Steps To An Amazing Tiny Home On Wheels

Before you build a tiny house on wheels, make sure you plan ahead. Determine your true needs for living in a tiny house. Some steps to take:

Before You Build

Planning

• Determine your true needs for living in a tiny house
• Select site – How To Setup Land For A Tiny House
• Talk with other tiny house people: How I interviewed builders
• Create rough floor plan – Here are 10 tiny house design tips
• Determine major features
• Draw up or purchase plans – Here is my in-depth tiny house plans review
• Create budget
• Address top 5 barriers: Barriers, Solutions Part I, Solutions Part II
• Start skill building: Getting Started Guide

Sourcing

• Trailer
• Windows
• Lumber
• Tools
• Appliances
• Knowledgeable friends
• Professionals

Consider Access

• Consider when you need to bring in your mattress, appliances, shower stall, toilet, furniture
• Make sure big things can fit through door or windows!

Construction

Trailer

• Site selection
• Leveling
• Remove decking
• Cut off extras
• Weld on anchors

Foundation

• Build foundation frame
• Anchor foundation to the trailer
• Attach metal flashing
• Add insulation
• Add vapor barrier
• Install subfloor

Wall Framing

• Frame walls
• Ensure squareness
• Test fit windows
• Sheathe your tiny house walls
• Consider big items that might not fit through the door (e.g. shower stall, mattress, fridge)
• Raise walls, square and brace
• Secure framing to the trailer via anchors

Sheathing

• Measure & plan panel layout
• Cut all pieces
• Allow for 1/8″ expansion gap between sheets of plywood
• Test fit
• Apply glue to all studs
• Tack in place with a few nails
• Screw every 3″ on edges of panels
• Screw every 6″ into studs covered
• Ensure you use screws & nails designed for treated wood!
• After walls are raised, anchor plywood to foundation

Windows And Door Rough Openings

• Double check window dimensions, give a little extra
• Cut out window holes (Sawz-All or plunge router)
• Apply house wrap (WRB), Tyvek or Typar
• Cut house wrap – inverted “Y”
• Test fit window
• Flash window sills – 5 degree angle
• Install windows & shim
• Tack with a few screws
• Test window functionality
• Secure per manufacture recommendations
• Flash window – start at bottom and work up
• Leave bottom edge unsealed for water drainage

Roof  Framing

• If building Fencl, first install loft collar ties and flooring
• Construct trusses per plans
• Ensure height stays under 13.5 feet
• Build headers for rough opening for skylight

Roof  Sheathing

• Plan layout and dimensions
• Cut boards
• Glue truss edges
• Use “H” clips between sheets
• Secure with ring shank nails and screws

Install Skylights

• Build frame if using curb mounted
• No need to frame with deck mounted
• Test fit skylight
• Install skylight per directions
• Flash according to directions

Door(s)

• Frame door frame
• Build door or purchase
• Test fit
• Shim and secure
• Consider a temporary plywood door during construction
• Install door hardware

Siding

• Tape house wrap seams
• Install furring strips
• Paint BOTH sides of siding before putting up
• Hang siding

Outside Trim Work

• Install fascia boards
• Install drip edge

Install Roofing

• Apply ice & water shield
• Install reflection barrier (need .5″ gap)
• Install furring strips
• Install roof per manufacturer’s recommendations

Rough Plumbing

• Plan out drains, inlets, holes in floor, etc.
• Be sure to check for trailer cross beams under the trailer
• Be sure to account for vents if needed
• Be sure to account for “P” traps
• Be sure to account for proper slope so water drains well
• Consider hiring a professional

Rough Electrical

• Plan out locations of outlets, lights, fans, sockets, etc.
• Plan locations for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
• Consider your power usage
• Hiring a professional is highly recommended

Rough Gas Lines

• Plan out locations needed
• Hiring a professional is highly recommended

Rough HVAC

• Plan out locations needed
• Hiring a professional is highly recommended

Insulate

• Install insulation
• Foam in edges
• Install vapor barrier – 6-millimeter thickness
• Ensure your materials and fasteners that come in contact with foam are okay (some react)

Install Major Appliances

• Water heater
• Fridge (may wait till later)
• Shower
• Heater

Flooring

• Follow directions
• Cover with a durable protection layer

Walls

• Hang wall panels
• Trim around lights and edges

Kitchen

• Plan out locations needed
• Construct a rough frame for cabinets and countertops
• Install countertop
• Drop in a stove and connect
• Drop in a sink and connect
• Build and install cabinet doors
• Build in shelving

Bathroom

• Plan out locations needed
• Finish the shower stall connections
• Finish bathroom walls
• Finish bathroom storage
• Connect toilet (or build composting unit)
• Install vent (consider having on a timer for whole house air exchange)

Sleeping Loft

• Install any additional storage
• Wire in lights and outlets
• Take a nap, you deserve it!

Main Room

• Finish HVAC
• Wire lights and outlets
• Build any built-in units
• Finish storage

Celebrate!

• Clean the place out
• Invite awesome friends who helped
• Sit back and enjoy!