If you’re new to the whole concept of the Tiny House Movement, you should know that it’s a social and architectural phenomenon that focuses on simple living. There are many different reasons why people choose to buy or build a tiny house but mostly it’s because of the freedom, money and eco-friendliness. Let’s see some of the pros and cons of tiny homes that will certainly get you interested in downsizing.
Freedom of living
What many people today miss, especially those living in very urban environments like Sydney, New York or London, is freedom—the freedom to move, explore, see new places and accept jobs they truly like. However, a tiny house on wheels allows you just that! You can travel the world from your home, move cities as you wish and pursue your dreams without worrying about accommodation costs.
Simplicity
People who joined the Tiny House Movement say that it provided them with a more simple, organic and stress-free way of life. Having fewer material possessions allows them to focus on things that are truly important and to concentrate on their dreams and passions.
Eco-friendliness
More people, especially Millennials, care about the environment than ever before and many of eco-friendly people decide to downsize and get a tiny home. This type of living is much more sustainable and leaves a much smaller carbon footprint than any regular home. According to some calculations, during the building of a regular home, people end up with the amount of waste that is enough to build two tiny houses! Plus, the tiny house itself produces less waste and consumes less water and energy.
Cost
A lot of people choose to live in a tiny house because of monetary reasons. A tiny house can cost anywhere from $15,000 for a home that is built from salvaged materials and a lot of DIY and $100,000 for a lux and high-tech home. So, basically, you can own a tiny home without getting into any debt at all! Also, your utility bills and maintenance costs will be much lower!
Safety concerns
Tiny houses have all the regular utilities squeezed into a super small space that is not even regulated, so you can see how safety can be an issue in tiny living. However, if you provide your home with good ventilation, gas and smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, your safety concerns should be significantly lower. Additionally, you must think about security, since tiny houses seem to be beloved targets of robbers, especially in Australia. So, if you happen to have your tiny home placed in Sydney, don’t hesitate to contact a professional locksmith from Meadowbank and get some affordable security measures for your tiny home. This will ensure you and your possessions are safe and sound.
Legal disadvantages
One of the biggest issues with tiny homes is finding a spot to legally place it and there are many laws and codes that differ from country to country. Since tiny homes are considered to be RVs, some codes even forbid staying in one place for more than 30 days! Additionally, finding insurance can be challenging, too. Many insurance companies don’t want to hear about tiny houses because their accurate value is usually unknown. Plus, there’s usually a lot of DIY involved which can render your tiny home practically worthless to insurance companies.
Lack of professional builders
Also, it can be quite hard to find an experienced tiny house builder. Most construction workers jump at an opportunity to build such a house without knowing where to start and how to conduct the building.
If you feel fascinated by tiny homes and very much attracted by their many advantages, why not consider downsizing? If you’re not ready to take this step yet, there are tiny house rental companies that can give you a test-drive of this tiny lifestyle.
