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!