UPDATE (April 23, 2015): We moved into our tiny house April 21, 2013 after having completed the build just a few days before. Our final budget (excluding travel and the strapping process) approached $16,000 US dollars. It is interesting to us now to see the rising costs of materials in the 3 years we were in construction.

UPDATE (August 22, 2012): Due to construction decisions, rising cost of lumber (due primarily to oil prices), and our families needs we have reassessed our budget and feel we can build (with the help of our sponsors, of course) for no more than $12,000. Therefore, our new budget is set at $12,000 US dollars!

Below is the working budget for the Tiny r(E)volution tiny house trailer. We intend on building our 30 ft. Tiny House for less than $10,000 US dollars. All will be paid for in cash so there will be no residual financing or payment plans post-move in. The budget will be updated as each purchase is made.

The running budget for Tiny House:

Date Item Quantity Store Price
Oct. 2010 30ft. Trailer 1 Craigslist 400.00
Oct. 2010 Hitch Jack w/foot 1 Hooper Trailer Sales 34.24
Oct. 2010 Scissors Jack 4 PPL Motorhome 207.04
Nov. 2010 Grey spray primer 10 cans True Value Hardware 30.00
Nov. 2010 Playground Sand 6 – 50 lb. bags True Value Hardware 28.00
Nov. 2010 Ann bathroom sink 1 IKEA 182.00
Dec. 2010 Primer and Paint 2 gal. ACE Hardware 81.57
Jan 2011 Trailer Tire 1 w/disposal of former tire Lamar Tire & Auto 97.32
Jan 2011 Axle parts 2 equalizer bars, 14 shackle bolts with nylon lock nuts, 8 shackle links, and bushings Best Trailer Products 56.51
Jan 2011 Rear loft window 1 – 12″ x 24″ Home Depot 73.26
Jan 2011 Hardwood Pocket Door 1 Macon Discount 15.90
Feb. 2011 Windows 1 – large front and 1 – medium side Home Depot 192.60
March 2011 Backhoe Operator Services Removing stumps from our land n/a 700.00
May 2011 Privacy fencing 7 panels of 8’x6′ Home Depot 240.20
June 2011 Electricity Consultation Helping us plan our metered pole Progress Energy Carolina 75.00
June 2011 Electrician services 1 – meter pole with panel box and connectors local electrician 594.76
June 2011 SoftTouch insulation 16 bundles Lowe’s 445.22
June 2011 Top Choice untreated lumber 14 – 2’x4″s for concrete form Lowe’s 49.62
June 2011 Concrete 5 yards of 3,000psi Mix Masters Concrete, Inc 550.00
February 2012 Trailer Lights Light Kit Deluxe 12V (with add’l wire) Harbor Freight Tools 32.31
March 2012 Windows and Door 7 win. 1 door Home Depot 1003.66
March 2012 Lumber 1.6 ton of 2″x4″ and 2″x6″ Jordan Forest Products 42.90
March 2012 Joist Hangers 24 Lowe’s 18.00
March 2012 Hanger Nails 5lb. Lowe’s 14.28
April 2012 Bolts, Washers, and Nuts 50 each Balamo Building Supply 71.14
April 2012 Joist Hangers 13 ACE Hardware 10.14
May 2012 Exterior Paint and primer, etc. 4-gallons Lowe’s 157.30
May 2012 2×4 92 5/8″ studs 100 Balamo Building Supply 229.00
May 2012 Hurricane Ties 36 Balamo Building Supply 24.84
May 2012 9×100 Dib House Wrap 1 roll Balamo Building Supply 84.50
May 2012 1 1/2″ metal edging 9 Balamo Building Supply 17.91
May 2012 3/8″ tacker staples 1 box Balamo Building Supply 7.99
May 2012 2x4x16 #2 SPF 12 Balamo Building Supply 67.08
May 2012 2″ #188 Drip Cap – PVC 80′ Balamo Building Supply 70.40
May 2012 2x4x16 #2 SPF 18 Balamo Building Supply 113.25
June 2012 Metal Roof Installation (labor) n/a withheld by request 875.00
June 2012 10×3/4HWH screws 200 Fastenal 41.77
July 2012 2x10x16 2 Balamo Building Supply 24.59
July 2012 Caulk and Kitchen Sink 1 Home Depot 300.39
July 2012 2x10x10 2 Balamo Building Supply 18.07
July 2012 Romex – 100ft. 1 Home Depot 31.21
July 2012 PEX tubing and fittings plus crimping tool assorted Home Depot 151.81
July 2012 assorted PEX fasteners 19 ACE Hardware 26.80
July 2012 Romex 14-2 wire 100ft. Home Depot 151.81
August 2012 Pine Cabinet Grade Plywood 16-8ft. 4’x8′ / 4-23/32″ 4’x8′ / 2 1/4″ 4’x8′ Home Depot 431.82
August 2012 Flush Door 125Amp Panel Door 1 B&H Electric Supply 40.00
November 2012 Duplex Outlets, Single Pole Switches, and Wall Plates 10, 4, 10 Home Depot 15.22
November 2012 Duplex GFCI Outlet 1 Home Depot 13.47
November 2012 Utility Hardwood paneling 5 pieces Lowes 52.79
November 2012 Complete Misc. Varied Home Depot 199.09
November 2012 Track lighting and wall plates 3 and 13, respectively Home Depot 169.66
November 2012 5.0MMx4x8 Utility Plywood 5 sheets Lowes 63.93
November 2012 4″x25′ insulated duct work and accessories 1 roll + acces. Home Depot 78.20
January 2013 Interior caulk, primer, and paint 4 tubes + 3 gallons Lowe’s 93.12
January 2013 Kitchen Faucet kit + PVC needs 1 + assorted sizes and kinds Lowe’s 213.91
February 2013 Kitchen Cabinet hardware 6 knobs, 7 handles, 1 template Amerockforless.com 127.79
February 2013 2-burner drop in stove + vent hood 1 + 1 PPL Motorhomes 208.01
9261.68

Sponsorship Goods In-Kind:

Date Item Quantity Store Price
March 2012 Perforated Radiant Barrier 500 sq.ft. EcoFoil 78.99
March 2012 White Double Bubble Insulation 500 sq.ft. EcoFoil 123.99
March 2012 3″ White Insulation Tape 150 ft. EcoFoil 14.99
April 2012 Leather Glove 1 pair Ethel Gloves 26.00
April 2012 Utility Glove 1 pair Mechanix Wear 16.99
April 2012 ProStruct Roofing 12 Sheets LP Building Products 174.00
April 2012 SmartFinish paneling 10 Sheets LP Building Products 257.60
April 2012 SilverTech paneling 30 Sheets LP Building Products 927.36
April 2012 ProStruct flooring 12 Sheets LP Building Products 236.88
April 2012 3″ trim 30 feet LP Building Products 37.28
April 2012 6″ trim 90 feet LP Building Products 93.10
April 2012 12″ soffit 60 feet LP Building Products 88.56
May 2012 Metal roofing and supplies Full package details Gulf Coast Supply & Manufacturing 908.63
July 2012 Cork Flooring and sealant Full package details Green Building Supply 1275.95
July 2012 Hinges and Drawer Slides 10 – Half Overlay Blum Clip Top Frameless Hinges / 4 – 21” Tandem Blumotion Drawer Slides / 5 – Blum Tandem No Profile 21” Full Ext. Slides Rockler Woodworking And Hardware 529.81
July 2012 CR-7000 portable heater and air conditioner 1 ClimateRight 549.00
5339.13