How much does a tiny house cost in Australia?

When it comes to our houses, Aussies often like to think big, but the small living movement is growing. If you’re looking to start small, or even downsize your current dwelling, you may well be wondering – how much does a tiny house cost?

A tiny house can be a practical, affordable and visually striking living solution – it can even be portable, going with you where you would like to be. If you’re contemplating tiny house life, then you may be wondering about the prices involved. Here are some things to know.

What is a tiny house?

According to the Australian Tiny House Association, a tiny house is a moveable dwelling of up to 50m2 in size, suitable for permanent residential use, with self-contained services and amenities, and the option to be connected to the grid.

A tiny house can fall into one of several categories:

• a tiny house ‘on skids’ is a structure that has the ability to be moved
• a tiny house ‘on wheels’, is a structure that is constructed on a trailer that can be towed on the road
• tiny houses can also be constructed out of shipping containers.

A tiny house is considered to be a different category to a ‘granny flat’, which typically refers to a fixed structure built on the same piece of land as an existing house.

How much does a tiny house cost?

The cost of a tiny house can vary depending on a number of factors, but in general, you might expect them to cost anywhere from $59,000 up to $150,000. The variation in cost can depend on the design and the specs, how luxurious a fitout you choose, and whether you choose to build the dwelling yourself or buy it prefabricated.

According to Architecture & Design, you might expect a standard tiny house to cost between $80,000 and $130,000. Aussie Tiny Houses say that if you choose to go with a pre-fabricated, a basic turnkey model will start at around $59,000, while a house at the more luxurious end of the design spectrum could cost closer to $150,000.

On the other hand, if you opt for the DIY approach and put your house together yourself, then Aussie Tiny Houses says that building a dwelling with recycled materials could cost as little as $20,000. They caution, however, that doing this will take good project management and construction skills, and could take a long time.

Do tiny houses come pre-built?

Your tiny house may or may not come pre-built depending on who you buy it from. Some companies include the cost of assembly and delivery in their pricing, while others, in order to keep costs down, may only deliver the materials required to build your tiny house, but leave assembly to you.

If your tiny house comes as materials only, then you could choose to build the house yourself, or pay a builder to do it for you. Whatever approach you take, you’ll need to make sure your tiny house complies with the relevant building and safety standards in your area.

What other tiny house costs will you need to consider?

In addition to the cost of purchasing a tiny house, you will need to consider the costs of keeping it running and powered, especially if you plan on living off grid. According to Aussie Tiny Houses, some important extra costs to consider include:

• Electricity (solar power systems): $14,100 – $26,600
• Generators: $2,600
• Composting toilets: $1,260 – $8,200
• Water storage tanks:  $1,600 – $1800, depending on the size
• Grey water systems: $1,350
• Grease trap systems: $450

If you plan to live off grid in a tiny house, then it is important to think about your energy consumption habits, and possibly reduce some of them. High energy-consumption appliances like air conditioning systems, electric kettles and toasters, cooktops and ovens may need to be used sparingly or substituted for energy-efficient alternatives.

Can you get a home loan for a tiny house?

If you’re curious about how much a tiny house costs, you may also be thinking about how to finance the purchase. Given that tiny houses tend to be portable, you may find that obtaining a traditional home loan for a tiny house is not possible or is more difficult than usual.

According to online home loan lenders Lendi, a home must be fixed and not portable in order to obtain bank finance, which could rule out many tiny houses. While this may rule out a home loan, there are other potential options for finance on the table, including:

• Using equity from your land: If you already own the land that you plan to put your tiny house on, you could access equity from this, or from an existing property you own, to finance the purchase.
• Taking out a personal loan: You may choose to apply for a personal loan to finance the purchase of a tiny house. It is important to be aware that personal loan terms tend to be shorter than home loan terms, typically lasting up to seven years, and interest rates tend to be higher. A personal loan can be secured or unsecured and understanding the difference is also important when it comes to the cost of the loan.
• Taking out a motorhome loan: A motorhome loan could be an option for finance if your tiny house is on wheels and meets all relevant regulatory and safety standards. For this kind of loan, you will typically be required to pay a deposit, and the term of the loan may be between 10 and 15 years.

What are the pros and cons of tiny house living?

There can be a number of advantages to tiny house living, including sustainability, mobility and freedom, lower overheads (no pun intended), less cleaning up and the potential for visual appeal.

There can also be some downsides to keep in mind, however, including the small size of the dwelling, difficulty of finding locations, lack of storage space, regulatory red tape, fewer creature comforts, the need to be self-sustaining and the potential for clutter to build up.

Pros of living in a tiny house

• Sustainability: If you choose to install solar panels and a water tank as part of your tiny house, you may end up living in a self-sufficient home. The construction of a tiny house may also generate a smaller carbon footprint than the construction of a traditional home due to its smaller size.
• Mobility: If you enjoy going on road trips or camping holidays, a tiny house on a trailer can be taken with you. However, you may need a 4WD or similarly large vehicle in order to tow something as heavy as a tiny house.
• Lower overhead costs: Further to the point about sustainability, if your tiny house generates most or all its own electricity and water, your utility bills will be considerably smaller than they would be if you lived in a traditional home. You may also avoid paying council rates depending on your local council laws.
• Less cleaning up: A smaller home means less space, which in turn means that doing even the most thorough house clean will generally take considerably less time than cleaning a conventional house.
• Visual appeal: While not always the case, tiny houses are often designed to be visually appealing, and can fit into the Australian landscape in architecturally striking ways. Opting for tiny house life does not have to mean compromising on beautiful design.

Cons of living in a tiny house

• Small size: As the name suggests, tiny houses have smaller floor plans and less living space than full-sized homes, so you will need to be prepared to live in a more intimate space, and potentially be prepared for a Marie Kondo-like cull of your belongings.
• Difficulty of finding locations: Unless you have a friend or family member with a back yard they’re happy to let you use, you’ll need to either buy or rent land to park your tiny house. This can make what was supposedly a cheap option significantly more expensive.
• Potential for red tape: While being classed as caravans allows tiny houses in Australia to avoid some of the regulatory red tape that’s associated with buying a standard home, you may still encounter issues depending on where you live. Local councils may have their own specific rules and regulations regarding tiny houses, so consider doing your research, or seeking legal advice on your options, before committing.
• Need to be self-sustaining: While the potential for sustainability that comes with tiny house living may be appealing, you’ll need to make sure to secure your electricity and water supply, and have a backup plan in place in case you run out, or you could find yourself in a tight spot.
• Fewer creature comforts: As mentioned, living in a smaller house means less space for storage, but this extends to appliances that might make your life easier. Things like clothes driers, spacious fridges, and even a standard washing machine may prove impractical depending on the size of your tiny house.
• Potential for clutter: While living in a smaller space can make tidying up a breeze, it also makes dirtying or cluttering your home easier too. A mess that might’ve seemed proportionately minor in a conventional home could be a bit more significant in a tiny house.

How do you insure a tiny house?

One important tiny house cost to consider over the long term is the cost of insurance. As many Australian tiny houses are built on trailers and are subsequently classified as caravans rather than houses, you may have to take out caravan insurance in order to insure your tiny house and its contents.

Your tiny home may be covered by compulsory third party (CTP) insurance while attached to and being moved by a registered vehicle, however CTP insurance will not provide cover for damage to your tiny house. It will only provide liability cover if your car or tiny house causes injury or death to others while on the road.

Cover image source: St John Imagery/Shutterstock.com