With large homes often comes the burden of extra clutter, financial pressure and immovability, but there’s one way you can own your own home without all that additional stress—with a tiny house on wheels.
Due to their size, mobility and cost, tiny houses on wheels offer a level of freedom and flexibility that’s simply not possible in a large home. They offer financial freedom, location flexibility, less clutter and more time to do the things you love.
Whether you want to spend more time travelling or live more sustainably, here are 5 reasons to live in a tiny house on wheels.
1. Building tiny vs building big
Just as most things cost less the smaller they are, so do houses. Due to the smaller size, fewer materials are needed to actually build the home, making them considerably more affordable.
The same applies to the costs of labour and interior décor. The actual cost varies significantly depending on the size, complexity, quality and materials used, but they’re almost always less expensive than even a modest traditional home. And, contrary to popular belief, this doesn’t mean your tiny home has to be made of entirely of raw timber.
In fact, the materials used to build a tiny house on wheels should be the same as those in a regular house to ensure durability and longevity (like we do at Aussie Tiny Houses).
It’s even possible to fit other modern conveniences like a dishwasher or dryer, but it’s important to consider the efficiency of your space before installing these more luxurious options.
Ultimately, the only differences in materials should be due to the need to reduce the weight of your home, to ensure it’s within legal requirements (max 4.5 tonnes) and is as easy as possible to transport.
2. Down with the living costs
Even after your tiny house has been built and you’re all moved in, the savings can continue from reduced living costs.
You may still have the same type of expenses as a standard house, like rent (for the land if you don’t own it), internet, electricity, gas, water and groceries but, just as it costs less to build a tiny home, many of these expenses are reduced in a smaller space as well.
Not only is it much cheaper to rent a small plot of land than an entire home, but the smaller footprint also means there’s less of an area that your utilities need to cover. It’ll take much less energy to cool or heat the home and far fewer lights to light it, leading to a substantial reduction in your utility bill. And, as is always a positive, the less energy you use, the better it is for the environment.
If you decide to take it a step further and go fully off-grid by harvesting rainwater and installing solar systems, these bills could even be reduced to zero (more on that in a bit).
In this post below, Amy and Greg from @life_done_simple give us a look into their monthly bills for tiny living compared to what it used to be when living in a traditional home. Scroll to the side and to see how much they are saving.
3. Cut the clutter
When you live in a traditional home and have all the space that comes with that, it’s easy for stuff to pile up over time without you even realising.
A tiny house, however, requires minimalism and, while you don’t have to give up everything, you will have to re-prioritise your belongings and reduce your possessions. This may be a challenging process but it can actually have mental health benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety, encouraging mindfulness and increasing joy and peacefulness.
Less space will also benefit your bank account, giving you yet another reason not to buy that extra pair of shoes, or whatever it is that’s sitting in your online cart right now.
4. Off-grid living
Living off-grid means you aren’t connected to any public utility services like electricity, water, sewerage or natural gas. It often involves reducing waste, being self-sufficient where possible and only spending on absolute necessities.
While it’s by no means necessary to be off-grid to experience tiny living, it can be incredibly liberating knowing you’re completely self-sufficient and living sustainably. It can significantly reduce your living costs and will also make it much easier to find a place to park.
To make your tiny home off-grid, you’ll need various additional features including solar panels, a rainwater collection system and composting toilets. Most tiny house builders (including us) will offer these features as optional add-ons to your tiny home.
Whether you want to live in a remote area where it would be difficult to build a standard house or take on a more sustainable lifestyle, off-grid tiny living could be a great option for you.
5. Freedom of movement
Not all tiny houses are on wheels, but if you’re on the fence about what type of tiny house to get, there’s one primary benefit to consider. A tiny house on wheels can come with you every time you move, meaning you’ll never be without a place that feels like home.
To build one, your builder should use a purposed built tiny house trailer that’s been specifically engineered to act as the foundation for your home. Then, all you need to do is hitch it to a truck and tow it to your next destination. If it’s designed to be off-grid, you’ll have even more choice about where to park it. A tiny house on wheels is a moveable asset that removes the burden of selling and buying a new home every time you move.
Tiny houses on wheels don’t just suit one group of people. There are many reasons someone might choose to live in one, and they can adjust the way they do it according to their specific needs. Whatever your style of living, the financial savings, reduced costs and freedom of movement that a tiny house on wheels offers can make a world of difference in your life. No matter your reasoning, if you’re keen to learn more about tiny living, or even just want to jump right in and get started, contact us and we can help!
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