in mind, whether you want an empty lot or an existing home on sizeable land, check out the listings at realestate.com.au.
Tiny houses are usually on a trailer or skids which, according to Australian regulations, restrict their size.
A typical tiny house measures 15 to 18 square metres and can be fitted to a trailer. To tow a tiny house legally on Australian roads, it can’t be any bigger than 2.5 metres wide, 4.5 metres high and eight metres long, although it is possible to get a permit to increase the width and length.
The maximum weight is 4.5 tonnes.
“Look at every possible way you can save kilograms on the build because 4.5 tonnes isn’t a lot of weight,” says Darren Hughes, founder of Tiny Houses Australia.
Lightweight solutions like a timber frame and forgoing double-glazing can help to keep the weight down. Remember roofing, cladding, insulation and even nails and screws – it all adds up. And that’s before you’ve added in anything else. A spreadsheet can help you keep track.
Tiny houses can be bought from a model or as a ‘flat pack’-style house, ready for construction. In these models, layout is determined for you.
If you want to design your own, here are a few things to consider:
“Think about how much stuff you have and how many people will live in the house,” says Ric Butler, Vice President of the Australian Tiny House Association.
Make the most of storage space and consider creative solutions, such as under the floor cavities. Also consider a loft or pull-out bed.
If you’re DIY or not, you can also look to other tiny home plans for inspiration.
Your tiny home can go on a trailer or on skids, but the key to success here is pretty simple: don’t skimp on quality.
“Look for a trailer that’s designed to have a four-tonne house permanently bolted onto it for the next 25 years,” Darren advises.
The trailer should fit the tiny house specifications and dimensions and most retailers will be able to help you if you explain it’s for a house.
Bear in mind a good trailer can cost up to $15,000.
Will you plug into the water mains and electrical lines, or can you have a tank and solar panels to get you by?
If you’re working with vacant land and want to connect to any mains, you’ll need to apply for access. This all lies with your local council and the availability in your area.
While actual connection may start during the building process, it certainly can’t hurt to be on top of various access points and location advantages while in the planning stages.
Then, as with any house, when it comes to any electricity and plumbing in your tiny house, always engage the experts and use a certified electrician and plumber.
Trying to reduce your footprint or get by without plugging in to the mains? You can opt for solar panels, tank water, even a generator and a number of battery operated appliances to get you by.
Even if you’re keen to do most of the building yourself, it pays to use a builder when the frame goes up and when you put the roof on to make sure the house is structurally sound. At least!
The vast majority of people will not be able to do all the building entirely themselves.
Start with the floor and wall frames, which need to connect to the chassis of the trailer. Anchoring your tiny home is key, so don’t skip this accidentally. Ensure the base is level and the foundations are secure.
Then, presuming you know what you’re doing, you can complete the rest of your build or engage a builder to help you out.
Remember: your tiny house is still a house, so don’t skip steps like proper insulation and water proofing.
Watch: Can a tiny house be built in 3 hours?
If you want your tiny home to be mobile and on wheels, this is the only option currently available in Australia.
“Most councils don’t have a clear policy regarding tiny houses, and in 90 per cent of councils they’re put in the same category as caravans,” says Ric.
Don’t forget to insure your home, which will be classified as caravan insurance as the home-on-wheels will be registered as such.
Darren encourages you to take photos throughout the build to help guarantee your eligibility.
“If you have any desire to have your tiny house insured, you need to take construction photos along the way and find a registered builder who’s prepared to do inspections on the tiny house at key points,” says Darren.
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