Tiny House Design & Construction Guide: Your Guide to Building a Mortgage Free, Environmentally Sustainable Home

by Dan Louche

Take the first step to achieving your dream of building and living in your very own tiny house! The Tiny House Design & Construction Guide is your road map to the entire build process. This guide will help you to understand each step that needs to be taken and, more importantly, give you the confidence to start building your own tiny house.

This is the expanded, 2nd edition of the Tiny House Design & Construction Guide. This latest edition contains over 50% more content and over 38 more images and illustrations. I listened to my reader's feedback and added much more information into the framing, electrical, and plumbing sections of the book.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Architecture

180 pages, Paperback

First published October 22, 2012

Reviews

[JZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was one of the first, along with Dee Williams' "Go, House, Go" that were published in the latest wave. (Of course, Jay Shafer's own tiny house, and his designs made me want to do this in the first place, ten years ago.) It made it possible for me to actually plan and design my house, and give me the inspiration to build it.

Fortunately for the nearby emergency room, EMTs and the peace of mind of all my family members, (Mom and Daughter) Fate stepped in and provided a builder and the cash to accomplish the task.
My design, built to 'almost' my plans, is a delight to live in.

Dan's design without a loft, and with a high ceiling was an inspiration. I have more doors and windows, and two skylights; because of my limited vision, I needed as much natural light as possible. I thought 'inside the box' to fit beams to hold up small storage lofts that don't cover up the ceiling, and only need a step-stool to access the contents. and can be removed entirely if I decide I need even less than I have now. Or they can be moved, just like in a doll's house.
Also, I have moveable storage and furniture, making it easy to change furnishings and even to empty it out pretty well for redecorating, (or moving, if that's the way I want to go) and no walls, just curtains, because I live alone, and I can have whatever I want. It's open, airy, bright, and colorful, because who wants to live in a wooden coffin? I can live here until I die, which is the plan. I hope to have many more happy years here, or there, or wherever, in my tiny home which just needs a garden hose and a 20-30 amp outlet nearby. I've only had 20, and sometimes it trips when the heat is going full blast, and I forget and add the toaster oven to the load. Oops! A push of the reset button after I turn off the heater temporarily is all it takes to get up and cooking again. Home, sweet home.

Thanks, Don.

[Andris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid quick read. I learned quite a bit on tiny house building specifics. Each chapter is very short, and a good intro on the topics you'll later need to know in-depth. There were many times I wanted to see more examples or pictures, but a quick internet search gets you there.

That being said, there is only 8 pages about designing a tiny house, with the rest dedicated to construction, and some guidance sprinkled in throughout.

[CraftyBirdies · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book that balances introducing the basics of construction while teaching tiny house tricks. There are a ton of photos and lots of great details. If I actually build a tiny house, this is my go-to book!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent introductory book for building a tiny house for those with no previous experience in construction.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read. A good book that covers the basics but you’ll definitely need additional research to really delve into the details. I highly recommend the Larry Haun book “The Very Efficient Carpenter” to learn the specifics of carpentry.

[Helfren · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concept of tiny house is interesting. A portable house that you can bring to anywhere you want. The simplicity of trailer, insulation, plumbing, electricity as well as the method of selecting the correct construction material really mind-opening. Good book for construction beginner.

[Amanda Boehm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book - I feel like it was an easy read with lots of pictures that detailed how to construct a tiny house. It's a great starting point for some who may be new to projects like this and provides enough information to tackle everything from basic construction to plumbing and electrical.

[Luciana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little detailed book about building a tiny home!

Would definitely borrow it again from the library if we proceeded in building a tiny home.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful high-level guide to building a tiny house. Enough detail to do the job start to finish. We’ll see how well I can execute the instructions!

[Josh Caje · Rating 5 out of 5]

actually very well structured (pun intended) and informative

[MORTEZA MEHRABI · Rating 3 out of 5]

is the best

[Bálint · Rating 2 out of 5]

I understand that this is an overview book, but considering all the hype it got and the bloody expensive price I expected a lot more hands on stuff.

[Thitirat B. Luu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good to read and you will get so many idea and inspired.