Tiny Flat Pack Houses You Can Build Yourself

If you’re thinking about making the jump to a tiny home, put flat pack houses on your radar. These kit homes are designed to be affordable, environmentally friendly, fast and best of all, easy to assemble.

Manufacturers will often offer different levels of product, from shells to packages that include all finishings. Materials are likely to be precut and labelled for easy construction, although the amount of cutting and finishing you’ll need to do will depend on the model and the plan you choose.

What you’ll need to have ready for when your kit arrives will also depend on the make and model of your tiny home. Many kits still need to sit on a foundation and, if you’re staying on grid, require hookups for water, electricity and sewage.

If you decide on an off-grid solar-powered model with a trailer base, however, you might need nothing but a space to park it.

Flat pack houses are an attractive option for the serious DIYer interested in incorporating sustainable technology into their home. Many manufacturers offer green upgrades like high-performance walls or solar arrays on tiny home kits. Even when upgrades aren’t possible, though, these structures offer the opportunity for a very low carbon footprint since they’re so much easier to heat, cool and light.

First Things First

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If tiny flat pack homes sound interesting to you, your first step should be to check with your city or region’s planning department about permitting. You’ll need to ensure that your kit home will meet building codes in your area. Most manufacturers will work with you to ensure their products will meet your region’s specific codes, but these are conversations to have before you lay out any serious cash.

You can expect to have a more involved conversation with your mortgage lender, as well. Flat pack houses may not fit your lender’s idea of a single family dwelling, especially if you assemble it yourself, or if it’s not on a permanent foundation. Ironically, your tiny home might be under the bank’s minimum threshold for a mortgage, making financing for your cost-effective alternative housing difficult.

The Benefits of Flat Pack Houses

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Flat pack houses have the same benefits as other kinds of modular construction. They can be completed more quickly than conventional homes. Factory assembly makes it possible for these homes to be more airtight (and therefore more energy efficient) than conventionally built homes. Less energy and resources go into the making of these homes, and considerably less waste is created by the construction process.

These environmental benefits should be considered alongside the distance your kit needs to travel to get to you. If a local option is available to you, that’s likely to be the greenest option.

Aside from greener construction processes and greater potential for energy efficiency, using a kit to create your tiny home has design benefits, as well. When you purchase a shell, you can plan out your interior to suit your needs and get as creative if you want with your living and storage solutions.

If you entertain a lot, you can create hybrid indoor/outdoor spaces that keep guests comfy. If you need to prioritize storage space you can plan hideaway spots to keep your extras. And if you work from home, you can design spaces that do double-duty as living and working areas.

Some Flat Pack Tiny Homes to Consider

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Deltec Homes

The distinct round floor plans of Deltec’s houses start at 300 ft. sq. They emphasize customizability as well as efficiency. Homes can be customized to meet net-zero standards, although that’s not included with base models so you can expect to pay extra for the greener options. Deltec is committed to reducing their waste output, as well, diverting 80 percent of their onsite waste from landfills.

These homes are timber framed, and are shipped to customers as a structural shell. Pre-installed siding, windows and doors are options, as are decks, porches, garages and carports. Green upgrades include high-efficiency walls and solar hot water kits.

Shelter-Kit

Designed specially for amateur builders, Shelter-Kit homes are ready to assemble. You can choose from one of their designs or come up with something custom. Kits include all the materials necessary to build the shell of your home, with options like porches, decks and dormers.

Plans start at 192 ft. sq. and go up from there. There are a number of styles available in smaller footprints. They estimate that their kits can typically be assembled by two people somewhere between 5 and 25 days, with no cranes or lifts necessary.

Summerwood Products

Summerwood makes a range of structures, from trellises to playhouses to cabin and cottage kits. Their cabins start very tiny indeed, at under 100 ft. sq., but go up to 1000 ft. sq. There are many cabin styles to choose from, but custom plans are also available.

The kits are designed for amateur assembly, with Summerwood estimating construction taking a few people a few days to put a structure together, depending on the home’s size and the builders’ experience. The kits can come pre-cut (i.e. framing and siding materials have been cut only) or pre-assembled (components like trusses and walls have been cut and individually pre-assembled). Their site includes a difficulty rating for assembly, so you can choose a plan that fits best with your skill level.

These tiny homes are timber framed, with options for wood siding and cedar shingles. Their lumber is all sustainably sourced. Not all are designed to be year-round, so additional planning around insulation could be required.

These are just some examples of tiny flat pack houses that might get you inspired about smaller, greener living. They strike a nice balance between having someone else build the home and doing it all yourself. Getting the shell out of the way quickly might even leave you with more energy and time to finish the home in your own unique style and make it something really special.

Feature image: Pixabay; Image 1: Aysegul Yahsi