Yes, You Can Buy a Tiny House from Home Depot—Here’s What It’ll Cost You

Tiny homes are trending, and retailers are responding. Instead of having to spend big bucks building a tiny home from scratch, thousands of people are opting to buy prefab tiny homes. Home Depot has become the go-to spot; it sells Tuff Sheds, which can be customized and transformed into the tiny house of your dreams.

Like any major home purchase, the shift to tiny home living comes with trade-offs and adjustments. Here’s what you need to know about the benefits and costs of giving the Home Depot tiny house a try.

Home Depot Tiny House 101

Think a tiny home is for you? Then you're in luck, because the Home Depot tiny house makes the process super easy. Here's what you should know about the Tuff Shed.

The Cost of Building a Tuff Shed Tiny House

When looking to build a tiny home, supplies are an upfront cost. Home Depot’s partner, Tuff Shed, presents buyers with quotes through its "Build-a-Quote" service: The company allows consumers to compare products and installation options for a tiny home.

Retailers like Home Depot and Lowe’s are a good starting place for material needs, but the selection of building materials and costs can vary by local markets, especially during times of shortages experienced this past year. According to Home Depot's website, the lowest cost of a tiny home kit that includes hardware is about $20,000. More expensive options can be about $65,000.

Considering the average cost of building a traditional home is about $300,000, even the most expensive tiny home options will save you a lot of money.

How Do Tuff Sheds Work? The Process, Simplified

When you're ready to start the process of creating your custom tiny house, start by getting a free quote so you have a better idea of what your specific Home Depot tiny house will look like.

First, you can select the size and design. Each Tuff Shed comes complete with installation, shingles, and a floor system—you won't need to pay extra. After selecting the tiny home you like most, you can look into specifics like paint colors and roof materials. There's even a two-story option, the Sundance TR-1600 model, that will hopefully be available again soon.

If you can't decide between a couple of different options, there's a feature that allows you to select and compare multiple Tuff Sheds at the same time to figure out which is best for you. You can also watch walk-through videos, like the one below.

What Are the Benefits of Living in Tiny Homes?

If you've been considering switching to tiny home living, there are plenty of perks for the planet, your mental health, and your wallet.

1. Save Space

Less space to live in makes for less space to clean. There’s also less room to accumulate clutter, which is great for anyone who wants to practice eco-minimalism. A tiny home can also be a journey to improve on old habits. For example, because a tiny home has less room for your belongings, you need to be more mindful of what you buy and bring into the space.

2. Save Money

A tiny home allows you to save money on construction because the property occupies less land. Your bills will also be less expensive, as there's less space to heat or cool.

Because of the affordability, it's a great option for new homeowners, as first-time buyers may struggle to afford a mortgage for a larger home. It's also perfect for anyone who wants to downsize their current property, like those nearing retirement.

At both ends of this spectrum, tiny homes have an appeal. The cost of a tiny home is significantly less than the cost of a larger, multiple-bedroom home. Additionally, upkeep and maintenance are more affordable with a smaller home.

3. Simplicity

The excitement of a tiny home also applies to the lifestyle you live. Tiny homes are associated with themes of adventure, simplicity, and flexibility. With fewer ties to physical possessions, tiny homes allow you to make the most of the environment around you.

Residents of tiny homes often have the outdoors in mind when they make the switch. In fact, many say it's a way for the outdoors to become an extension of your home. What the tiny home may lack in space, it can make up for in quality of life and connection to nature.

4. Sustainability

Simplicity pairs well with the tiny home benefit of a lower carbon footprint. Living off the grid can make use of features like rainwater harvesting and solar energy.

To illustrate the footprint reduction, the average tiny home generates about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year. On the other hand, an average-sized home can produce approximately 28,000 pounds of CO2 per year.

The Takeaway

Benefits and costs aside, tiny homes are trendy and innovative. The excitement of a change to your life and living space is worth considering, especially with retailers making the construction steps more accessible to consumers.

If you’re looking to save, simplify, or live more sustainably this year, a tiny home may be your next big thing.