So, turns out to build a house you need a plan. Specifically a floor plan. You'd think when you're working with a space that can only be 7.5' wide and 25' long it would be fairly easy; but turns out our first attempt was by no means the last. We had lofts, then no lofts, stair wells that became ladders that disappeared all together, kitchen's that jumped from one end to the other and a roof that was pitched, to flat and finally sloped.
Below is a picture of where we ultimately ended up. It's just a hand drawn sketch for now. We haven't included the gooseneck portion, we've only gotten as far as the bathroom, kitchen and main living area. Part of the reason the bedroom has been left out is because I'm waiting to see if we can actually find a gooseneck. If not another change will happen and we'll be back to a loft. The design ended up this way largely so that all of the water is as close together as we can manage it. Since we're building it ourselves we want to keep it as simple as we can.
We're planning to fit a lot into that tiny space. I love baths and we think that we can make a tub fit. We're planning to inset the tub down a foot in the hopes that we can mount the sink overtop in the same area. This might fly in the face of that simple comment I just made.... We'll see. Chris is an amazing cook, and I enjoy baking, so an oven is a must for us. It will be quite a small one, but as long as I can make pies I'm happy. We're also planning to put in a washer/dryer combo to make the most of the space.
I'm sure the plan will evolve a lot more as we continue but it's definitely a starting place!
Welcome to the first post about our tiny home adventure. We're hoping to use this blog to document our experience of building a tiny home, but mainly to develop a network of support and help. This is a huge undertaking and we're not entirely sure what we're in for!
We began by writing a letter asking for support, you can read it below. We hope that this letter will be something we can take to businesses and community members to explain what we're doing, and hopefully minimize the blank stares and shaking of heads many tiny home owners encounter.
We hope you enjoy following the process, we so appreciate all the support we've already got in coming up with this plan and we're so excited for the rest of it!
The letter:
Our ask:
We are hoping that you may be able to help out a young couple who are trying to build their own tiny home. Maybe you have building materials that you don’t have a use for, land that you could let us build on (we’ll pay rent!), appliances you have no use for, or a skill and knowledge that will ease the building process. We would be thrilled with any assistance you could provide. We’re seeking a network that will help this process along.
Our offer:
We will pick-up and take away anything we could use that you don’t want hanging around anymore. For the right items we will pay cash, we’re also willing to barter our time if you need some manual labour.
The why:
After much looking, we found there’s not much available for young people starting out in Kelowna. Realizing the housing market was beyond us, we started researching tiny homes and immediately were addicted to the idea. This outreach is the start of how we hope to get our pint sized dream home.
The needs:
Trailer - We’re hoping to find a gooseneck trailer that’s 26 feet on the main deck, no beavertail. We’ll take away an old RV with a good base to salvage parts or the trailer.
Space - We need to find a compound or field, even a driveway, where someone is willing to let us spend 6 months building our home, we’ll pay rent or be labourers!
Windows & doors - Any size or shape will do. We’ll happily cart away what’s not being used.
Tools & materials- The following list of tools are pretty essential for home building, and pretty expensive to purchase. We’re hoping someone may be willing to rent us the use of some of the following, for which we will of course provide a deposit. The list: framing nailer, generator, impact driver, 2.5" construction screws, 2x? lumber, tyvek/house wrap, outlets & boxes, switches, insulation, PVC pipes and fittings, aluminum flashing, 16 gauge wire, deep cycle batteries, siding, cabinets, appliances.
Expertise - We don’t have any. Just kidding, kind of. If you have a skill or insight that might help the process; if the tiny home project seems interesting to you, we’d love to hear from you and even have you come out and see what we’re doing (once we get going).
Exposure - If you can’t help, someone you know may be able to. Please keep us in mind and let others know about what we’re doing if you think their help might be a good fit.
Thanks for your time reading the letter. If what we’re doing sounds like something you could help with please reach us at tinyhomebigdream@gmail.com we also have a facebook page: www.facebook.com/tinyhomebigdream
If you’re looking for more info on the tiny home movement a great resource is www.tinyhousetalk.com
Sincerely,
Chris Nichol & Margie Davis
