Tiny Homes
Tiny homes sound simple until you start planning one. Zoning codes, minimum square footage rules, foundation requirements, and permitting all vary by county and even by parcel — so there's no single tiny home that fits every situation. Instead of selling one "one-size-fits-all" model, we've put together four different paths, depending on where you're starting from. Read the "why" under each one to see which fits your situation.
Option 1: Work With a Dedicated Tiny Home Builder
Best if: you want a code-compliant home built by specialists who deal with zoning and permitting every day.
Why this matters: Many municipalities classify tiny homes differently depending on how they're built — a home on wheels (RVIA-certified) is often treated like an RV, while a park model, steel-container, or fully custom build is treated like manufactured or site-built housing. Getting this classification wrong can mean your home isn't legally placeable on your land. Dedicated builders navigate this daily; we don't, so we point you to builders with different approaches:
EcoLife Homes
A steel-built park model home manufacturer that delivers and installs nationwide. Park models are often classified as manufactured housing, which can be the better fit if your local zoning allows manufactured or park-model homes but restricts RV-style dwellings for full-time living.
Bob's Containers
An Austin, TX builder that converts shipping containers into fully-finished modern homes. A good fit if you want an industrial, modern look with a build process that's typically faster than traditional stick-built construction.
Craftsman Tiny Homes
A custom tiny home builder that handles design through construction. A good fit if you want a fully custom layout and finish rather than a standard model off the shelf.
Before committing to a builder, check with your local zoning or planning department about how tiny homes are classified in your area — the right build type depends entirely on your municipality's code.
Option 2: Find Land That Actually Allows It
Best if: you don't have land yet, or you're not sure your current lot allows a tiny home.
Why this matters: A home is only half the equation — the land itself has to be zoned for whatever type of tiny home you choose (minimum lot size, setback rules, accessory dwelling unit allowances, and utility hookup requirements all differ by county). Many people buy a home before confirming the land works, and end up stuck. Searching for land with the right designation first can save months of headaches.
Discount Lots
An online marketplace specializing in affordable vacant land parcels across the US, including rural and off-grid parcels — a good starting point for finding land before you lock in a home design.
Option 3: Buy Direct Through Gridwise Living
Best if: you'd rather have one simple point of contact instead of coordinating a builder, land, and logistics yourself.
Why this matters: Some buyers don't want to manage multiple vendors — they just want a straightforward purchase with clear pricing and one place to ask questions. We're working directly with a supplier to offer this simpler path:
Mini Office
US-manufactured backyard pods, ADUs, and studios — prebuilt, prefab, or flat-pack. A good fit for buyers who want a smaller, code-flexible structure (office, studio, guest space) with straightforward pricing and no custom design process.
This section is coming soon — we're finalizing our dealer setup with Mini Office so we can offer direct pricing. Check back soon, or contact us if you'd like to be notified when it's ready.
Option 4: Buy Plans and Build It Yourself
Best if: you're hands-on and want to build (or hire a local contractor to build) your own tiny home from a proven design instead of buying a finished unit.
Why this matters: A vetted set of building plans is usually far cheaper than a finished or fully custom home, but plans alone don't guarantee code compliance in every jurisdiction — you'll still need to confirm the design works with your local building department before you buy.
Tiny Home Builders
Offers detailed building plans, guide books, and DIY workshops for constructing your own tiny home. A good fit for buyers comfortable managing their own construction (or hiring a local contractor) who want to save on the premium of a fully-built home.