When the modern tiny-house movement started in the early 2000s, it was advertised as an affordable way to own a home. Prices have increased, but Zack Griffin, the host of Tiny House Nation, says this will help legitimatize the industry.
- PRICE INCREASE: Lindsay Wood, who runs a tiny-house consulting business says she has seen prices increase drastically, “…one to two years ago, you only needed $50,000 to purchase a common 8-by-24-foot tiny house. In 2021, you need $65,000 to $75,000.” Tin houses may need less material than a normal house, but they are also feeling the crunch of increased supply costs like steel and lumber.
- MIGHT BE A GOOD THING: Zack Griffin, the host of Tiny House Nation, said that in most parts of the US, tiny houses are still considered RVs and people cannot live in them full-time. The Tiny Home Industry Association is trying to change this and these price spikes could be the thing to do it. “Even though there’s not a uniform building code of tiny homes, the cities are making up their own requirements, and essentially, they’re requiring quality materials. They’re requiring fire egress. They’re requiring handrails,” Giffin said. “In order to be allowed into communities, we need to be building nice tiny homes.”
It will be interesting to see if this actually a benefit for tiny houses or if the increases prices will drive people away to buy normal sized houses instead.