A YOUNG couple started with an enclosed cargo trailer and turned it into a tiny home for just $8,000 while they were still interns.
During his internship in California, Eric paid a few thousand dollars a month to rent an apartment.
He realized he could build a small house and pay for it in less than a year instead of continuing to spend money on rent.
He and his wife, Zhenya, got to work transforming an enclosed cargo trailer into a tiny home on wheels for just $8,000.
“I always thought tiny houses were cool, fun and interesting, but then it became an achievable goal,” Eric said in a statement. YouTube video.
The trailer already had a roof, but they removed it and increased the height in some spaces so they would have enough room to stand up and build a loft for the bedroom.
The trailer cost $3,000 to purchase, but the couple knew it would be strong enough to house everything they needed, as it was made to transport heavy items like cars and machinery.
Eric used corrugated aluminum instead of shingles for the roof because it only cost $15 a sheet and was much easier to install.
“A big thing that saved a lot of costs was looking for really good deals,” he said.
“The windows, I bought all five new ones for $100 because someone bought too many for their project and just wanted to get rid of them.”
There is a window on each wall of the house to allow cross breezes to pass through the house.
The house runs on solar energy and the gutters collect rainwater, which is then filtered and used.
Two propane tanks run the shower’s hot water heater.
Inside, the couple has a bathroom/shower. It’s a single room with a shower curtain that wraps around the area to prevent water from splashing everywhere.
Outside the curtain is a composting toilet that must be emptied every two weeks.
The kitchen has a small sink that uses rainwater, a propane stove and a minibar.
Eric made a folding dining table that folds away from the wall to make more space.
He used a double mattress that a family member was getting rid of to make a tiny sofa for the living room.
The room is upstairs, in an elevated area. It has a comfortable mattress and two windows, so it doesn’t get stuffy.
“Ultimately, we don’t need that much stuff, and the longer I live here, the more comfortable I become with just having the essentials,” Zhenya said.
“It brought a lot of gratitude for every drop of water we have, for the electricity we have, and it made me more aware of the use of these resources.”
Where to buy a tiny house
The tiny house phenomenon has found new heights as an alternative living solution for consumers worried about rising home buying costs and sustainability concerns.
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You can buy ‘tiny houses’ online in a few places, including:
You can also check out our complete tiny house guides here:
ANOTHER OPTION
There are countless affordable options for people who would rather buy a small home than build one.
Amazon is selling a luxury prefab tiny home for $14,800.
The small house is fully equipped with a small kitchen and bathroom already installed.
Customers can opt for a payment plan of $585.71 per month for 48 months through Affirm finance.
Another tiny home dweller shared how she built her home for just $3,000.
Plus, see inside a small residential community that offers free rent.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story