Couple build dream “tiny home” for less than $35k
A couple has revealed the inside details on to how they built their dream “tiny home” for a little less than $35,000.
Trysh Martinez, 31, and her husband Saul Martinez, 32, says they began the build on their home back in August 2018, using materials they bought locally.
“My husband and I both have student loans and we didn’t want to take out any more loans or a mortgage or pay for ongoing rent,” Trysh explained to Jam Press.
“The financial reasons were reinforced by our plans to be travel rehab therapists, like travel nurses, but rehabilitation therapists who work for 13-week hospital contracts all over the country.
“By living tiny, we are seeking financial freedom and a more conscious and purposeful living with less material things to focus on the more important aspects in life.”
The pair proudly took on a majority of their renovations and only looked for help when it came to the electrical, plumbing, roofing, and custom cabinets.
They also loved the designing process and took it upon themselves to decorate the little home.
“Saul did a lot of research and planning based on other YouTube videos,” Trysh said.
“He had a general sense of the design plan, like dividing the house areas: kitchen, living area, bedroom loft, bathroom, storage loft, but the details of the build were build-as-you-go to adapt based on what materials we could find for reduced costs.”
Trysh says her and her husband also developed a new-found strength within eachother.
“I also think the whole project strengthened our relationship,” she said.
“We got to see each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
“I personally saw Saul’s character through the ups and downs of the build.
“I was able to first hand see his tenacity, patience, and calm demeanour even in the most stressful moments, as well as his quick problem solving, resourcefulness, and very effective budgeting.”
The most challenging part of their transformation was finding the right land.
“Looking for land and the thought of having to move abruptly is pretty stressful,” she said.
“Tiny house city ordinances in San Diego have recently changed and they are more lenient for allowing tiny houses now, but prior to that, we felt like we were walking on eggshells and feared having to move or getting cited by the city.
“Should we decide to move, it would take another long and thorough search to find the perfect land we could park at and that makes the mobility aspect tougher in reality.”
Trysh says anyone thinking of building their own home should thoroughly research before taking the leap.
“Watch YouTube videos, ask other DIY tiny house builders, and look into all the different ways and approaches you could do to maximise your budget, time and space while making it as custom and unique as you’d want your house to be,” she said.
“Identifying your priority areas - the areas you anticipate will be most frequently used in the house -always helps in deciding square footage and amenities.”
Image: Instagram @tryshka