Buyer guides

Zook Cabins builds small. They also build big. A family company out of Gap, Pennsylvania, selling Amish built park models, log cabins, modern cabins, ADUs and mobile homes since 2006, with a catalog that starts at a 204 square foot studio and runs to a 2,979 square foot house.

Very few builders do both RVIA park models and homes built to your local building code, so one company can handle a summer cabin or a house you live in. Which of those two you are buying is the first thing to settle.

What stands out

• More than forty models, 204 sq ft to 2,979
• Both RVIA park models and cabins built to local code
• Delivery, set up and crane included on the modular cabins
• Amish built, by hand, in Pennsylvania
• 5.0 out of 5 from 485 Google reviews, and an A+ BBB rating with no complaints filed in three years

Good to know before you call

• Zook quotes rather than publishes, so a price means a configuration and an address
• Several models come in more than one size, so ask which one a number reflects
• Some lines are regional: the Cozy collection is Northeast only, and the modern cabins are not sold in California
• Plan on 7 to 10 months from order to delivery, less if you take something in stock
• Payment runs 20 percent at order, 70 percent when your site is ready, 10 percent at completion

Zook Cabins at a glance

• Founded: 2006, in Gap, Pennsylvania
• Built by: Amish crews, in their own climate controlled facility
• Catalog: more than forty models across park models, modern cabins, log cabins, ADUs and mobile homes
• Certifications: RVIA to ANSI A119.5 on the park models, local building code on the cabins and ADUs
• Standing: A+ with the Better Business Bureau, accredited, no complaints in three years
• Ships: the United States except Alaska and Hawaii

How much does a Zook cabin cost?

Zook quotes rather than publishing prices, which is how most of this category works. The three Zook homes in our listings carry firm starting numbers.

• Nook Studio  ·  from 204 sq ft  ·  park model  ·  from $80,000
• A-Frame Lodge  ·  from 1,195 sq ft  ·  certified modular  ·  from $330,000
• The Walden Stack  ·  from 1,290 sq ft  ·  certified modular  ·  from $400,000

Those are base builds. Finish level, layout and your site all move them, and several Zook models are offered in more than one size, so a quote only means something once a configuration is attached to it.

Here is the published catalog with sizes.

Park models  ·  204 to 400 sq ft

RVIA sealed to ANSI A119.5. Built for seasonal use, campgrounds, guest space and rentals, and they sit on a gravel pad or a concrete slab rather than a foundation.

• Nook Studio  ·  204 sq ft
• The Atlas  ·  233 sq ft
• Nook Family  ·  255 sq ft
• Yukon  ·  296 sq ft
• Denali  ·  384 sq ft
• Kodiak  ·  384 sq ft
• Sonoma  ·  395 sq ft
• Skye  ·  399 sq ft
• A-Frame Studio  ·  400 sq ft
• A-Frame Bunkhouse  ·  400 sq ft
• A-Frame Classic  ·  400 sq ft
• Aspen  ·  400 sq ft
• Cascade  ·  400 sq ft
• Luna  ·  400 sq ft
• Outpost  ·  400 sq ft
• Pinecrest  ·  400 sq ft
• Winslow  ·  400 sq ft

Modern cabins  ·  470 to 2,979 sq ft

Contemporary shapes with wood interiors, built to your local building code on a permanent foundation. The two largest homes in our listings come from this line.

• A-Frame Retreat  ·  470 sq ft
• The Spruce  ·  656 sq ft
• The Juniper  ·  768 sq ft
• The Two Pines  ·  935 to 1,269 sq ft
• The Woodland  ·  738 to 1,442 sq ft
• The Walden Stack  ·  1,290 sq ft
• The A-Frame Lodge  ·  1,195 to 2,135 sq ft
• The Soren  ·  1,316 to 1,822 sq ft
• The Homestead  ·  936 to 2,979 sq ft

Log cabins  ·  656 to 2,926 sq ft

Traditional log construction, sorted into the Cattleman, Cozy Cabins and Mountain Home collections as they get larger.

• The Wrangler  ·  656 sq ft
• The Frontier  ·  660 to 1,548 sq ft
• The Settler  ·  660 to 1,680 sq ft
• The Pioneer  ·  660 to 1,680 sq ft
• The Musketeer  ·  720 to 1,680 sq ft
• The Lariat  ·  768 to 1,648 sq ft
• The Chalet  ·  866 to 1,901 sq ft
• The Mountaineer  ·  936 to 1,680 sq ft
• The Mountaineer Deluxe  ·  1,031 to 1,946 sq ft
• The Glacier  ·  1,039 to 1,971 sq ft
• The Sunset Ridge  ·  1,040 to 1,680 sq ft
• The Alpine  ·  1,144 to 1,680 sq ft
• The Timberline  ·  1,451 to 1,780 sq ft
• The Canyon Lodge  ·  1,790 to 2,926 sq ft

ADUs  ·  564 to 1,648 sq ft

Sized to fit what most jurisdictions will permit as an accessory dwelling, and built to local code on a permanent foundation.

• The A-Frame Dwelling  ·  564 to 846 sq ft
• The Monterey ADU  ·  639 to 749 sq ft
• The Anders ADU  ·  648 to 710 sq ft
• The Sonoma ADU  ·  678 sq ft
• The Rivara ADU  ·  728 sq ft
• The Grove ADU  ·  795 sq ft
• The Marietta ADU  ·  768 to 1,648 sq ft

There is a Luxury Mobile Homes line as well, and anything outside our listings starts with a quote request.

Which Zook model should you buy?

If you asked us over coffee, we would say the A-Frame Lodge. At $276 a square foot in its smallest plan it is the best rate of the Zook homes we carry, it is built to your local code so it finances like a house, and delivery, set up and crane are already in the number. It also comes in four lengths on a thirty foot width, so the same house scales from 1,195 to 2,135 square feet without starting the conversation over.

The Walden Stack is the one if you need three bedrooms and three bathrooms more than you need floor area. The Nook Studio is the right answer for a seasonal place, an RV park or a guest room at the bottom of the garden.

Park model or built to code?

This decides your permits, your financing and your property tax, and it matters more than the floor plan does.

Park models are recreational vehicles, legally speaking. ANSI A119.5, RVIA seal. They go on a compact gravel pad or a concrete slab, which in most places means no building permit and no property tax on the structure, so placement is quick and cheap. Financing runs through an RV or chattel lender rather than a mortgage, and many counties cap how long you can live in one.

Cabins and ADUs are houses. Zook says the modern cabin lineup is built to meet your local building code and the ADUs to applicable codes, and both go on a permanent foundation. That makes them real property: conventional and construction financing both work, nobody caps your occupancy, and the building holds value with the land instead of depreciating like a vehicle.

Summer place, rental cabin, guest house, something going in an RV park? Park model. Somewhere you intend to live and borrow against? The cabin lines. Call your county planning office before you fall for a floor plan, because their answer tells you which half of the catalog you are shopping. Our guide on park models versus tiny homes on wheels goes further into how the classifications work.

A closer look at a few of them

Park model

Nook Studio

204 sq ft  ·  24' by 8.5'  ·  1 bed, 1 bath  ·  sleeps 2  ·  from $80,000

The smallest thing Zook publishes, and a tidy piece of design. One open room with a king bed on a raised platform, custom birch cabinets, pine tongue and groove over the walls and ceiling, wrapped in black stained pine under a textured black metal roof.

The mechanicals are right for a park model: R14 to R21 insulation, a 9,000 BTU mini split, a 28 gallon water heater and a 50 amp panel with an exterior RV inlet, all on a three axle trailer frame with a removable hitch. Zook delivers it to your site; levelling and skirting are yours to arrange.

See full specifications for the Nook Studio

Certified modular

A-Frame Lodge

1,195 to 2,135 sq ft  ·  2 to 3 bed, 2 to 3 bath  ·  from $330,000

The showpiece, and our pick. A steep A frame with a wall of glass filling the gable, cathedral ceilings throughout, and Nordic Spruce Lunawood shiplap set against black trim and black windows. This is the one people fall for.

Four plans on a thirty foot width, at 1,195, 1,665, 1,960 and 2,135 square feet, the largest of which takes it to three bedrooms. Built to your local code, and delivery, set up, crane and the permits and escorts the delivery needs are all included.

See full specifications for the A-Frame Lodge

Certified modular

The Walden Stack

1,290 sq ft  ·  3 bed, 3 bath  ·  sleeps 8  ·  from $400,000

The family one. Three bedrooms and three bathrooms arriving as two fifteen by fifty two foot modules that set in a day. Glass walls in the primary suite and the living room, incense cedar siding, a 40 year black metal roof and a double seven foot composite deck.

Inside there are vinyl plank floors, painted nickel gap walls, shaker cabinetry and spray foam insulation above local code. Three separate exterior doors, one off the living room and one from each of two bedrooms, which suits a multigenerational household or renting out half of it.

See full specifications for The Walden Stack

How they compare to other builders we like

Zook is a lovely fit for a lot of buyers, and there are a couple of others worth putting next to them depending on what you care about most.

Zook and Lancaster Log Cabins

Lancaster Log Cabins works out of the same town and concentrates on park model RVs. They are an approved KOA vendor, so they merit a look if you are outfitting a campground or building a rental fleet. Zook is the one to price if you want the option of a permanent, mortgageable house from the same builder.

Zook and the tiny home on wheels builders

A tiny home on wheels is a third classification again, with its own permitting and financing. Tiny Mountain Houses and Mint Tiny House both build in that space, and that is the part of the market to look at if mobility matters more to you than permanence. Zook has the edge once the building is staying put. Our Mint guide covers that lineup the same way this one does.

How buying one works

Zook sets the process out plainly, which makes it easy to plan around.

• The schedule. 20 percent at order, 70 percent when your site is ready, 10 percent at completion
• The timeline. About 7 to 10 months: 5 to 8 weeks of engineering, four to six months or more in the build queue, then 3 to 8 weeks of construction
• What is included. On the cabins, shipping, crane and set up, plus the permits and escorts the delivery itself needs
• What is yours. The building permit, foundation, well, septic and utility hookups, and the finishing items: floor insulation, steps, gutters, heating, appliances and furniture
• Where they go. The United States except Alaska and Hawaii, with the park model package excluding Alabama as well

The one to pin down early is that 70 percent payment, which lands when your site is ready rather than on a date. Permits and site work set that clock, so ask what happens if yours runs long.

What sits alongside the price

A cabin price covers the building. A cabin project covers more, and none of this is particular to Zook. It is true of every factory built home from every builder, and giving it a real line early is what keeps a budget intact.

• Site work. Clearing, grading, the pad or foundation, and a driveway a semi truck and a crane can actually use
• Utilities. Water, septic or sewer, and power to the building. On raw land this is often the biggest number after the home
• Permits, driven by the classification, which is why that one comes first
• The finishing items Zook leaves to you, from steps and gutters to appliances
• Land, if you do not already own it

Our guide on how to evaluate land before you buy covers what to check, and what really matters when comparing home models walks through holding two quotes side by side.

Where to start

Have a look through the Zook Cabins listings for specifications and photography, or widen out across cabins and off grid homes, park models and modular homes. In Colorado you can also see what is around Denver and Fort Collins, where we are planning a show lot.

Related reading

• Park model vs tiny home on wheels  ·  how the classifications work
• How to evaluate land before you buy  ·  zoning, utilities, soil and site prep
• Tiny home vs ADU  ·  if it is going in a backyard
• Mint Tiny House prices and models  ·  the same guide for a tiny home builder

Frequently asked questions

Are Zook Cabins a good buy?

We think so, and the modular cabins are where it shows most. The A-Frame Lodge lands near $276 a square foot with delivery, set up and crane already in the number, and the catalog is broad enough that one builder can cover a campground cabin and a house you live in.

• More than forty models, 204 sq ft up to 2,979
• Both RVIA park models and cabins built to local code
• 5.0 out of 5 from 485 Google reviews
• A+ with the Better Business Bureau, accredited, no complaints in three years

Plan on asking for a quote, since Zook does not publish prices.

How much do Zook Cabins cost?

The Zook homes in our listings start at $80,000 for the 204 sq ft Nook Studio, $330,000 for the A-Frame Lodge and $400,000 for the Walden Stack.

• Nook Studio, a 204 sq ft park model, from $80,000
• A-Frame Lodge, built to local code from 1,195 sq ft, from $330,000
• The Walden Stack, 1,290 sq ft with three bedrooms, from $400,000

Zook publishes more than forty models and quotes rather than listing prices, so anything else starts with a quote request.

Who builds Zook Cabins, and where?

Amish crews, by hand, in Zook's own climate controlled facility in Pennsylvania. The company was founded in 2006 and works out of Gap.

• Building since 2006
• Park models, modern cabins, log cabins, ADUs and mobile homes
• Delivered across the United States except Alaska and Hawaii

Some lines are regional, so confirm that your model is sold in your state.

Are Zook Cabins RVs or real houses?

Both, depending on the line, and that one distinction drives your permits, your loan and your property tax.

• Park models such as the Nook Studio are RVIA sealed to ANSI A119.5 and count as RVs
• The modern cabins and ADUs are built to your local building code on a permanent foundation
• The cabin lines are the ones that work as a primary residence and for a mortgage

Get the classification in writing early, because your county cares about it more than anything else on the spec sheet.

Can you finance a Zook Cabin?

Yes, and the loan follows the classification rather than the price.

• A cabin built to local code qualifies for conventional and construction financing
• Park models go through RV or chattel lenders, usually shorter terms at higher rates
• Zook does not lend, so you bring your own lender

Settle park model versus built to code first and the financing conversation gets much simpler.

How long does a Zook Cabin take?

About 7 to 10 months from order to delivery, and less if you take something already in stock.

• 5 to 8 weeks of engineering
• Four to six months or more in the build queue
• 3 to 8 weeks of construction once it starts

Your own permits and site work run alongside that, and the 70 percent payment is due when the site is ready.

What is the smallest Zook Cabin?

The Nook Studio, at 204 square feet. Nothing in the park model line is smaller.

• 204 sq ft, 24 by 8.5 feet, one bed, one bath, sleeps two
• Next up are the Atlas at 233 and the Nook Family at 255
• Most of the park model range sits between 384 and 400

In the modern cabin line the 470 square foot A-Frame Retreat is the smallest, and in the ADU line it is the A-Frame Dwelling from 564.

Updated November 2026

Mint Tiny House builds tiny houses on wheels, park models and modular homes in Delta, British Columbia, and has been doing it since 2014. They describe themselves as one of North America's largest tiny house RV and park model manufacturers, and the range backs that up: twelve published models from 236 to 528 square feet, shipped across the United States and Canada.

Every model sits on a trailer chassis with a wood frame above it. What changes across the range is the certification, and that is the one thing worth understanding before you shop, because it decides where the home is allowed to go. Here is the lineup, the prices, and what that certification means.

What stands out

• Twelve published models, 236 to 528 sq ft
• A published price on every model, almost all of them in both US and Canadian dollars
• Three product lines, each with its own certification
• Building since 2014, from Delta, British Columbia
• Ships across the United States and Canada
• The same 528 sq ft footprint offered three different ways

Good to know before you call

• Prices are quoted in Canadian dollars plus tax with a US conversion, so the exchange rate moves them
• Three lines, three standards: tiny house RVs, park models, and modular homes built to CSA A277
• The modular line is certified for placement in Canada
• The US and Canadian builds of the same model can differ, including how many lofts you get
• A $25,000 CAD retainer holds your build slot, and Mint says it is non-refundable
• The build takes 8 weeks, but orders go in 6 to 7 months ahead, so plan from the order date

Mint Tiny House at a glance

• Built by: Mint Tiny House Co., building since 2014
• Where: Delta, British Columbia
• Catalog: 12 published models from 236 to 528 sq ft, across a tiny house line, a park model line and two sold as a Modular Edition
• Structure: trailer chassis with a wood frame
• Certification: RV standards on the tiny house line, park model standards on the park models, CSA A277 on the modular homes
• Build time: 8 weeks, with orders usually placed 6 to 7 months ahead
• Warranty: one year on the home and the trailer, 40 years on the roof
• Serves: United States and Canada

How much does a Mint home cost?

Here is the whole catalog, smallest to largest, in US dollars except where noted. These are starting prices, and Mint notes that the final figure moves with taxes, exchange rates and production costs.

• STR 26  ·  236 sq ft  ·  $82,212  ·  $348 a square foot
• STR 30  ·  250 sq ft  ·  $94,692  ·  $379 a square foot
• Onyx  ·  257 sq ft  ·  $123,552  ·  $481 a square foot
• Nest  ·  345 sq ft  ·  $112,750  ·  $327 a square foot
• Ruby  ·  386 sq ft  ·  $116,220  ·  $301 a square foot  · Loft Edition
• Everest  ·  392 sq ft  ·  $128,232  ·  $327 a square foot  · Canada Goose Edition
• Arctic  ·  392 sq ft  ·  $128,232  ·  $327 a square foot  · Canada Goose Edition
• Ventura  ·  400 sq ft  ·  $119,750  ·  $299 a square foot
• Selkirk  ·  512 sq ft  ·  $199,750 CAD
• Orca  ·  528 sq ft  ·  $156,312  ·  $296 a square foot  · Park Model Canada Edition
• Hartley  ·  528 sq ft  ·  $166,144  ·  $315 a square foot  · Modular Edition
• Tofino  ·  528 sq ft  ·  $170,820  ·  $324 a square foot  · Modular Edition

The Selkirk is the one model Mint prices in Canadian dollars only, at $199,750 CAD plus tax, so it is the one figure in that list not converted. The Hartley and the Tofino are the modular line, built to CSA A277 and certified for placement in Canada. Everything else is a tiny house RV or a park model.

Across the models that carry a US price the catalog averages about $339 a square foot. The Onyx is the outlier at $481, which is what happens when you put a full kitchen and bathroom into 257 square feet. Everything from the Ruby upward sits between $296 and $379.

The 528 square foot question

Three models share the largest footprint in the range, and they are priced differently.

• Orca  ·  528 sq ft  ·  $156,312  ·  Park Model Canada Edition
• Hartley  ·  528 sq ft  ·  $166,144  ·  Modular Edition
• Tofino  ·  528 sq ft  ·  $170,820  ·  Modular Edition

Same square footage, roughly $14,508 between the cheapest and the priciest. You are not buying more space. You are buying a different classification, and that is the thing that decides whether the home can sit on a residential lot or belongs in a park. If you take one idea away from this page, take that one.

Here is what that money actually buys. The Orca is a park model. The Hartley and the Tofino are modular homes built to CSA A277, the Canadian standard for factory-built buildings, which Mint says meets or exceeds most provincial building codes. A park model is certified as a park model. A CSA A277 home is certified against a building code, which is a different and generally easier conversation with a planning department. Mint certifies both modular models for placement in Canada, so for a US buyer the Orca is the one in this group to ask about.

What the certification decides

Mint builds to three standards across the range, one per line, and which one your model carries is the single most useful thing to know before you shop.

On the tiny house side, Mint states that their tiny house RVs are certified as recreational vehicles, to RVIA NFPA 1192 in the United States and CSA Z240 RV in Canada. A home certified as an RV is treated as an RV, which means the rules that apply to it are your county's rules for parking a recreational vehicle. Those vary a lot from one county to the next, so that is a local question rather than a Mint question.

On the park model side it is different. The Ventura page lists ANSI A119.5 for the United States and CSA Z241 for Canada, which are the park model standards rather than the RV ones. The practical difference shows up in the build: Mint notes that US Venturas can have two sleeping lofts while Canadian ones get a single loft rated for storage only, because the certifications differ on what a loft may be used for.

Mint says both Intertek and RVIA inspect its units, that they carry Transport Canada National Safety Marking approval for road use, and that they are registered with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the United States. For a home you intend to tow, that paperwork is the part that matters.

Then there is the modular line, which works differently from the other two and is the one most worth understanding. The Hartley and the Tofino are built to CSA A277, the Canadian standard for factory certification of factory-built buildings, and Mint says the Hartley meets or exceeds most provincial building codes across Canada. Their modular pages add that these homes are built to meet BC building codes the same way a site-built house is. That is a building code rather than a vehicle standard, and it is the same standard Hewing Haus builds to. Mint certifies both modular models for placement in Canada.

So the practical shape of it is this. The RV and park model standards are vehicle standards, and a home built to one of them is placed under your county's rules for recreational vehicles or park models. CSA A277 is a building code pathway, which is usually the easier one for a permanent spot on residential land. Neither is better built; they are certified for different places to sit. Before you put money down, call your county or municipal planning office, tell them the exact certification on the model you want, and ask what they allow and for how long. Our guide on park models versus tiny homes on wheels walks through how the classifications differ, and how to evaluate land before you buy covers the site and zoning side.

Which Mint model should you buy?

If you asked us over coffee, we would say the Ruby. At 386 square feet it is $301 a square foot, the best rate in the range outside the two largest models, and the loft layout buys you sleeping space without paying for more footprint. It suits a rental, a guest house or one or two people living full time.

The STR 30 is the one to look at if the plan is short term rental, which is what it was designed around. The Everest and Arctic are the same 392 square feet at the same price and differ on layout, so pull both floor plans up rather than choosing on the number. And if you want the largest footprint, the 528 sq ft section above matters more than the price does.

A closer look at a few of them

Ruby  ·  386 sq ft  ·  34' long  ·  $116,220  ·  Loft Edition. Our pick of the range, and the best rate per square foot outside the two largest models. Full specifications.

STR 26  ·  236 sq ft  ·  26' long  ·  $82,212. The smallest model and the cheapest way into the range, though not the best rate per square foot. Full specifications.

STR 30  ·  250 sq ft  ·  30' long  ·  $94,692. Built with short term rentals in mind, which is where the name comes from. Full specifications.

Onyx  ·  257 sq ft  ·  30' long  ·  $123,552. The most expensive per square foot in the catalog, and the one to compare carefully against the STR 30, which is nearly the same length. Full specifications.

Everest and Arctic  ·  392 sq ft each  ·  41' long  ·  $128,232  ·  Canada Goose Edition. Same size, same price, two layouts. Everest specifications and Arctic specifications.

Ventura  ·  400 sq ft  ·  40' long  ·  $119,750. The entry point to the park model line, and the model whose page sets out the certification difference most clearly. Full specifications.

Orca  ·  528 sq ft  ·  44' long  ·  $156,312  ·  Park Model Canada Edition. The largest footprint in the range and the best rate per square foot in the catalog. Full specifications.

How they compare to other builders we like

Mint covers a lot of ground on its own, and there are a few other builders worth putting next to them depending on what you are after.

Mint and Hewing Haus

Hewing Haus builds to CSA A277 too, the same standard as Mint's modular line, on a permanent foundation. The difference that matters is reach: Mint certifies its modular models for Canada, so a US buyer who wants the building code route rather than a vehicle standard should price Hewing Haus. Mint is the one to price if mobility matters, or if a trailer chassis suits where the home is going. Our Hewing Haus guide covers their lineup the same way this one does.

Mint and Zook Cabins

Zook Cabins builds in Pennsylvania and does both RVIA park models and state certified modular cabins, so they are worth a look if you are placing in the eastern United States or want a cabin look rather than a contemporary one. Mint holds the edge on published pricing across the whole range.

Mint and Boxabl

Boxabl is built around volume manufacturing and a folding shipping format, so they suit a buyer who wants the simplest possible delivery. Mint is the better fit if you want a choice of layouts and a builder who has been shipping the same lines for years.

How buying one actually works

Mint sets its purchase terms out plainly, and they are worth reading before you get attached to a model.

• The retainer. $25,000 CAD holds your completion slot. Mint says it is non-refundable, and it comes off your first payment
• Then thirds. One third before manufacturing starts, less the retainer, one third halfway through, and the last third when the home is finished
• Paid in full before it moves. Mint says the home has to be paid off before pickup or delivery
• Build time. 8 weeks of manufacturing, but orders typically go in 6 to 7 months before completion
• Delivery. Mint arranges it through a third party, anywhere in Canada and the United States
• The border fee. $700 for import documentation on a US delivery that Mint arranges. Mint says it is waived if you cross the border with the home yourself
• Warranty. One year on structural and material defects, one year on the trailer, and 40 years on the roof

The question to ask before you sign anything is what happens to that retainer if your site or your permit falls through. The classification work described above can take longer than you expect, and the retainer goes in first.

Ask about the currency too. The price is set in Canadian dollars and Mint says it can move with the exchange rate, so find out whether your contract is in Canadian or US dollars and at what point your number is locked.

What sits alongside the price

Mint publishes the price of the home. As with every builder in this category, the project is more than the home, and these are the lines worth putting in the budget from day one.

• Delivery. Distance dependent, plus the border documentation fee on a US delivery
• The pad or foundation. What you need depends on the certification and on your site
• Site services. Water, septic or sewer, and power. On raw land this is often the biggest line after the home
• Set up. Levelling, skirting and hookup
• Permits, and the classification work described above
• Land, if you do not already own it
• The exchange rate, since the price is set in Canadian dollars

Our guide on what really matters when comparing home models walks through holding two quotes side by side.

Where to start

If you want to stand in one first, Mint says it does not do viewings at the factory but will show a finished home at a separate location by appointment, and that O'Connor RV in Chilliwack, British Columbia now carries their homes. Worth the trip if you are anywhere near the lower mainland, because 236 square feet reads very differently in person.

Have a wander through the Mint Tiny House listings for specifications, floor plans and photography, or widen out across tiny homes on wheels and park models, or browse everything we list. In Colorado you can also see what is around Denver and Fort Collins.

Related reading

• Park model vs tiny home on wheels  ·  the classification question in full
• Tiny home vs ADU  ·  which one fits a backyard build
• How to evaluate land before you buy  ·  zoning, services, soil and access
• Hewing Haus prices and models  ·  the same guide for a modular builder

Frequently asked questions

Are Mint Tiny House homes a good buy?

We think so, particularly through the middle of the range. The catalog is wide for a builder this size, every model carries a published price, and the range covers RV certified tiny houses, park models and CSA A277 modular homes, so one builder can serve three quite different plans.

• 12 published models from 236 to 528 sq ft
• Building since 2014, from Delta, British Columbia
• About $339 a square foot across the models that carry a US price
• Prices published in Canadian dollars with a US conversion on all but the Selkirk

The thing to settle first is certification, because it decides where the home can go.

How much does a Mint tiny house cost?

Starting prices run from $82,212 for the 236 sq ft STR 26 up to $170,820 for the 528 sq ft Tofino, in US dollars, which works out to about $339 a square foot across the range.

• STR 26, 236 sq ft, $82,212
• Ruby, 386 sq ft, $116,220
• Orca, 528 sq ft, $156,312
• Tofino, 528 sq ft, $170,820

Those are starting prices for the home. Delivery, the pad, services, set up and permits are separate, and the figure moves with the exchange rate.

Are Mint homes RVs or park models?

Both, plus a third line. Mint runs three product lines and each carries its own standard, so the answer depends on which model you are looking at.

• Tiny house RVs, certified as recreational vehicles to RVIA NFPA 1192 and CSA Z240 RV
• Park models, built to ANSI A119.5 in the United States and CSA Z241 in Canada
• Modular homes, the Hartley and Tofino, built to CSA A277 and certified for Canada

The first two are vehicle standards and the third is a building code pathway, which is what decides where each one can sit.

Where are Mint homes built?

In Delta, British Columbia, and they ship across the United States and Canada.

• Building since 2014
• Trailer chassis with a wood frame above it
• US and Canadian builds of the same model can differ

Because the homes are built in Canada and priced in Canadian dollars, a US buyer's final number moves with the exchange rate.

Can you finance a Mint tiny house?

Yes, but not with a mortgage. Mint says a tiny house on wheels qualifies for an RV loan rather than a traditional mortgage, which follows from the home being certified as a recreational vehicle.

• An RV loan generally runs shorter terms and different rates than a mortgage
• A park model on a permanent site may be treated differently again
• Mint has a financing step in its purchase process and will walk you through it

Settle the classification question first. The financing conversation follows from it.

What do you pay up front for a Mint home?

A $25,000 CAD retainer, which Mint says is non-refundable and which comes off your first payment. After that the balance is paid in thirds.

• One third before manufacturing starts, less the retainer
• One third halfway through the build
• The last third on completion, before pickup or delivery
• A $700 border documentation fee on a US delivery Mint arranges

Ask what happens to the retainer if your site or permit does not come through, because it goes in before any of that is settled.

Is the Mint Hartley a modular home?

Yes. Mint builds the Hartley to CSA A277, the Canadian standard for factory certification of factory-built buildings, and says it meets or exceeds most provincial building codes across Canada. The Tofino is the same.

• 528 sq ft, two bedrooms, on a 44 foot chassis
• CSA A277 is a building code pathway rather than a vehicle standard
• Mint certifies both modular models for placement in Canada

If you are placing in Canada and want a permanent spot rather than a park, the modular line is the part of the range to look at.

What is the smallest Mint model?

The STR 26, at 236 square feet on a 26 foot trailer. Nothing smaller appears in the published catalog.

• 236 sq ft, 26 feet long
• Next up is the STR 30 at 250 sq ft, then the Onyx at 257
• Both STR models were designed with short term rental use in mind

The STR 26 is the least expensive way into the range and still not the best rate per square foot, as the pricing list above shows.

Updated September 2026

Hewing Haus builds modern prefabricated modular homes at the small end of the market: tiny homes, backyard offices and cabins for recreational property. They position themselves as a custom builder working in smaller footprints rather than a catalog operation. Their founder, Ken, spent 20 years building high-end custom homes before starting the company.

They use high quality cross-laminated timber, cedar cladding and locally sourced wood across the entire lineup, and every home is built indoors in the Fraser Valley, British Columbia. Fourteen models, 200 to 900 square feet. Here is the lineup, and how to think about which size fits.

What stands out

• A published price on all 14 models
• Cross-laminated timber structure, not stick framing
• CSA A277 certified, built indoors and signed off before it ships
• One team for permitting, design, build and install
• As little as 12 weeks from purchase to delivery
• A clean size ladder from 200 to 900 sq ft

Good to know before you call

• One bathroom in every model, right up to the 900 sq ft homes
• Certified in Canada, so a US placement starts with one call to your state
• Your site, foundation, delivery and install get quoted for your specific lot

Hewing Haus at a glance

• Built by: Hewing Haus, founded by Ken after 20 years building high-end custom homes
• Where: handcrafted indoors in the Fraser Valley, British Columbia
• Catalog: 14 published models from 200 to 900 sq ft, plus custom builds to roughly 1,800
• Structure: cross-laminated timber throughout, cedar cladding, locally sourced wood
• Certification: CSA A277
• Lead time: as little as 12 weeks from purchase to delivery
• Serves: Canada and the United States

How much does a Hewing Haus home cost?

Here is the whole catalog, smallest to largest.

• Nootka 2  ·  200 sq ft  ·  $109,500  ·  $548 a square foot
• Pender 3  ·  300 sq ft  ·  $152,000  ·  $507 a square foot
• Quadra 4  ·  400 sq ft  ·  $182,500  ·  $456 a square foot
• Keats 4  ·  400 sq ft  ·  $183,000  ·  $458 a square foot
• Douglas 4  ·  400 sq ft  ·  $192,000  ·  $480 a square foot
• Sidney 4  ·  400 sq ft  ·  $194,500  ·  $486 a square foot
• Bowen 5  ·  500 sq ft  ·  $216,000  ·  $432 a square foot
• Granville 6  ·  600 sq ft  ·  $253,000  ·  $422 a square foot
• Gambier 6  ·  600 sq ft  ·  $259,500  ·  $433 a square foot
• Saturna 7  ·  700 sq ft  ·  $292,000  ·  $417 a square foot
• Galliano 7  ·  700 sq ft  ·  $303,500  ·  $434 a square foot
• Copper 8  ·  800 sq ft  ·  $329,500  ·  $412 a square foot
• Ruxton 9  ·  900 sq ft  ·  $368,000  ·  $409 a square foot
• Texada 9  ·  900 sq ft  ·  $374,000  ·  $416 a square foot

They also take on custom work up to roughly 1,800 sq ft, which sits outside the published price list.

Two nice touches in there. Hewing Haus has named the models so the number is the size, which makes the lineup easy to read at a glance: a Nootka 2 is 200 square feet, a Texada 9 is 900. And the catalog sits right around $451 a square foot, running a bit higher on the smallest homes and settling in from the Granville 6 upward.

Which Hewing Haus model should you buy?

If you asked us over coffee, we would say the Granville 6. Six hundred square feet, two bedrooms, and the size where the per foot number settles down. It covers a guest house, a rental, a downsizing move or a full time home for two people without buying space you will rattle around in.

Going smaller is easy to love too. The Nootka 2 is one well resolved room and a lovely garden office or studio. If you want more living space rather than another bedroom, the Copper 8 gives you 200 more square feet to stretch into. And if you land on 400 square feet, look at all four of those models together, because they sit close on price and differ on layout, so the floor plan is really what you are choosing between.

CSA A277, and what it does for you

Building indoors is not just about staying dry. Hewing Haus is certified to CSA A277, which means an inspection body audits the factory and its quality program rather than sending someone out to your lot halfway through. Your home is checked under a roof, in controlled conditions, and signed off before it ever gets on a truck. In Canada that is the well worn path and building officials know it cold.

Buying into the United States adds one phone call to the front of the process. Each state runs its own program for factory built housing and decides what it accepts, so ring your state modular program or your county building department and ask what they want to see for a CSA A277 home. Hewing Haus serves both countries and has done this before, so ask them the same question and keep both answers together. Get it out of the way early and the rest of the project is pleasantly boring.

Our guide on how to evaluate land before you buy covers the rest of the site and zoning homework.

A closer look at five of them

Nootka 2

200 sq ft  ·  20' × 10'  ·  studio, 1 bath  ·  sleeps 2  ·  $109,500

The way into the lineup, and a proper single room rather than a shrunken house. Twenty by ten, one bathroom, and it does beautiful work as a garden office, a guest space or a rental.

See full specifications for the Nootka 2

Quadra 4

400 sq ft  ·  20' × 20'  ·  1 bed, 1 bath  ·  sleeps 4  ·  $182,500

A neat 20 by 20 square with a bedroom you can close the door on, which is the first real step up from studio living. This is one of the four 400 sq ft plans, so pull them up side by side before you decide.

See full specifications for the Quadra 4

Pender 3  ·  300 sq ft  ·  30' × 10'  ·  1 bed, 1 bath  ·  sleeps 4  ·  $152,000. Long and narrow, which is exactly what you want when a side yard or a setback will not take a square building. Full specifications.

Granville 6  ·  600 sq ft  ·  30' × 20'  ·  2 bed, 1 bath  ·  sleeps 6  ·  $253,000. Our pick, and the smallest one here with two bedrooms. Full specifications.

Saturna 7

700 sq ft  ·  30' × 30'  ·  2 bed, 1 bath  ·  sleeps 6  ·  $292,000

This is the one people fall for. Vaulted ceilings, two sets of eight foot sliders onto the living room and another off the primary bedroom, so the glass does most of the talking. Cedar outside, CLT floor and wall system, hardwood throughout.

One small housekeeping note on this model: the catalog lists it at $292,000 while the product page quotes a Canadian figure that does not convert to the same number. Worth confirming the price and the currency in writing before you budget around it.

See full specifications for the Saturna 7

Copper 8

800 sq ft  ·  40' × 30'  ·  2 bed, 1 bath  ·  sleeps 6  ·  $329,500

The most house like of the bunch. Oversized eight by eight windows, dual sliding doors, a full kitchen and a flex second room that most people turn into an office. The extra space over the Granville goes into living room rather than another bedroom, so choose it for the volume.

See full specifications for the Copper 8

How they compare to other builders we like

Hewing Haus is a lovely fit for a lot of buyers, and there are a few other builders worth putting next to them depending on what you care about most.

Hewing Haus and Nanabode

Nanabode plays in the same backyard and ADU space and brings a broader set of plans, so they are great to look at if you want more layouts to choose from or a more contemporary look. Hewing Haus is the one to price if the structure itself matters to you, since cross-laminated timber comes as standard.

Hewing Haus and Zook Cabins

Zook Cabins builds in Pennsylvania to state certified modular standards, which makes them a natural fit if you are placing in the United States and want the certification question settled domestically, or if a cabin look appeals more than a Scandinavian one. Hewing Haus wins on published pricing and on a size ladder you can read in ten seconds.

Hewing Haus and Boxabl

Boxabl is built around volume manufacturing and a clever folding shipping format, so they are worth a look if stretching your budget as far as it will go is the priority. Hewing Haus is the better fit if you want a timber structure and one team carrying the project from permitting through installation.

What is in the price, and what sits alongside it

Hewing Haus will carry the whole project for you, permitting through install, which is more than most builders will take on. The published number is the home itself. The site side gets quoted once they know your lot, because it genuinely depends on the lot. Give these a real line in the budget from day one.

• Site preparation. Clearing, grading, and a driveway that will take a truck and a crane
• Foundation. Slab, piers or crawl space, engineered for your soil and climate
• Site services. Water, septic or sewer, and power to the building. On raw land this is often the biggest line after the home
• Delivery and installation. Distance dependent, plus crane placement and hookup
• Permits, and the certification step above
• Land, if you do not already own it

Our guide on what really matters when comparing home models walks through holding two quotes side by side.

Where to start

Have a wander through the Hewing Haus listings for specifications, floor plans and photography, or widen out across modular homes and ADU and backyard homes, or browse everything we list. In Colorado you can also see what is around Denver and Fort Collins, where we are planning a show lot.

Related reading

• Tiny home vs ADU  ·  which classification fits a backyard build
• How to evaluate land before you buy  ·  zoning, services, soil and access
• Beyond the price tag  ·  comparing quotes honestly

Frequently asked questions

Are Hewing Haus homes a good buy?

We think so, especially through the middle of the range. The structure is cross-laminated timber rather than stick framing, and one team handles permitting through installation, which takes a lot of coordination off your plate.

• 14 published models from 200 to 900 sq ft, custom work to roughly 1,800
• CSA A277 certified, built indoors in the Fraser Valley
• As little as 12 weeks from purchase to delivery
• Around $451 a square foot across the catalog

Two things to have in mind as you plan: every model has a single bathroom, and a US placement starts with a call to your state.

How much does a Hewing Haus home cost?

The published catalog runs from $109,500 for the 200 sq ft Nootka 2 up to $374,000 for the 900 sq ft Texada 9, which works out to roughly $451 a square foot across the range.

• Nootka 2, 200 sq ft, $109,500
• Granville 6, 600 sq ft, $253,000
• Copper 8, 800 sq ft, $329,500
• Texada 9, 900 sq ft, $374,000

Those are home prices. Site work, foundation, services, delivery and installation get quoted for your lot.

Where are Hewing Haus homes built?

Indoors in the Fraser Valley, British Columbia, and they serve both Canada and the United States.

• Founded by Ken, who spent 20 years building high-end custom homes
• Cross-laminated timber structure with cedar cladding
• Wood sourced from responsibly managed local forests

Building indoors is what makes the 12 week timeline possible, because weather stops being a variable.

What is CSA A277 and does it work in the United States?

CSA A277 is the Canadian certification standard for factory built construction. The factory and its quality program are audited, so each home is signed off before it leaves the building.

• In Canada it is the standard route and building officials know it well
• In the United States each state runs its own factory built housing program
• Your state will tell you what it wants to see, and Hewing Haus has done this before

One call to your state modular program or county building department, early on, and you are set.

Can you finance a Hewing Haus home?

Usually yes, because these are certified modular homes on permanent foundations rather than vehicles, and that is the distinction most lenders care about.

• Certified modular on a foundation is generally treated as real property
• That opens conventional and construction financing in most places
• Hewing Haus does not lend, so you bring your own lender

Settle the certification question first and the financing conversation gets much simpler.

What is the smallest Hewing Haus home?

The Nootka 2, at 200 square feet. Nothing smaller appears in the published catalog.

• 200 sq ft, 20 by 10 feet, a single open room with one bathroom
• Next up are the Pender 3 at 300 sq ft and the four 400 sq ft models
• The model number is the size, so a 2 is 200 square feet and a 9 is 900

It is the highest per foot number in the lineup and still the easiest one to fall for.

Updated November 2026  ·  ~12 minute read

You've done the hard part: you've decided you want something small, towable, and a fraction of what a traditional home would cost. Now you're staring at two options that look almost identical from the road: park models and tiny homes on wheels.

They share the same federal RV classification. They come off similar chassis. They often come from the same manufacturers. But they're built for very different lives, and the difference matters more than most people realize until they're a year into ownership. One is designed to move. The other is designed to settle. One is built for full-time living. The other is built for the spot you've already picked.

Getting it wrong doesn't just cost money. It can lock you into zoning rules you didn't see coming, or a resale market that isn't looking for what you have. So let's walk through the real differences, with real prices from real builders on ModelTown, so you can pick the right one the first time. And if you're also weighing a permanent secondary dwelling on land you already own, our tiny home vs ADU guide is the companion piece to this one.

The short version

The real difference between a park model and a tiny home on wheels comes down to two things: width and mobility. A tiny home on wheels is 8.5 feet wide by design, narrow enough to tow down any US highway without permits. A park model is 10 to 12 feet wide, roomier inside, but wide enough that moving it means oversize-load permits, escort vehicles, and a professional crew.

Tiny homes on wheels are for people who want the option to move. Park models are for people who've picked their spot. Both are RVs under federal code, but they live very different lives.

What is a tiny home on wheels?

A tiny home on wheels is exactly what it sounds like: a real home (full kitchen, real bathroom, actual insulation, room to sleep and cook and shower) built on a trailer chassis so you can move it when you need to. Most are 150 to 400 square feet. Most sleep two to four people. Most are certified as RVs under RVIA standards, with CSA certification available if you're placing one in Canada.

What separates a tiny home on wheels from a travel trailer isn't the wheels, it's the intention. This is built to live in, not vacation in.

What they run: Entry-level builds start around $40,000. Most turnkey tiny homes on wheels land between $70,000 and $110,000, and luxury builds push past $130,000. Builders like Mint Tiny House and Tiny Mountain Houses sit squarely in the mid-to-upper range and represent the design and build quality you'd expect from a home meant to last.

Who they're for: people who want the option to move: for work, for a change of scenery, for a partner's job, for their own restlessness. First-time buyers who've been priced out of a traditional starter home. Couples testing whether the tiny life actually fits them before they commit to more. Off-grid dreamers, seasonal workers, and anyone who isn't ready to plant a flag in one specific piece of land yet.

You can browse tiny homes on wheels from vetted builders on ModelTown, and every listing gives you real specs, real photos, and a real price.

Tiny home on wheels example

The STR26 by Mint Tiny House

236 sq ft  ·  26' × 8'6"  ·  Tiny house RV

See the STR26's price and specs →

What is a park model?

A park model is a close cousin of the tiny home on wheels, but with more room to breathe. It's an RV under federal code (officially a "park model RV," or PMRV), built to a standard called ANSI A119.5. Physically, it's usually 34 to 40 feet long and 10 to 12 feet wide, which is what gives it that more house-like feel inside. Real bedrooms instead of lofts. Full-size kitchens. Bathrooms you'd actually want to shower in every day.

Most park models are set once and left there, on skids, blocks, or a stone pad, at an RV park, a resort community, a campground, or a rural lot you own. They arrive fully finished from the factory. You hook up utilities, skirt the base, and you're home.

What they run: Park models cost between $55,000 and $130,000 for the unit itself. Most fully-finished builds land around $80,000 to $110,000. Delivery and setup add another $3,000 to $10,000 depending on how far it's coming and how easy the site is to reach.

Who they're for: snowbirds who spend winters in Phoenix or Florida and summers back home. Buyers who want a compact, comfortable full-time residence in an RV park community. Landowners with a piece of rural property who want a livable structure without going through a full traditional home permit process. And short-term rental operators who want a distinctive unit that guests will actually want to book.

Browse park models from top manufacturers on ModelTown.

Park model example

The Ventura by Mint Tiny House

400 sq ft  ·  40' × 10'  ·  Park model

See the Ventura's price and specs →

Park model vs tiny home on wheels: the side-by-side

Both categories share the same federal RV classification, but they differ across nearly every practical dimension. Here's how they compare, feature by feature.

• Typical size: Tiny home on wheels 150–400 sq ft · Park model 300–400 sq ft
• Width: Tiny home on wheels 8.5 ft (road-legal) · Park model 10–12 ft (oversize load)
• Building code: Tiny home on wheels RVIA + optional CSA · Park model ANSI A119.5
• Typical cost: Tiny home on wheels $40K–$130K · Park model $55K–$130K
• Mobility: Tiny home on wheels designed to move regularly · Park model designed to stay put
• Loft space: Tiny home on wheels common (1 or 2 lofts) · Park model optional (often single-level)
• Foundation: Tiny home on wheels trailer chassis with jack stands · Park model skids, blocks, or stone pad
• Financing: Tiny home on wheels RV loan or personal loan · Park model RV loan or chattel loan
• Best for: Tiny home on wheels full-time living and mobility · Park model seasonal use, RV park life, rentals
• Full-time occupancy legal? Tiny home on wheels varies (often restricted) · Park model usually allowed in RV parks
• Resale market: Tiny home on wheels growing with aftermarket · Park model established, tied to lot location

How often will you actually move it?

This is the question. If you get honest about the answer, most of the rest of the decision solves itself.

A tiny home on wheels is engineered to be towed. That 8.5-foot width isn't a coincidence. It's the maximum you can pull down any US highway without a special permit. Most weigh 10,000 to 14,000 pounds fully loaded, which is squarely in the range a heavy-duty pickup can handle. Owners routinely move them across state lines, between build sites, or with the seasons.

A park model can technically be towed too. It has wheels, a chassis, the same basic bones. But because it's 10 to 12 feet wide, moving it means oversize-load permits, escort vehicles in some states, and daytime-only transport routes. A typical park model relocation costs $3,000 to $10,000 and takes a professional crew. Once it's placed, skirted, and hooked up to utilities, it's essentially permanent.

The honest gut check: if you'll move your home more than twice in the next ten years, get a tiny home on wheels. If you've already picked your spot, or you're pretty sure you have, a park model gives you more space, more comfort, and more house for your money.

Most people overestimate how often they'll actually move. That's not a knock. The freedom to move is genuinely appealing. But the data is clear: most tiny home owners settle into one spot and stay there. Be honest with yourself about which camp you're in.

What you'll actually pay (all in)

The sticker price is only where the conversation starts. Both categories have real costs that don't show up on the manufacturer's website.

For a tiny home on wheels, plan for:

• The base unit: $40,000 to $130,000
• Delivery: $2 to $5 per loaded mile, so figure a few thousand for anything outside your region
• Setup at the destination: leveling, utility hookups, skirting: usually $1,500 to $5,000
• Land or lot rental, if you don't own the spot you're placing it on
• Optional: a truck rated to tow 10,000 to 14,000 pounds, if you plan to move it yourself

For a park model, plan for:

• The base unit: $55,000 to $130,000
• Delivery: $3,000 to $10,000 for the oversize-load transport crew
• Site prep: stone pad, tie-downs, skirting: $3,000 to $8,000
• Utility hookups (water, sewer or septic, power): $2,000 to $10,000+ depending on how developed the site already is
• Lot rental at an established RV park: $400 to $1,200 a month in most of the country

That's why each builder's buyer guide on ModelTown lays out what the listed price covers and what to confirm. We want you to build a real budget before you're on a call with a builder, not after.

Where you can actually put one

Both categories are classified as RVs under federal code. That sounds like it should make placement simple. It doesn't. Every county, every city, every HOA has its own take.

Tiny homes on wheels live in a legal gray zone in most residential neighborhoods. Because they're technically RVs, plenty of cities won't let you live in one full-time on a normal residential lot. Depending on where you are, you may need to:

• Place it in an RV park, campground, or tiny home community
• Put it on agricultural or rural land where the rules are looser
• Move it periodically to comply with "temporary occupancy" ordinances
• Register it as an RV and pay annual registration fees

The good news: the rules are changing quickly. Portland, Denver, Fresno, and Los Angeles now allow tiny homes on wheels as accessory dwelling units in certain cases. In Canada, CSA-certified units are broadly accepted as RVs, with residency rules that vary by province. But you always want to call your local planning department before you buy. Always.

Park models have a clearer legal path in the places they're designed for: RV parks, campgrounds, seasonal resort communities, and rural private lots. Most established RV parks welcome them as long-term or full-time residents. Some counties even treat them as manufactured housing for property tax purposes once they're set on a permanent foundation. Snowbird destinations like Phoenix and Austin have well-established park model communities with long-term residents.

Where park models get tricky: residential subdivisions and HOA-controlled neighborhoods often lump them in with regular RVs and prohibit them entirely, no matter what the federal classification says. If you're planning to place one on your own residential lot, verify the zoning before you sign anything.

Our land evaluation guide walks through the exact questions to ask.

How each one actually gets paid for

Neither of these qualifies for a traditional 30-year mortgage. Lenders treat both as personal property because they're built on wheels and classified as RVs. That changes the math.

Tiny homes on wheels are typically financed through:

• RV loans: 10 to 20 year terms, roughly 7 to 12 percent interest as of 2026
• Personal loans: 5 to 7 year terms, higher rates but easier to qualify for
• Builder-financed payment plans: varies a lot by manufacturer
• Cash: still surprisingly common in this category

Park models use similar products with one twist: because they're often placed in established communities, some RV park operators and resort communities offer in-house financing, especially in the big snowbird destinations. Chattel loans are also common for park models on private land.

Here's the reality nobody puts in the brochure: RV loan rates run 2 to 4 points higher than a traditional mortgage, and terms are shorter. That's a couple hundred dollars a month more on a $75,000 home once you do the math, enough that a lot of buyers who could technically finance the whole thing end up putting 40 or 50 percent down instead, or waiting a year to save more cash. Neither approach is wrong. It's just a different calculation than most people expect coming from the traditional home market.

What happens to the value over time

The honest answer: both depreciate more like vehicles than like real estate. Neither is going to appreciate the way a traditional home would, at least not the unit itself.

Tiny homes on wheels depreciate about 3 to 5 percent a year for the first five years, then flatten out. Well-built, well-maintained homes from reputable builders hold 60 to 70 percent of their value at year 10. The resale market is growing but still fragmented. Most sales happen through builder networks, tiny home Facebook groups, and specialty marketplaces.

Park models follow a similar depreciation curve, with one important twist: their resale value often depends on where they're sitting. A park model at a desirable RV park with a transferable long-term lease can hold its value or even go up, because what you're really selling is the location rights along with the home. A park model on private rural land is valued more purely as an RV.

If long-term value matters to you, two things matter more than the model you pick: pick a manufacturer with strong resale reputation, and think carefully about where you place it. Location often does more for resale than the build itself.

So which one is right for you?

Three honest questions do most of the work. How often will you move it? Where is it going? What are you using it for?

A tiny home on wheels is the right call if you:

• Want the option to move it without hiring a specialty transport crew
• Value mobility, minimalism, or off-grid living
• Don't own land yet, or want to try a spot before you commit to it
• Want the lowest total entry cost for a full-time home
• Plan to tow it yourself with a heavy-duty truck

A park model is the right call if you:

• Have picked your spot and plan to stay for five years or more
• Want more usable interior space at a similar price point
• Are placing it at an RV park, campground, or seasonal resort
• Want a short-term rental unit on land you already own
• Are a snowbird or seasonal resident

Look at both if you:

• Own land in an RV-friendly jurisdiction but haven't committed to a long-term plan
• Aren't sure yet whether you'll want to move
• Are building a small tiny home community and need to fill it with a mix

What about a cabin-style build?

There's a third path worth mentioning, especially if you love the aesthetic of a rustic retreat: the park model cabin. Builders like Zook Cabins and Lancaster Cabins build park-model-classified structures that look like log cabins or mountain lodges, combining the legal ease of park model status (RV parks welcome them, no traditional building permits) with the visual character of a real getaway property.

These are especially popular for short-term rental businesses, hunting lodges, lakefront properties, and campground operators looking for unique inventory. If cabin aesthetics matter more to you than tiny home minimalism, browse our cabins and off-grid homes category alongside the park models above.

Cabin-style tiny home example

The Denali by Tiny Mountain Houses

432 sq ft  ·  28' × 9'6"  ·  Cabin aesthetic  ·  From $122,450

View the Denali →

Where to start

Now that you know the difference, the next step is seeing what's actually out there. Browse tiny homes on wheels, explore park models, or take a look at our cabins and off-grid homes. Each builder's buyer guide shows what its prices cover and where it delivers, so you can compare before you call.

Related reading

• Tiny home vs ADU: which is right for your land, lifestyle, and budget: the companion guide for buyers weighing an ADU on land they already own
• How to evaluate land before you buy: a practical checklist for zoning, utilities, soil, and site prep
• Beyond the price tag: what really matters when comparing home models

Final thoughts

The right choice between these two usually reveals itself the moment you get honest about how often you'll actually move. Most people overestimate their mobility needs. The freedom to move sounds great, but the data says most tiny home owners settle in one place and stay there. If that's likely you, a park model will give you more space, more comfort, and often better long-term value.

But if flexibility genuinely matters, because of work, family, or how you want to live, a tiny home on wheels is worth the trade-off. Both categories exist because both problems exist. There's no wrong answer, only the right answer for you.

ModelTown brings the options, the builders, and the specs into one place, so you can compare park models and tiny homes on wheels from vetted manufacturers side by side, at your own pace. Still working through the decision? Browse every model on ModelTown and see how they compare side by side.

Frequently asked questions

The questions we hear most often from buyers weighing a park model against a tiny home on wheels.

Is a park model bigger than a tiny home on wheels?

Yes, usually, and the difference is bigger than you'd guess. Park models are typically 10 to 12 feet wide compared to 8.5 feet for a tiny home on wheels, which gives you 20 to 40 percent more usable interior space at the same length.

• Tiny homes on wheels are limited to 8.5 feet wide so they stay road-legal without permits
• Park models can go 10 to 12 feet wide because they only need to be moved occasionally
• The extra width usually means single-level layouts with real bedrooms instead of lofts

If interior spaciousness matters and mobility doesn't, park models win on livable square footage per dollar.

Can you live in a park model full time?

Yes, in most RV parks and on most rural private land, but zoning matters more than the home itself.

• Most established RV parks accept park models as full-time residences
• Snowbird communities in Arizona, Florida, and Texas are built around this exact use case
• Some HOA neighborhoods and residential subdivisions won't allow full-time occupancy
• A few counties limit occupancy to a certain number of months per year

Always confirm with the RV park manager or your local planning office before you commit.

Can you tow a park model with your own truck?

No, and this is where a lot of buyers get caught off guard. Park models are wider than your average lane and heavier than most personal trucks are rated to pull. You'll need a professional transport crew for the drive.

• Most park models are 10 to 12 feet wide and 12,000+ pounds, outside the range of a standard pickup
• Oversize-load permits are required in most states, and some routes need an escort vehicle
• Transport is daytime-only in most jurisdictions, which stretches out cross-country moves

Budget $3,000 to $10,000 for professional delivery inside a region. Cross-country moves cost more. It's one of the reasons most park model buyers pick their spot before they pick their model, not after.

What's the actual difference between a park model and a tiny home on wheels?

The main differences come down to width and intended mobility. Both are RV-classified towable dwellings, but they're built for different purposes.

• Park models are ANSI A119.5 certified, 10 to 12 feet wide, and designed for semi-permanent placement
• Tiny homes on wheels are RVIA certified, 8.5 feet wide, and designed for real mobility
• Park models are more common as seasonal or full-time residences at RV parks
• Tiny homes on wheels are more common as primary residences on private land or in tiny home communities

Move it more than twice in a decade? Get a tiny home on wheels. Already picked your spot? A park model gives you more space.

Do park models depreciate?

Yes, but slower than most people expect, and location can offset it.

• Physical depreciation runs about 3 to 5 percent a year in the early years, then stabilizes after year five
• Park models with transferable RV park leases can hold their value or even grow, because you're selling the location along with the unit
• Well-built models from established manufacturers hold value the best

If long-term value matters, prioritize location and manufacturer reputation over aesthetic upgrades.

Can you actually finance a tiny home on wheels?

Yes, but not with a traditional mortgage.

• RV loans typically run 10 to 20 year terms at 7 to 12 percent interest as of 2026
• Personal loans work for smaller builds but come with higher rates
• Some builders offer in-house financing or payment plans
• Chattel loans are available for units on leased land

Cash purchases are still the most common path because the financing math on a $75,000 RV loan is less friendly than on a $400,000 mortgage.

Which one is better for short-term rentals?

Park models, in most cases.

• They offer more livable square footage and full-size appliances
• They stay in one place, which makes cleaning and property management easier
• Established RV parks often have short-term rental infrastructure already built in
• Park model cabins are especially popular for glamping and rustic rental businesses

Tiny homes on wheels work for boutique rental businesses that want mobility: relocating seasonally, or moving between properties. But for most short-term rental operators, a park model is the more practical choice.

Updated June 2026  ·  ~13 minute read

You've decided you want to live smaller, smarter, or add income-generating space to your property. Then you hit the first fork in the road: tiny home or ADU?

They sound similar. Sometimes they even look similar. But under the hood, they're built differently, financed differently, permitted differently, and they hold their value in very different ways. The terms get used interchangeably online, and with the US ADU market projected to grow from roughly $18 billion to over $43 billion by 2034, that confusion is costing buyers thousands.

This guide cuts through it. By the end, you'll know exactly which one fits your land, your lifestyle, and your budget, and you'll be able to browse real models in either category, all in one place.

The short version

A tiny home is typically 100–400 sq ft and often built on wheels for mobility. An ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) is a permanent secondary dwelling on the same lot as a primary home, usually 400–1,200 sq ft.

Tiny homes are cheaper and more flexible. ADUs add property value and generate rental income. The right choice depends on whether you already own land with a primary home, and what your local zoning allows.

What is a tiny home?

A tiny home is a compact, fully livable dwelling, typically between 100 and 400 square feet. The category has two main branches: tiny homes on wheels (THOW), built on a trailer chassis and certified under RVIA standards for mobility, and tiny homes on foundation, built to local IRC building code and placed on a permanent foundation. A close cousin is the park model, a slightly larger tiny home (up to 400 sq ft) built to ANSI standards for long-term placement in RV parks, resorts, and tiny home communities.

Typical cost: Tiny homes range from around $30,000 for a DIY kit to $150,000 for a turnkey luxury build. Prefab tiny homes average roughly $300 per square foot.

Who it's for: first-time buyers priced out of traditional housing, minimalists and downsizers, people who want a mobile or off-grid lifestyle, vacation property owners, and anyone who doesn't yet own land and wants flexibility.

Browse tiny homes on wheels or park models from vetted builders on ModelTown.

Tiny home example

The Nordic by Craftsman Tiny Homes

296 sq ft  ·  Tiny home on wheels  ·  From $40,700

View the Nordic →

What is an ADU?

An ADU, short for Accessory Dwelling Unit, is a permanent secondary dwelling on the same lot as a primary home. Sometimes called a granny flat, in-law suite, or backyard cottage, ADUs are designed to add livable square footage to an existing residential property. They come in several forms: detached (standalone backyard cottages), attached (built onto the main home), garage conversions, and Junior ADUs (JADUs), which are smaller units within the main home, typically capped at 500 sq ft.

Because ADUs are permanent structures, they're built to local building codes, the same standards a primary residence has to meet.

Typical cost: ADUs run $150–$300 per square foot on average, with high-cost markets like California, New York, and the Bay Area exceeding $600 per square foot. A typical detached prefab ADU lands between $100,000 and $400,000 all in.

Who it's for: homeowners who want rental income, multigenerational families, anyone who needs a dedicated home office or guest space, and property owners planning long-term for aging in place.

Explore ADU & backyard homes from builders who ship across the US and Canada.

ADU example

Boxabl Casita Studio

361 sq ft  ·  Foldable modular ADU  ·  From $60,000

View the Casita Studio →

Tiny home vs ADU: side-by-side comparison

Cost comparison: what you'll actually pay

Sticker price is only the start of the story. For a tiny home, your real budget includes the base unit ($30K–$150K), delivery (typically $2–$5 per loaded mile), a foundation or pad if it's not on wheels ($1,500–$10,000), utility hookups for water, sewer/septic, and power ($3,000–$20,000+), and land if you don't already own it, often the biggest cost driver.

For an ADU, plan for the base unit ($100K–$400K for prefab), site prep including grading, foundation, and utility trenching ($15,000–$50,000), permits and impact fees ($5,000–$30,000+ depending on jurisdiction), utility tie-ins to the main home, and interior finish-out if it's not included in the prefab package.

The hidden costs nobody warns you about: for both categories, watch for school district impact fees, sewer connection fees (which can exceed $20K in some cities), HOA review costs, geotechnical or soil reports, and engineered foundation plans. On ModelTown, every listing shows a base price plus typical delivery estimates, so you can build a realistic budget before you ever talk to a builder.

Permits, zoning, and legal status: the make-or-break difference

This is where most buyers get tripped up, and it's the single biggest reason to know the difference before you buy.

Tiny homes on wheels exist in a regulatory gray zone in most of the country. They're typically classified as RVs, which means many municipalities prohibit them as full-time residences in residential zones. You may need to park them in an RV park or tiny home community, place them on agricultural or rural land, move them periodically to comply with "temporary occupancy" rules, or convert to permanent foundation status to be treated as real property. The rules are improving fast, and many states and cities are revising codes to legalize tiny homes, but it's still a patchwork.

ADUs, by contrast, have been the focus of major statewide legalization efforts. California, Oregon, Washington, New York, Vermont, and a growing list of others have passed laws requiring cities to allow ADUs by-right on most residential lots. Several states even offer financial incentives: California offers pre-construction grants of up to $40,000 for qualifying homeowners, New York's Plus One ADU Program offers up to $125,000 per grantee, and Vermont provides up to $50,000 in homeowner assistance through regional programs.

If you're serious about either path, your first call should be to your local planning department. Our land evaluation guide walks through exactly what to ask.

Financing: what loans actually apply

Financing is one of the most overlooked parts of this decision, and one of the biggest reasons buyers end up choosing one path over the other.

Tiny homes on wheels are treated as personal property, so financing usually means an RV loan, a chattel loan, a personal loan, or builder financing. Interest rates are typically higher than traditional mortgages, and terms are shorter (10–20 years). Tiny homes on a permanent foundation can sometimes qualify for construction loans or small mortgages if the home is permitted as a primary residence and meets local code.

ADUs open up more familiar options: a HELOC (borrowing against your existing home's equity), a cash-out refinance, renovation loans like the Fannie Mae HomeStyle or FHA 203(k), and a growing category of dedicated ADU loans, especially in California and Oregon. The honest take: both categories have improved dramatically in the last 24 months. Options that didn't exist in 2023 are widely available in 2026.

Resale value and long-term investment

This is where the two paths diverge the most. Tiny homes on wheels depreciate at roughly 3.5% per year, similar to vehicles, and lenders treat them as personal property. Tiny homes on permanent foundations can hold or grow their value, but only when zoned and permitted as real property. The classification matters more than the home itself.

ADUs typically increase your property's appraised value by at least the cost of the unit, and often more in supply-constrained markets. If you rent the ADU, the cash flow can pay back the build cost in 7–12 years in most major metros. After that, it's pure return. If you're optimizing for investment, an ADU wins. If you're optimizing for flexibility, freedom, or a low entry cost, a tiny home wins.

For a deeper look at how to weigh quality, finishes, and builder reputation alongside price, see our guide on what really matters when comparing home models.

Which one is right for you?

It comes down to three honest questions: Do you own land? Do you want the freedom to move? Do you want this to grow in value?

Choose a tiny home if you don't own land yet or want the flexibility to move, want the lowest total entry cost, are buying as a primary residence for one or two people, value mobility or off-grid living, or plan to use it as a vacation property or short-term rental in a tiny-home-friendly area.

Choose an ADU if you already own a single-family home, want to generate rental income, need housing for family members, want the unit to add to your property's appraised value, or plan to stay put long-term.

Consider both if you own land but aren't sure of your long-term plans, are in a jurisdiction where a tiny home on a permanent foundation can later be classified as an ADU, or want the design and footprint of a tiny home with the legal status of an ADU.

Can a tiny home be an ADU?

Yes, and it's one of the most underrated paths in the entire prefab category. In many jurisdictions, a tiny-home-style structure can be classified as an ADU if it's built to local IRC building code (not just RVIA), placed on a permanent foundation, meets minimum square footage requirements (varies by city, often 150–500 sq ft), and is permitted as an accessory dwelling on a residential lot.

This hybrid path gives you the design language and efficiency of a tiny home with the legal status, financing options, and resale value of an ADU. Some of the builders on ModelTown specifically design models to meet both standards, which is worth asking about up front.

Hybrid example: tiny-home design, ADU status

The Summit by Craftsman Tiny Homes

410 sq ft  ·  HUD-standard modular ADU  ·  From $65,500

View the Summit →

How to start comparing real models

Now that you know the difference, the next step is seeing what's actually available. Browse tiny homes on wheels, explore ADU & backyard homes, or visit our Fort Collins show lot to tour models in person. Every builder on ModelTown is vetted, every home ships across the US and Canada, and every listing is built to help you compare, not just shop.

Related reading

• How to evaluate land before you buy: a practical checklist for zoning, utilities, soil, and site prep
• Beyond the price tag: what really matters when comparing home models
• Off-grid modular homes: sustainable living and energy-efficient design

Final thoughts

Finding the right home shouldn't mean toggling between twelve builder websites and a dozen zoning PDFs. Whether you land on a tiny home, an ADU, or something in between, the answer comes down to those three honest questions: Do you own land? Do you want to move? Do you want this to grow in value?

ModelTown brings the options, the builders, and the homework into one place, so you can make a confident decision and get on with the part that actually matters: living in it. Still not sure which direction fits? Browse every model on ModelTown and see how the options compare.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about choosing between a tiny home and an ADU.

Is a tiny home cheaper than an ADU?

In most cases, yes, but the gap narrows once you factor in long-term value.

• Tiny homes typically run $30,000 to $150,000
• ADUs typically start around $100,000 and can exceed $400,000
• ADUs add appraised value to your property; tiny homes on wheels do not
• ADUs can generate rental income that offsets the higher build cost over time

The cheaper sticker price doesn't always equal the cheaper long-term path.

Can I live in a tiny home full time?

Yes, but it depends on your local zoning and how the home is classified.

• In many jurisdictions, tiny homes on wheels are restricted to RV parks or tiny home communities
• Tiny homes on permanent foundations are generally allowed as full-time residences when permitted as primary or accessory dwellings
• Rules vary significantly by city and county, so always check with your local planning office first

Our land evaluation guide walks through exactly what to ask.

Does an ADU increase property value?

Yes, and in most markets, by at least the cost of the unit.

• ADUs typically add to your home's appraised value, often more than the build cost in supply-constrained markets
• Rental income from an ADU can pay back the build cost in 7–12 years in most major metros
• Buyers increasingly factor ADU potential into their offers, even when an ADU isn't yet built

An ADU is one of the few home additions that reliably grows wealth rather than simply spending it.

Do tiny homes need a permit?

It depends on whether the home is on wheels or on a foundation.

• Tiny homes on wheels classified as RVs usually don't need a building permit, but may need RV registration and are subject to where they can legally park
• Tiny homes on permanent foundations require the same building permits as a small house or ADU
• Some jurisdictions also require occupancy permits, septic permits, or HOA approval

Permitting is often the biggest hidden complexity in a tiny home purchase. Confirm requirements before you sign a build contract.

Can I put a tiny home in my backyard as an ADU?

Sometimes, yes, and this hybrid path is becoming more common.

• The tiny home must be built to local IRC building code, not just RVIA
• It must be placed on a permanent foundation
• It must meet minimum square footage requirements (varies by city, often 150–500 sq ft)
• It must be permitted as an accessory dwelling on a residential lot

Some builders specifically design models to meet this dual standard. Ask up front whether the model you're considering can be permitted as an ADU in your jurisdiction.

What's the cheapest type of ADU?

Garage conversions are typically the lowest-cost path, followed by prefab detached ADUs.

• Garage conversions reuse an existing structure and foundation, saving 30–50% on hard costs
• Prefab detached ADUs have shorter build times and more predictable pricing than custom site-built units
• JADUs (Junior ADUs) within the main home are also low-cost but limited to ~500 sq ft

The cheapest option isn't always the best fit. Factor in privacy, rental potential, and long-term flexibility before optimizing for upfront cost.

Do tiny homes appreciate in value?

It depends entirely on classification, not aesthetics or build quality.

• Tiny homes on wheels depreciate at roughly 3.5% per year, similar to RVs
• Tiny homes on permanent foundations can appreciate when zoned and permitted as real property
• The same physical home can appreciate or depreciate depending on how it's titled and permitted

If long-term value matters to you, prioritize models that can be classified as real property in your jurisdiction, or look at an ADU instead.

The Benefits of Off-Grid Living with a Modular Home: Sustainable Freedom Meets Modern Comfort

In a world that’s becoming increasingly connected and expensive many homeowners are looking for ways to live more sustainably, reduce energy costs, and regain a sense of independence. Enter off-grid modular homes: the perfect fusion of innovation, sustainability, and self-sufficiency.

Whether you’re dreaming of a cozy cabin in the woods, a lakeside retreat, or a minimalist full-time residence, an off-grid modular home makes it easier than ever to live lightly on the land without sacrificing comfort or quality.

1. Energy Independence and Lower Utility Costs

One of the most compelling reasons to go off-grid is energy freedom. Modular homes are designed with high energy efficiency in mind, featuring airtight building envelopes, sustainable insulation, and high-performance windows and doors.

When paired with solar panels, battery storage, and energy-efficient appliances, your modular home can operate completely off the traditional power grid saving thousands annually on energy bills while reducing your environmental footprint.

2. Built-In Sustainability

Modern modular homes are not your average prefab cabins they’re precision-engineered in controlled environments using sustainable materials like cross-laminated timber (CLT) and non-toxic insulation. This minimizes waste during production and ensures a stronger, longer-lasting structure.

The result? A home that not only performs better but also aligns with eco-conscious values. Many models are CSA A277 certified, meaning they meet or exceed national standards for energy performance and durability.

3. Faster Build Time and Predictable Costs

Traditional home construction is often plagued by delays, material waste, and budget overruns. In contrast, modular homes are built off-site in a factory setting, ensuring consistent quality and quicker delivery.

Because so much of the work is completed before the home reaches your property, build times are dramatically shorter sometimes just a few weeks from order to delivery. That means less stress, fewer surprises, and a faster move-in date.

4. Freedom to Live Anywhere

Off-grid modular homes are designed for flexibility. Whether you want to settle in a rural mountain valley, near the ocean, or deep in the forest, a self-sustaining modular home gives you the freedom to live where you truly want without being tied to public utilities.

Many modular home builders now offer solar, rainwater collection, and composting or septic options, allowing homeowners to live comfortably almost anywhere.

5. Comfort and Modern Design Without Compromise

Gone are the days when “off-grid” meant rustic or roughing it. Today’s modular homes feature luxury interiors, full kitchens, spa-inspired bathrooms, and efficient heating systems all powered sustainably.

From sleek Scandinavian designs to modern farmhouse styles, modular homes can be customized to match your taste while maintaining small-footprint efficiency.

6. A Smarter Long-Term Investment

Living off-grid doesn’t just save you money on utilities it can also increase your property’s long-term value. As energy prices rise and eco-friendly housing demand grows, sustainable modular homes are becoming one of the most desirable real estate investments available.

Their low maintenance requirements, efficient systems, and durable materials ensure your home remains valuable and future-proof for decades to come.

Final Thoughts: The Future of Sustainable Living Is Modular and Off-Grid

The shift toward sustainability isn’t a trend it’s the future of housing. Off-grid modular homes make that future attainable now. They combine cutting-edge energy technology, flexible design, and environmental responsibility to give homeowners true independence without compromise.

Whether you’re downsizing, building a vacation property, or seeking a full-time sustainable lifestyle, an off-grid modular home is the key to modern freedom built for today, ready for tomorrow.

A New Era in Housing

In today’s market, more people are embracing modular homes, tiny houses, container homes, and eco-friendly prefab options as smart, flexible, and affordable living solutions. These modern housing choices reflect a shift toward efficiency, sustainability, and customization but finding the right one can still be a challenge.

The Problem: Scattered Information and Frustrating Searches

For most buyers, exploring alternative housing means bouncing between dozens of builder websites, incomplete listings, and outdated information. It’s time-consuming and often confusing, especially for those new to modular or prefab living.

Without a centralized source, it’s difficult to:

• Compare models and prices side by side
• Confirm which builders are legitimate and reliable
• Understand which homes meet local codes or fit specific land requirements

The Solution: One Trusted, Centralized Platform

That’s why a single, reliable platform that brings everything together matters so much. A unified hub empowers buyers to:

• Compare prices, features, and models quickly
• Connect with vetted builders and dealers they can trust
• Discover housing options that fit their land, lifestyle, and budget
• Save time and avoid the frustration of endless searches

Building a Smarter Way to Shop for Homes

At the end of the day, alternative housing deserves alternative convenience. A centralized platform doesn’t just simplify the search process it transforms it. It gives buyers confidence, clarity, and choice in a market that’s evolving faster than ever.

That’s what we’re building: a smarter, simpler way to explore, compare, and connect with the homes that fit how people truly want to live.

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Introduction

If you’re beginning your journey into tiny living, one of the first questions you’ll face is: Where can I find the best tiny home companies? A variety of small builders, big brands, and niche manufacturers all compete for attention, each offering different models, price points, and customization options.

With so many tiny home companies on the market each offering diverse models, price points, and customization options the task of selecting the best fit can seem overwhelming. To make the process easier, we’ve broken it down into key factors to look for, marketplaces to explore, and the best tiny home companies to watch.

What Do Tiny Home Companies Offer?

Tiny home companies specialize in designing and building compact, efficient houses typically 100–400 square feet. These homes can be built on wheels (mobile) or on foundations (stationary).

There are several types of tiny home companies:

• Custom Builders: Offer fully personalized designs based on your lifestyle, layout preferences, and budget.
• Modular Builders: Deliver a catalog of pre-designed layouts with the option for some customization.
• DIY Kit Providers: Sell kits or raw materials for homeowners to build their homes themselves.
• Turnkey Builders: Handle everything from design to delivery to installation offering a hassle-free experience for buyers.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Tiny Home Company

1.Experience and Reputation

Look for companies with a proven track record in tiny home construction. Read customer reviews, check social media presence, and ask for client references if possible. Transparency and craftsmanship matter.

2.Licensing and Certifications

A reputable builder will be licensed, insured, and familiar with local building codes and zoning regulations. If planning to move your tiny home across states, ensure the company follows RVIA (Recreational Vehicle Industry Association) or similar certifications.‍

3.Customization Options

Some companies offer basic models that promote fast and affordable builds, while others specialize in customization. Choose accordingly: DIY kits might save you budget while custom models reflect personal lifestyle needs.

4.Pricing and Financing

Tiny homes vary widely in price from $30,000 DIY kits to $150,000 luxury models. Make sure the builder provides detailed estimates, payment schedules, and financing options. Ask about warranty and after-sale support.

5.Delivery and Location

Some companies offer free local delivery; others charge significant fees for shipping nationwide. Factor this into your cost estimate, especially if you live in a remote area.

Top Online Marketplaces to Find Tiny Home Companies

If you’re searching online for where to buy or browse tiny homes, these platforms can help you explore available models and compare options. Here are some of the top marketplaces for tiny home companies:

Tiny House Listings

One of the largest platforms for tiny homes for sale, covering both new and used tiny houses across the U.S.
tinyhouselistings.com

Tiny House Marketplace (Tiny Home Builders)

Offers a wide range of new builds and resale listings. Includes builder profiles, custom builds, used tiny homes, and shells.
tinyhomebuilders.com

Modular Home Source

Often bridges gap between portable, modular, and tiny homes. Focused on giving users access to modular tiny home providers nationwide.
modularhomesource.com

Zillow (Tiny Homes Section)

Zillow recognizes buyers searching for tiny homes, especially permanent structures. A good tool if you’re looking to buy land and tiny homes together.
zillow.com

Facebook Marketplace & Groups

With local search filters, Facebook is surprisingly active and popular for tiny home enthusiasts. Many groups also share recommendations.
Search Facebook for “Tiny Homes for Sale + [Your State]”

Themodeltown.com

One of the very first websites to focus solely on the field. TheModelTown.com is building a smarter way to connect buyers with tiny home companies. It features a mix of builder listings, show lots, and educational blogs to help homeowners find their match.
themodeltown.com

How to Start Your Search

Finding the right tiny home company starts with knowing your priorities. Do you need financing? Do you want a mobile unit or a permanent foundation build? Do you need a quick timeline or are you flexible?

Once you’ve clarified your needs, start comparing builders that fit your requirements. Many marketplaces allow you to filter by budget, size, and type of construction. Explore builder websites, visit model homes if available, and request detailed quotes.

Final Thoughts

Finding the right tiny home company is one of the most important steps in your journey to tiny living. Look for experience, quality, and transparency and explore multiple marketplaces before making a decision. Whether you choose a DIY kit or a fully customized build, the right builder will make the process smoother and the results rewarding.

How to Evaluate Land Before You Buy

A Practical Guide for Tiny, Modular, and Manufactured Homeowners

Choosing the right piece of land is just as important as choosing the right home. Before you invest, it’s essential to understand what you’re actually getting beyond what you see at first glance. Here’s a straightforward checklist to help you evaluate land with confidence and avoid expensive surprises down the road.

1. Confirm Zoning and Land Use Rules

Before anything else, find out how the land is zoned and what’s legally allowed on it.

• Can you place a tiny home, prefab, or manufactured home?
• Are there minimum square footage requirements?
• Can you live on the property full time or only use it seasonally?
• Are multi-unit or accessory dwelling units allowed?

Local planning or permitting offices can give you this information quickly.

2. Check Utilities and Access

A property may look ideal but be costly to prepare if services aren’t available. Investigate:

• Water: Is there a well, hookup, or need for drilling?
• Sewer/Septic: Is there an existing system or space for one to be installed and approved?
• Power: Are utilities already on-site or nearby?
• Internet: Especially important if you plan to work from home.

Also confirm legal access a piece of land may appear reachable by road but not have a deeded right-of-way.

3. Understand the Topography and Soil

The land’s slope and soil affect everything from construction costs to drainage.

• Flat or gently sloped land is typically easier and cheaper to build on.
• Steep or rocky ground may require grading, retaining walls, or extra engineering.
• Soil tests can confirm if the land is suitable for foundations or septic.

If financing or permits are involved, soil reports are often required.

4. Look Into Permits and Restrictions

Even if zoning allows building, there may be additional limitations:

• HOA or CC&R rules
• Environmental or floodplain restrictions
• Historic or conservation designations
• Fire safety requirements

Permits can take time and add costs better to understand them in advance.

5. Assess Flood, Fire, and Environmental Risk

Natural hazards impact safety, insurance rates, and eligibility for certain financing.

• Is it in a flood zone?
• Is it a high-risk wildfire area?
• Are there protected wetlands or endangered species habitats?

Check county or FEMA maps and local fire district guidelines.

6. Verify Property Lines and Easements

A professional survey is the best way to know what you’re buying. It can uncover:

• Encroachments from neighbors
• Utility easements
• Discrepancies in lot boundaries

Without this, it’s easy to inherit costly issues.

7. Estimate Site Prep and Total Costs

Beyond the purchase price, factor in:

• Grading and clearing
• Driveway installation
• Utility trenching
• Septic, well, or hookups
• Permit and inspection fees

A “cheap” piece of land can end up more expensive than a ready-to-build lot if prep costs are high.

8. Visit the Land More Than Once

Photos and maps don’t tell the whole story. Walk the property at different times of day or during different weather. Look for:

• Standing water
• Noise from nearby roads or neighbors
• Seasonal changes in access or drainage

Talking to neighbors can offer insight you won’t get from a listing.

9. Consider Long-Term Plans and Resale

Even if you're buying for your own use, think ahead:

• Will the area grow in value?
• Can you expand, add structures, or sell later?
• Are nearby properties being developed or neglected?

Smart land buys offer flexibility, not just a spot to park your home.

Final Thoughts

Land can be an amazing investment and the foundation for your perfect home but due diligence is everything. Before buying, confirm zoning, access, utilities, restrictions, and overall feasibility. A little research upfront can save thousands later.

If you’re planning to place a modular, prefab, ADU, or tiny home, ModelTown can help you understand placement requirements and connect you with builders who know the ins and outs of land development.

Ready to start exploring? Let us know what kind of home you’re planning, and we’ll help you match it with the right land.

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How to Compare Models Beyond Price

Looking Beyond the Numbers

When shopping for a modular, prefab, or tiny home, it’s easy to focus on one thing the price tag. And while cost is important, it rarely tells the full story. Two homes with similar base prices can differ significantly once you consider layout, materials, energy efficiency, customization options, and builder reputation.

At TheModelTown.com, we believe finding your home should go beyond comparing dollar signs it’s about understanding value.

1. Layout & Functionality

Start by thinking about how the floor plan supports your daily life.

• Does the flow between rooms make sense for how you’ll live and move?
• Is there enough storage?
• Can the space evolve with your needs for example, converting a loft or flex area later on?

A slightly higher-priced model with a better layout can save you the cost (and frustration) of future renovations.

2. Build Quality & Materials

Two homes might look identical online, but the materials beneath the surface can vary widely.
Check for:

• Framing and insulation standards
• Window and door quality
• Energy-efficient systems (like mini splits or smart thermostats)
• Finishes that can handle real-life wear and tear

Higher-quality construction often means lower maintenance and energy costs over time a value that doesn’t show up on the sticker price.

3. Energy Efficiency & Sustainability

Energy efficiency isn’t just good for the planet it’s good for your wallet.
Compare models based on:

• Insulation ratings (R-values)
• Energy Star–rated appliances
• Solar readiness or renewable options
• Water-saving fixtures

A more efficient model can lead to substantial long-term savings, especially for full-time or off-grid living.

4. Customization & Upgrade Options

The ability to personalize your home can make a big difference.
Ask builders:

• Which features are standard vs. upgrades?
• Are there flexible design options (like different kitchen layouts or exterior finishes)?
• How easy is it to add or modify features later?

Sometimes, a slightly higher initial investment gives you a model that truly feels like your home.

5. Builder Reputation & Support

Lastly, look at who’s behind the home. A reputable builder can make your experience smoother from start to finish.
On TheModelTown.com, every builder is vetted, so you can compare not only the homes themselves but also the people who build them.
Consider:

• Communication style and responsiveness
• Warranty terms and service policies
• Customer reviews and past projects

Trust and transparency go a long way in ensuring your home-buying journey is positive.

Finding the Right Fit

Comparing homes should feel empowering not overwhelming. That’s why TheModelTown.com brings everything together in one place, so you can explore, filter, and compare modular and prefab models with confidence.

Because the best home isn’t just the one with the lowest price it’s the one that fits your life best.