Dreaming of owning a tiny house?

They’re ecological, minimalist and economical, and more and more people are turning toward this new housing trend. The popularity of tiny houses is growing, both among those seeking simpler lifestyles and those who love the cozy charm of these small homes.

Planning to make the move into a tiny house? Here are some things you should know!

What is a tiny house?

Much smaller than a traditional house, these small homes are between 300 and 600 square feet. Their main distinctive feature is their functional space where every square foot is maximized. No space is wasted in a tiny house!

Tiny houses come in all sorts of styles. Some are fixed dwellings, while others are on wheels. If you choose a tiny house on wheels, you will have to put a license plate on it because it will be considered a trailer.

Advantages of a tiny house

The increased cost of materials and the scarcity of property in certain Quebec cities have contributed to the enthusiasm of future homeowners for tiny houses.

Are you a minimalist who hates to needlessly accumulate things? A tiny house could be perfect for you. It will help you keep only what you need in your home and limit the accumulation of unnecessary items. In addition, a tiny house requires much less maintenance, which will leave you more time for your hobbies and your family. And how about the positive environmental footprint it will leave because of your reduced electricity and water consumption? You can also have a larger yard since the space occupied by your house will be smaller than that of a traditional house.

Do all cities allow tiny houses?

You can’t buy a piece of land just anywhere and plan to build the tiny house of your dreams. Tiny houses usually have to be grouped in neighbourhoods specifically intended for this type of residence so they don’t affect the value of other nearby homes. If you are planning to build a tiny house, we recommend that you check your municipality’s regulations. Not all municipalities have yet created urban planning projects to accommodate this type of property.

The municipality of Lantier in the Laurentians, the Petit Quartier de minimaisons in Sherbrooke or the Minimaisons de Sainte-Marguerite-du-Lac-Masson are some of the places that host tiny house projects in Quebec.

How much do tiny houses cost?

A tiny house is less expensive to build than a traditional house since it requires less materials. On average, a tiny house can cost between $60,000 and $100,000. However, little extras can add to the cost of your project. For example, you may need to have custom furniture built or purchase non-standard appliances.

If you need a mortgage, be aware that not all institutions offer financing for this type of home. This is an important point to look into.

Find out what kind of insurance you will need

So you’ve decided to take the plunge and move into the tiny house of your dreams? Now think about getting home insurance. It will give you peace of mind, whether it be for your primary or your secondary home.

If your tiny house has wheels so it can be moved, trailer insurance is what you’ll need. You will also have to register your tiny house as you would a trailer.

Keep in mind that your tiny house must meet certain standards to be insured.