I would like to put in several tiny homes for kids and eventually grad kids. I know very little about where to buy, what to look out for, what to avoid. The idea would be to have our main home and then 5-6 tiny homes so that everyone has their own space.

Does anyone have experience with tiny homes or perhaps can recommend a provider?

Definitely get the same unit like you would for a camp cabin so everyone feels equally treated when visiting and also 100% commonalities in maintenance.

I don't know the first thing about them but are you looking at a stationary or semi-permanent set up with an RV park type layout? I'd consider all of your electricity, waste disposal, and other such needs before diving too deep.

If you have plenty of acreage it might be worthwhile to have 2-3 pads set up for traveling friends and family whilst having 2-3 cabins that remain fixed. I'd begin with a proper survey based on your existing layout and go from there.

Sounds like a fun project, good luck!

These would be permanent.

The prices vary wildly, just want to make sure I don't get take for a ride

I also like the idea of getting the same unit for everyone, makes maintenance easier for sure.

Following! Love this idea. My dream is to build a big barndominum/house for my wife and I with bunk rooms for future grandkids.

I've been debating whether to build tiny homes, or build an old school motel with individual rooms for each of my kids.

Bag said:

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These would be permanent.

The prices vary wildly, just want to make sure I don't get take for a ride

I also like the idea of getting the same unit for everyone, makes maintenance easier for sure.

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I've always been partial to cabins that are built into the landscape & terrain. With that said, you'll want to determine if each one is equipped with running water, plumbing (septic?), etc.

Start with a rudimentary self-survey with a few corner stakes to see what layout you prefer the most. If you have any existing "as-built survey" records of your current layout, make a few copies to use as a design template.

It's your land after all. You get to be the determining factor = )

Here is good housekeeping review

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/g1196/tiny-homes-for-sale/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=mgu_ga_ghk_m_bm_prog_org_us_g1196&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=16148368028&gbraid=0AAAAADA2MEoE1ejeeONnEu_Y9RjD27K1x&gclid=Cj0KCQiA9t3KBhCQARIsAJOcR7yIVBZ7dLzixm_lKH9x43Nd9JkxtqNxDgn4pN-9zGjwNDkKg55fu5saAq9DEALw_wcB

My great aunt/uncle just had a similar plan and ended up going with traditional small cabins. I don't know why but they went stick built but that was the final determination. Each kid gets their own spread out a common area of about 5 acres on their ranch.

Consider your septic, power & water needs when laying this all out as well. You'll likely need some on site water storage to have supply for that many units. Parking, traffic circulation, shared outdoor common spaces as well. I've worked in a few projects like this & they can be little tricky to do well.

Bag said:

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I would like to put in several tiny homes for kids and eventually grad kids. I know very little about where to buy, what to look out for, what to avoid. The idea would be to have our main home and then 5-6 tiny homes so that everyone has their own space.

Does anyone have experience with tiny homes or perhaps can recommend a provider?

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Where are you located? It would be worth a phone call to Freeman Building Solutions in Clyde, Tx. Right outside of Abilene.

If you consider a Derksen or other portable building as your base unit, it's not that difficult to build them out (I'm doing one right now). There are a fair number of good options that could accommodate everything you want to do to them.

https://derksenbuildings.com/buildings/

Pricing starts on page 21 of this PDF:
https://derksenbuildings.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Derksen_All_Files_Dec24_comp.pdf

Wahoo82 said:

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Ryan the Temp said:

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If you consider a Derksen or other portable building as your base unit, it's not that difficult to build them out (I'm doing one right now). There are a fair number of good options that could accommodate everything you want to do to them.

https://derksenbuildings.com/buildings/

Pricing starts on page 21 of this PDF:
https://derksenbuildings.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Derksen_All_Files_Dec24_comp.pdf

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we did this around four years ago on our deer lease with a Derksen 12x30 cabin and it has worked out great. we took the last six feet and framed in a bathroom with all piping along the back wall. easy peasy. Did all the build out ourselves and are all in including furnishings at $18K.

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how are they holding up after 4 years?


I am also debating on what needs to be built out, cant image each needs its own oven/cooktop, but def a sink and fridge.

curious how utilities would work wrt septic and water. Anyone know if all the utilities need to be permitted?

Bag said:

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Wahoo82 said:

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Ryan the Temp said:

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If you consider a Derksen or other portable building as your base unit, it's not that difficult to build them out (I'm doing one right now). There are a fair number of good options that could accommodate everything you want to do to them.

https://derksenbuildings.com/buildings/

Pricing starts on page 21 of this PDF:
https://derksenbuildings.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Derksen_All_Files_Dec24_comp.pdf

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we did this around four years ago on our deer lease with a Derksen 12x30 cabin and it has worked out great. we took the last six feet and framed in a bathroom with all piping along the back wall. easy peasy. Did all the build out ourselves and are all in including furnishings at $18K.

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how are they holding up after 4 years?


I am also debating on what needs to be built out, cant image each needs its own oven/cooktop, but def a sink and fridge.

curious how utilities would work wrt septic and water. Anyone know if all the utilities need to be permitted?

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still like brand new, we do oil the porch timbers every other year, but that is about it. we have a trailer park setup at our lease and just tied into that. if you are just using the houses occasionally and have everyone be frugal on usage you may be able to get by with multiple houses on existing utilities, but i would get a professional to verify.

Septic 100% everywhere
Other stuff depends upon your location and what you plan to do.

Wahoo82 said:

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Bag said:

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Wahoo82 said:

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Ryan the Temp said:

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If you consider a Derksen or other portable building as your base unit, it's not that difficult to build them out (I'm doing one right now). There are a fair number of good options that could accommodate everything you want to do to them.

https://derksenbuildings.com/buildings/

Pricing starts on page 21 of this PDF:
https://derksenbuildings.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Derksen_All_Files_Dec24_comp.pdf

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we did this around four years ago on our deer lease with a Derksen 12x30 cabin and it has worked out great. we took the last six feet and framed in a bathroom with all piping along the back wall. easy peasy. Did all the build out ourselves and are all in including furnishings at $18K.

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how are they holding up after 4 years?


I am also debating on what needs to be built out, cant image each needs its own oven/cooktop, but def a sink and fridge.

curious how utilities would work wrt septic and water. Anyone know if all the utilities need to be permitted?

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still like brand new, we do oil the porch timbers every other year, but that is about it. we have a trailer park setup at our lease and just tied into that. if you are just using the houses occasionally and have everyone be frugal on usage you may be able to get by with multiple houses on existing utilities, but i would get a professional to verify.

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our upgrades over standard were closer floor joists, tar paper under steel roof, and tie down straps.

A couple of thoughts to consider as you plan this out. I met a very wealthy man who had built a massive house with the hopes that people would come visit and stay with them. What he found is that being in the same house made people uncomfortable (even his own kids) because they would have to adjust their routine to that of the host. On his next house, he built a couple of bedrooms and large bunk rooms for grandkids, but individual cottages for his kids.

He equipped each with a basic kitchenette similar to that of an rv. Small fridge, microwave, coffee pot, etc. But not a full kitchen. What he said is that for longer term visitors (non-family), they would typically have breakfast and lunch on their own and dinner together. For their kids, they had more meals together.

So - for me, the question is who is most likely to use these cabins? And for how long? Also - what proximity to the main house?

cgh1999 said:

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A couple of thoughts to consider as you plan this out. I met a very wealthy man who had built a massive house with the hopes that people would come visit and stay with them. What he found is that being in the same house made people uncomfortable (even his own kids) because they would have to adjust their routine to that of the host. On his next house, he built a couple of bedrooms and large bunk rooms for grandkids, but individual cottages for his kids.

He equipped each with a basic kitchenette similar to that of an rv. Small fridge, microwave, coffee pot, etc. But not a full kitchen. What he said is that for longer term visitors (non-family), they would typically have breakfast and lunch on their own and dinner together. For their kids, they had more meals together.

So - for me, the question is who is most likely to use these cabins? And for how long? Also - what proximity to the main house?

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Planning on building out a rectangle area with the main house and barndo / recreational space on either end and the tiny homes on the sides either 4 or 6 total, in the middle would be fire pit and pool maybe, sand vball court.

This outfit has some nice models
1845 Barndominiums https://share.google/ygnQdQ4Qpr8GM3EzG

Bag said:

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I would like to put in several tiny homes for kids and eventually grad kids. I know very little about where to buy, what to look out for, what to avoid. The idea would be to have our main home and then 5-6 tiny homes so that everyone has their own space.

Does anyone have experience with tiny homes or perhaps can recommend a provider?

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Not cheap but what you are looking for

https://mbrkcabins.com