What is Tiny House Shell? A Detailed Buying Guide

The pandemic propagated the idea of work-from-home culture. Simultaneously, it made us realize that we need a private space to focus better on work. Many office workers shifted to indoor office pods to boost productivity too. Just when the idea of an office pod was gaining traction, the tiny house shell became popular as it is a cost-effective mode of living.

Have you ever thought of having a tiny house shell on wheels too? If you had, you must have wished to know things like the basics of a tiny house kit and the right place to buy it. Buying a prefab tiny house kit can be a challenging task if you haven’t done some homework on them. However, most people don’t know how to do that; that’s why we are here to help.

We have provided a detailed buying guide for an insulated tiny house kit in this article. Beginning from the basics like what a tiny house shell is to the details like the aspects that define your tiny house kit's selection, you will find every detail here. So, stick with us till the end to explore the details. 

What is a Tiny House Shell?

The name "tiny house shell" is quite a self-explanatory term when you discuss these tiny homes. As the name suggests, a tiny house shell is a predesigned or prefab house kit pre-installed with all essential fixtures with room for more customizations.

If you invest in one of them, you will have a tiny home on wheels as their entire structure is constructed on trailers which increases their mobility. Although the exterior is predesigned, you can plan the interior layout as per your choice.

The fun part about these tiny mobile homes is that they provide you with a personal space to relax and work. You can keep them inside your home or place them somewhere, wherever you like.

What these personal spaces will do is they will boost your focus and let you enjoy your peace. The question that now arises is who is a reliable prefab tiny house kit builder in the market and where you can purchase it. 

Tiny House Shell Builders

We have curated a list of the most reliable tiny house shell builders below to let you know which options you can consider.  

1. Autonomous

Autonomous is not a new name for you. We are known for making reliable and durable ergonomic office furniture and accessories. You can find some of the best prefab offices and privacy pods on the Autonomous online store. The good thing is that the Autonomous pod is available at a reasonable rate and comes in three different variants. Our wooden pod for the garden is currently one of the market's most famous tiny house shells.

Autonomous WorkPod

It is essentially plug-and-play, with the electrical wiring set up in advance. Suitable for many surfaces. 3-year warranty.

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2. Mustard Seed Tiny Homes

Mustard Seed Tiny Homes are among the most famous tiny home manufacturers. The company specializes in making tiny house frames and kits and can cost you at least $16 000 for a tiny home. The good thing is that their homes come with preinstalled plumbing and electricity, so you will not have to invest in these utilities once you buy them. 

3. TumbleWeed Tiny Homes

The TumbleWeed, Tiny House Company, has tiny homes in the slightly upper range. The prices of their models begin at $25000; however, their financing option makes it easier for you to buy your favorite tiny home. One good thing is that these homes come with plumbing and electricity fixtures too. 

4. The Rocky Mountains Tiny Houses

The Rocky Mountains Tiny Homes are ideal for people with a tight budget. Rocky Mountains construct tiny homes that are $13 000 and up. These houses are mainly 12 – 34 feet in length and have both plumbing and electricity fixtures preinstalled. An additional benefit of the Rocky Mountains is that you can finance their homes. 

What Should You Look For When You Buy a Tiny House Shell?

There are a couple of factors that determine how suitable a prefab tiny house kit is for you. So, our buying guide would be incomplete if we didn't discuss them here. So, let's discuss them in detail. 

Material’s Durability

The durability of the materials used for constructing a tiny house shell defines the safety that it provides. Evaluating the material used in a tiny house shell kit is vital before you buy it.  Each builder uses a different material for constructing the framing, exterior, and base. The selection of materials greatly defines the cost of a tiny home and the degree of comfort and safety that you can expect from these homes.

Usually, plywood sheathing, LVP flooring, wood siding, and a door with windows are considered a balanced choice for tiny homes. Such a version can fit anyone's budget. However, zip sheathing, hardy board siding, custom-made doors, and hardwood floors are usually found on the high-end versions that come with a big price tag. 

Customization Options

The degree of customization you can add to your tiny house shell kit varies with the house shells and pods you look for. The exterior is mostly fixed when you buy a prefab home or office, so you cannot do much about it. However, the interior of these homes is empty for you to make any changes you like.

Cost

The cost of any tiny house shell is dependent upon the materials that are being used and the luxuries that you are receiving. It is mainly the number of luxuries received that defines the cost of any office pod or tiny house shell. Your selection should be based on your affordability and the market research we have already helped you with. Going for a reliable builder is always a great choice if you wish to get better quality at reasonable rates. 

Final Words

Coming towards the end, we hope that you would have gained some useful insights from our article. We believe that this will make your selection of the best tiny house shell kit easier in the future. So, go ahead and make your purchase today!