It costs anywhere from $30,000 to $150,000 to build a custom tiny house. And that’s just for construction! Land costs can add from $5,000 to $25,000 per acre. Additionally, you need to consider land renovation, permit costs, and supply chain issues.
In contrast, you can buy an existing tiny house for just $20,000 – $100,000 in an average of 30 days. Homeowners typically spend 4 to 6 months building a tiny home. With 14% of homes with price drops, now is the perfect time to find your dream home!
How Much Does it Cost to Build a Tiny House?
The cost to build a tiny house can be anywhere from $30,000 to $150,000 excluding land. It varies as per the size and features. A prefab tiny house costs comparatively less, anywhere from $15,000 to $120,000.
| Size of the House | Custom-Built House Cost | Prefab House Cost |
| 100 – 200 Sq Ft | $25,000 – $50,000 | $15,000 – $30,000 |
| 200 – 400 Sq Ft | $50,000 – $80,000 | $30,000 – $60,000 |
| 400 – 600 Sq Ft | $80,000 – $110,000 | $60,000 – $90,000 |
| 600 – 800 Sq Ft | $110,000 – $150,000+ | $90,000 – $120,000 |
Now you can use our Cost to Build a House Calculator to get an instant estimate based on your square feet area. You will get customized estimates for your project.
Calculate the Cost to Build a Tiny House 
Your estimated cost to build a house is:
Cost Breakdown of Building a Tiny Home
For an average house size of 200 to 300 sq ft, the average cost is $100 to $200 per sq ft. Here is a cost breakdown:
| Cost Head | Average Costs |
| Land Cost | $5,000 to $25,000 per acre |
| Water and Sewer Inspections | $50 – $70 |
| Building Permits | Minimum $30 |
| Foundation | $7 per sq ft |
| Framing | $1,000 – $15,000 |
| Exterior Siding | $3 – $6 per sq ft |
| Roofing | $167 – $1,880 per 100 sq ft |
| AC Installation | $3,000 – $4,000 |
| Plumbing | $80 – $260 per hour plus materials |
| Electrical | $130 – $150 |
| Drywall | $1.60 – $1.70 per sq ft |
| Painting | $1.70 – $3.70 per sq ft |
Source: ProMatcher
Material Cost of Building a House
You can expect to spend about $50 per square foot on material costs. Here are the material expenses you need to consider to build your home in the US:
- Framing Materials: Foundation, lumber, and steel beams will require about $20,000 to $50,000.
- Roof Installation: The roofing cost depends on the type of material you select, the roof’s slope, and the size of your home. Here are the US home roofing prices per 100 square feet for various materials:
*Source: ProMatcher
- Exterior Painting: Prices may vary based on your choice of exterior. On average, it costs from $1 to $3 per hour plus materials.
- Insulation: Fiberglass, drywall, and foam insulation help regulate the temperature inside your home. It costs from $0.80 to $2.50 per square foot.
- Windows & Doors: If you hire a professional to install windows and doors, it will cost from $160 to $600, depending on the material and its uses.
- Flooring Materials: The cost of wood flooring installation ranges between $6 and $9 per square foot.
- Cabinets & Countertops: Features like granite countertops and teak cabinets in kitchens may cost between $200 and $650 per cabinet.
- Plumbing Fixtures: The cost to install sinks, faucets, showers, and PVC pipes throughout a home is between $50 and $250 per hour plus materials.
Labor Cost to Build a Tiny Home
A contractor can help you hire laborers and professionals for the construction process. Their work and associated costs include:
| Professionals | Hourly Rate |
| Flooring Installers | $21.41 |
| Roofers | $23.71 |
| Painters | $21.03 |
| Brick Masons | $26.52 |
| Landscapers | $18.88 |
| General Contractors | $22.08 |
| Plumbers | $28.94 |
| Carpenters | $24.71 |
| HVAC Technicians | $29.00 |
| Structural Engineers | $43.39 |
| Electricians | $28.83 |
*Source: Indeed
Cost To Buy A Prefab Tiny House
You can also purchase a prefab tiny home if you don’t own land. A prefabricated tiny house will cost you way less than building or buying one. You can get these homes within a range of $50,000 to $120,000.
The cost may increase if you customize it and add luxury finishes. A prefab kit comes unassembled with blueprints, and costs from $4,000 to $30,000.
A fully built tiny house may include a finished exterior and interior with all appliances. It can also include one or two lofts.
Tiny Home Cost by Base Type
| Base Type | Average Cost to Build |
|---|---|
| Foundation | $30,000 – $150,000 |
| Trailer/Wheels | $20,000 – $80,000 |
| Shipping Container | $25,000 – $60,000 |
| Bus | $30,000 – $50,000 |
How Can You Finance Your Tiny Home?
You’re required to have a high credit score (above 480) and enough cash to make a 10% down payment of the project cost.
1. Home Construction Loans
The two most prominent home construction loans are:
- Construction-to-Permanent Loan: This loan covers land purchases and home-building costs. It is converted to a conventional loan after the construction is complete, and you move into the house.
- Construction-only Loan: It only covers the cost of home building. Your entire loan amount will be due after your home is ready. You can pay back the loan in cash or take out a mortgage.
2. Home Equity Loan
If you have home equity, you can finance some or all of your new home’s construction with a home equity loan.
Your home equity is the difference between your property’s fair market value and the remaining loan amount.
Is It Cheaper to Build or Buy a Tiny House?
If you own land in a location you want to live in, we highly recommend building a house yourself. You can also hire a contractor to build you one.
An average tiny house costs around $30,000 to $100,000. This amount can go beyond $150,000 if you include land costs, excavations, permits, and other expenses. Moreover, new home construction can take up to 4 to 6 months.
If you don’t own land, we recommend buying a tiny home and moving in quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it cost to build a tiny house in the US?
It costs $30,000 to $150,000 on average, excluding the land cost. This will vary depending on location, property type, labor expenses, material costs, etc.
How much does it cost to build a house per square foot?
Building a tiny house costs about $100 to $200 per square foot. Home-building costs depend on property type, construction area, labor costs, etc.
You can also buy a prefab tiny house for $120 to $200 per square feet and customize it.
How to buy a tiny house?
You have multiple options to buy a tiny house. It select from a preowned tiny house, a completely custom-built home, a prefab house, or a prefab kit to build your own home.
You can visit homes for sale to view houses within your budget. You can also transport a tiny house or a mobile home to another location.
